Wasootch Tower attempt

October 11, 2003

 
Our second attempt to find a scramble route up this shapely peak. We made far more progress than our attempt almost exactly one year earlier, but still came up short of the summit. Not knowing that there was a well-worn trail to the saddle, we took a more direct and steeper gully. At the saddle, a close examination of the summit block revealed that it appeared to be too steep to scramble up anywhere. Nevertheless, we weren't about to turn tail and run just yet!
 
In terms of a grade, I'll have to give us a "P" for perseverance. We tried about six different routes, including a steep, pre-bolted slope, about 30 metres to the left of the true ascent route. In our bulky scrambling boots, the slope was quite a challenge and so I sent Mark up first to do all the dirty (and difficult!) work. Eventually, that route failed for us and so we tried one more, even further left. This route definitely had the most potential, however, at this point, we were exhausted, both physically and mentally, and decided to call it a day. Thankfully, we found the trail on descent and enjoyed a very easy and leisurely return to the car.



At the saddle, with Wasootch Tower behind



Mark tries a potential route but backs down higher up



Mark goes up a bolted climbing route in his hiking boots



As far as he made it

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