Wendell Mountain – January 3, 2007         

Mountain height:           approx. 2360 m
Elevation gain:              approx. 1400 m
Ascent time:                  4:05
Descent time:                3:00 

Solo scramble.  

Last year I attempted to ascend the east ridge of Wendell Mountain (not be to confused with the East Peak of Wendell Mountain, which I ended up ascending 3 times in 2006). The east ridge granted me about 15 metres of progress before I backed down because of loose rock and significant exposure. I therefore set off to attempt the mountain from the west side, which apparently allowed much easier access via easy scree slopes.  

After ascending the east shoulder of Mount Yamnuska for the fifth time in less than a year, I lost the necessary 200 vertical metres into the beautiful CMC Valley. The vertical rock of the CMC Wall was again extremely impressive and prompted me to gain an additional 100 metres of elevation in order to check out the striking pinnacles below the wall. Of course that necessitated another annoying elevation loss, but the scenery was certainly worth the diversion.  

Following an obvious drainage, I soon reached the west side of the mountain and started up the scree slopes. The slabby rock scenery on the west side was terrific. Unfortunately it was too cold for me to tackle any of the slabs and, in any case, I would have liked to have company just in case any difficulties were encountered. Route-finding up the west side was fun. There were several different routes to the ridge, but once again, I decided to take the easy scree slopes, as opposed to the more challenging slab terrain.

Once on the ridge, the remainder of the ascent was fast, easy, and enjoyable. I bypassed a couple of daunting-looking pinnacles and then continued easily to the summit. The panorama was a very respectable one, under relatively clear skies. I continued along the summit ridge to check out the east ridge descent, but obviously had no intention of attempting it.

On descent I decided to explore more of the west ridge, finding a route over the aforementioned pinnacles in the process. When time became a concern, I descended the same way I came. Gaining the 200 metres back to the Yamnuska shoulder was excruciating, having already completed about 1200 m of elevation gain. Overall, a very pleasant and stress-free route to the summit of an infrequently ascended mountain.  

A full moon over the prairies

The CMC Wall

The pinnacles (lower left) silhouetted against the CMC Wall

Same as above from a different angle

More of the impressive Wall

Taking the good scree trail below the Wall; eventually I dropped down into the valley at the far lower left; 
The west side of Wendell Mountain is just visible at the far right

Wendell Mountain

The west side of Wendell Mountain

Beautifully clear skies and beautiful slabby terrain alongside the ascent slope

A closer look at the slabby terrain

Other potential routes to the ridge; I ended up going around to the left 

Almost at the ridge with the two pinnacles ahead

On the ridge looking at the summit (centre) and the first pinnacle

Looking back at the west ridge and a higher unnamed peak, just before the summit

The summit view to the southwest

A closer look; visible peaks include: 
Big Sister, Old Goat, Nestor, Rimwall, The Windtower, Lougheed, and Wind

Lots of unnamed stuff to the northwest

Looking down the east ridge of Wendell Mountain, 
with the East Peak of Wendell Mountain to the right

Heading back to the summit

Same as above

Same as above

A last look to the west

Looking back at the pinnacles on the ridge; 
both are easily scrambled over (with a touch of exposure)

 Exploring the west ridge

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