Yarrow Ridge VI
April 10, 2020
Mountain height: 2100 m
Elevation gain: approximately
800 m
Roundtrip time: 5:20
Scramble with Mark.
Lousy weather forecast in hand, but desperate to get out, we picked
Yarrow Ridge as the day’s objective. This would be a sixth excursion on the
lowly, front-range outlier of Mount Yarrow, but Mark had yet to visit the
general area. My previous forays had also revealed a plethora of ascent routes
to the top and a new route was not out of the question.
Initially, we retraced a similar route to the one I taken two weeks
earlier, near a drainage on the southeast side of the peak. The colourful and
impressive rock near the drainage warranted a return visit. With slightly better
than expected weather, the stunning rock did not disappoint and only increased
my motivation to return to that exact point in the future when the sky is
completely clear and the Sun is lighting up the rock.
At this point, we were content to traverse over to the descent route
Matt, Sandra, and I had used and follow it up to the summit. However, the
interesting rock on the east side of the drainage was too much to resist. As
such we ended up on yet another ridge of the outlier – one that I had not ascended.
This ridge went directly to the first summit and, not surprisingly, was replete
with great rock scenery. The weather started to deteriorate at this point but remained
completely windless – a more than pleasant surprise, having been tossed around
like a ragdoll on multiple occasions on this mountain.
We soon reached the highest point of the ridge. Although the views were
somewhat lackluster, due to the cloud cover, we were expecting a whiteout so whining
and scowling (on my part) were held to a minimum.
After a short summit stay we started down the alternate descent route. I
was excited for Mark to see the red argillite section that’s part of that route.
However, once at the minor highpoint that marks the start of the descent ridge,
the temptation to continue a short distance along the ridge towards Mount
Yarrow was too great. This rare lack of wind was not something to waste!
The traverse was fun, interesting and well worth the minimal effort. Significant
snow on the ridge added to the excitement. We went almost to the point where
the ridge ceases to be a ridgewalk/scramble and then returned to the start of
the alternate descent route. The red argillite band was fantastic, even in
the cloudy and getting cloudier conditions and the remainder of the descent went
smoothly, with the added bonus of checking out the very impressive rock band
that lines the south face.
Another great day on an awesome little peak, but I will be back again
when the Sun is shining.
Yarrow Ridge, just left of centre
After gaining some elevation, we traversed around the mountain to the ascent drainage
Heading up the drainage. I took the snow route, Mark took the rock route.
Looking up to the rock that had "WOWED!" me on Yarrow Ridge V
Great snow for kicking steps up to a small waterfall
The rock to the right of the fall is outstanding!
Checking out both the waterfall and the rock
Traversing below more awesome rock to even more awesome rock!
A short but steep section to get above the first rock band
Traversing below the next rock band, comprised of green and gray argillite
Above that band and heading to the next
Orange lichen on green argillite characterized the next section
Mark traverses below one more beautiful rockband
One tricky step here
More traversing so we can gain the ridge
Steep slope to gain the ridge, but the snow was bomber
On the wide ridge and heading towards summit 1
The first of several outstanding rock bands en route
Mark ascends the next one
From afar the rock didn't appear to warrant much attention
...but up close the colourful layers were very nice
Tons of orange lichen too
Looking west and hopelessly hoping for clearer skies
Unusual lighting to the east. Lakeview Ridge in the distant centre.
Very distant Tornado Mountain is getting some Sun
At the first summit
Closer look at Lakeview Ridge, with Chief Mountain to the right
We thought this turquoise colouring on the rock was man-made, but is naturally occurring and appeared to be lichen
Dreary summit view of Cloudy Junior, Cloudy Peak, Cloudowan Peak, and Mount Glendowan, but it's better than we were expecting
Mount Roche (Spread Eagle Mountain)
Although Mount Yarrow (left) looks higher than Roche (right) from the summit of Yarrow Ridge, Roche is about 120 m higher
On the beautiful ridge that goes towards Mount Yarrow
Looking back
The weather is now starting to worsen
At least the orange lichen provides a splash of colour
At our highpoint for the day
Closer look at the daunting east face of Mount Yarrow - not a scramble!
Easy does it on return; there was one slightly exposed step
Nice rock layering on the south ridge descent
Most of the descent is easy hiking
Some of it on snow
Spooked a couple of deer
The short, but immensely satisfying red argillite
Classic alternating layers of red and green argillite rock, common to the area
Continuing the descent
Looking down the to the valley we need to get to
A minor rock to step down
Mark descends the weakness in the lower rock band
The rock band itself is pretty fierce and super scenic
Great rock!
A little exploration of the rock band
Down in the valley, looking up the descent route
Parting look at the objective
The End
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