Sunday, May 7, 2017

Trip Report - Heart Mountain, Grant MacEwan Peak

"A day in the mountains is worth ten in the city." -famous quote by some Asian wise guy. <--me.

As the avalanche risk continues to be high for many peaks in the Rockies, we played it safe and took a short scramble up Heart Mountain yesterday, doing the counterclockwise circuit to Grant MacEwan Peak, and descending back down the northeastern ridge to the road. As if to emphasize the avi risk, we heard and then saw a massive avalanche on neighbouring Mount McGillivray while at the of summit Grant MacEwan Peak. Be careful out there.

Aside from some knee deep snow, and a few icy patches, it was a beautiful day. We were in largely good spirits until Anita slipped hard on a steep downhill ice slope, landing on her bum, and conking herself in the nose with her trekking poles. Then she was grouchy - at the ice, at her poles, at me ... pretty much at anything in near vicinity. :)

First peak down this season. Many more to go.


Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-1

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-2

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-3

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-4
Just to give you an idea of how steep some parts of this scramble are.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-5
Anita showing off some of her mad scrambling skillz.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-6
A colleague remarked that 'We look too happy' for people scaling up rocks.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-7
The massive Mt. MacGillivary, to the west of us.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-9
Panoramic view. Click to see it bigger.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-8
Because beers taste better up here.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-10

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-11
Knee deep snow on the ridge leading towards Grant MacEwan Peak.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-12

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-13

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-14
The painfully long, but incredibly beautiful descent.

Scrambles - Heart Mountain - May 2017-15


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