01

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Crowfoot Mountain
  • Location: Banff National Park (Icefields Parkway)
  • Activity: Ski Mountaineering
  • Height: 3,050 m (10,007 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,250 m (4,101 ft)
  • Distance: 20.3 km / Round Trip (12.6 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 7.0°
  • Estimated Time: 6-9 hrs
  • Technicality: Expert.I
  • Fitness Level: Athlete

Waited for this for 2 years. Crowfoot didn’t disappoint me. Perhaps it exceeded my expectation and I have to say scenery wise, this ranks in second from where I have been so far. (Yukness is number 1 is you are wondering).

Weather forecast wasn’t encouraging especially knowing behind of Crowfoot is Wapta which has a reputation to have crappy weather, I preferred to have perfect weather forecast otherwise it can be whiteout. The day started with very doubtful weather but it got better and better. Nice!! I think weather goddess must have heard me complaining about yoyo skiing and felt sorry for me!!

This is actually second try with Vern and 3rd try for me this year. My previous attempts are all canceled due to bad weather or condition. From the parking lot I put my speedo on and prepared to swim cold Bow Lake. Too bad there were no ladies around but Vern to see my sexy speedo that I ordered few weeks ago from online. Bow Hut being a popular place, trail was of course already broken and all we had to do was to follow it until where we had to off-route to Crowfoot. From what I saw anywhere after the canyon where you think safe and make sense, I think you can go off-trail toward Crowfoot’s glacier. Oh by the way, I am sure some of you already know but the canyon from Bow Glacier is known to be a dangerous spot for avalanche, so be careful while walking on canyon. We brought glacier gear in case but we didn’t use it. I know many people don’t bother brining gear, however guild book Alpine Ski Tours by Scott categorizes this as ski mountaineering so if you are uncertain how snow condition is on glacier, bring the gears. After going off-route it was steady uphill all the way to ridge top. It was tiring but on the other hand view became better and better as I ascended. There was enough snow on ridge that we didn’t have to ditch skis.

02

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Beginning of a great day. I was crossing my fingers for weather.

03

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Mount Thompson and Bow Glacier.

04

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Quite amazing how snow or ice can hold on to such steep terrain.

05

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Busy trail to Bow Hut. This is about where we went off trail to Crowfoot. You can't see Bow Hut but it's about little bit right of center of this picture.

06

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Looking back seeing Wapta. Mouseover for peak pointers.

07

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

About to step on glacier part.

08

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Sauron!! Save us Mr. Frodo!! MR. FRODO!! Ok ok. I have made exactly the same comment before…

09

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Too beautiful to be true... Vern way ahead of me.

10

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Love seeing a single track on snow like this.

11

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

180 from near ridge top. Mouseover for peak pointers for peaks in Wapta Icefield.

12

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Almost summit.

13

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Tip of Hector in distance.

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Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Looking at SE. I could see Temple earlier.

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Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Summit view.

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Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Going back.

17

Crowfoot Mountain | 2011-03-27

Time to have some fun with ski!!

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