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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Cougar Mountain
- Location: Kananaskis Country (Highway 66/68)
- Activity: Bike-N-Hike
- Height: 2,863 m (9,394 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,450 m (4,757 ft)
- Distance: 32.6 km / Round Trip (20.2 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 5.1°
- Estimated Time: 6-9 hrs
- Technicality: Advanced
- Fitness Level: Hard
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I was invited Vern’s event to Cougar Mountain. He’s trying to finish off Kane’s book. Just like the last time, crazy Vern made me to wake up at 4:30 am so that we can start at 6:30.
Parked our cars at Little Elbow Recreation Area. We unloaded our bikes and backpacks. Right at the parking, we crossed over a bridge to gain access to the old road. We continued for 11.7 km which is little shorter than Kane’s book. At 11.7 km, the road went down and we decided to park our bikes on top of the hill and bushwhack longer instead. Despite longer bushwhacking, it wasn’t too long, it was just steep. Soon enough we got out of tree and reached broad ridge which goes to the false summit (page 7). There were rock bands to go over but as Kane says the last one is really the challenging one, but avoidable by going around to left. I couldn’t resist scrambling up the last band and which was I say climber’s and was crux of the day. From the false summit, we had to lose elevation and regain about 170 m to the true summit. Before the summit, again you can go left to avoid scrambling, or go straight up to enjoy moderate (maybe some difficult moves) scrambling (page 14).
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
After treeline, going up rubble to ridge top.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Banded Peak behind of Vern and Keith.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
North face of the false peak was quite cliffy.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
The false summit looks little like Banded Peak without pointy top actually.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
4 peak traverse… Who does that? Peeps who have done it must love pain. Mouseover.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Government should make a bridge which connects the false and the true summits.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Going up 170 m wasn't hard at all.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
There was a pretty small lake between Cougar and unnamed peak.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Knowing Vern's pace, I kinda expected Keith is also fast and he was too. I was trying to keep up with them today. When I told them I haven't exercise for 2 days, they laughed, but it's true not exercising for 2 days decreases my cardio & legs like 15% I usually feel. Not exercising for 5 days decreases 20% however. I usually make sure I ride bike the day before hike at least for this reason. Stupid rain (｀ε´)!!
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
The last scramble before the summit. Can go around from left though.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Mountains in west were getting cool clouds.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Looking back the false summit.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Keith found summit registry signed by Alan Kane.
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Cougar Mountain | 2010-07-14
Group pic. From left, Vern Keith, and So.
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