Mount Norquay
August 29, 2005

Bagging Mount Norquay proved to be a much quicker trip than Kane suggests. It took me 2:40 to ascend and 1:35 to descend. Also, according to my GPS the elevation gain is shorter by nearly 200 m.

After hiking up the ski hill I decided to try the steep rock wall behind the lift station. According to Kane, this wall is as "equally tricky" as the crux below the east summit. But the wall proved to be more difficult than it looked. It wasn't bad at first but higher up there seemed to be fewer and smaller handholds. On the final section I was forced to use two-finger holds; there was virtually nothing for my hiking boots to grab.

After scrambling up the wall I hiked up the steep gully. When I reached the ridge, however, I was buffeted by strong winds. If the crux was anything like the steep wall then I didn't want to be hanging by two fingers in a strong wind! Instead, I took an obvious trail etched into the slope below the east peak.

The trail was rough and I lost it a couple of times but it did speed me along to the col between the east and west peaks. From the col I followed a trail to the west peak.

On my ascent the clouds had been building and when I reached the top I felt a drop of rain. After looking around and snapping photos I headed down. Soon it began to rain. The rain never let up and chased me all the way back to the car. Retracing my steps, I soon reached the lift station. This time I avoided the rock wall and used the trail to the west. When I reached the lift station a thunderclap sounded nearby. Good thing this is a short trip!

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