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Nihahi Ridge Traverse
Kananaskis, Alberta
June 5, 2004
Distance: 16.9 km (10.5 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1250 m (4101 ft)
Nihahi Ridge begins with a hike up a good trail and a bit of scrambling to the ridge crest. We enjoyed the first section of ridge, but the long middle section was a trudge with many ups and downs with unvarying scenery. However, the ridge finishes with an enjoyable climb to the summit.
Unfortunately, the weather steadily deteriorated throughout our trip. We started under blue skies, but ended up getting rained on at the summit so I couldn't take a panorama that day.
Instead of returning the same way, Dinah and I dropped down the north end, bushwhacked to Prairie Creek before reaching a second car we had parked on Powderface Trail.
Postscript: Rain prevented me from taking a summit panorama on Nihahi Ridge on this trip, but I took one two years later (shown above) when I climbed Compression Ridge. For details on reaching just the south summit, see our 2016 trip.
MOVIE
We started up the trail under blue skies, but the good weather didn't last long
Heading to the ridge crest
Almost at the crest
Coming down the first point on the ridge
>Some interesting scrambling on slabs at the beginning
From a high point near the start of the ridge, much of the rest of the ridge can be seen
More interesting rock near the start
Looking back
The downclimb crux: there are probably easier choices in dry conditions
On to the next section of the ridge
Some routefinding adds interest
Same as above but it shows the exposure
We followed a ledge until we could scramble up
The middle section is an undulating slog
The east face drops off sharply in some places
And still Nihahi Ridge runs on!
Snow cover increased as we gained elevation
Some interesting rock near the north end
We encountered some scrambling
The dark rock of the summit appears
The summit is just past here
It began raining just before we reached the summit
Compression Ridge seen from near the summit
Looking back at the summit of Nihahi Ridge
82 J/15 Bragg Creek
