Setting off across Upper Canyon Creek flats with Mount Bryant ahead.
Upper
Canyon Creek, North Fork GR418428 It was hardly a propitious day for a trip given the recent snowfall in the mountains and rain in the forecast. I waffled for a time before packing up and heading to Sibbald Flats. Perhaps, I thought, the forecast would be wrong. And it was wrong, at least for the area I was in. Although surrounded by cloudy skies in all directions except south, I enjoyed a mix of sun and cloud. Dark clouds appeared to bring rain to the north and east, and a thunderstorm came late in the day, but I never felt a drop on my trip. Originally I set out to climb GR409435 following the directions in the Kananaskis Country Trail Guide. I followed the creekbed until I reached a likely place to ascend. Unfortunately I left the creek too soon, perhaps by 100-200 m. I didn't think this would be a problem but after climbing above the trees and wending left I realized I was on the wrong side of a deep drainage, a drainage that doesn't show on the map. I was considering dropping down and getting to the other side when I found I hadn't brought any water! A long trip without water was out of the question. I decided to keep climbing and see where it would take me. I soon reached the snow line. There was a surprising amount of snow but it was melting fast. For a while, I avoided the snow-covered scree and scrambled on dry slabs but when it became too steep, I ventured left onto the scree and snow. Eventually I came to a ridge that led to a minor summit, an outlier of the peak I had hoped to climb. I explored the ridge for a ways and discovered a shortcut that would take me directly and easily down to the creekbed. Possibly I could have taken the SE ridge all the way back to the creekbed for a more direct route, but without water and with the possibility of getting caught in a thunderstorm I didn't dare take a chance of being stopped by a cliff band. The walkout was uneventful although I was slightly thirsty. In one spot, water had collected in some rock depressions. I drank from the smallest reasoning it should contain fresh rainwater. |
Setting off across Upper Canyon Creek flats with Mount Bryant ahead.
After taking the right fork, GR418428 appears.
Behind me is Compression Ridge.
After going left at the next fork, I head toward the end of the valley.
Looking down at the creekbed after starting my ascent.
After gaining the SE ridge, I hike to the summit.
The view looking back a short time later shows my tracks in the snow.
View across the valley. Eight years ago I ascended the snow-covered peak right
of
centre, GR404405.
On the summit I was surprised to find a small cairn.
Trying to climb a pinnacle near the summit. GR409435 on the left.
Tiara Peak
Compression Ridge
Taking the shortcut. The two rock bumps on the right are the summit.
I descended
from the rocks on the left.
Mouse over for a view from the creekbed.
360° view from the top. Mount Bryant on the left. GR409435 centre.
82 J/15 Bragg Creek