May 09 03 |
 |
I couldn’t resist sending another report from a superb trip I did yesterday with Garland Jonker.
Mt. Niblock is the northernmost peak in the peaks surrounding Lake Louise. As shown in the pictures, attaining its summit involves a lot more than skiing: crampons were needed for a short stretch of bulletproof snow leading up to the col, and the summit ridge was quite airy. Our stay on the summit was brief because heavy black clouds arrived just as we did. By the time that we were back to our skis we were in the midst of a snowstorm, which changed to rain about halfway down the mountain. Needless to say, I was in “survival skiing” mode the whole way.
Data: 4h20m to the summit; 1h50m to descend to the car. Elevation gain 1200m
Everett at treeline on the long ski approach
Everett cramponing to the col between Mts. Niblock and Whyte
Garland skiing above treeline
Everett on the col, the summit is in the near distance
Everett scrambling on the loose ridge
Garland contemplating the void as he makes the delicate last moves below the summit
The view to the south. In the near distance is Mt. Whyte; beyond is Abbot Pass
(Mt. Lefroy on the left, Mt. Victoria on the right)
A day of high adventure in the Canadian Rockies!
Start slideshow with these images
Show all locationsEntry for Sunday, 3rd May 2009 by
Everett, filed under 
Mountaineering, Ski Mountaineering.
Location 
Canada Follow responses through the
RSS feed,
e-mail a link,
leave a response, or 
TrackBack from your own site.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |
 |
 |
 |
7 Responses to “Mount Niblock”
Leave a Reply
Wow – true mountain adventure. Just what I like.
I especially like adventures that include void contemplation. Makes the experience very exciting.
Looks like winter will never end in the Rockies.
Here in El Chorro right now its 31C
Yeah, Canada has gotta be the best place in the world for winter sports – a long and reliable winter season.
Not so good for rock climbing though?
You speak from personal experience, Pete?
Well – yes and no…
Certainly lots of experience on the ice climbing side of things, but as for the rock climbing. Hmm, less said the better perhaps, but this comment has the crucial (and embarrassing) facts…
Hey Everettt, second picture – looks like little avalanche just starting off
Not really, Terry. Those are just snowballs that fall harmlessly off sun-heated rock. Avalanches are not a problem in late spring (so long as you’re back in the trees by early afternoon).