Natasha looking up at our objective from the parking area.. we'd follow the trail for a ways then break into the trees and climb up to the ridge on the right of the summit block.
After hiking along the x-country ski trails, we turned into the trees.. we were following some tracks that were set by some hikers the day before.
In the gulley.. still following the trail set out by the scramblers the day before.. Gap mountain in the background. the gully is obviously an avi gully, but the snow was still low.
Still mucking around in the gully.. all the trip reports I read complained about this section, but the snow, and broken trail, was helpful we were able to ascend without difficulty
We were headed to the ridge to the right of all the cliffy/rocky bits.. the trail we were following led us straight there.. :)
On the ridge below the treeline that led to the summit.. the sun came out and we had views to the south.. of course photos were in order.. it was amazing!
ascending the steep slopes towards the col on the ridge line
Allison and Abram, who we met on the slopes, climbing up the ridge line
On the way to the col, it got a bit steep, but nothing that was unmanageable..
Natasha makes her way up to the false summit.. There was a spot with a bit of snow that needed to be climbed over.. I asked her to go first so I could make a photo.
Allison on the false summit.. I missed her lower down because I was trying to change lenses on the camera.. on the upper ridge, the snow was quite shallow and snowshoes weren't really needed but it makes for a cool photo
from the false summit there was a short descent then a climb up to the true summit.. here Natasha is nearing the final summit.
looking back at the false summit, Allison and Abram were silhouetted against the distant clouds. we hadn't really met then yet, but I made some photos nonetheless..
Allison on the false summit.. She was attaching her snowshoes to her backpack and a bunch of other things.. Lol.. I waited until she was positioned against the background.. she apologized later that she was mucking up my photo, but in reality, I was waiting for her to stand up..
Similar to the last photo, but I added some white balance to bring out the warm colours.. Allison is putting on her pack, I think her pose works well.
Allison making her way up to the summit.
love her colours.
looking over at kananaskis lakes and mt indefatigable
light hits Lena point on Mt Indefatigable.
Looking south at the ridge that leads towards mt pocaterra.. Im not sure if it joins or not.
Natasha on the edge, kananaskis lakes in the background