2017-06-02 Rimwall
On Friday Conor and I met up with Leon Kang, and James for a hike up Rimwall in the Kananaskis. We'd started around 4:00pm. I'd done rimwall in 2014 as a solo adventure and really liked it. This time I was with Leon, James and Conor. I remembered hiking up closer to the pass before turning and scrambling up some fun cliffbands and I was excited to show Conor. The terrain around the pass is amazing and as we got close we quickly lost track of Leon. Conor had moved ahead to the scrambly bits and I felt like I was caught trying to herd cats. lol. Eventually we all got together on the upper ridge and hiked up to the summit. It was quite windy and a little bit chilly. On descent we found an awesome scree line that led to the forested slopes above west windy pass. We kept thinking we were either close to the trail or on it before discovering that we weren't and there was still more descent and traversing to do.. As we got lower the wind died down and it was a pleasant hike out in beautiful evening light. Eventually we got back to the car.. round trip was 5 hours.
Early in the hike, James makes his way across some slabby parts. A small clearing opens up views of the lake.
To gain the summit ridge we had to find our way through the cliff bands. From a certain distance it looked almost impossible but looking closer we were able to spot weaknesses that we could climb up.
James makes his way up a cliffband.. there were many different options.
James hugging the rock.. after he mentioned it was a bit spicy :)
The views down the lake were stunning.
We made our way along ledges in the cliff. It was fun scrambling trying to find a route upwards.
Shooting in the evening, sometimes my shadow gets in the way. Not that I'm complaining.. the evening light is amazing. We should start all our hikes at 4pm.
Getting higher above West Windy pass. Windtower on the right. Smiling Leon on the left.
Following a crack.
On the Upper ridge looking down at the pass with Windtower above. Behind is Lougheed 1 and 2 and Sparrowhawk in the back.
It was quite windy and a little chilly as we walked along the upper ridge towards the summit. Here Mt Sparrowhawk looms above Leon and James.
The smallest of the three sisters, Hope, catches the light.
James and Conor on the summit of Rimwall