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Edmonton, AB
91 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 10:51 PM
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Mount Tyrwhitt, August 3, 2012, 9 km, highest elevation (Mount Tyrwhitt 2874 meters), 650 meter elevation gain to Mt Tyrwhitt, approx. 1050 meters total elevation gain using the alternative Grizzly Peak/Highwood Ridge traverse.
The rainy weather in the morning cleared up by noon and resulted in a very fine scramble and ridge walk. There was a risk of thunder storms in the afternoon, so I wanted something that had a quick exit. Mount Tyrwhitt came to mind and had the added advantage of being fairly short (useful with a later start). As it turned out the weather was great, and so I took the longer ridge traverse back.
The trail was quite wet with all the rain, so gaiters came in handy. There was fresh bear scat on the trail in two places, so I made noise along the trail. Apparently, the route to Mt Rae (Ptarmigam Cirque trail) has been closed since July 22 due to bear activity. I went along a lush meadow and a small lake, and then took the left fork to Grizzly col.
  
1. The trail to Grizzly Col (Mt Tyrwhitt and arch in view)
2. The diagonal trail to Grizzly Col can be faintly seen
3. Mt Tyrwhitt from Grizzly Col
I had heard that the ascent was a horrible scree crawl, but it didn't seem so bad. It was possible to use rock ribs and other features, although some treadmilling was inevitable. As well, the arch tends to divert one's attention for a while.
  
4. Looking at Mount Pocaterra through the arch
5. The arch
6. Looking over the north face (Little Highwood Pass and Pocaterra Ridge in view)
The views from Mount Tyrwhitt are superb. There was a big metal box with a geocache book for a register. The ridge walk to Mount Pocaterra looked interesting, but it would require a long day to complete.
  
7. Looking along the ridge to Mount Pocaterra
8. Looking south to the ridge that forms the BC/Alberta border
9. Looking east to Grizzly Peak (not the Kane scramble) and Highwood Ridge (behind)
It took very little time to descend, and as there was no sign of bad weather I decided to exit using the ridge to the east. Daffern call this Grizzly Peak, not to be confused with the Kane scramble to the north.
  
10. Looking back at Mount Tyrwhitt
11. Looking forward to Grizzly Peak and the serrated connecting ridge
12. Grizzly Peak
It was only a little more than 150 meters of elevation gain from the col on a good hiking trail, and it afforded a very fine view of Paradise valley, Grizzly Ridge and Highwood Ridge. The ridge that connected Grizzly Peak and Highwood ridge was more of a workout. It lost all the elevation gained from the col, and it was serrated. There was much more scrambling on this part than on Mount Tyrwhitt. It was a little exposed in places, but you can always drop to the right to avoid it.
  
13. Grizzly Ridge from Grizzly Peak
14. Paradise Valley
15. The serrated ridge up to Highwood ridge
There are very good views from the Highwood ridge highpoint as well. I came across a Bighorn sheep who took a great interest in me, but finally concluded that I was not worth bothering about.
  
16. Mount Rae (left) and Mount Arethusa (right)
17. A Bighorn examines my credentials
18. Looking back at the serrated ridge
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Edited by - Semi Awesome on 08/04/2012 10:15 PM
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 05:36 AM
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What a wonderful pic through the arch (#4)!
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Calgary, Alberta
318 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 09:45 AM
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| Nice summary and pics. I took that east ridge back from Grizzly col also. Lot longer and harder than it intially looks, then we went north a bit to find a gully and area to bushwhack down to the road. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
661 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 1:49 PM
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quote:
The ridge walk to Mount Pocaterra looked interesting, but it would require a long day to complete.
It is apparently possible to get to Pocaterra without going over Tyrwhitt. Instead of going left to Grizzly Col from the cirque, continue straight towards Little Highwood Pass; then angle up east face aiming to directly intersect low point on ridge. It is difficult scramble, but avoids trudge over Tyrwhitt. You still have to do that last bit of Kane route, which is the crux.
I've been on Tyrwhitt before 2nd edition came out. If I ever go back, this is what I would try. |
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Edmonton, AB
91 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 10:03 PM
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Thanks for the comments. I really enjoyed the east ridge, but it certainly is no short-cut. I think it adds at least an hour and a half to the total time. I took a photo from the lake that shows the low point of the ridge from Mt Tyrwhitt to Mt Pocaterra.
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 Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13090 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 10:56 PM
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| Great set of pics, we really enjoyed that area too. Interesting to know the trail to Rae is closed, good to know as I might be back that way in a few weeks |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1266 Posts |
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Edmonton, AB
91 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 1:56 PM
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Thanks Marko. I was thinking that it was the big dip on the left, but I can see now that it is the smaller one to the right of the photo just before the summit. It looks like a very interesting route.
By the way, there was a funny entry in the register on Mt Tyrwhitt. There was a small streak of what looked like dried blood and the words (as close as I can remember): "If I do not make it back, avenge my death!" |
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Mt Tyrwhitt
