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Edmonton, AB
Canada
467 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 10:53 AM
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Photos:
Olympic Summit & Mount Allan: http://stevensong.fotki.com/canadian-rockies/elbow--kananaskis/mount-allan-2012625/
Mount Collembola: http://stevensong.fotki.com/canadian-rockies/elbow--kananaskis/mount-collembola-2012625/
Since I did Pigeon Mountain and Squaw's Tit the previous day (2200m total elevation gain), I was a bit tired in the morning on Monday, June 25, and I slept in quite a bit. Weather was promising, sunny in Canmore, so I still wanted a big ascent. I had my eye on the 5-peak-traverse from Wasootch Peak to Little McDougal for a long time, therefore I drove to Kananaskis Village. However, I changed my mind at the last minute to the 3-peak-traverse from Olympic Summit to Mt Collembola, which is more popular and has a trail for most of the part (this one has more elevation gain but shorter distance).
Route Map:
I wasted too much time in the morning, and started the ascent at almost 9AM, which was quite a late start. (If I started 20min later, I would fail Mount Collembola because of afternoon thunderstorms)... There was already cars parking at Ribbon Creek parking lot, but I wasn't sure if those guys were heading to Centennial Ridge, as there are many other trails starting at that area. Centennial Ridge Trail is very well marked, and you just can't get lost. The problem was the feeling of loneliness, and seeing lots of bear scats didn't help though. I started to make lots of bear calls. You gonna travel a good amount of distance before reaching the open grassy slope on the south side of Olympic Summit, where I finally could stop yelling... I passed two other hikers here, one from Edmonton and the other from Quebec. Due to the massive amount of elevation gain in the day before, I was short of energy. I tried to slow down the pace, but only for a few steps and then found myself speeding up again... I guess it's hard to maintain a slower pace when you hike solo, and as a result I had to pause regularly. After a bit of perseverance I stood on top of Olympic Summit. The view of the rock wall: Mt Bogart - Sparrowhawk - Wind Mountain - Mt Lougheed was impressive. All four of those are on my list and I gonna do them when the snow melts. I can attempt Sparrowhawk and Lougheed now, but I just don't like the extra weight of ice axe, crampons, and mountaineering boots (note my hiking boots are not crampon compatible and I have to carry mountaineering boots if there's a great amount of distance with crampons on). My hiking boots are very soft, but crampons are rigid, so that's why. Is there a way to let them work?
After Olympic Summit you gonna have to lost about 80m elevation towards the rock garden, where you can admire some impressive pinnacles. A hail / wet snow storm moved in and I lost the view temporarily after this section. The rest of the way to the summit of Allan was just about perseverance again. I managed to summit Allan literally 2 minute before another big storm, therefore I got a decent panorama from the summit. The register is specially shaped and even contains sugars and snacks. The book was wet and I could barely write on it with pencil. The hail / wet snow storm was significantly heavier than the previous one. I found a shelter place on the east side and waited for more than 30min until it was gone. During which two scramblers joined me on the summit, they didn't plan on Collembola so headed down soon after taking a few white-out summit photos.
The descent from Allan to Allan - Collembola col went on pretty quick. It wasn't scree run but still loose which helped a lot on the knees. Then solid ground quickly led me up to the false summit of Collembola, where I faced a series of moderate down-climbs. I was too lazy to skirt around for most of them. I descent slightly towards skier's right for the last one in order to find a weakness. The rock was wet so I couldn't trust the friction, and that's why I didn't downclimb that band directly. Dark clouds were building above me and I knew thunderstorm was gonna come. I descent about 20m on the talus slope towards SE for a bit of security. The clouds passed by after about 10min and I used the talus slope for the rest of the ascent. Thankfully the last section only lasted about 15min long. I quickly took a panorama and signed the register. The last entry was Jeff Shaw's, in December, 2011. The pencil was in bad shape.
I didn't like bushwhacking solo so if not because of the thunderstorm I would side-slope around Mount Allan to get to Olympic Summit and descent Centennial Ridge Trail to get back. However, this time I didn't have a choice, instead I quickly made my way down the SE ridge (So Nakagawa's descent route). It took me no time to get down this slope. Just about getting to the drainage, severe thunderstorm hit from behind, lightnings, thunders, and downpour. From the drainage you have to bushwhack about 1km to get to Marmot Basin Road. The bush was quite thick, and since rain was falling I got soaked very soon. The next half an hour was the most miserable of the day. I got lost in the forest and din't know exactly where was the road nor ski runs. I just picked a straight line with massive amount of bushwhacking and dead fall negotiating, and got completely soaked everythere. While listening to thunders above, I had to shout loudly for scary away the bears. I had no reference except for my watch. I knew I shouldn't spend too much time for just 1km distance. I eventually reached a ski run, and followed it down. I still had to make calls as bears love these open slopes, the good thing was I could see them and they could see me as well. The slope went on forever and finally I reached the Skogan Pass Trail, which joined Marmot Basin Road soon. Another 1km or so, I was at Nakiska Ski Resort. Note it was down-pouring all the way from the start of bushwhacking to Nakiska Resort... That was awful, but since I had extra clothing in car it shouldn't be a problem. Because I was moving I could keep myself warm. I didn't bother to use the Hidden Trail, instead I picked a longer way along the road to get to Ribbon Creek parking lot (avoid bear problem for as much as I could). I got no extra boots except for the mountaineering boots so this would be my last day of the trip. Weather also looked hopeless on Tuesday, with 20-30mm rain, so I drove back soon.
Centennial Ridge Trail to Olympic Summit:
    
Olympic Summit panorama:
Olympic Summit to Mount Allan:
   
Mount Allan summit panorama:
Mount Allan summit register:
 
Allan to Collembola Traverse:
   
Mount Collembola summit panorama:
Mount Collembola summit:
  
Nakiska Ski Resort:
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1111 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 11:21 AM
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Depends what kind of crampons you have. While not advisable, I have seen people with universal crampons(in a bind) strap them to trailrunners.
I've been enjoying your reports thus far. You are very motivated. |
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
467 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 12:01 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by thecamel
Depends what kind of crampons you have. While not advisable, I have seen people with universal crampons(in a bind) strap them to trailrunners.
I've been enjoying your reports thus far. You are very motivated.
Thanks man. Your trip report for Mount Garibaldi impressed me a lot. There aren't many hardcore snowshoe-ers in Alberta but seems like many people in BC travel on snowshoes. I was living in Vancouver for 3 years and I have lots of friends there. Sure I will go back one day, if the weather keeps getting worse in Rockies, maybe this July / August. Lots of peaks to do in Vancouver. If I go back, I will attempt Parkthurst to Wedge Mountain to Rathel in one day car to car. |
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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 12:43 PM
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Beautiful area, nice shots.
Thanks for sharing your fun adventure in this report.
K |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1702 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 2:13 PM
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You're going to have to jog up there and fix that entry...  |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1195 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 2:28 PM
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| Steven is so fast, he traveled back in time. :) |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1111 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 4:52 PM
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quote:
My Hangul is a little rusty, but I think that says something like Tae-gu-ki Hui-Nal-ee Mya....
Loosely translated,,, "waving the flag of patriotism???" or something like that. Or maybe just a commentary on the Korean war movie? |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1702 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 5:07 PM
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^ I was referring to the date but was curious about the other entry. Thanks for the interpretation.
BTW, If I was as fast as Steven I wouldn't worry about rain hitting me, or bears for that matter!!! (Just to clarify I'm attempting to be funny) |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 6:17 PM
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| Great TR, I don't know where you get that energy, seems you have only one gear, high gear. If only I could go your speed. |
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
467 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 8:59 PM
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Uhh.. Guess I was just too concerning about the upcoming storm, so that messed up with the date...
Btw, my speed isn't too fast though. My strength is perseverance. I can do 16+ hour day without slowing down much. Maybe I will try pushing a 24-hour-day in July. That will be "Berg Lake to Snowbird Pass to Titkana Peak", 75km car to car. |
Edited by - StevenSong on 06/27/2012 9:36 PM |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3795 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 10:49 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by StevenSong
I just don't like the extra weight of ice axe, crampons, and mountaineering boots (note my hiking boots are not crampon compatible and I have to carry mountaineering boots if there's a great amount of distance with crampons on). My hiking boots are very soft, but crampons are rigid, so that's why. Is there a way to let them work?
What sort of level of snow/ice are you expecting? I have been amazed at how far my microspikes can take me. If it's just extra traction, they might be worth a shot. |
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Canmore, AB
Canada
1238 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2012 : 4:05 PM
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| Damn, now I feel bad for taking my car to pick up the mail at the end of my driveway. |
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| Engor
Intermediate Member
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Calgary
838 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2012 : 9:53 PM
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| Thanks for the TR Steven. Glad to see that Mt. Allan is in good condition. I'll most likely do the traverse to Dead Man's Flats with my friends during the long-weekend. |
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calgary, ab
Canada
150 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2012 : 1:23 PM
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| i didnt even know Mount Allan summit had a summit register, guess i missed out on signing my name! |
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7 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2012 : 10:27 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by StevenSong
Maybe I will try pushing a 24-hour-day in July. That will be "Berg Lake to Snowbird Pass to Titkana Peak", 75km car to car.
That's a pretty easy objective. I would suggest you bring a 100lb pack so you at least break a sweat. Used college textbooks are fantastic for this. Anything less and I don't see how you could feel like anything has been accomplished. |
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Olympic Summit to Mt. Allan to Mt. Collembola
