Mount Lorette- Wednesday, June 24th , 2015

Looking down at the car

Running Tent Ridge was a great warm-up for the next day- Climbing Mount Lorette in Kananskis country! This is one of the most prominent peaks on your right hand side as soon as you drive into Kananaskis country. It is most recognizable for it’s long, razor sharp ridgeline leading directly to the summit. 

We left Canmore at 8am for the 45 minute drive to the closest parking spot possible- on the side of the road, across from the mountain, but on the wrong side of the Kananaskis river. But we were ready! With swim trunks on (do they call them swim trunks?), we waded across the thigh deep, glacier fed river. It was a great way to wake up before the real climbing started! 

From the North side of the river we bushwhacked a while until coming out, and crossing the powerline road, then continuing up the 'easiest' path- straight up. Here a trail starts to appear, although it is quite apparent where you go- stay on the ridge! 

Alex looking out on K-country

 Alex was working on his short roping skills, which was great for me to practise being on the other end as well. A bit like being taken for a walk, except on a narrow ridge, thousands of feet in the air. It was lovely. There are a few spots on the climb where you are climbing in quite exposed spots, so having a rope is highly recommended, although I have heard of many soloing this, which I wouldn't recommend it, but I also like to live :)

The crux is a spot where you stand on a narrow piece of rock and have to fall forward across a gab (or notch) to then climb up and over the wall in front. It is a fun, little freaky spot, which is very easy, but with quite the drop off below, I was happy to have a rope attached to me at that point. From the crux, it is a relaxed stroll to the summit, with one more bit of scrambly climbing. During the whole climb, you have an amazing view of Kananaskis country and Nakiska ski resort, and from the summit there is a great view looking West which encompasses Canmore and the whole Bow Valley. 

K-country

The descent was interesting. We headed down from the summit on a loose trail, that contours just under the North Ridge. We then headed down the scree slope on lookers right of Mount Lorette. It was a bit slabby, so not the best scree ride, and then there is a bit of hands on scrambling as you are above a slick little waterfall/cliff area. Once past there, it is once again a bit of a slog down through yet another creek destroyed by the floods. Lot's of trees down and boulders to clamber over. There may be a way to stay high in the trees on the right, but we felt the safest bet was to stick to the creek. At the bottom of the creek, we once again hit the powerline road, and after a short bushwhack, a change back into our swim trunks, and a cooling battle across the river, we made it back to the car! 

5 1/2 hours and we were excited to get back to town for a cold one after such a fun, albeit hot, scramble up mount Lorette! Thanks Alex for towing me up there! 

Much love and adventuring,

Sarah

p.s. I'll post a few more pictures once I get them!

The Middle Sister- Canmore, AB- June 25th, 2015

 My last mountain of the week was this biatch- I’m sorry, but it is true! She is such a tease. Sitting there, looking down on the Bow Valley, so gorgeous and so close- but man-oh-man, so far away! This girl nearly killed me, from the beginning until the end.

We left my house in Canmore at 9am and drove, with our bikes in the back, to Stuart Creek golf course construction site (Take a left, or the third exit, at the round about- Don’t drive to the golf course). We parked right beside the first set of just-being-built houses (only because we saw two other people unloading bikes from their car).

Our route- including the lovely bike ride.

 I had found a good description of how to get to the trailhead now that all this construction was going on, and lo and behold, this lovely couple had the same one printed out. Awesome- we were definitely going to find it…maybe not. We set off on the powerline road heading East towards Lac-des-arcs, searching for an old grass road. After about 20 minutes of back and forward biking, we realized we had missed it, and turned around once more to bump into the same couple, who were also on the hunt. We finally found the bike trail ‘Quebexican’ and headed up that- it was much closer to our cars than we thought. This is where we discovered the construction workers had cut down over 20 trees over the trail we were supposed to be taking. We decided to continue riding Quebexican, in hopes of finding another way but after another 20 minutes going the wrong way, and once again nearly winding up in Dead mans flats, we turned around and once again bumped into our new, although a bit frustrated, friends. They continued on to Dead Mans flats, to then take the dirt road back to the car, and we headed back on the bike trail, feeling a bit defeated. We suddenly came across a faint, hidden trail heading left, so we decided we had nothing to lose, and took it. Well, waddya know- We found the dirt road with the chain across it, which lead us right up to the small dam, and the trail head. PHEW! That was a great 1 ½ hour warm up. 

If anyone is planning on heading up the Third sister, I suggest just bike right through the construction on the main dirt road to get to the trailhead. It is the easiest way, and the construction workers waved nicely from their large trucks. 

I would recommend heading straight through here to get to the trailhead.
It is after turning left at the roundabout. 

 After that adventure, we were pretty skeptical if we were going to make it up this cheeky sister or not. First, it was over 30 degrees out and we were hot! Second, we needed to be back in town for 5pm, and it was currently 11:30. 3^rd, The approach up the creek bed was awful! EUGH- never again! I am so sorry, but the clambering over the rocks and trees, and when it wasn’t that, it was so boring. I couldn’t believe it, and both myself and adventure buddy, Dustin, were feeling pretty negative.

The creek- EUGH!

Canmore

After just over an hour, we popped out of the river and climbed up a beautiful grassy knoll with some big boulders on top, surrounded by some gorgeous peaks, and sat, absolutely exhausted, for a couple minutes. We had to decide what to do. We had time to try for the summit, so we got up and pushed on up the scree slope and onto a nice little trail that traverses right along the back of the bowl between the little and middle sister. I think our saving grace was passing a man and his daughter on the way up and having a wee chat. We told him we had run into another couple who had turned around because they were so frustrated in the creek bed. His reply was  “Oh, why?”. It was such a simple response, but it brought Dustin and I back down to realize he was outside just enjoying the day- no need to be frustrated or angry, just relax.

The little Sister

And so we did. We ran the last portion of the trail to the summit where we felt absolutely exhilarated for just having made it. We had been so negative after out search for the trailhead, and then we had accomplished our goal. What a thrill! It took us 2 hours 45mins up, and 2 hours down, ensuring us enough time for a cheeky ice cream in Canmore- perfect!

I have never understood why people are grumpy in the outdoors- It is such an incredible place! Buuuut I was pretty frustrated after our search for the trail and then that horrendous creek, which actually was not that bad coming down. I definitely learned my lesson though from that cheerful man on our way up- Just be happy to be outside, getting out into our gorgeous world, and being able to experience it and all its's beauty!   

Have fun and smile!

Yahoo! We did it!

Sarah

Tent Ridge, Kananaskis- June 23rd, 2015

On Tuesday, June 22nd, Monsieur Simon Donato and I went for a wee saunter up Tent ridge. We left Canmore at 7:30 am and headed out up onto the Smith-Dorian to the Spray Valley to find the trailhead. After about 30 mins driving on the gravel road, we turned right at Mount Engadine Lodge, and just after the switchbacks up the Mount Shark road, we parked in the biggest pullout on the right. It is in perfect proximity to the trailhead as well as where the trail comes out at the end. We decided to do the loop anti-clockwise, taking the upper trail, which is visible from the pullout if you just look up the road towards mount Shark.

Gerty soaking in the view

Gerty and Simon running along the ridge

Simon started off at a mean pace running and my legs, and I think the trusty canine Gerty, questioned what we were getting ourselves into. The trail was great, but steepens up very quickly after about ten minutes. Through the bushes the trail meanders up an old road and then opens up under the steep face of Tent ridge. Here there are a few braided trails, but we followed the most prominent, winding up very steeply. As we made our way up towards the ridgeline and over the last bit of remaining snow, Gerty decided to do her thang and chase squirrels further down. No problem- a chance for a break and to take in the gorgeous view.

From the ridge, it was easy travelling until just below the main rocky summit. The trail meandered lookers right of the ridge and up the backside of the summit. Once again, the views!!! You get a full 360 of the Spray valley, including a nice view of Assiniboine.

From the summit, we made our way down the ridge and up to the satellite station, and then down the paralleling ridge. It became a bit more scrambly from here, so we spent some time helping Gerty along (I wouldn’t recommend bringing a dog unless they are good on loose rocks and mountainous terrain! It was a tough go for her, plus there is no water until back into the valley bottom). On the descent, it seems there are a few options to take the scree slopes to the left, but the ridge has a trail all the way to the bottom, which is what we followed. It was great, and we were all excited for the snow slide at the bottom.

Spray valley

From here the trail winds down into the valley and along the stream. There was water there for Gerty, as well as quite a bit of debris in the stream from avalanches in the winter. Down we went into the forest and along a very enjoyable trail heading back to the road. There were a lot of trees down, but nothing totally hindering or impassable. It was a fun and precarious run jumping over everything!

My many amazing poses

In the end, with all the Gerty carrying and helping, we completed the 780m elevation gain/9km loop in 2 hr. 30 mins. I think it could be possible to complete it in 1 hr. 45 mins, and I’ve heard of a Dr. Andy Reed having completed it in 90minutes. We were discussing which way is best for running it, with Simon deciding clockwise would be better as it is a nicer run up that direction through the forest, and the scramble up would be easier going, with a much nicer descent. Who knows….maybe we need to run it again to find out!!

All in all, it is now one of my favorite day hikes in Kananaskis. The view is amazing right after entering alpine terrain, and it is a fun scramble, surrounded by some astounding peaks!

Much love and adventuring,

Sarah