Mt Temple from the Protection Mtn mineshaft
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| Trip Date: 25-Jul-2010 Activity: Scramble Destination: Protection ridge / TV / Rockbound lake |
I had read Arnold's trip report of this trip in 2005 and had wanted to try it ever since - it sounded a good one - but long! I got further confirmation it might be good when three people on Arnold's2005 trip signed up for a repeat. I confirmed it for myself and it is a good one: you are up high for much of the trip, there are multiple peaks to pick off for the peak baggers, you get a panoramic view, most of the day, encompassing the Wapta peaks, Hector, Louise peaks, Kananaskis biggies, Assiniboine, remote eastern Banff park peaks etc. and you get a bit of Banff area industrial history on the way as a bonus.
After the car shuttle we left the trail-head around 8:30 am up the very good unofficial trail to the abandoned mine on Protection mountain. There was sign of recent dead-fall clearing on the trail. I wonder who does this clearing? With the help of the cleared trail we were at the mine in a couple of hours for the group to re-group. This was the pattern for the day with people going at their own pace and then regrouping at pre-arranged spots.Gaining the eastern end of Protection ridge the views opened up and they never quit until we reached Rockbound lake around 7:30 pm. After Protection we headed up the ridge of Television which provided a bit of scrambling. Having read other 2010 Rambler's trip reports, interestingly, those on the trip told me that there was much less snow and ice on this ridge of Television than Arnold's July 8th. 2005 trip.
With a lot more snow and ice in 2005 Television would have been very challenging, I think, but for us it was good scrambling. Looking at snow still hanging around in this area I speculate, as compared to say Fortress, that this area had been drier. Chau was disappointed there were no TV shows playing for him at Television peak .... so we left the aerial monstrosity and headed for an unnamed bump in the ridge between Television and Stuart Knob.
After this bump the group split as Rambler peakbaggers, who had already done Stuart Knob, wanted to get the true high point of Castle. We again arranged meeting points and headed on. Manfred, John, Peter and Chau headed up Stuart Knob and the others headed for the high point of the day: summit of Castle .... with Manfred joining them after a brief sojourn on Stuart Knob.
We took a few different routes down from the high country. During the descent you are looking at the impressive scenery of Eisenhower tower and Castle's north face surrounding Rockbound lake. There was steep snow for some that was safely negotiated. Then the pound out to the trailhead. Carl and Peter were early birds but I think the majority of the group got out around 9:30 pm. Sim's GPS recorded 32 Kms and 2100m of ups and downs of elevation. Carl had a description from Mike Potter's book that indicated 27 Kms and 1500+m of elevation (not including Castle). Either way a long but rewarding day!
Thanks to Sim, Peter, Carl, Arnold, Chau, Susan and Manfred for keeping a steady pace so no headlamps! Special thanks to Carl and Peter for speeding on ahead to reduce our car shuttle time at the end of the day. Thanks Carl and Arnold for the photos.
P.S. Bob I tried to identify Block which you and James did Saturday (would have been interested but had family commitments) see photo am I right?
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Last Update: 26-Jul-2010