What an epic day. After I called this trip I was selective about who I let on due to the longevity of this peak. Christine G called me the night before and said: “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey getting there Chris.” Those words echoed in my ears all day. We arrived at the trailhead around 8 a.m. with frost on the ground. The air was crisp and we moved at a brisk pace to Protection Mine arriving in two hours. There was brilliant sunshine and vivid views across to Mount Assiniboine and peaks of the Lake Louise area. I remember reading somewhere that Bill Leach recommended going straight up from the mine to gain the ridge as the rock is more solid. So that’s what we did, it was pleasant scrambling.
Protection mine.
Susan and Suzy scrambling above the mine.
Once on the ridge, we could see Television Peak in the distance. Terrain along this undulating portion required minor scrambling. The plan was to ascend the Northwest ridge but it looked sketchy. We couldn’t spot a good line up, it was loose and quite exposed. That didn’t impress us much. Discussion ensued about taking Bob Spirko’s route up the Northeast ridge but that meant dropping down then finding a way up through cliff bands. In the end we skirted climber’s right around the ridge proper on its west side. It was tricky business and we knew once committed there was no turning back. Definitely SC6. Route finding was critical and we cairned a few sections along the way to eye ball for our descent.
Terrain along the ridge was interesting and views were stunning.
Cordula, Suzy and Susan on a high point along the ridge.
Television Peak, left, gave us some good hands on scrambling.
Susan, Cordula and Suzy on the summit of Television Peak.
Reaching the summit took way too long and there was no urge to down climb what we just came up. Plan B, continue toward Stuart Knob and out Rockbound Lake trail then hitch a ride back to the car. We descended the Northeast ridge of Television Peak and took a minor detour that cost us distance and elevation. Oops.
Descending the northeast ridge toward Stuart's Knob and Rockbound Lake.
Susan at the end of the Northeast Ridge.
Nice broad ridge toward Stuart Knob, left.
We backtracked to the broad ridge leading to Stuart Knob, contoured around this peak and ended up above a large basin. It took some scouting to find breaks that would get us down the numerous cliff bands in our way. At this point, a waxing moon was rising above Castle Mountain and we were suddenly greeted with darkness. Time for the headlamps and soon after we put them on, bingo, we spotted the trail above Rockbound Lake. What a feeling, like winning the lotto! The dark walk out cumbersome so we sang and exchanged highlights of our week. When we arrived at the Castle Junction gas station, all was quiet and the plan of hitching a ride was, well, slim. We brain stormed. Call a cab? Banff Taxi, they were more than willing to pick us up in the wee hours of the morning, for $65. Split four ways, a small price to pay. He was there within 20 minutes, a warm vehicle with Bob Marley to serenade us on a drive back to the car. Thanks to Suzy, Susan and Cordula for rockin’ it with me in the mountains. Yours truly, Christine M, c/s/p
