We arrived at the Lake Louise parking lot just before 8:00 am - none too soon as I think the lower lots would have been full in another 30 minutes (not sure about the upper lot). Even at this fairly early hour the trail up to Lake Agnes was fairly busy and we were accompanied by the whirr of a helicopter I think changing barrels at the tea houses and possibly Abott hut - at least that is what looked, to me, to be on the end of a long line. I wondered how many of the tourists knew what was swinging above their heads? It was a beautiful morning at the lake.

Early morning reflection on Lake Agnes

Once we left the end of the lake things got quieter.


Alda just after leaving Lake Agnes - the summit of Niblock above her just right of centre

We paused to put on helmets and have a short break at the head of the scree cone by the stream emptying snow from the upper bowl before scrambling through the cliff bands.

Scrambling through the cliff bands

Then acoss the lingering snow followed by an uneventful scramble quite often on a cairned and beaten path to the col.


Heading up the snow in the amphitheatre

From the col the summit block beckoned ....


The summit block of Mount Niblock

.... and so the ladies lead the way.


The ladies lead the way up the summit block (Alda and Toshiko)

Soon , around midday, we were on the summit for lunch


Summit Mount Niblock Toshiko, Kevin, Greg, Alda, Bill and Michael

I was the last to get to the summit .....


Our fearless coordinator at the top of the summit block of Niblock

.... following in Greg's expert footsteps. Getting to the summit I was assured by the group the sonic booms I had heard was not Greg's heartbeat or stomach growling for lunch but had something to do with the black clouds to the north and west. After a quick bite and admiring the mountain vista as the black clouds started to get nearer we decided to beat a hasty retreat.


Leaving the summit of Mount Niblock

At the col all thoughts of trying Mount Whyte were forgotten as we had more sonic rumbling. We did get a few short bits of rain but no true storm materialized but all agreed it was better to leave the exposed ridge of Whyte for another day given the conditions. I really enjoyed the day in the fun company of Bill,Alda,Greg,Kevin,Michael and Toshiko - thanks everyone. I think we were back at the busy Lake Louise parking lot a bit before 4:00 pm. Thanks to Bill, Greg and Kevin for helping me out with the photos for this report as my camera is broken.

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