Well there was lots of scrambling and adventure, but no summit on this trip, as one member unfortunately suffered a fall just below the summit of the North ridge of Mist Mountain.

After a short car shuttle, the group headed up a creek drainage about 200 m South of the Lost Lemon sign South of Highwood Pass. We followed a faint game trail up the left side of the creek for about a kilometre, before cutting up a steep grassy slope to the base of a wide West facing rib between Storm Mountain and Mist Mountain.

Damion, Inge and Arnold enjoying a break at the top of the grassy slope

After a rest break we donned our helmets and headed up the rib, bearing right to avoid the steeper terrain.


Scrambling on the lower section of the West rib leading to the North Ridge

Higher up the rib, the rib angle decreases and the scrambling involves a series of short (2-4 m) walls/ribs with flat areas below each wall/rib.


Moderate scrambling on the top section of the rib leading to the North Ridge

On the last short wall just below the summit ridge, a member suffered a backwards fall when a handhold failed. The individual fell about 4 m on to flat area, landing on his pack. His helmet and pack prevented the injuries from being more severe than those suffered.

The coordinator and a second party member provided first aid to the injured party. The most severe injury was deep lacerations to the right elbow/arm area. Steri strips were used to close the elbow wounds and a compress bandage and tensor were applied to protect the area and stop any further bleeding. After a rest, the group continued a short distance over easy terrain up to the summit ridge. There we took a lunch break and evaluated our options.

Mist Mountain from the North Ridge

Storm Mountain in the distance from the North Ridge of Mist

A group decision was made that if we could not find an alternative viable descent route down to the base of the West rib, we would complete the traverse of the North Ridge to the summit of Mist and decend via the standard route.

After traversing about 200m along the ridge , a possible descent route was identified and the group began the descent.

Route finding on complex terrain

More route finding on the descent

The descent was done at a slow pace as the injured party was stiff/sore and had a pulled calf muscle. There was a fair amount of route finding over complex terrain, before the group again regained the grassy slopes at the base of the West rib.


End of the descent from the high point in the centre of the photo

After another rest break, the group made their way back down the creekbed and back to the highway.

After arriving back in Calgary, the injured party went to Foothill Hospital Emergency and received 5 stitches and a tetanus shot. Xrays of the elbow showed no fracture.

My heartfelt thanks to all for their support in addressing the incident and for getting everyone safely back down. Thanks to Inge, John, Damian, Arnold, Ricardo and Simon from the trip coordinator Kevin

---