Narao Peak Scramble on 15-Aug-2023
Having done this peak in 2018, and remembering fun scrambling and great views but less fun bushwacking, I was excited that a few Ramblers signed up to join me in an attempt to create a better memory. With more experienced company, I believe it was a success!
We followed Bob's Spirko's track, which added a few kilometres but made for easier travel, a pretty lake and more varied terrain. Once we arrived at Ross Lake, we headed up the well-marked trail that eventually leads to the Lake O'hara Road. Leaving the trail after about 15 minutes, we hiked upward toward the visible ridgeline through mostly open forest until we arrived above treeline where we marched up a rocky, but stable, slope to gain the ridge. From there, the ridge offered options for those wanting to scramble and those preferring to bypass and each option was well marked with cairns. While being lower than most of the surrounding peaks, Narao's placement between them offers unique views. We enjoyed our lunches and the views before heading back down the ridge, this time heading into the hanging valley and above the headwall before making our way down to Ross Lake. The bushwacking here was not pleasant but still far better than my previous experience going down from the ridge on the west side toward the Lake O'hara road. I haven't read a trip report yet with a positive take on that idea!
It was a long day (almost 11 hours to cover about 18 km and 1380 elevation) but to me well worth the time for such an enjoyable journey and destination together.
Pam
Grateful to Sim, Bill, Jack and Toshiko for joining me and making the route-finding easy. It was my one "bucket list" trip for this summer :)
Hard to pare down Bill's photos but I did my best:
Tranquil Ross Lake. Thinking back, we didn't see a single other person all day after the busy parking lot.
Lot's of interesting and fun rock for navigating and scrambling
..and more fun scrambling.
Unlike others on the trip, this is the closest I'll ever be to Victoria!
Summit views to the north, including Niles and the surrounding glaciers
Summit shot
Looking down toward the hanging valley
...and the skier's dream it becomes in winter (Pope's Peak Col c/o Jack)
Heading into a beautiful larch forest in the hanging valley
Traversing the faint trail before descending back to Ross Lake. This is much more mellow than it appears from a distance