The Trans Canada Hwy was in fog and cloud, but from Moraine lake up, the weather was great. And so we had a super day climbing this easy scramble, with fabulous views.
To our consternation the trail to Consolation Lakes was closed when we got there! Workers were going to be doing major maintenance to the Rock Pile trail using a lot of helicopter lifts. However, Alda asked and got permission from the workers for us to proceed and so we set out for this short trip at around 11. The gully beside the Tower of Babel is easy to find and there are several trails in the scree leading up to the narrow section. We had no one ahead of us and so didn't have to worry about rock fall from above. And in fact the route has been used so much that the rock fall danger is probably less than it was. However, helmets should definitely be used. We were at the top of the gully after about an hour. By this time and for the rest of the trip we were never out of earshot of the helicopter working on the trail below.


Helicopter lifting material to workers on the Rock Pile at Moraine Lake

Rather than proceed to the platform on the Tower, three of us eyed the ridge in the other direction, towards Mount Babel. They climbed about 100-150 m up on easy SC5 terrain to the highest trees. At that point one turned back to join the lone member at the col, while two proceeded to one of the sub-summits of this outlier of Mt Babel. That part is probably best rated SC6. From there they were afforded a magnificent view of Fay Glacier and it's surrounds, even spotting Neil Colgan hut.


Neil Colgan Hut in the col between Mt Fay and Mt Bowlen

On the large flat area at the top of the Tower of Babel industrious climbers have assembled a large array of cairns and piles of rock in the shape of living room furniture!


Peter "Watching TV" on the Tower of Babel

We dallied for quite a while, enjoying the magnificent views.


Group in the "Living Room" on the Tower of Babel

On the Tower of Babel (Eiffel Peak behind Peter)

We descended the way we had come.


Scrambling down the gully beside the Tower of Babel

The only difficulty on the trip was when the coordinator tried to avoid the construction area by bushwhacking directly to the parking lot. What a mess of deadfall, alders, standing and flowing water and finally Moraine Creek. Rather than fording, we made our way back to the trail about 30 meters from where we had started bushwhacking. In fact walking back on the trail, almost under the helicopter which was still buzzing around was not an issue.


The Tower of Babel

Many thanks to Alda, Becky and Peter for joining me, Carl (C/S).