Somehow we ended up with 13 instead of the twelve originally posted. This was not discovered until the sign in on Sunday, however the trip was already full on Wednesday. I guess the coordinator needs to learn how to count again. Fortunately, Carl's vehicle could take the extra person without any problems and Jeannine's rope was extra length. My apologies to the two ladies that called Friday and I was not able to take. We may do it again next year; as Jack said, he has done it five times now and still enjoys doing it.

The 5:30am start was quite early but everyone showed, albeit one who came just around the leaving time. We arrived at Moraine Lake and proceeded to do the car shuttle. The plan was to have the main group start and proceed at a leisurely pace while the drivers would shuttle the cars and try to catch up to the main group who would wait before Wenkchemna Pass. This worked very well and the main group only waited about 20-25 minutes for the drivers, while the car shuttle actually took them about an hour.

Eiffel Lake marmot

We then climbed up to Wenkchemna Pass, where two other groups were observed descending down to Eagle Eyrie.

At Wenkchemna Pass

After "at the pass" photos, we also proceed to descend. There is a "fairly beaten in track" that drops from the pass down to Eagle's Eyrie.


Down from Wenkchemna /Janet, Alicja, Chau, Sheldon, Carl, Maryeta/.

Down from Wenkchemna /Gerry, Jay, Maryeta, Carl, Susan/.

We caught up to one group and had lunch here at about 12:15pm.


Eagle's Eyrie

After about a half an hour, we proceeded on up to Opabin Pass.

Opabin Pass

A good chunk of the way is grassed type tundra with loose moraine type rocks higher up and then snow. You get to about 300 vertical feet below the pass before it is necessary to rope up. Here we caught up to the first group who had just completed roping up and were beginning to head up the glacier. We pulled out our gear and also proceeded to do the same; those with more experience helping those with less experience. Unlike the other group we chose to use crampons.


Up to Opabin Pass /Jay, Carl, Susan, Gerry, Maryeta, Chau, Sheldon/.

This proved to be a good decision as the other group seemed to struggle without them and we summitted the pass the same time as them, taking a more direct line up.


Opabin Pass view

All thirteen heading up to Opabin Pass (photo from the "Group of Four")

It was rather crowded at this small col so our group proceeded down fairly quickly and were off the glacier in short order. We took a fairly direct route down while avoiding anything that looked suspect.

Down from Opabin /Jack, Ivan, Alicja, Janet, John/.

There was a short section of low angle ice crossed before hitting snow patches which were followed until there were no more. Here we unroped and took another break. The time was 3:30pm and it looked like it would not be possible to catch the 4:30pm bus. Next it was a rock hop across rubble to the upper Opabin Lake where the group reassembled. Options were discussed and it was decided to do the Yukness Ledge trail. This was a good choice as a number in the group had not done it and the timing worked out to get us back in time for the bus. Thanks to Ivan and Carl for suggesting this and guiding the group around it.


On Yukness Ledge (Odaray in background)

The hike along this trail suitably impresses most and it was only reasonable elevation gain.

Avalanche on Glacier Peak

When we got to Victoria Lake,


Lake Victoria short-cut /Chau, Susan, Alicja, Janet/.

it was decided to head down to the Relais hut for snacks and drinks.


Lake Oesa Trail

We arrived around 6:05pm and proceeded to indulge. Sheldon who had opted to take a route to Opabin Prospect had not arrived and we were wondering where he could be. The bus showed up at 6:15 and we were informed by the driver there may not be space on this run. However, after loading the others waiting, it was determined that they could take us. This posed a problem as Sheldon had not appeared, but just shortly thereafter Sheldon joined us. The bus driver commented that this was the first time that she had taken so many down with the likelihood of another run after this one. We merrily bounced our way down the Lake O'Hara road at the back of the bus.

On the way down, it was decided to have supper at Bill Peyto's at the Lake Louise Hostel. The beer went down very quickly once it arrived. The food was good as usual with likely the best prices in Lake Louise. Service was a bit slow. We left around 8:30 and were back in Calgary around 10:15pm.

It was a very enjoyable trip in the company of Ivan, Jack, Carl, Jeannine, Marietta, Alicja, Chau, John, Janet, Sheldon, Gary, and Susan. This is a trip that I had wanted to do for quite awhile in the summer, even though I had done it in the winter a couple of years ago with David coordinating . It is quite different in both seasons. Fortunately, Ivan had also wanted to do this, and a number that often join his trips, so this encouraged me to call it. Thanks to all who joined the trip. Thanks to Carl and Ivan for photos.

Bob Coordinator and Scribe
And finally, from Carl, the photo faker:

Hey! Wait for Me!