Hot, vast views, some smoke, no crowds, 8 leisurely hours return.

After an early 6.00am Calgary departure, the remaining ramblers met the coordinator at the Hector trailhead. We were underway up the man made trail just south of the stream by 8.45am. After some minor route finding near the waterfall we emerged onto a broad drainage.

The waterfall on the way to Hector / Andromache in summer.

Then to another broad area below the Andromache/Little Hector col.

Discussing the route up Little Hector.

Little Hector Route

Following some discussion, we elected to follow one of the worn scree paths angling upwards and across the north ridge of our objective: Little Hector. With a bit of scrambling on firmer rock, this lead via cairns to the ridge and the summit by 1.00pm. Here we spent a glorious hour eating, taking photos and indentifying the many peaks. These included Temple, Victoria, Stephen, Gordon, Olive, Chrephen, Observation, Cirque, Willingdon, Molar etc. It was beautiful, hot, no wind (Lake Hector did not have even a ripple), no crowds but a bit smoky.


Celine on Little Hector looking west to Hector lake and Mount Balfour.

Summit group on Little Hector looking north.

Mount Hector and the Hector glacier.

Eventually satisfied, we returned the same way via angled scree and cairns to the flatter ground. With loose rock, this coordinator likes angled routes especially when he is in front and liable to be in the firing range. We then ambled down what was essentially the skiers route, crossing the waterfall to arrive at the cars before 5.00pm.

Crossing the creek on return

In my opinion a satisfying, leasurely day with good weather, great scenery and better company. Participants John, Susan, Gary, Celine, Mel and c&s David.