Mt Hector from Hwy 93

The make up of the group changed with one person calling in sick the day before (thanks for letting me know in time to let the one person on the waiting list know). Another member, alas, forgot his transceiver so bailed to spend the day Resort skiing at Louise. The remaining 7 of us set off about 8:15 am on hard frozen melt / freeze spring snow. As we started the steep ascent by the waterfall some of us pulled out ski crampons while others boot packed. Even the "cramponers" were forced to boot pack a bit though. Ski crampons did n't offer a significant benefit overall it seemed. The route is fairly heavily traveled with folks kicking steps and the ski crampons did n't work too well when over the boot holes!


Various ways of tackling the steep terrain below the waterfall

Arnold ascending Mount Hector - Bow peak in baclground

Ascending Hector glacier

Molar mountain

After the steep ascent we then followed a well broken ski trail over the moraines to get a view of the summit and glacier and the other groups enjoying the perfect day for this ascent. During the day there were about 20 people total on the mountain I think. We roped up for the glacier ascent - perhaps not altogether necessary but I reason that better all use it than one person carry it! Views got better and better as we climbed and the blue bird day continued. Reaching the col at the foot of the summit block about the same time as two fellows - one originally from Ireland. These guys were very patient for the next while as our larger group ascended and descended. The first little cliff band had pretty sketchy snow / ice foot holds. To give a bit of extra security we had a bit of practise building a T-slot anchor for a belay here. The first few of our group, without a belay, got to the summit around 2:15 pm. Bringing up the rear it was great for me as I climbed the last little cliff band and, all of a sudden, you get a whole new vista of mountains to the south - including the scenic peaks around Lake Louise.

John ascending the final cliff band Mount Hector

Celine and Alda on the summit of Mt Hector

Hector summit - Arnold, Terry, John, Carl,Celine,John and Alda.

The wind had picked up a bit and it kept things cool so we did n't linger too long. Most of the group, that had them, donned crampons for the descent of the summit block.


Carl and Alda descending Hector summit block.

Returning to the col we pulled skins etc. and set off for the skiing of the 1500m descent around 3:30 pm. It was great and fast!

Descending Hector glacier

The trip reinforced for me what a great latter part of the ski season it has been. All the group were able to ski down the steep section by the waterfall. I have never done that on my 2 previous trips but a gully had enough snow making it broad enough to side slip down.


Descending the waterfall on Hector Creek

Down the creek the snow was still supportive all the way to the road which we reached around 4:30 pm. It was T-shirt warm back at the cars - amazing one hour from winter at the col! We stopped for treats at Lake Louise that included ice cream for some - appropriate for the warm weather. Probably this was my close out to the ski season but it was a great close out for me. Thanks to the group of Celine, Terry, Carl, Alda, John and Arnold from C&S John. Thanks to Carl and Celine for the photos and Arnold for the second rope ... and Adrian for sharing his videos. P.S. With Terry now going to the AT dark side I think this trip may have been the first Rambler's trip I have been on without a single telemarker ....

On this video from Adrian, the Ramblers are the group of seven near the bottom of the main slope, roped up and heading up. A group of four had already skied down!
Adrian's Video 1
On this video we are getting close to the col.
Adrian's Video 3
On this video some downhill skiers are barely recognizable. Don't think that they are Ramblers (we were quite a bit later).
Adrian's Video 2