I have done Vents Ridge a few times before, but thanks to Gillean Daffern’s latest edition, we now have a name for it, and also a very good trial loop over the summit and along two spectacular climbing cliffs—the White Bhudda and Prairie Crag.

on the original Powderface pack trail

We started up the original Powderface pack trail, which was a lovely high level route in the bright sunshine and autumn colours, a serious improvement on hiking the cold, dark and icy official trail below. We then reached the Cori Robb trail, and counted off the 13 expected zigs to the White Buddha. We followed this overhanging cliff to the summit, where we had lunch in the warm sunshine, with views from downtown Calgary to Compression Ridge and Powderface Ridge. The temperature was around 10.

Peter and Maria at the White Buddha

Teresa and Peter playing on the White Buddha

lunch on Vents Ridge summit

little snowy guy on Vents Ridge

North Slope of Vents Ridge

Prairie Crag overhangs the trail

A party had been there before, making it easy to see the trail plunging down the north slope into Prairie Creek, but also turning the snow cover in the shade to ice. They left a cute little snow guy to greet us. The only mistake of the day was not bringing traction devices, but we made it down without incident. We crossed Powderface Creek on logs and returned by the Powderface Creek trail.

Peter crossing Prairie Creek on logs

flood damage on Prairie Creek

We saw a deer on the drive out

We were all back to the cars by 2:40. Participants: Francisco, guest Maria, Teresa, Peter and Carl, coordinator and scribe.