Heart Mtn Horseshoe loop - Intro Scramble Scramble on 26-Jul-2024

A perfect day to ascend a new objective for this coordinator and new (sc)rambler Nicole. We started out at the cars around 10.30 and gained the ridge at 13.00, enjoying all of the optional scrambling objectives this fantastic ridge offers along the way. I'd say some of the scrambling could receive a 5.3/5.4 rating when picking the most difficult lines. All three of us had a blast.

We picked a lunch spot on the lee side of the wind and scouted routes up Skogan and McGillivray while enjoying a cup of coffee and sorely missing our down puffies that we left at home due to the “heat wave”. After a 30 minute break with great conversation and views, we continued along the ridge to enjoy the remainder of the views, incuding Twins, Barrier Lake and an intrigueing camp site to the north. A leisurely descent through the gully later we were happy to find wind shelter among the trees. The “long drudgery" through the trees and along the power line flew by thanks to good company and we were back at the cars by 17.00.

I'm sure that I'll repeat Heart many times to come over the years when time is short or snow cover is low…

GPS stats: 12.5km, 1050m elevation, 6h activity time.
Map stats: 10.5km, 940m elev.

Thanks to Pam and Nicole for joining me Sebastiaan (c/s) on this awesome day!

Ramblers breaking out of the trees to start the fun part.

Pam confidently leading the way.

Nicole having a blast on the slabs

Sebastiaan enjoying the steepest possible scrambling route on the ridge

Ramblers on Heart Mtn. McGillivray behind.

Fresh raspberries to close of the day. Nice treat.