Mt. Lady Macdonald summit ridge Off-Trail hike on 10-Apr-2025

This hike was new for about half of the group, including the coordinator. It's surprisingly nice given the proximity to Canmore, and was a straightforward climb up a mix of dry and muddy trail to the bench at the old teahouse site. Two of the group elected to stay there while the rest of us followed Sim's expert routefinding up the steep rocky slope to the summit ridge. Great views, a close encounter with sheep, sunshine, and not too much wind were our rewards for the arduous workout. There wasn't much room at the ridge because of the snow, so we dropped down to the paraglider hill for lunch. On the hike down, we encountered lots of trail runners and hikers, including one person starting up from the bottom a second time. Once was enough for us!

Participants: Sim, Bill, Alda, John, Donna, Ingrid (coordinator), Deborah, Colleen, Ted

Tricky little downclimb onto ice

Ewe with her two lambs from last year with Ramblers below at right

The mother started walking towards me... fortunately she resisted an encounter and took her lambs climber's left

The climb is steeper than it looks from below

Yup, definitely steep

Summit view looking west

Summit group less photographer Bill

Just as steep coming down :)

Coming down from the paraglider hill with our summit in the background