A relatively short trip to match the longer drive to Jasper on this morning. This is really a bump compared to surrounding mountains but is protected by cliff bands both large and small around it. This is likely the first time that Ramblers have ascended this summit. There is a well marked trail (using red circles and flagging) and we were wondering why until we discovered the reason for this later. Although there were only two of us originally on this trip, two additional participants decided to join us when Stephanie's trip on the same day was cancelled.
Although not windy in Jasper we found quite a strong wind at the trail head but the weather was good. The trail to the summit wends it way between cliff bands with some minor scrambly sections along the way. It starts facing the highway and slowly circles more towards the rear of the mountain to gain the summit. We all found the trail to be one of the more interesting trails to a summit and with limited scree. It was extremely windy at the summit, but we did manage to sign into the summit register by bivying in trees at the summit. A highly popular summit with numerous entries in a number of books - we were able to find a few blank sheets to fill one.
On the way down, we somehow managed to go off-trail - there are numerous side trails where other people have gone wrong or perhaps climbers looking for slabs - hence the flagging and markers. We realized this fairly quickly and retraced our steps with James leading the way to the trail beside a fairly major cliff band we had noted on the way up. The rest of the trip went without incident.
On the whole a very worthwhile short trip summit on a travel day to Jasper.
Thanks to participants : Alda, James and Hannah for joining me on this interesting summit. Thanks in particular to Alda and Hannah who joined last minute to make it a club trip. Incidentally, it was a new summit for all of us.
Bob C/S