Four of us enjoyed two good days of no rain exploring seldom visited peaks in the North Ram River headwaters in the rain shadow area near the Kootenay plains. Two great days exploring in fine weather with some rain on the two days hiking in and out. You get wet on the WhiteRabbit creek crossing anyway - so we didn't mind. On Friday all four of us got to the top of an unnamed 8838' summit at the northern end of the Ram range with views of two remote 11,000 footers: Willingdon and Recondite. The panorama stretched from the Wapta (Mt. Balfour?) in the south to the peaks around the Columbia icefield. I was impressed with the view of the impressive cliffs and peaks of the "White Goats" we could see to the north.


John and Gail relax in camp near the Ram River

Alistair assists Gail up a difficult section to a 8838 feet peak near the Ram River

Alistair near the summit of peak 8838 feet near the Ram River

Alistair and John on peak 8838 feet near the Ram River

On peak 8838 feet during a backpack near the Ram River

David and Alistair summitted Mt. William Booth on Saturday and did a scramble from there south along a ridge to a subsidiary summit. Further exploration of a creek on the descent made for a long day returing to camp at around 8:00 pm. Your scribe was having boot and foot blister trouble so explored solo to Headwaters lake and Gayle enjoyed some alpine meadows below William Booth.

Alistair on Mt William Booth from a backpack near the Kootenay PLains

On the way out Alistair explored three caves near the pass from the North Ram to Whiterabbit creek. A possible new home? No we might have neighbours! Thanks everyone for a nice weekend (and the duct tape!). Good call on the weather Alistair which we shared with only one other hiker we met briefly on the way in.

David added some digitized slides in May 2020.