Crowsnest Mountain

An ex-Saskatoonian friend now living in Calgary sent me a note the other day expressing a keen desire to climb Crowsnest Mtn.  Since he was at his cottage in Fernie, I made the quick drive over and with a 6 am start, we headed for the Alberta border, leaving the car around 7 am.

It was a cool morning with cloud, two weather conditions I hadn't experienced for almost a month.  It was quite pleasant.

I'd forgotten a bit of the nature of Rockies limestone, especially how sharp it's eroded edges are.  We ground uphill, picked our way around and through various gullies in the rock bands and ended up following a mountain goat most of the way to the summit.  After a brief survey of the surrounding scenery and the obligatory photo-ops, we headed back down.  About 5 hours from the car return.  Somewhat over 1000 meters of elevation gain (and loss...).  Back at the cottage for a late lunch and a snooze....

Pictures of the climb and the attempt the next day of Ghostrider Peak are in the Summer 2012 album.