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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
Molar Pass South
- Location: Banff National Park (Icefields Parkway)
- Activity: Snowshoeing
- Height: 2,369 m (7,773 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 800 m (2,625 ft)
- Distance: 20.8 km / Round Trip (12.9 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 4.4°
- Estimated Time: 6-9 hrs
- Technicality: Novice
- Fitness Level: Moderate
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I have been sick for a week. I couldn't get out last weekend and I wasn't going to let myself grounded in city this long weekend. I had plans but being sick, I had to change them to easier ones. So I decided to do 20 km snowshoeing (since when 20 km snowshoeing is easy?).
I used a guide book "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide" by Brian Patton & Bart Robinson. I parked at Mosquito Creek Parking. Trailhead was located the other side (east side) of the HW93, right at the bridge. From there route was quite easy. Trail seemed to follow Mosquito Creek for a long time. After about 5 km from the trailhead, I arrived at Mosquito Creek Campground. Another 2.2 km from the camp, there was a junction sign where north and south Molar Pass separate. I believe actual trail cuts across in trees, but I thought that was nonsense and decided to go little farther south to get out of trees. It was a good call, because it was so much better views that way especially where waypoint "Rockfall" was (page 5). At the end of pass, there was a hill to go up, again, I didn't follow actual trail since it lead to avalanche terrain, instead I found a nice gentle path that I felt safe enough to go up (page 9).
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
A typical view from Molar Pass for a while.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
After passing campground, there were more enjoyable views. Such impressive looking peaks but not named.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
Pinnacle on a ridge between south and north Molar Pass.
05
Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
Going off-route was a nice idea. I liked here the best from Molar Pass and nicely when I was at my favorite spot, the sun came out.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
There were many big chunks of rock at the bottom of scree. They must have fallen from the slope above some time ago.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
Looking back the way I came. I believe no mountains here are named except Watermelon Peak at the right. Doesn't look like a watermelon from this angle or from Crystal Ridge neither.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
So much snow there was. Made me giggle. I am like Jamie from Mythbusters.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
I found this uphill. I aimed at the path at the right of this picture where ridge is separated in 2 parts.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
Unfortunately once I got up the ridge, sun gave up and it was gone.
11
Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
I kept going for little more just to see other side, but without sunlight, it didn't look nice…
12
Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
I came back the same way and I found there was a new avalanche. All the jumping I was doing up top practicing dancing for So You Think You Can Dance audition may have been enough to create this avalanche.
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Molar Pass South | 2010-04-02
I slept in the car. I need more sleeping pad… It was very uncomfortable.
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