01

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Mount Carnarvon
  • Location: Yoho National Park
  • Activity: Scrambling
  • Height: 3,040 m (9,974 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,775 m (5,824 ft)
  • Distance: 18.1 km / Loop (11.2 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 11.1°
  • Estimated Time: 8-11 hrs
  • Technicality: Expert.3b
  • Fitness Level: Athlete

Second day in Yoho, the organizer of this trip Andrea unfortunately had to go back to city, so three boys car camped for Sunday scramble at Mount Carnarvon.

We parked our car at Emerald Lake Lodge parking lot. The trailhead of Hamilton Lake trail locates the south end of the parking lot. This trail was rather boring and steep 5.5 km hike. However just before arriving to the lake, the view opened up and I had a good look at Hanbury Glacier and Mount Goodsir. Hamilton Lake was small but very pretty lake and it is a nice idea to take a break there.

The normal ascent route was to go up gentle hill and get up south end of Carnarvon’s shoulder. But but but, our safety lady, Andrea not present, bad boys gone WILD!! Just like the old time, we ignored trails and descriptions; we went for SCRAMBLE route, “the proper way”!! Bad boy bad boy, what'cha gonna do? So we aimed the middle of the shoulder and scrambled up (page 9). Once on the ridge, we followed Kane’s route for a while. About mid way to the summit we came across a rockband. I believe Bob and Nugara went left for 50 to 100 m to avoid the band. Use ledges to traverse and look for cairns. We went right instead and found a chimney, “the proper way”, I thought but by carefully studying Kane’s route line, even though he doesn’t mention anything about this but the line seems to go through this chimney. Actual elevation on this chimney was probably less than 10 m, but this chimney is defiantly difficult scramble (my buddies think it’s climber’s), and the exposure was massive. That was deja-vu of the 1st chimney at Mount Smuts by looking down (page 17). After the band, there were waves of easy/moderate/difficult scrambles (mostly easy or moderate). Here is what I just found out and don’t understand Kane’s route. He says must traverse left 75 to 100 m and ascend gullies to overcome another and more serious walls near summit. I am pretty sure this is what we did too but his line in the book seems to go right instead…? At the cliff, we traversed to left by doing so , we had to face snow gullies which also Kane warns (page 20). After safely traversing the snow gullies, we followed cairns which lead us to exposed ledges to another and steeper gully which was unavoidable exposed and difficult scramble that everyone has to go through (page 23). Good news (or bad news) this will the last scramble on this mountain. The gully lead us south end of summit ridge. From there simply walk to the summit.

I found Carnarvon as the same class as Mount Fox despite Nugara says he thought nothing more than moderate.

Overall I had the best weekend in 2010 so far. The last time I had such weekend was 2009 when I did Lougheed 3 peaks and Fox. I spent 22 hours scrambling… I have to say I must try harder though. Nugara spends 22.5 hours a day scrambling (humanly impossible!).

02

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Emerald Lake. When we came back from summit, a couple was having wedding at the lodge.

03

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Hamilton Falls.

04

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

We could see Mount Goodsir from Hamilton Lake Trail. Mouseover for names.

05

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

After 5 km steep trail walk, finally Carnarvon says hello to us.

06

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Hamilton Lake
  • Location: Yoho National Park
  • Activity: Hiking
  • Height: 2,156 m (7,074 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 860 m (2,822 ft)
  • Distance: 11.0 km / Round Trip (6.8 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 8.9°
  • Estimated Time: 3-5 hrs
  • Technicality: Novice
  • Fitness Level: Easy

Hamilton Lake. Small but very pretty.

07

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Calm morning.

08

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Don't mind living here if I could.

09

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Let start off-route scrambling, "the proper way"! Mouseover to see "the proper way" line.

10

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Scrambling this wall all the way up was one of top 2 most dangerous scrambling I've done. The man has needs. A lot of neeeeeeeds.
(Photo By Shaun Luong)

11

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

After the death wall, rock became shale base and slope became less steep.

12

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

More scrambles!!

13

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Not over yet. More difficult scrambles near ridge top!!

14

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Finally on the top of ridge. Deep breath.

15

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Good looking pyramid shape mountain.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)

16

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

The first rockband which nobody seems to mention. To left to go around or to right to scramble chimney. Mouseover for line.

17

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Smuts all over!!

18

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Still a lot more elevation to go up. Looking at false summit and the serious cliff which Kane describes in the book.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)

19

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

One big rock to go over.

20

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Snow gully. Still much snow hasn't melt yet.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)

21

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Carefully traversing this steep slope.

22

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

The steepest section was about 60 degrees.

23

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

After the snow gully. More scrambles with exposure. This is too juicy. Scramble heaven!!

24

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Ridge top. Quite flat.

25

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

At the summit!! 5.5 hours to get here.

26

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

What a view. This weekend was view heaven too.

27

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

…Took forever to identify peaks. Quite surprisingly I can't see Temple. Mouseover for names.

28

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

The President, The Vice President, and Emerald Glacier.

29

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Summit pic. We specifically asked Ali to INCLUSE president, vice, and the glacier… Where is The President, ALI BOOBA!! Stop posing and start leaning how to take picture!! ヾ(。`Д´。)ノ
(Photo By Ali Shariat)

30

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Going back.

31

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

We were very satisfied with quality of scramble here.

32

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

We took the normal route for descent. Still entertained by the view.

33

Mount Carnarvon | 2010-07-18

Cleaning up myself at Hamilton Lake. Refreshing...
(Photo By Ali Shariat)

RETURN TO TOP
 
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT
CLICK BLANK SPACE OR PRESS ESCAPE TO EXIT