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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Aster Lake
- Location: Kananaskis Country (Kananaskis Lakes)
- Activity: Backpacking
- Height: 2,260 m (7,415 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 600 m (1,969 ft)
- Distance: 12.0 km / One Way (7.5 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 2.9°
- Estimated Time: 3.5-5 hrs
- Technicality: Novice
- Fitness Level: Moderate
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Well, the weather forecast was very unreliable this weekend. Depending on which source and what time, they said different stories. So we knew Joffre attempt would be a gamble, but we still decided to take a chance.
To Aster Lake Campsite:
From Upper Lake parking we followed Upper K Lake Circuit for 5.6 km. There was an orange tape marking on the trail to indicate the turn off to Aster Lake. The trail to Aster is officially unmaintained trail but it was actually quite maintained.
After Foch Creek (near waypoint “Cairn 4”), the trail went zig-zag turns. There were logs on trails to block people to go wrong trails at the zig-zag, so be careful. We took a wrong trail there ended up near Marlborogh Pond…
To High Camp:
You can camp at the Aster Lake but I recommend going beyond which will save 2 hours if you are going for Joffre. After Aster Lake go south. There was a trail and cairns but it’s hard to find one from bottom of a hill to Mangin Glacier. Don’t get confused with another glacier west of Mount Petain with Mangin Glacier. We find a good spot at a tarn at GR262021.
To Mount Joffre:
REJECTED!! I HATE YOU (p_q*)
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Fossil Falls. Trees are getting moldy. No good （｀∀´）
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Hidden Lake behind. It was empty enough I could walk on bottom of the lake on May.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
We knew my friends Team ClayDan was also doing Joffre a day before us. Just as I was talking about them if they went for Joffre under bad condition, we run into each other. They turned around. I was hoping we didn't have to turn around too, but the bad weather stayed entire weekend.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Oops we were on trail to Marlborough Pond…
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Wil trying to blend with rocks.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Correcting our way to Aster Lake.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Looking back Aster from bottom of Warrior Mountain.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Joffre in sight. Looking little bit hopeful at this moment…
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Well since wind was blowing, it was snowing, and every peak was covered with clouds, we decided to stay inside tent for rest of the day after we arrived at our high camp.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
In the evening, it cleared out little. Mount Northover. OMG, that ridge route excites me. It was high in my to do list, but now even higher in my to do list.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Mount Cordonnier, 3021 m (left) and Warrior Mountain, 2973 m (right).
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Mount Northover, 3003 m and Mount Lyautey, 3082 m.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
Our campsite. Body bag & UFO.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-17
This was the last time I saw Joffre's summit.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-18
Next morning. This is as far as we got.
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Mount Joffre Attempt | 2011-09-18
This stream made a snow tunnel.
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