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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Mount Kidd
- Location: Kananaskis Country (Highway 40)
- Activity: Scrambling
- Height: 2,958 m (9,705 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,770 m (5,807 ft)
- Distance: 14.1 km / Round Trip (8.8 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 14.1°
- Estimated Time: 5.5-9 hrs
- Technicality: Advanced
- Fitness Level: Athlete
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I don't know which is accurate but while everyone's trip reports say elevation gain of 1350m, mine is over 1700. When net gain is already over 1430m, how can it be 1350? I also got similar difference on the south peak too.
We parked at Galatea Day Use parking lot. From the lot we followed a trail. Right after the second bridge there was a trail sign which indicates directions to Galatea Creek Trail or Terrace Trail. We took right fork to Terrace Trail. Roughly 1.3 km after the sign, we came across the drainage which is the route. This drainage is big and cannot be missed. Once we crossed over the drainage, we stayed on the right side of the drainage and ascended into the massive avalanche gully. There were many slabs and rock bands covered by snow, we decided to go left side of the gully since there were more dry spots and less rock bands on that side. If it was dry, it might have been ok to directly aim the summit but with avalanche condition, we aimed the ridge top about 270 m south of the west false peak at GR267391 (page 12). The ridge was unexpectedly very narrow but was only 50m or so, then it became wider (page 15). The rest of the way was pretty much hike to the false peak to the true peak (page 16).
Our party made a huge mistake not starting this trip early when snow is more stable. We had 4 big avalanches. The one I triggered was maybe 40m wide and couldn't even see the end of it, but my estimate is 400 to 600m long by measuring with GPS software. Yet that wasn't the biggest one according to my buddies who were down below. Scary that the one I triggered started with a tiny snow ball falling off from the narrow ridge. Despite Kane says early season scramble here, I suggest to stay the heck out until snow melts.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
So much green down below.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Once in the gully scramble started here and there.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Battle between mankind vs wild life. Ali put his life on the line to take 21 pictures of sheep. If you don't remember Ali, it's not your first time seeing these animals.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Usual off-route scrambling.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
This is huge avalanche gully.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Like the south peak, now simply go up up up up up up.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Our party got separated into two groups. I took the left side of the gully, and the other took the right side.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Dan and Danielle. First time I hike with them, though Dan teaches me rock climbing.
(Photo By Shaun Luong)
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
A huge pinnacle between the north and south peak col.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Trying to get the top of the ridge to avoid avalanche slope.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
The path we took to get the ridge was actually quite steep, even though I didn’t feel it was that steep.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
View from the ridge top. The north face of Mount Kidd south peak. The pyramid shape summit with a horizontal strip is Mount Bogart.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
For a short distance the ridge was as narrow as a foot wide with snow covered and exposed both sides.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
False summit on the left and the true summit on the right.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
I thought Mount Kidd would be the tallest since the last summer, but I have done Nestor in last January.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
The weather was mainly sunny but when we were at the summit, very dark cloud was coming from west. I felt the present of Darth Vader.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
I am sure there is more snow right now than the same time around last year.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Group shot at summit. Andrea and me… we lost the rest.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
While we were descending we heard "HELP!". I looked around and found a person sitting in middle of slabby bands. I decided to get to him and once I got close enough to see him, he said "Are you So?" Apparently he knew me through this website and we even have emailed each other before. He was hiking alone. He said he was following GPS track from Bob Spirko's website, ended up this place. I know many people download my GPS tracks too, but this is a good lesson. These tracks are only for general guidance and not meant to use for the exact route. It might have been the best route when Bob came here when it was dry, but not a smart way to go the day we were there. Also if you hike solo a lot like me, it's really good idea to carry some kind of device such as satellite phone or GPS locator so that you can call 911 or send distress signal with your location. I have GPS locator, Spot... Funny I am the one talking safety...
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Only a week after Shaun took remote responder course, he already had chance to use the knowledge. Shaun drugged the injured person with some kind of suspicious pill and then tortured him by wiping his wounds with acid-like liquid. Finally Shaun started a phony ritual, said he is a faith healer.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Soon after rescuers came. Note, if you come across the same situation. The first time when helicopter came, they only came to survey the area where we were. I saw they were talking pictures from helicopter. Then they left and came back to drop off rescuers.
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Mount Kidd | 2010-06-19
Darn it! I had to get a panorama shot out of this, I was standing and trying to take panorama, but the thrust was so strong, I almost got knocked down, but Shaun held me and said "take pictures!" Good work Shaun, teamwork wins!!
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