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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
Mount Ward
- Location: Crowsnest Pass
- Activity: Scrambling
- Height: 2,530 m (8,301 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,165 m (3,822 ft)
- Distance: 14.0 km / Round Trip (8.7 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 9.5°
- Estimated Time: 4.5-7 hrs
- Technicality: Intermediate
- Fitness Level: Hard
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Red line is the actual track I took up to where I went which was recorded by my GPS. If you have high-clearance car such as a track, you can drive and cut off 2.5 km of hiking, otherwise I suggest to do the same as I did.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
I wasn't expecting to see so much snow at below tree line. There was so much snow right at the start of the hike. Good thing I still had my snowshoes in my car otherwise it was not possible.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
One of local favorites, Window Mountain Lake, is this way as well. To the lake it is short but still have to go over a very steep terrain. After the hard work, you get rewarded with this view. Seven Sisters and Crowsnest Mountain on the left. The mountain on the right is Mount Ward, my guy.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
The North face of Mount Ward and at the bottom, still frozen and snow covered Window Mountain Lake.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
After hassling up gaining elevation, now I see the col at the center of the picture, from there take left turn to the summit.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
I don't know what this type of cloud is called or how it can form such unique lines.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
At the col. Now I see Seven Sisters, Crowsnest Mountain, Window Mountain, and Allison Peak. Love snow covered mountains. Need a crazy carpet. I'm going for broke.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
Close up of Seven Sisters, Crowsnest Mountain, and Window Mountain. To get to the window, you have to go straight up the very steep and narrow terrain, the avalanche path. Do it in summer.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
From the top of Mount Ward, looking South to West. The Kane's book says this mountain is overlooked, and here is the proof.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
The good view of Allison Peak. To get there, you take the ridges you see. This mountain is rated difficult. Some source said it's the ridge that is difficult.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
A footprint of a panda. It wasn't there when I was ascending. For descending, I had to say "Hello" every minutes to let panda know I was coming his way. By the way, do you know the difference between bear and cougar? Bears are dumber. They are dumb enough to accidentally run into humans and scares themselves. In result, they attack us. On the other hand, cougars will never let themselves appear in front of human by accident. Only time you will see them is when they are behind of you. So every time I do solo, I always check back, never really expecting to see them, but that day, I did. I saw a cougar. Luckily he wasn't sneaking up on me, he just wanted to across a logging road.
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Mount Ward | 2009-05-16
This rock reminds of something…. Blue PT Cruser? Especially the scratches from scratching cars. (For full story you can click here)