Narao Peak | Scrambling in Yoho National Park

01 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Narao Peak II

Location: Yoho National Park
Activity: Scrambling
Height: 2,974 m (9,758 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,450 m (4,757 ft)
Distance: 14.3 km / Loop (8.9 mi)
Avg Steepness: 11.5°
Estimated Time: 7-9 hrs
Technicality: Advanced
Fitness Level: Hard

Download GPX: [Trail] Narao Peak.gpx
OpenStreetMap: See track recorded by GPS
Print: Display in printer-friendly format
Related Trips:
- Ski at Narao Peak
- Narao Peak Attempt
Conditions:
- Weather
- Avalanche Bulletin

My second attempt to Narao Peak. I don't know how book approaches this peak, but I used the same route from previous trips in winter.

Approach:
The crux might be right here at the parking lot to find a spot. About 2.1 km from the parking, I came to a trail with a trail sign (but not in Gem Trek map). I followed the trail for 900 m then went off-trail and started to gain elevation. Unlike winter time, the approach slope was bushy and wasn't as easy going as winter time (page 2). Once out of trees, I simply slog up rubble slope to get to the ridge (page 4).

Traverse:
The ridge was easy for lower part. As I went higher there were few spots that required some scrambling. Then there was 1 spot where I had to get off the ridge and traverse side slope and a ledge to get around. Finding the place to traverse is easy because there was a pinnacle right in front of troublesome rockband (page 9 & 10).

True Summit:
The true summit is not the one with cairn. It's the one without a cairn and which is the farthest peak. Don't know why some people decided to confuse others.

02 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Bushwhacking!

03 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

I was hoping the weather stays like this, but later on cloud coverage increased more than I hoped

04 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

After bushy bushwhacking, piles of rubble slope awaits for me.

05 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Mount Hector.

06 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Mount Vaux.

07 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Getting close to peaks near Lake Louise.

08 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Chimney on the right.

09 Narao Peak | 2013-07-13

Twin peaks of Narao. Farther one is the true summit, not the closer one with cairn. This is where I had to go right to side slope to ledge to avoid rockband. There is a pinnacle in front of the rockband which you can't tell with this angle. See next page.