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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Nigel Peak
- Location: Jasper National Park
- Activity: Scrambling
- Height: 3,211 m (10,535 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,160 m (3,806 ft)
- Distance: 7.7 km / Loop (4.8 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 16.8°
- Estimated Time: 5-8 hrs
- Technicality: Advanced
- Fitness Level: Hard
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Next day after Mount Athabasca, we decided to go for Nigel Peak.
Approach:
This route is little different from Kane’s route. Instead starting from Wilcox Pass Trailhead, we started from our campground in Wilcox Campground. Use my descent route (red line) for better route.
You can find a trail from side of a storage near “→32-39 ↑40-46” campground sign (at waypoint “Trailhead”). This trail will lead to a drainage. Gain elevation using the drainage as much as you can then go left (west) before it becomes too difficult to get out of the drainage. Depending on where you are, probably you need to bushwhack little bit, but if you can find some kind of trail that will help. At this point you may not be able to see Kane’s trail but you should be able to see outlier of Nigel Peak (GR876872, page 2).
Scree/Rubble Slope:
Going up to the outlier, our ascent slope was more of endless rubble slope and descent route (Kane’s) route was more of endless scree slope. Considering that we didn’t know that, we did pretty good job going up on rubble and coming down on scree. I have to say scree slope was really soft and awesome for scree run!!
West Slope:
From the outlier we followed Kane’s trail traversing west slope of the summit (page 6). Mostly it was dry so we didn’t have much problem, but if this is snow covered, traversing here could be slippery or worse, can be avalanche hazards.
To Summit:
This was crux for us. The terrain here became quite steep at the edge of ridge where it was dry, but rest of slope was covered with frozen snow (page 10, 11). So we had a choice of climbing up the dry but moderately difficult scramble or kick step frozen snow without crampons. If we started late, the snow could have been soft and fun to step in, but it wasn’t. So I suggest bringing appropriate gear for here.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
The slope where light is, is our ascent route.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
It was only a day before we were at the summit of Athabasca.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
West slope and summit. Quite good looking peak I have to say.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Would be fun to do the ridge goes to Wilcox Pass.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
More view of 11,000ers of Columbia Icefield.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Traversing the west slope. What a view of Athabasca.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Dead frozen snow slope. Ben and I took this route.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Pretty steep scramble for moderate. Wil going up.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Very nice view. This valley goes to Nigel Pass.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Mr. Orange at the summit.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
This peak has better view than Tangle Ridge. Mouseover for peak pointers!!
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Serious faces. I wonder what they were thinking…
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
North Twin and Twins Tower.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Fantastic 4. From left-Top to right bottom: Ben, Wil, me, then Heather.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Such a beautiful day, beautiful view, but these peeps can only talk crap. Mouseover to listen to their conversation.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Ben downclimbing 90 degree ice without ice tools, crampons, and rope.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Heather coming down the crux.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
4 day peak begging is almost coming to the end.
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Really good scree for scree run. Fun fun!
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Mouseover for Kane's route (left) and our ascent route (right).
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Nigel Peak | 2011-08-28
Bath time. Water is too cold.