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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Ptarmigan Peak
- Location: Banff National Park (Skoki)
- Activity: Scrambling
- Height: 3,059 m (10,037 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 910 m (2,986 ft)
- Distance: 6.7 km / Loop (4.2 mi)
- Avg Steepness: 15.2°
- Estimated Time: 3.5-6 hrs
- Technicality: Intermediate
- Fitness Level: Moderate
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Above stats is from Sk5 Hidden Lake campground. From Skoki Lodge parking, add 15 km (return trip) and 550 m elevation.
We had late start and an accident to delay the trip but after unpacking our heavy backpack, we still had time to go for a scramble. The obvious choice we had was Ptarmigan Peak just north from Hidden Lake campground. I don’t know how since it’s so obvious, but I mistakenly led my party to wrong way and made a detour. However no one in my party other than me knew the route, I didn’t get any complaining.
The route was pretty much straight forward (oh year?). You can see it even from the campground. This mountain is rated easy in Kane’s book, but I found this is one of these mountains that I could choose difficulties by taking more challenging scramble route. There were plenty of difficult/climber’s scrambles here and I was having so much fun (page 10).
Only thing I want to mention is if you come little early, you might have to deal with big cornices near summit. In our case, there was one spot where it was hard to tell the boundary of ridge and cornices (page 15).
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Getting ready for a 4 day backpacking trip. Barbara, Wil, Aga, and Ali, which would made an international + 1 alien team.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Near Hidden Lake campsite. From left, Mount Richardson, Pika Peak and Ptarmigan Peak (third peak is not still Pika).
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
My god, I didn't think I would meet my own species in this planet.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Taking a longer approach to Ptarmigan Peak.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Redoubt Mountain on the right.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Looking back Lake Louise area.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Usual off-route scrambling.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Felt like this mountain was not so tall because of low ele gain but it's over 3000 m high.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Almost on ridge. Hidden Lake below.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Finally we could see the other side of view. Mouseover for names.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
One more hill to go up from ridge.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
At one point ridge became narrower and there was also cornice to deal with. I carefully chose the path and let Ali go first to see if my path works or not.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Another spot where it was hard to see boundary of cornice and ridge.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
These cornices were still big.
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Ptarmigan Peak | 2010-07-01
Group picture. From left, Ali, Wil, and So. Average number of letters per name is 2.67 letters. Not to mention, my name cannot be shortened.
(Photo By Ali Shariat)
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