01

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Wasootch Ridge
  • Location: Kananaskis Country (Highway 40)
  • Activity: Scrambling
  • Height: 2,178 m (7,146 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 940 m (3,084 ft)
  • Distance: 12.6 km / Loop (7.8 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 8.5°
  • Estimated Time: 5-8 hrs
  • Technicality: Advanced
  • Fitness Level: Moderate

Above stats is up to where I turned around.

I ever thought I would have failed attempt on known hiking route… Well that day came at Wasootch Ridge.

This is one of these peaks which ascending starts right at parking. No long approach what so ever. Also this is fool proof until near the end. I went up the hill from the parking, got up on top of the ridge and kept continue toward the summit. From beginning to near the summit, it was wide ridge walking. However near the end, the ridge became very narrow. The ridge was too narrow to call this hiking. It was close to what I expect to see from difficult scrambling (page 12). That made me think somewhere along I was supposed to go off the ridge, but I didn’t even think that due to amount of snow still up there. According to Daffern’s guide book, you can go right (south) of the ridge to the summit, but I didn’t even get to that point. I chickened out and ended up turning around before that… (* ̄・ ̄)

02

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Trees!

03

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Wasootch Knob, I think it is called.

04

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Didn't take long to gain ridge top but still long way to go.

05

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Trying to estimate the struggle of this person. Whoever it was must have swore.

06

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Long ridge continues.

07

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

The Big Traverse. I still don’t believe it can be done in one day.

08

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Isolated rain was the forecast. I saw exactly that but where I was never rained.

09

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Finally out of tree.

10

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Towards the summit ridge got narrower and narrower.

11

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

180. View got much better nearing the summit.

12

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

As you can see this isn't a ridge for hiking. I am guessing I was supposed to get off the ridge somewhere before I get to this point if you want to keep this as hiking.

13

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

I attempted to downclimb but only to realize it was little too long and too much to handle. So I backed up again to the ridge and turned around.

14

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Didn't think I have to turn around for hiking peak. However this ridge looks challenging and fun. It might be worth doing it on dry condition for scramble!!

15

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Taking an avalanche path for descent. It was good idea up top, but lower I got, I realized humm if another avalanche happens, it will come down on the same path which is where I was!

16

Wasootch Ridge Attempt | 2011-04-25

Least 1 m deep still around here. When will summer come this year…

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