Back
HomeStorm Mountain
| Back Home |
Storm Mountain |
| Elevation 3070m Height Gain Time to Reach Summit Degree of Difficulty Scenery Date of Most-recent Ascent |
Park at the Lemon Mine information sign (GPS reference 50d33m50s N, 114d57m09s W) on Highway 40. This spot is 21.7km south of the turn-off for Kananaskis Lakes. Walk across the road and head north for a couple of hundred meters. Once past the running creek, look for a cairn on the edge of trees. The good trail climbs steadily up hillside. The moderate angle gains you some 200 vertical meters in half an hour. As you reach treeline the trail vanishes. Do not head straight up the grassy slope towards the minor high point. You should angle right toward the lower side of a couple of patches of trees. Resist the urge to gain elevation, as doing so will only result in you going up and down gullies on ankle-wrenching boulders. Oodles of wild flowers inhabit the meadows as you make your way towards the cirque at the far end. Once in the upper valley drop down to stream level. As you continue on check out the impressive cliffs on your right. Close to the back of the cirque look for a suitable gully on your left to start your ascent - keep away from the last gully as it will lead to steep slabs and rock bands further up. The next hour or so is a gruelling battle between legs and scree. The angle is steep and constant. You may look for sections of exposed ribs and slabs to ease the burden. Your objective is the lower south summit of the mountain. At the south summit, the true summit and connecting ridge comes into view. Scramble over and down to the east side of the ridge. A faint path is some 5-10 meters below the crest. Stay on the ledges as you make the long traverse over to the summit block. I made the mistake of scrambling back on top of the ridge too early, only to find sections not unlike Mt. Lady MacDonald. Best to be patient and wait for an easier line. There is a prominent crack ahead which has some lighter orange-coloured rock in it. You actually want to be past this point before scrambling up to the skyline ridge. Some route finding skills here would be helpful. You should also be aware of loose rock. Once on the ridge make note of where you came up for the return trip. Grit your teeth as you encounter more steep scree before finally topping out at the summit (GPS reference 50d35m13s N, 114d56m21s W). The most conspicuous landmark to the north is Mt. Rae. To the northeast are the ever-present trio of Glasgow, Cornwall, and Banded Peak. The Highwood Range is to the southeast, while close by is Mist Mt. to the south-southeast. Scenery to the west feature the Elk Range in the near distance, which pales in comparison to the views of the glaciated Joffre Group and the Royal Group.
|
|
