| MIST MOUNTAIN (3140 M) |
 |
 |
| Canada - Canada 2008 | |||
| Written by Florin Panaitescu | |||
| Thursday, 09 October 2008 00:00 | |||
Sunday, October 5, the weather forecast for Kananaksis was sunny during the morning and partly cloudy in the afternoon. Therefore, we have decided to take advantage of the good weather and at 5.30 am, I parked in front of Ronald’s house. Our intention was to hike Mist Mountain. I attempted this mountain last year, so I had a mental picture about the routes that lead to the top. This time we opted to hike towards Lipsett Col and from there on towards the top. We planned to follow the ridge and to descend on one of the gullies. While we were heading towards the Highwood Pass, still being dark outside, the sky was covered with clouds. We thought that at the sunrise the last remains of the previous night rain would disperse. We started to hike hoping that we will try to get as far as possible, despite de fact that it was slightly raining and the ridge was covered with fog and clouds. For a while, the path is signalized with some colorful ribbons, but they disappear abruptly. I do not see the need for such signs because the path is obvious. We followed the stream, from time to time bushwhacking until we found more clear spaces. Without a second thought, we chose to hike other time Lipsett Peak and we gained fast altitude on Mist Mountain. When we reached a safe distance, we stopped for a snack. Lipsett Peak is visible in the background.
We hiked wherever we foreseen an easy path, slightly going to the right side. At one point the fog became thinner so we were able to see the top and the obstacles that we were about to surpass. On the right side of the slope, the route to the top is less challenging, but is covered with scree.
 After 4 hours, we stood on top and we wrote few thoughts in the frozen registry. The cold wind and the fog prompted the descent. We have decided to follow the ridge, hoping that we were going to find an accessible valley, which would lead as to the creek. Near the top, the ridge is a bit expose and requires attention.
At one point, the ridge goes slightly to right. Because it was foggy, we have not realized that and we encountered a bumpy section that looked very steep. Therefore, we backtracked and we were lucky because for few seconds the fog lifted, allowing us to see the ridge.
A path leaded us beneath the ridge and we reached the ending of two gullies. The right one seemed more accessible. We down climbed one at a time to prevent the boulders dislocation.
I glanced back at the descending route. On the way up, I would have not chosen this valley, but there is a different perspective when you have just descended it.
 Closer to the gully’s bottom I started to recognize the route that we hiked last year. We stopped on the meadow to savor the scenery and enjoying the sun’s rays, we ate a sandwich.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
|||
| Last Updated on Sunday, 07 December 2008 20:42 |
