Fossil Mountain – July 27, 2005

Mountain height:       2,946 m (9,663 ft)
Elevation gain:          736 m 
Ascent time:              2:15 (from Hidden Lake)
Descent time:            1:05

Solo scramble.

Believe it or not, I was actually hoping to wake up to a cloudy day. I was still quite exhausted from last week’s 5-day trip, the hike in to Hidden Lake, and Richardson, Pika, and Redoubt, and I was experiencing problems with my feet. If it was cloudy, we would just pack up and walk out. However, one doesn’t waste a blue-sky day in such a beautiful area, and so when I did wake up to see only a single cloud over Redoubt, a summit was in order. I chose Fossil Mountain because of the promised great summit view. Not only was the summit panorama fantastic, but the scenery en route to the summit was breath-taking and my ascent was greatly slowed by innumerable photo opportunities. A great end to a great 3-day trip, in the spectacular surroundings of the Skoki area.  

Looking back at Richardson, Pika, and Ptarmigan (left to right)

Looking back at Mount Redoubt and Ptarmigan Lake; Hungabee in the distance

Ptarmigan Lake, Brachiopod (right of centre), St. Bride (far left)

A closer look at distant Mount Hungabee; the top of Lefroy is obscured by the clouds

One more look back at striking Mount Redoubt

A summit view of Mount Redoubt and Redoubt Lake below, with some of the Lake Louise group behind 

A view to the southwest, including Baker Lake, Little Baker Lake, Tiled Lake and Brachiopod Lake 

Ptarmigan, Pika, Richardson, and the Wall of Jericho, with the beautiful Skoki Lakes below

HOME     
SCRAMBLES           
MOUNTAINEERING      
OTHER TRIPS          
PHOTO GALLERY
LOG 
FAVOURITES
LINKS