Mount
Richardson and Pika Peak
–
July 25, 2005
Mountain height:
Richardson:
3,086 m (10,122 ft)
Pika:
3,033 m (9,948 ft)
Elevation gain:
Hidden Lake
to Richardson: 876 m
Richardson
to Pika: -261 m, +210 m
Ascent time:
2:30
(from Hidden
Lake)
Traverse time:
1:15
Descent time:
?
Scrambling with Jodi.
My first trip to the beautiful Skoki area and I had the
privilege of being accompanied by Jodi Soare, with whom I had made my 9th
trip up Mount
Baldy, earlier this year. We planned to stay three days and do a couple of scrambles
in the area.
The hike 8 km hike to Hidden
Lake
campground was made mercifully easy by a very generous
Lake Louise
worker, who gave us a ride up the Temple Fire Road. The remaining 4 km was easy and very scenic, with Pika and Ptarmigan
Peaks
forming a gorgeous backdrop. Upon arriving at the campground, we were
immediately accosted by two unknown individuals who seemed to know who we were
and even called me by name. I was more than pleasantly surprised to discover
that they were Brigitte Greve and Martin Siddles, two scramblers/climbers with
whom I had been trading emails for sometime. Both had offered me encouragement
and advice in my quest to become a better outdoors person and both sport
extremely impressive climbing resumes. Martin has done innumerable scrambles and
alpines climbs and Brigitte has a backcountry resume that would put Tarzan to
shame. She could also easily write a sequel to Kane’s scrambles book, having
completed countless unnamed peaks in remote areas. Not only were their climbing
records impressive, but they were both extremely friendly and personable and we
share a few laughs over the next few days. Jodi also knew Brigitte from The
Stronghold climbing center.
After setting up the tent, Jodi and I set out to ascend Mount
Richardson
and Pika
Peak. The ascent of Richardson
was little more than a steep hike, although adventurous Jodi took a couple of
more difficult diversions, scrambling up steep rock on the right side of the
ridge. The summit view was terrific and I was surprised at how much snow
remained on top.
We then continued down Richardson’s snow-covered east slopes to the Richardson/Pika col. Turning around to look
at snowy Richardson
was quite a treat. The scrambling on Pika was fantastic – lots of hands-on
stuff on solid rock, often with an airy drop on the right side. And to
compliment the enjoyable scrambling we arrived at the summit to a spectacular
view. The Wall of Jericho, three stunning turquoise lakes (Merlin, Zigadeus, and
Myosotis), the breath-taking view back to
Mount
Richardson
, and numerous 11,000ers were highlights of the panorama.
On descent, at the Richardson/Pika col, we traversed the
west slopes of Pika to complete the loop. Given a little more time and energy,
an ascent of Ptarmigan
Peak
would have been a viable option, requiring minimal effort (a very easy, scenic,
and enjoyable 3-peak day!). Two wonderful scrambles, both with outstanding
summit views.
Mount
Richardson from near Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake (left), Mount
Redoubt (centre back), and Jodi
Jodi tackles difficult terrain along
the ridge
Jodi at the summit cairn; Mount
Hector in the centre
The summit ridge of Richardson;
Mount Hector behind
Looking down the west slopes of
Richardson towards Pika Peak
(right) and The Wall of Jericho (left)
Merlin Lake
The Wall
of Jericho, seen from the ascent slopes of Pika
Peak
Jodi scrambles up interesting
terrain on Pika Peak; Richardson
behind
A look to the west at Mount
Temple and the Valley of the Ten Peaks; the pointed peak to the left of Temple
is Deltaform
Zigadeus Lake, Myosotis Lake,
and Fossil Mountain (centre); the snow-covered
peaks in the background are Mount Douglas (left)
and Mount St. Bride (right)
Jodi traverses the final few
metres of the summit ridge
Merlin Lake and the Wall
of Jericho
Looking back at the west slopes
of Mount Richardson
Another view of the Wall
of Jericho
Jodi, Martin, and Brigitte
Click HERE
to see day 2 of the trip
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