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Date |
Ascent Time |
Descent Time |
| 1st Time |
18 Apr 99 |
4:39 |
2:33 |
18 Apr 99 - Mt. Cory is a great mountain just outside of Banff on Highway 1A. I attempted
this mountain perhaps a little too early in the season and I ran into lots of snow, but due to
the grade of the ridge, I was able to safely continue. The mountain is set up as a few "ribs".
You want to take the eastern most rib. When you park, you'll see a trail, which goes about 10
yards into the trees, then turns left. If you follow this trail, you will end up ascending the
wrong "rib". Where the trail turns, you should keep going straight. If you insist on sticking to
the trail, you'll end up on the second rib. It looks like many people have ascended this way,
and there is a trail. When you get to the point where the you're surrounded by dead trees, work
your way right. You'll be able to cross the gully, and get back on track. If you continue to
ascend the second rib, you will encounter a steep down climb and then a 5.5-5.6 rock climb to
get back on track.
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18 Apr 99 - Here we see part of the upper ridge. This is looking back at the highway. As you continue
up the ridge, there are many false summits on this peak. One of them even drops in elevation about 30 yards.
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18 Apr 99 - On my way up the ridge, I encountered two mountain sheep, which were blocking the
trail. With steep drop offs on both sides, I had no choice but to wait for them to move. Here we
see one of them standing in my way. After about 40 minutes, they moved and allowed me to pass. Unfortunately,
I came across them again on the way down.
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18 Apr 99 - Just before reaching the first summit, you can see the ridge over to the second summit.
Due to the snow and cornice on the ridge, I decided not to go to the second summit.
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18 Apr 99 - Here we see the first (south) summit. I actually fell about four feet short.
There was a large cornice overhanging the final ascent slope. Although I climbed up it, I stopped
before trying to break throught it.
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