| |
Date |
Ascent Time |
Decent Time |
| 1st Time |
10 Mar 02 |
incomplete |
incomplete |
| 2nd Time |
22 Feb 03 |
5:30 |
2:00 |
This photo was actually taken from high on the slopes of Dolomite Peak to the south. I took this picture about four weeks before the Cirque Peak trip, but the amount of snowfall increased only marginally. Our route followed the Dolomite Pass trail up and over the ridge in front of Cirque Peak (between Helen and Katherine Lakes). Once over that, we dropped down to the base of Cirque, scrambled up deep snow and rocks to the main face. Once there, we just slogged (without skis) to the summit. |
This is our first break just before we break out of the trees. From left to right, we have Normand, Craig, Angela, Blair, and Ian. Being in the trees, you're safer from avalanche and you're sheltered from the trees. |
Here we see Blair and Normand slowly making their way across the avalanche terrain up to the pass. Once they crest the pass, they will turn left and go up and over the ridge toward the base of Cirque Peak. |
Hi mom!!! Here we see Normand, Angela and Ian waving as they approach the high-point along the ridge between Dolomite and Cirque. This is where we took the skins off on the way back down later that day. In the faded background, you can see part of Dolomite Peak. There was also a lot of wind at this point. |
After the last picture, I needed to put some clothes around my face to protect against frostbite. Meanwhile, the three from above headed toward Cirque Peak (seen in the distance). |
This is another good spot for a break. At this point, we are right at the base of Cirque Peak (but still above Helen Lake). The next part is a short steep scramble through waist deep snow. After that, we would be on the main face of the mountain. Since the main face didn't have much snow, we left the skis here. In the picture, we see Ian's boot, Angela, Blair, and Normand. |
As the rest of us stuffed our faces with more food, Blair decided to leave and start breaking trail. I'm not sure if he knew it was that deep. Also, as you can tell the weather was not looking promising, but the main face is very wide, and pretty hard to get lost on. We were going for it. |
Slogging up the main face in ski boots had everybody moving at a different pace. We were completely scattered over that face. Blair and Craig were about 10-15 mins ahead of everybody else, and they managed to get to the summit just as the weather cleared and the wind stopped. This is the main summit, as seen from the first summit. Despite the distance, they are only about 5 minutes away. |
To get over to the true summit, you have to go down about 5m, then back up the other side. If you look closely, you can see Normand, wearing a red jacket, making his way to the low-point. You wouldn't want to fall here because for about 2-3 steps, it's fairly exposed into the cirque, for which this peak is named. |
While on the summit, the clouds gave way to an incredible view. You see all of the peaks of the Wapta (Gordon, St. Nick, The Onion, South Rhondda, Baker, Thompson, Jimmy Simpson, etc. Looking north (this photo) gave great views as well. |
One more summit shot. Here we see Ian actually sitting on the summit cairn. Blair and Normand are standing by. Surprisingly, nobody thought to dig out the summit register, and from the looks of this picture, it would be quite a bit of work. |
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