Saturday, August 01, 2009

Mt. Whyte- North East Ridge

So on Friday I teamed up with a couple of friends, Amitae and Zach for a climb of that classic mountain- Bruno Engler's favourite, Mt. Whyte. The day started very well with  a double americano with the beans freshly ground outside as to not wake up Michelle at 3:00 am. We shot down the road to lake Louise in the dark and started up the quiet trail to lake Agnes and the start of the route. 
After scrambling for an hour or so to reach the climbing, we popped out through the mist and came across something that is simply magic- above the fog with all the giants poking through and not revealing their bases- Himalayan.
Easy Scrambling terrain leading to the ledge.
Big traverse ledge at 1/3 height.
Glory Spectre on a mountain pilgrimage.

We tried a few starts on the N side of the mountain and went through a bit of time before deciding to head back to avoid the daily thundershowers (which didn't happen) and make it back to laggans before closing time. I think we now know the route for next time after scoping around a bit and it would be great to go back for round 2. For me though its back to resting as I am off for a week of mountaineering on the 10th and I am still not over this flu I have- TV and Coffee!!