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| View along summit ridge looking South East. |
Friday
April 10 had a last minute opportunity for a solo day out, after a bunch of
domestic chores. Got away later than expected and my trip was longer than
anticipated. Was targeting 8 hours around trip, but was way longer. I set my
sights on the little summit of “Mt. Nomad”, an interesting peak directly west
of Mt. Invincible and south of Mt. Warspite, with a summit elevation of
approximately 2540m. I have skied the treed glades on the ridge south of Mt.
Nomad a few winters ago. I left the parking lot with an early start of 11am.
Warm and icy snow conditions was theme for the day, along with bright beautiful
sun. Walked the packed snow/ice trail to the Point turnoff, then quick skinning
to Invincible Creek.
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On the north shore of Upper Kananaskis trail, near
the Point Campground turnoff.
Double summit of "Forks Peak" visible. |
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Gaining elevation on the west ridge.
View to Upper Kananaskis Lake. |
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View to the steep East Face of
Mount Putnik. |
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| Gaining ground up the west ridge. |
I started up the western end of the ridge right from the
creek. Tight with trees only for about 100 metres vertical, then lots of
openings for an up track. Steep and lots work but soon good views and cool
cornices made the effort worthwhile. I skied as fat west as I could and poked
around on the north facing slope figuring out the safest line in the snow.
Tried a few spots and settled on bare booting down a well supported snow line.
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| First view of "Mount Nomad". |
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Lots of cool cornices along the ridge top.
"Forks Peak" to the west. |
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Looking up my bare boot track down into the creek valley.
I used the same trail on the way back to the ridge. |
Once in the creek, back on skis and was able to skin most of the way up Mt.
Nomad. Last 50 metres was mostly muddy soft scree slogging, always fun in ski
boots. Arrived at the summit just before 6pm. A few photos, lots of great
views. Debated a less steep line to return to the ridge, but did the boot pack
on the same line. Skied the glades on the south slope of the ridge on the return.
The snow was sun blasted hard crust, could have been fast and furious turns,
but I took it easy. Beautiful sunset colours on the ski descent. Then the
return trail ski by headlamp. Awesome day.
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Gaining elevation up Mt. Nomad.
View south over the intervening ridge.
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| View south along summit ridge. |
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| Skis resting on the summit. |
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| Summit poser. |
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| View north as I descended the summit ridge. |
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| Looking down my boot track as I near the ridge line. |
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| Deep snow plod. |
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| Great views to Mount Lyautey. |
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| Twilight colours as I skied down the south glades of the ridge. |
