Mount Ward

Mountain height:     2,530 m (8,300 ft)
Elevation gain:        625 m
Ascent time:            2:40
Descent time:          2:20

Our objective was to summit both Mount Ward and Allison Peak, as is common with this trip. Having suffered through a torturous attempt of the west ridge of Mount Bogart two days earlier, that had wreaked havoc on Linda’s knees, we were hoping that they had recovered enough to make both summits.

The hike to and around Window Mountain Lake was short and interesting. We especially liked the rain-forest-like section just before the lake. From there we quickly ascended a talus slope into the valley, where the summit of Mount Ward could be seen to the left. Although Ward probably classifies as one of the shortest and easiest scrambles in the book, it still sports a fairly long rubble slope to the summit, that, like many scree slopes in the Rockies, is quite unforgiving on the knees. By the time we were getting close to the summit, Linda was obviously in considerable discomfort and pain, and we decided to forgo the attempt of Allison Peak. Our disappointment, however, was immediately forgotten when we arrived at the ridge, and a magnificent view of Allison Peak, Window Mountain and their connecting ridge, and Crowsnest Mountain and the stunning Seven Sisters to the left. The summit was minutes away and we enjoyed a lengthy stay, admiring the panorama.

For the descent, we stayed close to the ridge and then descended scree slopes back into the valley. The terrain was a little better than our ascent route, but was still tough on the knees. Once back at the lake, the remainder of the descent was easy. Overall, yet another enjoyable day in the mountains with a great scrambling partner. I’m definitely looking forward to returning to complete Allison Peak and Window Mountain.

I had initially decided on the double scramble of Mt.Ward and Allison Peak because of the latter's difficult rating. After Arethusa, my first difficult scramble, I wanted more of the same, and hopefully an increased challenge. The bonus of this trip, I was to discover after a closer inspection in the 'Scrambles' guide, was that there was very little elevation gain to these peaks and a short approach. There was actually hope I might complete both on this day.

The drive up the narrow and rough road was eased by the unbelievable suspension of the rental car I was driving. I highly recommend the 2004 Grand Am for any logging-road… heck, off-road approaches! With Andrew Nugara as navigator, we hurdled over vast holes, pits, and smallish boulders, and located the three vehicle parking lot about 1.3 km down this stretch. The colourful hike to the lake began at this point. No difficulties were encountered on this plod, except for maybe the odd areas where the foul stench of rot permeated the air. We were unable to locate the source of this odour, and chalked it up to decaying plant material. At least, this is what we told ourselves, for Andrew had forgotten his infamous bearspray.

After a brief stop at the lake, we carried on around the right side and headed in the direction of a steep gully. I realized half way up this gully, I left my sunglasses back at the lake...aarrgh! We gained elevation quickly, and noticed that it was going to be much cooler than the blisteringly hot day we imagined it would be. The fleece and gloves came out right away, and we proceeded to tackle the foreshortened rubble slope directly to Mt. Ward. Drew climbed ahead, and I started to feel the damage of Mt Bogart, from two days ago, in my knees. I looked up and two crows floated above us, black against the now racing clouds.

By the time I hit the ridge, I was probably at the maximum limit of the Vitamin I (Ibuprofen), and had strange wonderings if a drug-assisted ascent took away from the style and purity of this pursuit. Andrew waited for me here, and told me that when he had arrived, there had been an unusual sight of a crow on each of the two summit cairns. They left before he could get a picture.

The view from the summit was exhilarating (not in Alan Kane's 'exposure' kind of way though). There was a stunning panorama of the Seven Sisters and Crowsnest Mt., a view that inspired about a dozen pictures in each of our cameras. The portal through Window Mt was visible, and the decaying connector ridges to Allison, and then to this peak were in plain sight. There were spectacular unknown mountains to the west, unknown to me anyway. The desire to know more about them kept my eyes riveted to their distant faces. After a lengthy rest at the summit, I thought we would bag Allison Peak this day yet....so close.

As we descended the ridge, I realized things were far worse off than I had anticipated. Mt. Ward, maybe the easiest summit in the book, had finished me off. (Oddly, Ha Ling had also done me major damage; I'm going to stay away from those easy ones from now on.) I had a moment of terrible frustration there; there would be no real hands-on scrambling today, and I would be cutting Andrew's day short when he could easily finish the scramble. He said he would return with his brother and finish all three summits. I was grateful he turned back with me, his pleasant company helped keep my mind off the disappointment. And my lost sunglasses...

When we got back to the lake, I found my glasses, but they did not look much like they used too. Someone (probably me) had stepped directly on them, and they were mangled. On the trail back to the rental-mobile, we turned to look at Ward, and witnessed a curious cloud illusion above the mountain. This was the second time this season I had seen bizarre cloud effects. After all was said and done, driven over and stepped on, it had been another amazing day in the mountains with the best of company. Yet another 5 out of 5, using Drew's Scale.

Beautiful colours at the beginning of the trip; Mount Ward is in the background (photo by Linda)

Linda making her way up the ridge; the route to Allison Peak (left) can be seen behind

Window Mountain (at the right....obviously!); The Seven Sisters and Crowsnest Mountain at the left