Home»All Photographs»2013 Hikes»Holy Cross Mountain 06-15-13

Another lovely outing. Clayton picked this one...I hadn't known much about Holy Cross Mountain before this hike. Apparently, it gets its name from two intersecting couloirs in the pattern of a cross. Some routefinding added interest to the approach, which soon revealed open slopes of green carpet.
Farther up, Clayton decided to opt for the NE ridge favouring more solid rock, while I bashed up the scree in a more direct line to the summit ridge. Once on the summit ridge together, we noted that the final bit looked exposed. I may have even backed off if I were alone, but it's easier to follow someone than to visually take the whole ridge in and pick the line. Clayton then led this ridge. I followed at first, then decided to veer right into a gully. It was good at first, but then one section became slabby. Claytons route didn't look easy either...still some snow for him to dodge on the narrow ridge with some exposure. Then mix in a stiff west wind and the sound of it whistling through your helmet holes, and I found it a challenging finish indeed. We met at the small summit for about 10 minutes of windy photos and saw poorer weather lingering over the mountains to the west. A break would be more enjoyable farther down, we thought.
I found an alternate descent along a rocky strip beside a steep snow slope. We followed this down, and thus avoided having to return over the summit ridge.
A very nice lunch was had much farther down the valley, beside a waterfall cascading off a terrace in the meadow. Then a good nap. Then ants. Then continuing on...
A nice forested descent led past many wildflowers. The pasque flower is past its prime and the forget-me-nots, dandelions and shooting star are all in their prime.