Crowsnest Mountain (2021)

Location: Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada

Distance: 7.4 kilometres

Elevation Gain: 1,079 metres

Top Elevation: 2,785 metres

Activity: Scramble

Type: Summit

This entry is from 2021. I returned to Crowsnest Mountain in the summer of 2023 and completed the summit.

I will add a new entry for that trip.

Due to constraints around our schedules and for added fun, we took an unconventional approach to climb the mountain. Though most attempting this climb begin early in the morning time, we began the ascent up the mountain on the evening of August 6, 2021. The air quality was hazardous and visibility was very poor due to wildfires that were ravaging neighbouring British Columbia, though it was forecasted to improve by the next day. Despite the term "moderate" being tossed around by some hubristic (or perhaps just more skilled) scramblers, the main route up the mountain was arduous for me at the time for a number of reasons. 

The trailhead was easy to spot from Allison Creek Road and was marked with a faded sign that labelled the route's difficulty as "intense". We briskly hiked the 2.5 kilometres required to reach the tree line and it was already becoming dark out. We pitched a tent a hundred metres or so off the main trail, cooked a nice dinner (even further away) and spent the night on Crowsnest. The grade of the mountain at this height made for an uncomfortable sleep, though with a stroke of luck, it rained overnight and we awoke to significantly improved air quality and visibility. 

We began the ascent up the first scree slope early in the morning. Wayfinding on Crowsnest was easy. The main trail was plainly visible for most of the ascent, though it did disappear at a few different points. While enduring these sections, there were a lot of cairns that others before us had built. These cairns proved very helpful and we rarely referenced our maps or GPS. We passed the first cliff band and followed a gully up toward another cliff band. Because of my lack of experience, the loose scree along the second cliff band was challenging for me. It truly was a slog up and this section it wasn't a lot of fun, though the views of the surrounding mountains were staggering. Over time, the grade of the trail gradually increased and we faced some pretty steep sections. It became extremely windy to the point my friend and I were having trouble communicating with each other even at close proximity. The wind was relentless and miserable. We weren't awarded even a moment of relief from it for the entire rest of the day. Dirt being constantly blown into my eyes because of the high winds became an ongoing frustration and added to the acrimony of this scramble. 

Continuing our way up, we finally reached the infamous chain at the end of a long gully. The chain section was gentle at first, until it wasn't. The intense winds made the steep section of the chain nerve-wracking, though my buddy and I made it up the chain with no issue. At the top of the chain, we found ourselves presented with a sublime and dizzying view of the mountain below, as well as a comprehensive view of Seven Sisters Mountain from above and panoramic views of the mountain ranges to the south, west and north of Crowsnest. 

We did not make it much further past the chain before beginning our descent down the mountain due to being inundated by the wind at the top. One wind gust caused my friend and I to both spontaneously drop to the ground because it was so intense. On our way down, we passed a group of three hikers braving the wind and had to wait our turn to use the chain. Descending the chain in the conditions presented proved to be even more nerve-wracking for myself than going up was, though as before, we both reached the gully below with no issues at all. We took our time descending the mountain in order to take in the views and to enjoy the time we had left on Crowsnest. At the end of the day, there were a few important things to note. Loose rocks, often large ones too, are a huge hazard on this scramble. Proper footwear, poles and a helmet are all required. All-in-all, it was difficult for me at the time, but I would climb it again. Especially with a little more experience now. I would highly recommend this scramble for anyone interested, who has already completed a moderate scramble as described by Alan Kane in Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies.