The views back across Larch Valley were increasingly spectacular as we continued across open alpine towards Sentinel Pass, which was now clearly visible not far above. After rounding the shores of an alpine lake, we began a rising traverse and then a set of well-engineered switchbacks to gain the pass. We stopped here - along with several other groups of visitors - to admire the commanding position.
Anthony, Cassándra, Mt Fay
Switchbacks to Sentinel Pass
Beautiful Cross-valley view
Sentinel Pass offered a nice, high alpine feel. In addition to providing a wonderful view back across Larch valley and the crags of the Wenkchemna Peaks, the pass also gave hikers coming up from Moraine Lake a new view - down into the next valley to the northwest: Paradise Valley. Beyond Paradise Valley, the backside of many peaks that are visible from Lake Louise became visible: Mt Lefroy, Mt Aberdeen, and Fairview Mountain, to name a few.
More immediately, Pinnacle Mountain towered almost directly overhead to the southwest, and to the northeast, the complex of gullies, cliff bands and towers of the southwest ridge of Mt Temple were close at hand. In fact, we spotted a few groups of climbers on the first part of the scramble route.
courtesy JInnes
We started the Mt Temple scramble route at noon, by heading up the gully that leads up northeast from Sentinel Pass. Jerome had told us down below that this first gully would be "a test of character", and I wasn't quite sure what he had meant by that. I was mentally prepared for some sort of horribly unstable, scarily exposed slope, but in fact, the broad gully was neither exposed nor especially steep. Nor was the rock particularly loose: there was enough of a dirt matrix between the large rocks and boulders of the slope to keep everything in place, and a followable pseudo-path provided quite decent footing. It was really nothing more than a steep hike - a really, really scenic steep hike!
As we drew level with a distinctive spire of rock on the ridgeline, the scramble route ended its ascent of the gully and transitioned to a traverse underneath a castle-like prominence of gray cliffs. There was a very discernable footpath here, leading diagonally up to the right and then horizontally along, at the base of these cliffs.
courtesy JInnes
courtesy JInnes
As we walked east along the easy footpath, the high cliffs of the first cliff band began to lower and angle back, and after perhaps ten or fifteen minutes, we came to a shallow gully coming down from above. Here the cliff band was perhaps only three to four metres high, and composed of steep but blocky steps. This was the location of the scramble through the first cliff band.
Now that I was starting to get a good close-up sense for the terrain of the southwest ridge, my initial apprehensions about possible difficulties began to recede. This was, so far, easier than I had envisioned.
courtesy JInnes
Preparing for first cliff band
We stopped here, at the base of the first bit of climbing for a break, both to eat and to re-jig our gear so that we'd be able to climb easier (primarily this meant putting away hiking poles). Courtney and Amy were feeling a bit unsure about continuing beyond this point, and as they decided what they wished to do, I set up a tripod-mounted self-portrait shot.
Given their level of comfort, gear, and experience, Courtney and Amy decided to turn around at this point. So, after saying our good-byes, the remaining five of us tackled the first cliff band.
