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By Jeromy Farkas
In July 2022, I discovered myself in the midst of Oregon’s distant excessive desert. After struggling to remain standing within the 105°F (40.5°C) warmth, I used to be compelled to simply accept the futility of my scenario.
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I sat down on the facet of the highway, caught my thumb out, and commenced to attend.
After what felt like an eternity, a station wagon pulled up. Hope swelled into aid as its driver gestured for me to hop in. Scrambling into the backseat, I realized that my rescuers had been on their means residence following an journey at Smith Rock, a world-renowned rock-climbing mecca.
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No stranger to hitchhiking, I’ve discovered that dialog could be hit and miss. However upon studying that I used to be from Calgary, my companions instantly dove into tales of their climbing exploits at “Yam.”
Towering over the Bow Valley at 2232 metres (7323 toes), it’s the primary mountain you’ll see on the drive out to Banff. However regardless of having witnessed Mount Laurie’s (Yamnuska) gorgeous cliff face lots of of instances – and having stood at its high just a few instances – I had no concept that it was such a revered climbing vacation spot. That’s, till I discovered from strangers, hundreds of miles from residence.
As we pulled into city, I supplied the motive force some cash for gasoline. “Hold it,” they stated. “Simply give ‘Yam’ a hug for me the following time you see her.”
When my pal Dave Dormer pitched me lately on a last-minute weekend hike, I knew simply the place to go. Leaving Calgary round midday, we pulled into the Yamnuska trailhead in lower than an hour.
We set out on the East Ridge Path. Often called Raven’s Finish, this hike will get you many of the means up the mountain, however with out the necessity for tools or to commit the entire day. The primary stretch gives modest elevation achieve and loss, making for a straightforward warmup.
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Mud and softly compacted snow made for clean journey beneath aspen and pines. Inside just a few hundred metres, the path will get steeper and stays that means. At concerning the 1-km mark, Dave and I headed up a sequence of rock steps – a latest enchancment made by Alberta Parks. Instantly after, we arrived at a path junction. Rock climbers head left, straight for the cliffs. Hikers go proper, up a extra gradual route.
We comply with the hiker path east, then north, up the facet of the mountain. At one of many a number of viewpoints, we glance again on the stunning quantity of peak we’ve gained in a short while. I spot just a few acquainted favorite peaks of the entrance vary, together with Doorjam and Coronary heart Mountain.
At 2.8 km, the path makes a sudden flip west, bringing the mountain prominently again into view. We arrive quickly at one other vital path junction, this time marking a alternative between persevering with straight for the mountain hike and scramble, or proper for the descent into the CMC Valley. We go straight.
We arrive on the rock wall on the 3.5-km level, which serves as the best turnaround for many. Journey past this spot requires navigating up and thru the primary “chimney,” a slim and steep passageway resulting in the mountain’s bottom scramble route. To proceed additional is a tougher “hands-on” expertise, solely for many who know what they’re moving into.
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Conscious of time, we resolve to name it right here quite than try the way more difficult full circuit. The unimaginable views from Raven’s Finish gave us an actual sense of accomplishment for just a few hours spent. We descend the way in which we got here and make it again to Calgary with loads of daylight to spare.
(Thanks to Rob Shotclose, CEO of the Bearspaw First Nation, and Jennifer Bobrovitz of the Stoney Tribal Administration, for sharing analysis with me about this mountain’s significance. Its colloquial identify is derived from “Îyâmnathka,” that means “flat-faced mountain.” Its official identify, on the request of the Stoney Folks, is Mount Laurie: in remembrance of John Laurie, an honourary chief, beloved instructor, and champion for Indigenous rights.)
The place to begin: Yamnuska Ridge & CMC Valley Trailhead Drive time: 55 minutes from Calgary Problem: Simple to reasonable When to hike: Path is open year-round. Don’t proceed to the bottom of the mountain with out important tools, coaching, and route data. Distance: 7.5 kilometres out-and-back, or 2-3 hours. Elevation: 525 metres. Don’t neglect: Kananaskis Conservation Cross and backcountry preparations reminiscent of journey plan, bear spray, microspikes, layers, headlamp, and trekking poles.
Last verdict: Recognized far and vast, storied Mount Laurie (Yamnuska) and its dramatic limestone cliffs are to not be underestimated. Raven’s Finish makes for a simple and worthwhile early begin to the climbing season, and a teaser for summer season adventures to return.
Former metropolis councillor Jeromy “Pathfinder” Farkas is chief government officer on the Glenbow Ranch Park Basis, with a mission to guard and promote one among Alberta’s signature provincial parks by means of engagement, schooling, and conservation. ceo@grpf.ca
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