Mount Cory

October 2005

 

Elevation: 2800m Gain: 1400m Difficulty level: Easy (Moderate)
Ascent time: 5 hours  Total trip time: 9 hrs Conditions: Snow 

Parking area: Pull-off area on the side of the road: 1.9 km from the Bow Valley Parkway turn-off (1.6 km from the Fireside camping area)

 

 

With snow on the big peaks, we decided to do some of the easier scrambles. Depending on the route taken, Mount Cory can either be a tedious easy scramble, or a fun moderate scramble. Under dry conditions, neighboring Mount Edith offers more interesting scrambling, but Mt Cory has nice views in its own right (and is higher in elevation). Its always amazing how snow can turn an otherwise tedious climb into an exciting one.

 

 

ROUTE

From the parking spot, you will see an obvious path. Do not turn onto the branch to the left (see X). If you choose to follow the path (XX), you will end up in a very steep gully. This is an easy scrambling route up, but be warned, it is steep (ie. extremely tedious). Having said that, its an excellent descent route (ie. fast)

 

The more difficult (but far more interesting) route would be to scramble up to the rib on the right (arrow). The rib can be seen after walking a few hundred metres along the path. There isn't a trail marker indicating the approach, but keep an eye to the right, and when you find a section that looks reasonable, scramble up. Once on top of the rib, you will then find some fun non-exposed scrambling, until you reach a plateau (see below). If you chose to take the gully path, you will still make it to the plateau (only minus any fun)

Once you have reached the first plateau, its a fairly straightforward scramble to the top. 
Some of us felt compelled to play on the amazing looking 'bubble' rock. Having said that, many of us (me) took the chimney to the right. However, this too can be avoided.

One of the nice things about Cory is the multiple route possibilities. Any difficult section can be bypassed. However, ledges proved no match for our favourite scrambling dog.

We encountered deep snow on the final approach, but were pretty lucky. The snow was stable, and while testing descent routes, even the cornices were difficult to dislodge. On a different day, avalanche risk and general nastiness would be real possibilities.

Views up top were awesome. Nothing beats taking a little rest after an enjoyable hike. Descend via the steep gully (which hopefully you avoided on the way up).

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