MOUNT EDITH (north, centre and south peaks)

Elevation: 2550m          Gain: 1120m                   Difficulty level: easy-difficult

Ascent time:                 Total trip time: 8 hrs      Conditions: Summer/Dry

Parking area: Fireside Picnic Area (<1km on right of Bow Valley Parkway)

 

 

Mount Edith is a great scramble. Its possible to summit 3 peaks of varying level of difficulty: north peak (moderate), centre peak (easy), south peak (hard). All  peaks are fun from a  technical scrambling standpoint (interesting handwork), without overwhelming (ie. scary) exposure. The limestone rock has a really interesting look due to splintering

 

 

ROUTE (North peak):

 

Start at the trailhead to Edith/Cory pass, and take the trail leading to Cory Pass. Just before the pass, take the trail on the right that leads to Mount Edith

 

 

You will then be confronted with a rock face, which can be ascended on either side using a north or south chimney. The north chimney is quite a steep climb, and may be backlogged by novice hikers who had second thoughts half way up. The south chimney is less steep and can be ascended without difficulty. It is definitely the preferred descent route

 

 

 

 

MIND THE GAP: There is then a short scramble to the top, where you will face what Alan Kane euphemistically calls a 'notch'. In reality, this is actually a vertigo generating deep crevasse. The rock on the other side of the crevasse is at a lower level, so its impossible to jump the gap without looking down. 

 

 
Fortunately, the gap can be bypassed by descending down to a ledge, walking past the gap, and then climbing back up once you reach the other side of the gap. The summit log book and cairn is strategically placed a mere 20m away on the other side of the gap. 

Coming back is easier since the rock on the other side is at a higher level. You can now cross the gap without having to look down.

 

CENTRE PEAK

 

Descend using the south chimney (thus avoiding a straight vertical descent), you can then head south to centre peak. There are some fun scrambling portions involving use of hands with no real exposure

 

NORTH PEAK

 

Follow the path to the North Peak. You then enter an upsloping tunnel. The incline is steep and requires short climbing moves in areas. This is considered the difficult part of Mount Edith. In truth, I found the gap more fear inspiring. Once through the tunnel, there is a scramble up around the other side to the top.

 

 

Descend the same way you came. The return path is a scramble down a gulley between Centre and South, This will take you back to the trail to Cory Pass
 

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