Mount Richardson
September 21, 2013
3086m
Skoki / Banff National Park, AB
Mount Richardson is the most popular peak in Skoki area for two simple reasons. Firstly, it’s the highest in Kane’s Skoki scramble list, and secondly, the standard route (south ridge) is only an “easy scramble”. Liam, Laurens, and I ascended Mount Richardson from its east ridge from Richardson/Pika col after finishing Pika Peak.
Scrambles routes link-up for Mt. Richardson, Pika Peak and Ptarmigan Peak
The east ridge was only a little bit more than just a scree slog. I brought snow gears up but the other guys didn’t, so we decided to avoid the snow slope. About 3/4 of the way up we had to scramble a short, but loose rock band that’s moderate scrambling at most, but other than that, it’s a scree hike. Earlier in the season this route is likely to be snowy and you probably want to bring at least an alpine axe.
The east ridge of Richardson seen from partway down Pika Peak
At Richardson/Pika col, weather is really moving in…
Dark clouds building up.
Looking back towards Pika Peak from Richardson’s slope
Liam and Laurens slogging up
Near the summit, the gigantic cairn is visible
On the summit, with “great” views all around…
Earlier in the day on Pika Peak, we noticed a big storm moving in from the west. The storm finally caught up us at about half way up, and then we were in a world of white and grey. The wind was strong and it was snowing on the summit. Thankfully someone had already built a big wind shelter for us. After waiting for 20 minutes or so the storm passed by revealing interesting scenery. We went to an outlier and surprisingly it offered even better view. We surely got lucky on this mountain.
Miracle started to happen. Clouds were dissipating
Pika, unnamed, and Ptarmigan
More views started showing up!
Laurens and Liam playing around on this summit plateau
Me on the summit of Mount Richardson
Interesting ridge. Don’t know if it has a name or not.
Lefroy and Victoria
Kicking Horse Pass, with Cathedral and Stephen on its left
Panorama view from the outlier
Another panorama from this outlier
Mount Hector
Mount Daly
Blue sky and white clouds
Looking back towards the summit plateau from the outlier
Now we could see Wall of Jericho
Zoom-in looking over Pika Peak’s shoulder towards Mount Douglas
Panorama from the descent.
Lake Merlin
Pika Peak
After soaking in the views, it was the time to descend back to Richardson/Pika col, and then, we’d focus on our last objective of this day, Ptarmigan Peak.
Steven's Peak-bagging Journey 