Valad Peak
July 24, 2013
3250m
Brazeau Icefield, AB
After summitting Mount Brazeau under perfect weather, Shaun, Clayton and I immediately focused on our second objective, namely Valad Peak. It’s the lowest among the three that we bagged, but it’s the most difficult. Well, if we didn’t mind doing some backtracking then it would be very simple, but we decided to do a direct traverse.
Brazeau to Valad to Henry MacLeod traverse route
The ridge went easy initially until an obvious rock band that we had to skirt around on climber’s left side. This bit was exposed since a slip would send us down to the big bergschrund. We didn’t have good snow condition neither. The top layer was soft due to the intense heat, but immediately beneath it was ice.. It was a bit awkward but we managed to make through with no incidence. Then it was just a hike to the summit.
Shaun descending the only bit of snow on Brazeau’s south face
Clayton at Brazeau/Valad col
Staying on the edge of snow
This bit was awkward. Good job Shaun at knocking down the unstable snow blocks.
Mount Warren
Mount Brazeau
Ready for the crux of our trip
Going up the snow beneath the rock band
This is the rock band. We cannot scramble up and over it…
Looking back towards Warren and Brazeau
Then it’s a hike on the summit plateau
Henry MacLeod seen from the summit
Warren and Brazeau from the summit of Valad Peak
Coronet Mountain. I’m proud to have it bagged.
Poboktan started to look big again!
Sea of peaks. Too many names to describe.
Mary Vaux, Llysfran, Unwin, and Charlton
Me on the summit.
Due to the concern with warm temperature, we didn’t stay on its top but immediately started the traverse towards Mount Henry MacLeod.
Steven's Peak-bagging Journey 
Has anyone gone from Maigne Lake, Coronet Crk, and up the Bazeau/Valad Col? I’m wondering of the steepness of the col on the west side going up from Coronet Crk.