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# Spectacular Mountains

Exploring the beauty of the mountains through easy hikes and scrambles

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Pages

- [SPECTACULAR MOUNTAINS](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/) - Latest trips: Older trips recently added: Δ Mount Livingstone (Livingstone Range, AB) Δ Smutwood Peak (Kananaskis, AB) Δ South Highwood Peak (Kananaskis, AB) Δ Mumm Peak (Berg Lake, BC) Δ Titkana Peak (Berg Lake, BC) Δ Mount Anne-Alice (Berg Lake, BC) Δ Threepoint Mtn & Mount Rose (Kananaskis, AB) Δ Chocolate Mountain (Jasper, AB) Δ
- [Highwood Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/highwood-peak/) - Highwood, AB, Canada 9 August 2019 Solo More than I asked for… once again My legs were still sore from the long trip the day before when I spent more than 12 hours going up and down Mount Farquhar on the Continental Divide. I had slept in my campervan right at the trailhead,
- [North Highwood Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/north-highwood-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada22 September 2021 Solo Great scrambling on friction slabs This unnamed peak along the long ridge connecting Highwood Peak in the south with Shunga-la-she in the north has been on my mind for a number of years. I envisaged it to be a great exploratory trip, though Andrew Nugara’s account from 2009 didn’t
- [South Highwood Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/south-highwood-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada9 August 2025 With Wen A brilliant loop with a bit of everything This is the unofficially named peak south of Highwood Peak in Kananaskis, described as an easy scramble (F rating – facile) in David P. Jones’ Rockies Central guidebook. Having passed by this peak on previous outings in the area to
- [Mumm Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mumm-peak/) - Mount Robson Prov. Park, BC, Canada27 July 2025 With Keegan Tricky climb with fantastic views of Berg Lake Named after British climber Arnold Louis Mumm (1859–1927), this peak sits at just under 3000 m and offers splendid views of Berg Lake below. Keegan and I agreed that the views from Mumm Peak were by far
- [Titkana Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/titkana-peak/) - Mount Robson Prov. Park, BC, Canada26 July 2025 With Keegan Favourite Berg Lake day-hike with a little summit to top it off Our first full day at Berg Lake after having hiked up to Whitehorn Campground on the first day (11 km) and the remaining 10 km on the second (plus a climb
- [Mount Anne-Alice](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-anne-alice/) - Mount Robson Prov. Park, BC, Canada25 July 2025 With Keegan Alpine adventure above Berg Lake Berg Lake is one of those iconic multi-day hikes in Canada that many people dream of but only few actually set out to do. After several years of closure due to catastrophic flooding in 2021 that destroyed parts
- [Smutwood Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/smutwood-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada5 October 2025 With Wen, Keegan and Queenie Classic Kananaskis larch hike Yes, I think this hike can already be considered a “classic” even though it was pretty much unknown before 2007, the year Andrew Nugara released the first edition of his More Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies guidebook. Smutwood Peak, named after
- [Threepoint Mountain & Mount Rose](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/threepoint-mountain-mount-rose/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada14 June 2025 With Alan Great ridge walking After years of seeking out objectives in other areas, the time finally came to tick off the last peaks I hadn’t done in the Elbow River area west of Bragg Creek and do Threepoint Mountain and Mount Rose with my buddy Alan. Although described
- [Coffin Mountain & Sheep Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/coffin-mountain-sheep-mountain/) - Livingstone Range, AB, Canada 19 August 2019 With Wen Scenic area with plenty of hiking and scrambling possibilities Coffin Mountain, also known as Mount Speke, is located near the northern end of the Livingstone Range, just outside of Kananaskis Country. It’s one of those smaller front range peaks that can be ascended throughout
- [Mount Livingstone](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/mount-livingstone/) - Livingstone Range, AB, Canada2 November 2025 With Wen & Sim Short and easy winter outing Mount Livingstone is the first “proper” mountain on the north end of the Livingstone Range, easily accessible from highway 940 (part of the Forestry Trunk Road), a gravel road that runs from Highwood Junction west of Longview to Coleman
- [Lookout Range to Mount Burke](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/lookout-range-to-mount-burke/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada3 December 2021 Solo Beautiful winter ridge walk For years I’ve been wondering how feasible and enjoyable a walk along the long, long north ridge of Mount Burke would be. Trevor and I had done a nice scramble loop to the main and south summits of Mount Burke before, but the much longer
- [Mount Burke North Loop](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-burke-north-loop/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada31 May 2025 With Wen Classic Southern Kananaskis hike with a twist Mount Burke is an easy summit hike that I’ve added to my list of “let’s do this one again” objectives, especially for early winter or shoulder season trips. It’s also on my go-to list of trips for friends whom I
- [Ya Ha Tinda](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/) - The Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is located some 60 km west of Sundre, about a 2.5 hour drive NW of Calgary. It is by far not as popular as most other regions in the southern Canadian Rockies, which is in part due to 1) less convenient access as compared to Banff etc. (access is via
- [Willson Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/willson-peak/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 1 December 2019 With Phil A big winter slog with beautiful views of a remote area If we had to pick one word to sum up this trip, Phil and I wouldn’t hesitate a second to call it one big SLOG. Nonetheless, what is a strenuous and lengthy
- [Wildhorse Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/wildhorse-ridge/) - 27 January 2016 Solo I wish there were more mountains like this! This little peak is a real treat: it's short, very enjoyable, without an approach and with absolutely no bushwhacking, despite the absence of a trail. And it's perfect for the winter as this area seems to enjoy an abnormally high amount of sunshine
- [Well Site Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/wellsite-mountain/) - 10 December 2016 With Richard Well Site Mountain was a nice surprise. I had never really considered this flat and relatively low mountain as a proper objective before, but with a forecast high of -18 degrees C, little snow cover, and no avalanche risk it was perfect for today. For Richard and me it was also
- [Warden Rock](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/warden-rock/) - 1 May 2016 Solo Warden Rock is yet another destination in the Ya Ha Tinda area that has become quite popular (relatively speaking!) after the publication of trip reports on various websites, with a number of meetup groups and individuals recently scrambling up this landmark peak on the eastern border of Banff National Park. None of
- [Wapiti Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/wapiti-mountain/) - 24 July 2016 Solo At just over 3000 m, Wapiti Mountain is one of the highest in the Ya Ha Tinda area and forms one of the two “pillars” (together with Warden Rock) of the entrance gate to Banff National Park. I had come across a couple of trip reports by two different parties (including the one
- [Scalp Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/scalp-peak/) - 22 November 2016 Solo There are mountains that require very little effort for a lot of fun in return. And then there are those where the opposite is the case. Scalp Peak was, unfortunately, in the latter category. I had hoped for a snow-free approach, but there was a thin layer of snow covering the approach trail
- [The Diamond](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/the-diamond/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 23 November 2019 With Trevor & Richard Pleasant hike on an unknown ridge This long, almost straight NE-SW trending ridge has caught my eye on several occasions in the Ya Ha Tinda area. It’s treed almost all the way to the top, but the gently undulating crest is
- [Skeleton Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/skeleton-mountain/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 15 November 2020 With Richard A long way in for a short scramble and sublime views I had never heard of Skeleton Mountain until I met a local outfitter who pointed it out on my hike to Scalp Peak in 2016. Although only a minor peak at just
- [Otuskwan Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/otuskwan-peak/) - 19 September 2017 Solo Otuskwan Peak is located in a seldom visited area west of Sundre and probably does not rate very highly on most people’s to-do list. The only report available online that I could find (as of the time of my trip) is of an ascent in October 2013 by Steven Song, Ben
- [Mount White](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/mount-white/) - 16 July 2017 With Richard We had found a pretty neat place to camp for our weekend camping trip in the Ya Ha Tinda area. The spot in the vicinity of Scotch Camp warden cabin was great: a small grassy patch in between some trees that gave us shelter, and easy access to the Red
- [Mount Tyrrell](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/mount-tyrrell/) - 15 July 2017 With Richard Our original plan for the weekend had been a camping trip in the Ya Ha Tinda area to scramble up Gable Mountain on one day and Barrier Mountain on the next. However, when we got to the point where the Red Deer River needs to be crossed after biking in
- [Barrier Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/barrier-mountain/) - 9 October 2017 With Richard We awoke well-rested after a quiet but chilly night in our little tent at camp. It had been an enjoyable outing on Gable Mountain the previous day and we were ready and eager to go exploring again. The creek had frozen over during the night so we had to use an
- [Maze Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/maze-peak/) - 5 December 2015 With Elias, Marcelina, Priyesh, Sarvan and Wen This was our first time to the Ya Ha Tinda area, which we thought was a long and boring drive away (Google says something like 3.5 to 4 hours from Calgary!), but we made it in about 2.5 hours there and 2 hours back. What really
- [Labyrinth Mountain & Mount Minos](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/labyrinth-mountain-mount-minos/) - 12 March 2016 With Priyesh Our original objective for today was Wapiti Mountain, which is best done using a bike for the approach due to the total length of the route (52 km using the route by Steve Song, potentially only 30 km using an alternate route we wanted to scout out). But when we arrived
- [JI Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/ji-mountain/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 19 January 2020 With Trevor Walking on the frozen Panther River Trevor and I have crossed many frozen-over creeks and rivers before, but neither of us have ever hiked on top of a frozen river for a significant distance. This was to be the special appeal of today’s
- [Grouse Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/grouse-peak/) - Banff National Park, AB, Canada 17 July 2021 Solo Easy ridge walk in one of the most beautiful corners of Banff It was finally time for me to return to one of my favourite areas in the Rockies, the remote northeastern corner of Banff National Park that is accessed from the Ya Ha Tinda side.
- [Gable Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/gable-mountain/) - 9 October 2017 With Richard Combining Gable Mountain with Barrier Mountain for a short weekend getaway in the Ya Ha Tinda area was a trip that Richard and I had been keen to do for a long time now. Somehow, our plans were always put off… either by lack of time, lack of decent weather, or
- [Evangeline Peak & Poplar Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/evangeline-peak-poplar-peak/) - Ya Ha Tinda, Canada 26 February 2016 Solo A fantastic ridgewalk at Ya Ha Tinda Since Vern and Steven published their trip reports on Evangeline and Poplar (Rum Ridge), many people have followed in their footsteps to do this fabulous outing, including myself. And for good reason – in my opinion this is
- [Eagle Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/eagle-mountain/) - 1 August 2016 With Trevor & Richard Like neighboring Maze Peak, Eagle Mountain is a perfect introduction to the beautiful Ya Ha Tinda area west of Sundre. The trailhead is easy to find (Eagle Lake parking lot), there’s a very good approach trail, and the mountain itself is hardly more than a strenuous hike, interspersed higher up
- [Dogrib Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/jap-mountain/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 12 December 2020 With Richard Easy scenic hike with a frigid river crossing For our last outing of the year before I headed out to Europe for Christmas, Richard and I chose what we always considered a “plan B trip”. It was mostly the crossing of the Red
- [Dormer Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/dormer-mountain/) - 14 September 2016 Solo Dormer Mountain can be seen from many peaks in the Ya Ha Tinda area and its steep east face is easily recognizable, making this a prominent landmark but one that is very rarely ascended. I could not find any route information or previous trip reports, which of course sometimes is part of
- [Hat Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/hat-mountain/) - 5 May 2017 With Wen Some trips take a LOT more time and energy than they should and today this is exactly what happened. Hat Mountain, also referred to as The Hat or Sheep Mountain, is a relatively minor high point just above the Ya Ha Tinda ranch. There are a number of good horse trails that
- [Chocolate Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/chocolate-mountain/) - Jasper National Park, AB, Canada1 September 2025 Solo Jasper’s most delicious mountain Yes, believe it or not, there is an officially named mountain called “Chocolate Mountain” in one of Canada’s national parks! It takes at least two days to get to from the nearest road and, as a result, is almost never climbed. I couldn’t
- [Mount Aztec](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/aztec-mountain/) - Jasper National Park, AB, Canada31 August 2025 Solo Remote peak off the South Boundary Trail Mount Aztec was the first peak in a series of three objectives I had set my mind on for a four-day solo backpacking trip on the Labour long weekend this year, with the main goal being Chocolate Mountain. That mountain
- [Mount Olympus](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-olympus/) - Jasper National Park, AB, Canada31 August 2025 Solo Possible FRA of a remote Jasper mountain It was only 3 pm when I finished setting up my tent and having a late lunch of beef jerky and pumpernickel in the lonely but beautiful broad valley northeast of Brazeau Lake in Jasper’s remote backcountry. I had just
- [Mount Vaux](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-vaux/) - Yoho National Park, BC, Canada23 August 2025 With Alan, Graeme, Katie and Darren A big beautiful pile of rubble When my friend Alan first suggested doing Mount Vaux together, I initially hesitated. From the description in Scrambles in the Rocky Mountains and the few but very helpful trip reports I had read (e.g. Vern’s, Haldan's,
- [Mist Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mist-mountain/) - 23 September 2012 Solo Also see my trip report for Mist Mountain via Mount Lipsett, the recommended route for this mountain What a scramble! Literally, I was scrambling to get on and off the mountain for this one! Overall Mist Mountain was quite enjoyable, but certainly more challenging than I thought and really not what I
- [Mist Mountain via Mount Lipsett](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mist-mountain-via-mount-lipsett/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada1 July 2025 With Wen and Keegan Fantastic Canada Day scramble I can’t believe it’s been 13 years since I first climbed Mist Mountain in Kananaskis! That trip report was the first on my website, when I was still without a GPS device so I couldn’t include a gpx track. Now, more than
- [Mount Secord](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-secord/) - Elkford, BC, Canada25 September 2021 Solo Grand views of the Continental Divide and a cool rock bridge After scrambling up Gaff Peak further west the day before, today’s objectives of my 3-day excursion to the Elkford, BC, area were a trio of infrequently ascended Continental Divide peaks: Mount Secord, Jenkinson Peak, and Mount Domke. These
- [Gaff Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/gaff-peak/) - Elkford, BC, Canada24 September 2021 Solo Beautiful ridge walk with a tough approach Most people probably haven’t heard of Gaff Peak, a high point that sits on the northern part of Erickson Ridge north of the Crowsnest area. While you can access the peak by going up Mount Erickson first and then doing an ultra-long
- [Midnight Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/midnight-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada17 April 2025 With Wen Nice spring outing away from the crowds Although Midnight Peak has gained much more attention ever since So published his adventure up this front range peak on his widely popular website back in 2010, it still sees far fewer visitors than Mount Baldy next door or Wasootch Ridge
- [Castle Rock](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/castle-rock/) - 6 October 2017 With Trevor & Vern A week earlier Trevor and I had ventured up the remote Astral Peak in the Ghost area where we had enjoyed a clear sunny day with gorgeous views of many neighboring summits unknown to us. One peak in particular - Castle Rock – was particularly fascinating to look at
- [Astral Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/astral-peak/) - 29 September 2017 With Trevor Astral Peak is one of those rare examples in the southern Canadian Rockies of a mountain that nobody seems to know anything about – or perhaps nobody cares about. With no published routes or reports of any ascents, it is admittedly exactly this exploration potential that attracted Trevor and me
- [Junction Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/junction-hill/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada3 November 2024 With Willem, Sim and Wen Easy winter summit with fantastic views Having done Junction Hill and several other nearby objectives in the winter before, I knew it would be a great introduction to winter hiking for my friends. The great thing about Junction Hill is that you get to hike
- [AAA Trip Template](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/aaa-trip-template/) - Kananaskis, Canada 13 November 2020 Solo Monte Bonga is one of the mountains I had looked at on Google Earth before my trip to Angola. It’s clearly recognizable on elevation maps as one of the highest in the Huambo highlands, but as expected I couldn’t find any info whatsoever on how to hike it. DOWNLOAD
- [Mount Scrimger](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-scrimger/) - High Rock Range, AB, Canada5 September 2021 With Vern A new route up a rarely ascended peak on the Continental Divide We had no idea what to expect from Mount Scrimger, a prominent but rarely ascended peak straddling the AB-BC boundary on the Continental Divide. It is named after General Scrimger, who hailed from Quebec
- [Mount Etherington](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-etherington/) - High Rock Range, AB, Canada5 September 2021 With Vern Rubble and wind Of the two destinations that Vern and I went for today, I think it’s safe to say we both enjoyed Mount Scrimger far more. Mount Etherington was somewhat anticlimactic. The winds had also picked up again so that certainly played a role in
- [Poltergeist Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/home/poltergeist-peak/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 29 July 2023 With Adam Fantastic outing with Adam to a rarely climbed front range peak in the Ghost. We had some info from David P. Jones's guidbook (Rockies Central) who had climbed it with Rick Collier in adverse conditions years ago, plus Vern's latest trip report from February 2023 (yes, a
- [Crescent Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/crescent-peak/) - Forestry Trunk Rd, AB, Canada 2 August 2022 Solo From the summit of Peppers Peak, I decided to extend my day by exploring a way to get to the next major summit to the north, which I refer to here as "Crescent Peak" after Crescent Creek further east. A straightforward way to get there is
- [Peppers Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/peppers-peak/) - Forestry Trunk Rd, AB, Canada 2 August 2022 Solo This broad, distinctive front range peak had caught my attention multiple times in past years while driving the Forestry Trunk Road between the Cutoff Creek and Hummingbird areas. It's broad north-south ridge and steep east face can be readily seen from the section of road north
- [Mount Nomad](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-nomad/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada4 September 2021 With Wen Easy off-the-beaten-track objective in K-Country Mount Nomad was a nice little treat! It’s close enough to be reached easily from Calgary, without too long of a drive (ca. 1.5 to 2 h), but remote enough to be devoid of the crowds you encounter on other Kananaskis objectives.
- [Mount Burns East Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-burns-east-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada Winter ascent (attempt) on 2019-10-06 Summer scramble on 2021-08-22 A winter scramble on a beautiful Kananaskis ridge 6 October 2019 With Richard It was definitely a bit of a gamble to head out this weekend after almost all of the front ranges had seen a huge dump of snow
- [Shunga-la-she & Jägermeister Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/shunga-la-she-jagermeister-peak/) - A challenging winter trip with a long and tiring descent
- [Cliff Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/cliff-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada22 September 2021 Solo Tedious rubble and a quick descent After climbing North Highwood Peak earlier in the day I decided to add another small peak to my day, the next highpoint along the ridge connecting North Highwood with Highwood Peak. This slightly lower peak is officially unnamed and “Cliff Peak” is
- [Cross Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/cross-peak/) - 24 August 2013 Solo This was an exploratory trip to scope out a route to the elusive South Ghost Peak that is shown on Google Maps as one of the highest peaks in the area. It is also mentioned on the Bivouac.com website but no accounts of ascents or attempts could be found on the
- [Mythic Tower & Epic Tower](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/mythic-tower-epic-tower/) - 9 September 2017 With Richard Neither Richard nor I were feeling up for a big trip today, but despite our best intentions somehow curiosity and ambition (or more likely stubbornness!) got the better of us. Our “short trip” ended up taking 12 hours, definitely not what we had expected. Bob Spirko’s report of an excursion to
- [Cougar Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/cougar-peak/) - 10 April 2015 With Richard Situated in the shadow of more famous Mount Lady MacDonald and Grotto Mountain near Canmore, Cougar Peak seems to be rarely ascended - perhaps because it is lacking an official name in published maps and books. There are only a limited number of reports online, most notably the one by
- [Hassel Castle](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/hassel-castle/) - Fairholme Range, AB, Canada 6 August 2021 With Kevin Note: This is neither a hike nor a scramble. It is a serious climb with plenty of loose rock, unreliable holds, and severe exposure. If you slip on any of the cruxes, the slabs, or the upper ridge, you’ll most likely plummet to your death. Climbing/approach
- [Goat Mountain & Loder Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/goat-mountain-with-loder-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada21 May 2023 Solo Awesome ridgewalk close to home Even after well over 10 years of scrambling in the Rockies from my Calgary home base, I never managed to explore two small peaks near Canmore locally known as Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak. They are high points on the south ridge of
- [Wasootch Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/wasootch-ridge/) - Kananaskis, Canada 27 April 2024 With Wen Scenic year-round ridge walk After climbing neighboring Wasootch Peak a week earlier, Wen and I headed out again to do Wasootch Ridge. This is a super popular outing that’s a bit lower in elevation but longer in distance. Reaching the true summit of the ridge is about
- [Wasootch Peak Traverse](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/wasootch-peak-traverse/) - Kananaskis, Canada 20 April 2024 With Wen A great winter challenge Having done Wasootch Peak via the “normal” route on the southwest ridge before, Wen and I opted to try out the northwest ridge today. It’s not very well documented but there is a clear, straightforward line on this ridge and a very short
- [Mystic Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/mystic-peak/) - Banff, AB, Canada16 September 2023 With Adam Extremely exposed and sustained hands-on climb Although this beautiful mountain can be readily seen from Highway 1 when passing through Banff National Park west of Castle Junction, it is rarely climbed and the only account I could find was by climber Peter Nelson who had ascended it via
- [Sira Peak (with Mystic Lake)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/sira-peak/) - Banff National Park, AB, Canada 26 & 27 June 2021 Solo A long approach into a quiet and beautiful corner of BNP A super spontaneous trip that thankfully worked out great on all accounts. I had no idea I was climbing Sira Peak until literally half an hour before I set off… Initial plan
- [Stoney Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/stoney-peak/) - Banff, AB, Canada15 August 2021 Solo A big and rarely visited peak The second day of my mid-August “smoky summer adventure” was supposed to be easier and shorter than the first day when I climbed Cuthead Peak and Flints Peak. Yes, it was easier as I had some beta from Phil and Vern, but it
- [Little Lougheed](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/little-lougheed/) - Kananaskis North, AB, Canada 21 May 2017 With Wen Little effort for breathtaking views Dwarfed by impressive Mount Sparrowhawk and Mount Lougheed to the east, this little peak offers extraordinary views of Spray Lake and a range of craggy K-Country mountains behind it. Little Lougheed is one of my all-time favourite short hikes
- [Cuthead Peak & Flints Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/cuthead-peak-flints-peak/) - Banff, AB, Canada14 August 2021 Solo A smoky adventure Admittedly, conditions weren’t ideal for my weekend adventure to Banff National Park. It was hot (31 deg), humid, and unusually smoky even by Rockies fire season standards. The weather forecast had called for clear and sunny days, but that was not the case when I pedalled
- [Mount Bryant](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-bryant/) - 13 November 2016 With Richard Mount Bryant is one of those outings that is relatively easy and straightforward, but not one that really stands out amongst the trips I’ve done. It’s just a nice, relatively quick trip up a summit in the front ranges offering great views of neighboring peaks and higher summits in Kananaskis to
- [Compression Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/compression-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada15 May 2023 Solo Highly enjoyable ridge walk with great hands-on scrambling This trip pleasantly surprised me. Somehow I had been under the impression that Compression Ridge isn’t a very nice scramble, but now I can say that it definitely is! If you like lots of routefinding and challenging scrambling problems, that is.
- [Mount Howard](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-howard/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 27 November 2020 Solo A windy winter ridge walk Mount Howard definitely deserves more attention. It may be tucked away deep inside the eastern Front Ranges of Kananaskis, not easily accessible from any of the main highways, but it’s not as difficult to get to as I initially thought. The
- [Opal Ridge Traverse](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/opal-ridge-traverse/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada20 August 2022 Solo Top-notch extended ridge scramble right in our backyard Having done Opal Ridge North and South on separate occasions before, I thought it was time to do the long traverse of the ridge in between for a fun summer outing that’s also close to Calgary. I’m happy to report that
- [Ram Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ram/ram-mountain/) - 2 February 2017 With Trevor Winter ridge walks can hardly get better than this. Ram Mountain combines the magical scenery of winter wonderland on a long, undulating ridge with gorgeous views of the Front Ranges over a green sea of rolling foothills. It’s a solitary mountain island sticking out in front of the main range, just
- [Mount Quirk](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-quirk/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 2 November 2019 Solo Hunters, off-roaders and a grand Front Range panorama There is nothing really remarkable about Mount Quirk other than perhaps its quirky name. Still, I had my fair share of surprise and spectacle today on this otherwise unexciting forest walk. First, I ran into a couple of
- [Mount French & Mount Jellicoe](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-french-mount-jellicoe/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada16 August 2022 With Allan & Liam Beautiful glaciers and two very different scrambles Allan suggested this one and Liam and I were super happy to join – it turned out to be one of the best this year yet! Long and tiring for sure, but worth every drop of sweat. The approach
- [Divide Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/divide-peak/) - Yoho National Park, AB/BC, Canada31 July 2022 With Alan Keller Fun difficult scramble and short trip with excellent views Divide Peak is a small officially named summit in Yoho National Park straddling the provincial boundary between Alberta and BC. I think I might’ve never noticed it if it wasn’t for its inclusion in the third
- [Powderface Ridge (south route)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/powderface-ridge-south-route/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada29 July 2022 With Wen Nice short workout hike on a good trail Having done Powderface Ridge as a winter trip via Powderface Creek back in February 2020, today turned out to be a good opportunity to try out the much more popular main route via the south ridge. It was a
- [Blue Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/blue-ridge/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada27 March 2022 Solo Easy forest hike Yet another workout trip in the foothills, nothing exciting but a good option for this time of the year when you want to get out in nature but without avalanche risk or crowds. This trip is very similar to nearby Mount Dyson – good approach
- [Mount Dyson](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-dyson/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada14 December 2021 Solo Unexciting winter hike This is another one of those foothills hiding under the guise of the title "mountain". Similar to other minor bumps like Mount Barwell, Green Mountain or Mount McNabb, Mount Dyson is really just an unexciting walk through the forests of eastern Kananaskis. On the plus
- [Horseshoe Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/horseshoe-peak/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada29 January 2022 Solo Strenuous winter hike in complete solitude Horseshoe Peak was more demanding than I had expected. Perhaps it was the patches of deep snow that I encountered in sheltered spots, perhaps it was all the Christmas treats that were still weighing heavy in my belly, I don’t know. On
- [Whaleback Ridge & Chimney Rock](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/whaleback-ridge-chimney-rock/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada6 February 2022 Solo Ridgewalking and fence hopping Despite all the snow wading I had to do on Horseshoe Peak trip a week earlier I decided to come back to the foothills of the Livingstone Range and give Whaleback Ridge a try. The real appeal of the area to me lies in the
- [Links & References](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/links-references/) - The following is a list of websites and books that are referenced in my trip reports or that I use in planning my own trips. The books below are recommended as hiking and/or scrambling guidebooks. All of the websites listed here are also excellent sources of information and fun to read through, too! Books Daffern,
- [Elk Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/elk-peak-v7/) - Banff, AB, Canada24 July 2021 Solo Delightful scrambling on a rarely visited Banff peak This little peak definitely exceeded my expectations, both in terms of the views and the actual scramble. There isn’t much out there on this mountain, with the exception of a short account by Peter Nelson who described an ascent up the
- [Elaphus Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/elaphus-peak/) - Banff, AB, Canada24 July 2021 Solo Long-distance hike to a gentle grassy ridge deep in Banff National Park There are two main ways to get to Elaphus Peak, a fairly small and remote mountain of forested slopes and grassy ridge tops. The first is to follow the Cascade Fire Road north, turn west just after
- [Odlum Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/odlum-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 24 October 2021 Solo A rollercoaster hike I really don’t know what to think of this one. When I first started the approach, I thought this is terrible and I’d rate it 1 out of 5. But as soon as I left the alder-infested trail and hiked up the slopes, it got
- [Running Rain Peak & Mount Odlum](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/running-rain-peak-mount-odlum/) - Kananaskis, Canada 8 October 2020 With Trevor and Richard Nice short trip with some unexpected challenges Mount Odlum had a few surprises in store for us today. Or rather the northern “outlier” of Mount Odlum, which is informally named Running Rain Peak after Running Rain Lake below. The latter seems to be a
- [Font Mountain & Sage Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/font-mountain-sage-mountain/) - Castle, AB, Canada 26 July 2020 With Don Day 2 of an adventurous backpacking trip into the South Castle After a restful night at our camp high up on the Great Divide Trail (GDT) under the impressive cliffs of Mount Matkin, Don and I woke up refreshed and ready for another full day of
- [Jutland Mountain & Mount Matkin](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/jutland-mountain-mount-matkin/) - Castle, AB, Canada 25 July 2020 With Don Part I of a great exploratory trip to the South Castle area Don and I had been planning an overnight trip for a while and our schedules finally aligned for this weekend. Both of us were interested in venturing deeper into the southern part of Castle
- [Kreuzberg](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/kreuzberg/) - Rhön Mountains, Germany 21 February 2018: Direct route 19 December 2019: Big loop 9 January 2021: Winter combo 2 January 2022: Sandberg variation Long-distance hiking at home Solo There are many ways to reach the summit of the Kreuzberg, but hiking from the spa town of Bad Kissingen certainly isn’t the shortest.
- [Volcano Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/volcano-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 31 October 2021 With Richard Great views but boring approach It didn’t take us long to wonder whether we had made a good decision after we left Allsmoke Mountain summit to embark on the traverse south towards Volcano Ridge. Although the terrain is pretty simple and demands no more than easy hiking,
- [Allsmoke Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/allsmoke-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 31 October 2021 With Richard Tedious forest hike with surprise views at the end Allsmoke Mountain in Kananaskis is one of those destinations that I had reserved for a shoulder season or winter day when I conditions wouldn’t allow a more serious climb deeper in the mountains. Today was practically the first
- [Strawberry Hills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/strawberry-hills/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 7 March 2021 With Richard Easy winter hillwalking The Strawberry Hills have never been high on my to-do list, but I think they deserve more attention as a winter/early season trip idea. Richard and I quite enjoyed this hike and we actually were a lot more tired at the end of it
- [Ben's Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/bens-hill/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 28 February 2021 Solo Short workout hike without the crowds I was looking for something short, close to Calgary, and preferably uncrowded. Ben’s Hill is exactly that. There were literally more than 100 cars parked on the side of the road before the winter gate, with 99% of people heading
- [Zombie Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/zombie-peak/) - Ghost, AB 11 November 2016 With Richard Zombie Peak has always had a special appeal to me. Not only because of its intriguing name, but also because of its remoteness and because there is almost no information available on how to ascend this mountain, and of course I love a good exploration challenge. Richard and I
- [Raspberry Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/raspberry-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB 22 May 2017 With Parag, Madhuri, Pavneet, Caitlin, Dan and Wen Raspberry Ridge is a well-documented and popular hike along Highway 940 west of Longview. It was the perfect destination for a leisurely day out with our friends in a beautiful part of the mountains. We were blessed with great conditions today –
- [Prow Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/prow-mountain/) - Banff National Park, AB, Canada 19 July 2021 Solo Bushwhacking and enjoyable ridge scrambling with brilliant views Also see: Ship's Prow Mountain (Kananaskis); The Prow (Ghost) This is the mountain I was supposed to climb with Vern and Phil a week earlier, when I had to bail at the very last minute. They
- [Snowflake Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/snowflake-peak/) - Banff National Park, AB, Canada 18 July 2021 Solo Possible first ascent of a very challenging peak After a pleasantly easy surprise on Melanin Peak earlier in the day, my second objective today turned out to be a much tougher nut to crack. Snowflake Peak is one of the highest (the highest?) summits along
- [Melanin Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/melanin-peak/) - Banff National Park, AB, Canada 18 July 2021 Solo Possible first ascent of a surprisingly easy peak I enjoyed a sound sleep in my tent at Grouse Lake (elevation: 2270 m) and awoke refreshed and ready to take on a long day after the long approach and ridge walk on Grouse Peak yesterday. Melanin
- [Largehorn Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/largehorn-peak/) - Nordegg, AB, Canada 12 June 2021 Solo A lengthy ridgewalk to a remote peak This was a big trip – much bigger than I had expected. Largehorn Peak is one of those forgotten Front Range summits that are too remote for a casual scramble and too far from any major urban centre. Moreover,
- [Gravenstafel Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/gravenstafel-ridge/) - Castle Provincial Park, AB, Canada 17 October 2021 Solo Probably the easiest ridge walk in the Castle Today was just not my day - I had much bigger plans but my stomach kept torturing me all day, so I had to cut my trip short. Even on the drive in from Calgary I
- [Mist Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mist-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 20 October 2021 With Richard Quintessential K-Country ridge walk Mist Ridge is a classic and beautiful ridge walk that is both easy and super scenic. People sometimes combine it with a scramble of Gibraltar Mountain, but it's also a great destination on its own, especially in late summer or fall. The
- [Forgetmenot Ridge & Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/forgetmenot-ridge-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 12 October 2021 Solo Nice off-season ridge walk Forgetmenot is the memorable name of a significant foothills promontory in the Elbow Falls area of Kananaskis west of Bragg Creek. I’m not sure why there is a “Forgetmenot Ridge” and a “Forgetmenot Mountain” shown separately on maps – this is really just
- [Bighorn Traverse](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/bighorn-traverse/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 18 July 2020 Solo Exploring Ya Ha Tinda’s beautiful NE corner I was so excited about this trip that I couldn’t fall asleep the night before in my campervan at Bighorn Campground. To save time and get an earlier start, I had driven out from Calgary on
- [Cummings Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/cummings-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 9 November 2019 With Richard Pleasant snowshoeing trip with grand views of the Continental Divide In August, after Wen and I spent a couple of days van camping at Coffin Mountain, we drove back home via highway 940 and I wondered about the small ridge on the west side of
- [The Prow - Ghost Peak Traverse](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/the-prow-ghost-peak-traverse/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 26 June 2020 With Kevin A long and rewarding ridge walk in a remote part of the Ghost This was my third time to do the long approach along the seismic line and (illegal) dirt bike trails to the lovely saddle between Ghost Peak and Sheep Meadow Mountain. Back in
- [Cutoff Peak (attempt)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/cutoff-peak-attempt/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 26 January 2020 With Richard Terrific ridgewalk that ends so close to the summit! This was an exploratory trip to an area we had never been to before – the Cutoff Creek area with its horse and OHV trails located north of the Ya Ha Tinda ranch. Only
- [Ghost Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/ghost-peak/) - 30 April 2016 With Priyesh This is one of the very few mountains that I had absolutely no information on before setting out – no online trip reports, published routes, recorded summit ascents, not even a name for the peak – but one that turned out to be straightforward and easily accessible on a good
- [Crypt Circuit](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/crypt-circuit/) - Waterton, AB, Canada 31 July 2021 With Raff Gorgeous long-distance ridge walk high above Crypt Lake My first trip with Raff, the crazy Pole, and an absolutely fantastic one. When Raff suggested Crypt Peak via Vimy Ridge I was interested right away. Crypt Peak is the highest mountain above Crypt Lake and its
- [Deluc Peak & Dip Slope Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/deluc-peak-dip-slope-mountain/) - Remote peaks in one of the most beautiful corners of Banff National Park
- [Clearwater Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/clearwater-mountain/)
- [Mount Harris (attempt)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/mount-harris-attempt/) - Trying to find a route up a remote and elusive peak
- [Mustang Hills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mustang-hills/) - Calgary Foothills, Canada 28 January 2021 With Richard Easy uncrowded winter objective The Mustang Hills have never been on top of my list of must-do trips, but they do make for a nice and easy winter outing in uncrowded surroundings. And yes, we did even spot some wild horses that lend the hills their
- [Drywood Mountain & Loaf Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/drywood-mountain-loaf-mountain/) - Castle Provincial Park, AB, Canada 31 January 2021 Solo Great long winter ridge walk My inspiration for this trip came from Steven Noel who had done almost the same loop with his buddy just a couple of weeks earlier. After spending 14 days in mandatory travel quarantine in my apartment, I was super
- [MOUNTAIN LIST](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mountain-list/) - This is a collection of some of my summit ascents - many of them easy hikes but some of them moderate to difficult outings - all depending on weather conditions and your own routefinding and scrambling skills. What they all have in common is the simplicity of how these summits are attained: no technical gear
- [Poker Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/poker-peak/) - Crowsnest, AB, Canada 25 May 2020 With Trevor Joking Poker This has got to be the shortest and easiest peak one can possibly summit from a road in Alberta. It even beats Sulphur Mountain (well, at least the tourist “summit”) and probably also Tunnel Mountain. With just over 30 minutes up and down,
- [Clubs Peak, Hastings Ridge & Spades Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/clubs-peak-hastings-ridge-spades-peak/) - Crowsnest, AB, Canada 25 May 2020 With Trevor A quick game of cards There are some strange names for some minor bumps in this area. Clubs, Spades, and Hearts Peak are all official names (at least there are big glossy signs with the names on them), but they certainly sound grander than they
- [Hillcrest Mountain & Hearts Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/hillcrest-mountain-hearts-peak/) - Crowsnest, AB, Canada 14 June 2020 With John, Marcelina and Trevor Quiet early-season hike There was a significant amount of snow still remaining this spring and into early summer, such that many peaks that would make for perfect June objectives were impossible to do this year. The Crowsnest in southern Alberta is a
- [Windtower](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/windtower/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 9 June 2020 Solo Wonderful short hike with excellent effort-to-reward ratio My short trip up The Orphan earlier this morning only took me 3.5 hours and when I got back to the car I didn’t really feel like driving back to Calgary yet. Plus, the weather had improved as well:
- [The Orphan](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/the-orphan/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 9 June 2020 Solo Short hike, small summit, no crowds The Orphan is sort of the “neglected” sibling of adjacent Big Sister and Middle Sister to the west, and even the Rimwall to the east is much more popular. One reason certainly is that there is no established trail and
- [Opal Ridge South](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/opal-ridge-south/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 3 June 2020 With Trevor & Richard A delightful hike in a wonderfully scenic area This little peak really surprised us. A full ten years ago Trevor and I had done Opal Ridge North (where the true summit of the Opal Ridge is located), but we had never really thought
- [Morin Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/morin-peak/) - Crowsnest, AB, Canada 30 May 2020 With Marcelina Delightful early season scrambling Morin Peak is the local name for a sub-peak that juts out on the western side of the Livingstone Range near the village of Frank. It can be climbed from pretty much any side, for example via the SW ridge (see
- [Mount Brewster](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/mount-brewster/) - Banff, AB, Canada 11 July 2020 With Kevin, Richard & Trevor Really enjoyable Banff scramble without the crowds Mount Brewster really surprised us. This used to be a rarely ascended peak but after inclusion in Kane’s new edition of Scrambles in the Canadian Rocky Mountains it does see more traffic now. Still, compared
- [Bluerock Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/bluerock-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 20 November 2020 Solo Fantastic Front Range ridgewalk I’ve always thought of Bluerock Mountain as just “some other ridgewalk” in the Front Ranges of Kananaskis, and one that would involve a super long approach. Well, today I found out that I was wrong on both points. Yes, the approach is
- [Lusk Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/lusk-ridge/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 5 May 2020 Solo Lovely ridge with tons of early-season snow Another trip to the Foothills. With so much snow around this spring, I figured a lower-lying ridge east of the “real Rockies” would be a safe bet. Wrong! The provincial parks had just officially opened again after a
- [Link Hill & Vents Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/link-hill-vents-ridge/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 29 February 2020 Solo A good mix of busy trails and secluded off-trail hiking Similar to the Powderface Ridge hike I did a few weeks ago, today’s trip wasn’t the most exciting but still a good workout with some fine views at the end. I had never done the
- [Mockingbird Lookout](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/mockingbird-lookout/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 20 March 2020 With Richard Short and easy with fantastic panoramic views of the Ghost Mockingbird Lookout sits atop a small forested hill in the Foothills of the Ghost, about a two hour drive from Calgary. Richard and I didn’t have high expectations for this one, but we hadn’t been
- [Burnt Timber Lookout](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/burnt-timber-lookout/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 26 April 2020 With Richard & Marcelina Great snowshoeing in a remote corner of the Rockies This isn’t exactly a popular destination for hikers and snowshoers, mostly because of its remoteness and long drive from Calgary (about 2.5 hours). It’s really just a small hill with the remains of a
- [Seventy Buck & Eagle Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/seventy-buck-eagle-hill/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 6 May 2020 With Marcelina Nice and easy early-season hike Finally an early-season hike without any snow… well, almost. Unlike some recent trips where we sometimes had to plough through stretches of annoyingly deep and soft snow, we were spared the suffering today. Seventy Buck and Eagle Hill are
- [Packenham Junior](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/packenham-junior/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 17 May 2020 With Trevor & Richard Steep, simple and too short Packenham Junior is the unofficial name of the small western outlier of much more impressive Mount Packenham in the Opal Range. While Mount Packenham is a technical climb (at least 5.5 on the easiest route), Packenham Junior is
- [Mesa Butte](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mesa-butte/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 22 November 2020 With Faisal Relaxing foothills hike Our original objective was Allsmoke Mountain, but since my van couldn’t make it up the steep incline on the snow-covered Gorge Creek Road we decided to settle for the next closest hiking option: Mesa Butte. This little foothills peak is a popular
- [Gilligan Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/gilligan-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 21 June 2020 With Trevor Excellent scrambling on a remote peak close to Canmore This was a fabulous exploratory trip with Trevor. The objective was the unnamed peak between Mount McGillivray and Skogan Peak. This peak has significant prominence (>200 m) and looks quite impressive, especially when viewed from its
- [Glasgow North & Garriochmill Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/glasgow-north-garriochmill-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 29 November 2020 Solo Highly enjoyable Front Range loop Glasgow North is a good example for a peak that isn’t really a peak – it’s merely a small outlier to another outlier of Mount Glasgow. Gillian Daffern’s Kananaskis Country Trail Guide has made it so popular that it has become
- [Iyarhe Ipan, Swany's Ridge & Quirk Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/iyarhe-ipan-swanys-ridge-quirk-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 6 December 2020 Solo Uncrowded and unexciting With its conspicuous vertical cliff band and huge talus slope below, Iyarhe Ipan (meaning “mountain point” in the Stoney language) looks like an intriguing little peak that might hold more surprises in store, especially compared to neighboring Prairie Mountain. However, this is not
- [Horton Hill & Horton Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/horton-hill-horton-ridge/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 9 May 2020 With Richard Mundane forest walk with sporadic surprise views Once again we found ourselves back in the Foothills on a day that promised to be a mix of moody spring weather. We tried to avoid any snow-prone objectives, having had more than our fair share of
- [Bluff Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/bluff-mountain/) - Crowsnest, AB, Canada 25 May 2020 With Trevor Fun scrambling and deep snow Who would’ve thought that there’d still be this much snow on little Bluff Mountain!? Trevor and I had both seen Vern’s recent report for Bluff from two weeks earlier where he and Wietse ran into trouble treading through deep snow
- [Windy Point Ridge & Gleason Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/windy-point-ridge-gleason-ridge/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 13 November 2020 Solo Short forest hike With a fresh layer of snow that fell just days ago I decided to do something short and easy. Windy Point Ridge is both super short and super easy - it’s got to be one of the most easily accessible “summits” directly from
- [Green Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/green-mountain-ab/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 8 November 2020 With Richard Easy Foothills hike There must be hundreds of Green Mountains around the world, but this one isn’t the most exciting. The only other Green Mountain I ever visited was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on Ascension Island, a much more interesting adventure and
- [Pasque Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/pasque-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 1 November 2020 Solo A long and windy ridgewalk in the Front Ranges Pasque Mountain is a great winter or shoulder season objective. Since access to Highway 940 south of the Mount Burke trailhead is closed from Dec 1st to May 15th, November is often a good time to venture
- [Mount Farquhar](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-farquhar/) - Continental Divide, AB, Canada 8 August 2019 Solo A long approach for some beautiful scenery, horrible scree, and challenging climbing Finally back in the Rockies again! After spending the summer travelling across Canada in our campervan and hardly seeing anything resembling a proper mountain (excepting perhaps Gros Morne or Mont Xalibu), I was more than
- [Wigwam Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/wigwam-ridge/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 5 January 2020 With Trevor Heavy-duty workout with wonderful views at the end This is a rarely visited local ridge in a remote part of the northern Ghost just east of Zombie Peak. Despite being dwarfed by bigger and more impressive mountains of the Front Ranges to the west, the
- [Mount Davidson & Waiparous Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/davidson-waiparous/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 12 + 13 September 2019 Solo A beautiful trip into the Ghost along Waiparous Creek Although clearly visible from Calgary as a major peak, Mount Davidson is rarely ascended due to its remote location in the northern part of the Ghost. I’ve been toying with the idea of hiking into
- [Cox Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/cox-hill/) - 13 May 2017 With Wen, Parag and Madhuri Cox Hill is a wonderful outing that’s close to Calgary and accessible year-round. The trail is well-trodden and typically in great condition even with snow still lingering on the higher slopes of this small peak in the foothills. It was the perfect choice for introducing the mountains to
- [Jumpingpound Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/jumpingpound-mountain/) - 6 June 2016 With Richard I hadn’t gone out to the mountains with Richard in a long time after his knee injury the previous year and it was nice to finally be hiking together again. This was his first hike up a “real” mountain since recovering, so it was a bit of a challenge both physically and
- [Powderface Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/powderface-ridge/) - Calgary Foothills, AB, Canada 4 February 2020 Solo A winter walk on Powderface Ridge After a big dump of snow a few days ago and a cloudy sky in the forecast I wasn’t expecting much from today’s outing. In the end, I got a great workout out of it and still caught some
- [Mount Mann](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-mann/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 18 August 2019 With Wen “The Battleship” Both the official name – Mount Mann, and the local one – “The Battleship”, are rather grandiose-sounding given what small little bump we’re dealing with here. Nevertheless, this minor peak at Highwood Junction makes for a nice, albeit very short day hike. And
- [Zephyr Creek Hills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/zephyr-creek-hills/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 15 February 2020 With Richard Strenuous winter workout Just like neighboring Mount Mann, the Zephyr Creek Hills (aka Miller Creek Hills) don’t see as much traffic as objectives to the north of the Highwood River because of the frigid river crossing that stands in the way at the beginning (and
- [Yates Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/yates-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 9 February 2020 With Berkay Easy-going winter hike My Turkish friend Berkay who came to visit me for the weekend had never been to the Rockies before and really wanted to go on a winter hike, preferably with some pretty views as well. There were about a hundred places that
- [Gunnery Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/gunnery-mountain/) - Kananaskis, Canada 31 March 2017 With Wen Nice hiking & snowshoeing loop I’m not sure why this little peak is called a “mountain”, but apparently “Gunnery Mountain” is the unofficial name that locals use for this small southern outlier of Holy Cross Mountain in the Highwood Junction area. Regardless, Wen and I were
- [South Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/south-peak/) - Livingstone Range, Canada 26 March 2017 With Trevor Great winter hiking The Livingstone Range represents the easternmost part of Alberta’s front ranges between Kananaskis in the north and the Crowsnest area in the south. As the name implies, South Peak (or Livingstone South Peak) forms the southernmost high point along this mountain range,
- [Brocken](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/brocken/) - Harz Mountains, Germany 29 December 2019 With Tilo A hike along the inner-German border The Brocken is the highest point in the Harz Mountains, a relatively small and low-lying range that straddles the border between Lower Saxony in West Germany and Saxony Anhalt in the east. Although more of a big rounded hill
- [Blue Hill Lookout](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/blue-hill-lookout/) - Ya Ha Tinda, AB, Canada 8 December 2019 Solo Boring forest walk but decent Plan B I knew this wasn’t going to be a very exciting outing but I was left with little choice. After discovering that more than 20 cm of fresh snow was covering the Panther Road, I was unable
- [Snow Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/snow-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 23 September 2017 With Richard Easy hike with fantastic snow landscapes Snow Peak is a great objective for the shoulder season when there’s snow at higher elevations but avalanche risk is still low. Richard and I had both hiked the popular Burstall pass trail several times before so we knew
- [Serendipity Peak & Patterson's Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/serendipity-peak-pattersons-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 20 September 2017 Solo Nice off-the-beaten track hike Patterson’s Peak and Serendipity Peak in the Highwood area of Kananaskis aren’t the most popular objectives for hikers and scramblers. It’s a bit of a slog to get there and the scrambling is minimal. However, what I did enjoy is that
- [Mount Head](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-head/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 12 September 2017 Solo Excellent ridgewalk with good approach and mediocre descent Mount Head is a prominent Kananaskis peak just north of Holy Cross Mountain in the Highwood area. It’s by far not as popular as its southern neighbor and other destinations nearby, probably because of the relatively long
- [Banff & Lake Louise](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/) - World-famous Banff National Park boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, including the much photographed Lake Louise and other "postcard celebrities" such as Mount Assiniboine, Moraine Lake, Mount Temple and Mount Rundle. Needless to say, it's a paradise for hikers and scramblers here. The opportunities are endless, the views breathtaking... You haven't seen
- [Ghost](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/) - Despite being only an hour and a half's drive away from Calgary, "the Ghost" is as remote and pristine as many other parts of the Rockies that take much longer to get to. It is definitely one of my favourite areas not only because its proximity, but because it is relatively under-explored in terms of
- [Upper Clearwater - Ram](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ram/) - This area is off the radar of most scramblers and peak baggers. It forms part of the huge Bighorn Wilderness area and includes the Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ) of Upper Clearwater, Kiska, and Ram. For the sake of convenience I've included the Front Range peaks east of Nordegg as well. The area borders Banff
- [Sheep Meadow Mountain & Sheep's Claw](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/sheep-meadow-mountain-sheeps-claw/) - Ghost, AB, Canada 18 October 2019 With Kevin Beautiful, remote, uncrowded Ever since ascending Ghost Peak in a white-out with my late friend Priyesh in 2016 I’ve been wanting to come back to this beautiful and remote area. Vern and Phil climbed Ghost in November 2017 and then easily hiked up Sheep Meadow
- [Phantom Crag](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/phantom-crag/) - 23 August 2014 With Richard This trip was as ghostly as it could get – not only because of the name of the area (The Ghost) and the mountain, but more so because of a persistent dense white fog that shrouded the upper reaches of the mountains and gave the whole trip an air of
- [Mount Oliver](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/mount-oliver/) - 24 September 2017 With Richard Mount Oliver, a lonely peak at the edge of the Ghost, has never gained much attraction from climbers and scramblers in the past. It is situated in the “armpit of the front ranges”, as I call it – that remote corner where the N-S trending Rockies of the Ya Ha
- [Mount Costigan](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/mount-costigan/) - 29 June 2017 Solo Mount Costigan is one of the highest mountains in the Ghost area and has several well-documented ice climbing routes around its approach valleys and buttresses. As a scrambling objective, curiously, the mountain has been largely overlooked. Although it can be reached via a good path along the north shore of Lake
- [Black Rock Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ghost/blackrock-mountain/) - 7 February 2016 With Wen This is an easy hike with a touch of adventure, mostly due to the remote location and feeling of isolation in this area. And getting there is an adventure in itself! We were lucky to make it with our Honda CRV, which is only a 2WD but a slightly higher
- [About](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/contact-us/) - Hi - my name is Cornelius and this is my personal site designed to share my impressions and experiences in the mountains with friends & family and anyone else who might be interested. There is some route information as well, but my trip reports are primarily meant to preserve my memories. I've been actively exploring the mountains since 2010 when I
- [Bellevue Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/waterton/bellevue-hill/) - Waterton, Canada 9 May 2017 With Wen Terrific loop route with a little bit of everything A few years ago I had tried to go up Bellevue Hill with my parents when they were on a visit to Canada. In Europe you would most definitely have a good trail going up a mountain
- [Coyote Hills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/coyote-hills/) - 20 February 2017 With Trevor This was a really short but enjoyable winter hike. We brought our snowshoes, but ended up not using them at all, thanks in part due to existing tracks from a previous party. Baril Creek Trail was well packed and provided a quick way to access the south side of Coyote Hills.
- [Falls Lookout](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ram/falls-lookout/) - 31 May 2017 Solo This trip had several pleasant surprises in store for me. The peak is unnamed on all of the maps I had consulted during the planning stage, so I was puzzled to discover several buildings at its summit when I was hiking in the valley below on my way to Onion Peak the
- [Eagle Mountain & Eagle Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ram/eagle-mountain-eagle-ridge/) - 12 June 2017 Solo Most hikes described in a guide book have become popular enough for a trail of some sort to have developed over time. Eagle Mountain, featured in The David Thompson Highway Hiking Guide by Jane Ross and Daniel Kyba, appears to be an exception to this rule. Although it was a Monday when
- [Onion Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ram/onion-peak/) - 30 May 2017 Solo Not to be confused with “The Onion” on the Icefields Parkway in Banff, Onion Peak is a relatively minor summit along the Front Ranges of the Ram Range west of Rocky Mountain House. I had never been to this area and wanted to check it out during a spell of gorgeous
- [Plateau Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/plateau-mountain/) - Kananaskis South, AB, Canada 15 November 2019 With Kevin Unusual Rockies landscape on an extremely windy day Another great trip with Kevin. Thankfully, this one turned out to be a little shorter than our 11.5 h outing to Sheep Meadow Mountain a few weeks ago – just over 4.5 h this time. Kevin
- [Limestone Mountain (Sundre)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/limestone-mountain-sundre/) - 22 January 2017 With Richard Our original objective for today was Onion Peak in the Ram Range, which we had to drop due to poor road conditions on the last 54 km stretch to Ram Falls, where the road is unmaintained. Not wanting to risk getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, we opted for Plan
- [Winchester Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/ya-ha-tinda/winchester-ridge/) - 20 March 2016 With Priyesh This is a strange mountain. No information whatsoever could be found, official maps don't list a name for this mountain, yet in Google Earth (but not in Google Maps!) the name "Mount Balfour" shows up at the supposedly highest point along this SW-NE trending ridge that eventually links up to Otuskwan
- [SAUDI ARABIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/) - JUMP TO: MOUNTAIN TRIPS IN SAUDI ARABIA As the last country in the world to embrace tourism, Saudi Arabia has finally opened up its doors. While up until recently you could only visit this mysterious kingdom as a Muslim pilgrim or with business or family connections, as of late 2018 it’s finally been possible to
- [Mont Xalibu & Mont Jacques Cartier](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mont-xalibu-mont-jacques-cartier/) - Gaspésie, Quebec 22 July 2019 Solo A long way in and out to Quebec’s third highest mountain After going up Mont Olivine in the morning, I set my eyes on Mont Xalibu and Mont Jacques-Cartier, which can be accessed via a gravel road that goes east from the Visitor Centre in Gaspésie National
- [Mount Gass](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-gass/) - Elkford, BC, Canada 27 August 2019 Solo Easy hike with breathtaking views of a secluded little valley The day before, after climbing Mount Kilmarnock, I had driven south a few km along the Fording River Road and then east on a gravel road that leads up the Todhunter Creek Valley – the western
- [Mount Kilmarnock](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-kilmarnock/) - Elkford, BC, Canada 26 August 2019 Solo Long approach, easy climb, fantastic views Due to its relative geographic isolation away from any nearby roads, Mount Kilmarnock on the Continental Divide is seldom ascended. It sits right in the middle of nowhere northeast of Elkford, BC, and northwest of the Beehive Natural Area and
- [Tent Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tent-mountain/) - Flathead, BC, Canada 25 August 2019 Solo A mountain scarred by logging and mining Compared to yesterday’s hugely enjoyable Tombstone traverse with an awesome group in the beautiful environs of the Castle area, today’s solo trip was pretty anticlimactic. It was a cloudy day, with a light drizzle for the first hour, my
- [Tombstone Traverse (Boot Hill, Tombstone Mtn, Mt Haig, Gravenstafel Ridge)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tombstone-traverse/) - Castle, AB, Canada 24 August 2019 With Trevor, Richard, Vern & Wietse A fantastic high-level traverse across four colourful peaks of the Castle Trevor really wanted to indulge in some huckleberry picking during prime berry season this year, so he suggested scrambling Mount Haig in the Castle where, incidentally, the annual Huckleberry Festival
- [Missinglink Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/missinglink-mountain/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 12 October 2019 Solo Boring forest hike with very limited views Missinglink Mountain wasn’t my most exciting outing this year, but I wasn’t really expecting much. I was feeling pretty lazy when I got up this Saturday and wasn’t going to do anything at first. Then I looked outside –
- [Ha Ling Peak & Miner's Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/ha-ling-peak-miners-peak/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 16 September 2019 With Wen & Sean Back on Canmore’s most popular trail We were sitting at an Asian restaurant in Canmore digesting a satisfying meal and recounting the previous day’s adventures on Mount James Walker… Somehow, half an hour later, we found ourselves at the parking lot for Ha
- [Gould Dome](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/gould-dome/) - 27 July 2017 Solo Gould Dome is a distinctive and easily recognizable peak in the High Rock Range with its characteristic “layer-cake” arrangement of alternating cliffs and ledges that entirely surround the mountain. This attractive but also daunting looking mountain first caught my eye when I went up nearby Mount Erris in 2016. Later that
- [Sugarloaf Lookout](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/sugarloaf-lookout/) - Livingstone Range, Canada 14 May 2019 With Wen Hard-to-reach mountain offering pleasant hiking With most bigger peaks still covered in snow, I was looking for a smaller objective without any avalanche danger, but something a little more exciting than the usual front range hills west of Calgary. Sugarloaf Lookout was a good fit:
- [Funnel Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/funnel-peak/) - High Rock Range, BC, Canada 15 August 2019 Solo A long and rewarding scramble This is one of those trips that I’d relegated to the “maybe I’ll climb it one day” list ever since I first saw its beautiful north-south ridge from nearby Mount Erris and Tornado Mountain. Funnel Peak just seemed too
- [Grassy Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/grassy-ridge/) - Dutch Creek Area, AB, Canada 14 August 2019 Solo Short and simple ridgewalk My main objective for this trip was actually Funnel Peak along the Continental Divide. But because it takes more than 3 hours just to drive into the area, the last 18 km on a rough pot-hole dotted mud road, it
- [Mount Muir](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-muir/) - Easy ridgewalk with fantastic views
- [Mount McPhail](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-mcphail/) - A gorgeous mountain featuring great views and tedious talus
- [Mount James Walker](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-james-walker/) - Kananaskis, AB, Canada 15 September 2019 With Wen & Sean Hiking into a pristine valley and scrambling into the clouds This was our first outing with Sean and his first scramble in the Canadian Rockies, a far cry from the bushwalking he’s used to from Australia! Although we were a bit unlucky with
- [Holy Cross Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/holy-cross-mountain/) - 13 March 2016 With Priyesh My friend Priyesh and I both felt surprisingly energetic in the morning after our epic Labyrinth-Minos suffer tour the day before. We kind of wanted to do something nice and pleasant to offset the rather tedious trip yesterday. Holy Cross Mountain in the southern Kananaksis area was perfect as it offered
- [Cat Creek Hills & Stony Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/cat-creek-hills-stony-ridge/) - Kananaskis, Canada 25 March 2017 Solo A scenic winter hike This is a beautiful and relatively short hike ideal for when the bigger peaks around you are still covered in snow. After having done a whole bunch of trips in the Highwood Junction area, I really came to appreciate it for the many
- [Hill of the Flowers](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/hill-of-the-flowers/) - High Rock Range, AB, Canada 25 September 2019 With Wen & Sean Don’t let this deceivingly gentle hill fool you! It may look gentle and benign from a distance, but this “little” hill is actually quite a workout and took more time and energy than we expected. As an “optional” detour on our
- [Rakayib Camel Caravan 2019](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/) - CROSSING THE WORLD'S LARGEST SAND DESERT ON A CAMEL IN 25 DAYS INTRODUCTION The Rakayib Camel Caravan - a spontaneous month-long camel trek through the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia, the largest sand desert on Earth. 81 participants from all over the world who had no idea what to expect, guided by local Bedouins and
- [Raoum](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/raoum/) - Najran, Saudi Arabia 28 March 2019 Solo Hiking under the watchful eye of the Saudi security services My first hike in Saudi Arabia. Well, my first successful one! The success of this hike was preceded by a failed summit attempt the day before, which also allowed me to gather important information about what’s
- [Meeting the team](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/team/) - A COLOURFUL MIX OF EXPLORERS, ADVENTURERS AND DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF All international participants met up at the Meral Crown Hotel in Riyadh where people started to trickle in around February 18-20 depending on flights etc. I flew direct from Frankfurt with Saudia and arrived late at night on February 19th, meeting the first of my
- [Mount Bruce](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-bruce/) - Invermere, BC, Canada 19 September 2019 With Wen & Sean Wonderful easy-going larch hike Mount Bruce is a really short and easy hike west of Invermere, BC. It doesn’t appear to see a lot of traffic, which is probably in part owing to the rather lengthy drive to the trailhead. From Invermere you
- [Tornado Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tornado-mountain/) - 28 July 2017 Solo After scrambling up Gould Dome the day before, today’s goal was to bike, hike and scramble Tornado Mountain. The spot I had chosen for my camp was a reasonably suitable starting point for both objectives and it only made sense to combine the two mountains as the drive from Calgary is
- [Storelk Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/storelk-mount/) - 23 July 2016 With Trevor Storelk Mountain is a relatively short scramble that surprised us with the amount of routefinding that was required to get up the difficult east face. Once on the main ridge we enjoyed a good amount of sustained, moderate to difficult scrambling to the summit. We started out in perfect hiking weather
- [The long journey through the desert](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/journey/) - BEAUTY AND BOREDOM, CHALLENGE AND CHERISH How do you convey the feeling and experience of travelling in a camel caravan for 25 days over 620 km through the largest sand desert in the world? You can’t. The only way to really know what it feels like would be to do it yourself as every person
- [Learning how to ride a camel](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/learning/) - PREP CAMP: TWO DAYS OF FUN AND CHAOS After flying from Riyadh to Wadi ad-Dawasir (1.5h) and then on by bus, visiting the ancient historical site of Quaryat Al Faw along the way, we arrived in a big desert camp at Ubar (also spelled Ubbar), our starting point situated only a few kilometres from the
- [Last-minute preparations](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/preparations/) - GETTING READY FOR THE BIG ADVENTURE The few days before departure were crazy, stressful and hectic… Book a flight, buy supplies, and pack my bags… But how do you pack for a minimum of four weeks on a camel in the desert? The details provided by the organizers were scarce and repeated requests for more
- [My motivation to join](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/motivation/) - WHY WOULD YOU SPEND FOUR WEEKS ON A CAMEL IN THE DESERT? The way I found out about this trip was through Wen’s Canadian friend Ekaterina, who had apparently heard about if from a Saudi friend in Vancouver and had just applied online. Wen was super excited about this opportunity and would’ve loved to go
- [The idea behind the caravan](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/idea/) - WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? The Rakayib Camel Caravan was organized and funded by the Saudi Camel Club, which was established by royal decree in 2017 in order to promote Saudi Arabia’s culture, history and heritage, particularly the significance of the camel in Saudi society. The Empty Quarter, or Rub al Khali in Arabic, is about
- [Arriving at the finish line](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/finish/) - TIRED, DIRTY, RELIEVED - AND A BIG SURPRISE! The last four days were probably the toughest for me of the whole caravan. We knew we still had some significant distance to cover to make it to the end, at least 160 km we were told. We had just spent our last full rest day in
- [Was it worth it?](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/rakayib/was-it-worth-it/) - AN OBVIOUS ANSWER TO A UNIQUE ADVENTURE Now that this article has ballooned into a much wordier version of what I had initially planned, I can happily keep this last section nice and short. Was it worth it? The answer can only be a resounding yes!!! Of course it was worth it. Despite all the
- [Saddle Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/saddle-peak/) - 20 August 2016: Attempt via W ridge. Didn't quite make the summit, 400 m away! 17 September 2016: Successful ascent via N ridge/valley. With Richard Saddle Peak has been teasing me for a long time. The characteristic shape of the mountain, with its sharp drop-off on the right side, makes this 2849 m tall summit an easily
- [Bull Creek Hills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/bull-creek-hills/) - 11 February 2017 With Richard With an avalanche warning out for almost all parts of the mountains, but a beautiful sunny day in the weather forecast, we set out to southern Kananaskis to check out Bull Creek Hills, sitting right at the boundary between the Front Ranges and the foothills (technically I think they would
- [Red Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/red-ridge-peak/) - 29 January 2017 Solo Red Ridge appears to be a popular outing both in summer and winter. A few of my friends had done it in the summer months before and really enjoyed it, so I thought it should make for a great winter objective as well. The description in Nugara’s snowshoeing book gave
- [Channel Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/channel-ridge/) - Kananaskis, Canada 9 March 2017 With Wen An unexciting forest walk Channel Ridge is one of those unremarkable outings you do when nothing else comes to mind or nothing else is feasible. With lots of snow and considerable avalanche hazard on higher and steeper slopes this weekend, there wasn’t much else to do
- [Rooisand Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/rooisand-peak/) - Khomas, Namibia 26 January 2018 With Wen This little peak is right by the main gravel highway west of Gamsberg Pass and makes for the perfect half-day hike. It’s unnamed on maps and I’m not aware of any informal names (of course I could be wrong), so for reference purposes I’ll call it Rooisand Peak
- [Königstein (Brandberg)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/konigstein-brandberg/) - Erongo, Namibia 2-3 February 2018 With Wen The Königstein hike was without a doubt the highlight of our Namibia trip. It was also the longest and possibly most challenging hike we did in the three weeks we spent in the country. The time commitment, logistical planning, and physical effort that this trip required was considerable
- [Kleine Spitzkoppe](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/kleine-spitzkoppe/) - Erongo, Namibia 30 January 2018 With Wen As the smaller and far less popular sister to the nearby Große Spitzkoppe, the Kleine Spitzkoppe (German for “small pointy peak”) sits by itself off the main gravel road, somewhat removed from the tourist bustle surrounding its bigger sibling. Both are inselbergs, isolated granite mountains in a flat
- [Klein-Waterberg](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/klein-waterberg/) - Otjozondjupa, Namibia 13 February 2018 With Wen Oscar was the star of the day on this hike! I’ve never owned any pets and have never hiked with a dog before, so this was a new experience for me. Wen took an instant liking to Oscar, but of course she absolutely loves dogs and was therefore
- [Hakos Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/hakos-mountain/) - Khomas, Namibia 25 January 2018 With Wen Our first hike in Namibia! One that we hadn’t even planned, but since Gamsberg Mountain was unexpectedly closed off to hikers we decided to check out the nearby Hakos Mountains instead. This barren mountain range is located on private land, with much of it belonging to the Hakos
- [Große Spitzkoppe (approach scramble)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/grose-spitzkoppe-approach-scramble/) - Erongo, Namibia 31 January 2018 With Wen Nicknamed the “Matterhorn of Namibia”, the Große Spitzkoppe is without a doubt Namibia’s most famous and most photographed peak. “Big pointy peak” is what the German name means, with the letter ß pronounced like “ss” in English (as in the word “essay” for example). As a granite inselberg,
- [White Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/white-mountain/) - Bisha, Saudi Arabia 7 April 2019 With Abdulrahem Scrambling up a giant pile of quartz Last stop on my two-week drive around the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bisha, a city of some 200,000 people, sits about half-way between Najran in the far south and Jeddah on the Red Sea. It was my last
- [Großer Beerberg, Schneekopf & Großer Finsterberg](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/grosser-beerberg/) - Thuringian Forest, Germany 1 June 2019 Solo Uninspiring forest walk better suited for biking or skiing Other than the Dolmar outing earlier this year, I had never really done any proper hiking in the Thuringian Forest, a low-lying mountain range just north of Bavaria in the State of Thuringia. So with a beautiful
- [Jabal Durum](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-durum/) - Muhayil, Saudi Arabia 6 April 2019 Solo Detours and bushwhacks The pointed summit ridge of Jabal Durum with its rocky slopes rising steeply above the valley makes this mountain a striking landmark when coming from the city of Muhayil to the south. I noticed this beautiful peak on my approach up neighboring Jabal
- [Jabal Sawda](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-sawda/) - Abha, Saudi Arabia 2 April 2019 Solo Awesome on-trail hike to Saudi Arabia’s second highest summit Until recently Jabal Sawda (variant spelling: Sodah, Sooda, Souda) was considered Saudi Arabia’s tallest mountain. This honour now goes to Jabal Ferwa, which only half a year ago was confirmed to be a few metres higher. The
- [Jabal Mushrif](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-mushrif/) - Al Harajah, Saudi Arabia 1 April 2019 Solo Volcanic basalt cone After hiking up Jabal Ferwa and nearby Natfa earlier in the morning, I drove a short distance via the town of Al Harajah to the western slopes of Jabal Mushrif. This peak stands out as a gentle volcanic cone and appears similar
- [Jabal Kufar](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-kufar/) - Najran, Saudi Arabia 30 March 2019 Solo Towering fortress guarded by vertical cliffs Jabal Kufar (variant spelling: Kfar, Kafar) is a highly conspicuous peak in the Sarawat Mountains northwest of the Saudi city of Najran. When viewed from the main road to the east it resembles a giant fortress guarded by impenetrable walls
- [Jabal Ferwa & Jabal Natfa](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-ferwa-jabal-natfa/) - Al Harajah, Saudi Arabia 1 April 2019 Solo Atop Saudi Arabia’s highest peak The only reason why I even knew about Jabal Ferwa (variant spelling: Farwa) is because it was revealed to be the kingdom’s “new” tallest mountain in a Saudi newspaper article. The article talked about the Eric and Matthew Gilbertson, two
- [Jabal Anthari](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-anthari/) - Najran, Saudi Arabia 29 March 2019 Solo Empty mountains and incredible hospitality This was another huge adventure. Just like the day before when I found myself hiking up Raoum near Najran, Jabal Anthari was another good example of how the journey surrounding the climb can be at least as exciting as the climb
- [Al Haylah](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/al-haylah/) - Muhayil, Saudi Arabia 5 April 2019 Solo Small volcanic hill overlooking Muhayil After yesterday’s sweaty and dusty hike up Jabal Hada, it was time to take a rest and relax for a day. My plan was to sleep in and hang out at my comfortable hotel in Muhayil, eat some good food, and
- [Jabal Hada](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/saudi-arabia/jabal-hada/) - Muhayil, Saudi Arabia 4 April 2019 Solo A hot, dusty and sweaty hike up an unknown mountain Having the unique opportunity to drive through the kingdom with a rental car all on my own, without a guide or booked tour, truly felt like a privilege. I was away from the tourist masses, surrounded
- [Dolmar](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/dolmar/) - Thuringian Forest, Germany 20 January 2019 Solo A pleasantly empty landscape and a busy mountain restaurant The Dolmar is a broad but prominent hill near the city of Meiningen in the southern reaches of the Thuringian Forest, a low-lying mountain range in the East German State of Thuringia. The area is locally known
- [Ma Butte & McGillivray Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/ma-butte-mcgillivray-ridge/) - Crowsnest, Canada 12 May 2019 With Trevor & Richard Great off-season hiking After a nearly two-year break from Calgary I finally got to hike with Trevor and Richard again. Since there was still quite a bit of snow at higher elevations with highly variable and often unstable avalanche conditions, we picked something safe
- [Weissfluh & Totalphorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/weissfluh-totalphorn/) - Davos, Switzerland 24 July 2018 With Wen Built-up tourist summit vs deserted ridge scramble The Weissfluh features prominently on the horizon above Davos. Its fitting name derives from the bright white limestone making up the summit mass, which stands in stark contrast to the dark grey, brown and red hues of the surrounding
- [Hell's Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/hells-ridge/) - 18 March 2017 With Wen This was almost hell. Gillean Daffern (Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Vol 5) says that Hell’s Ridge was named after a local rancher who had “a hell of a time rounding up his cattle” on the slopes of this ridge. I for one think it was because someone hiked it in winter
- [Etherington-Baril Ridge (Three Cairns)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/etherington-baril-ridge-three-cairns/) - Kananaskis, Canada 10 May 2019 With Wen Minimal effort for brilliant views This little ridge has always been off my radar until I somehow came across it while scanning through some hiking maps the other day. I was looking for a short hike with minimal snow cover/avalanche danger, but also something off the
- [Mount Denny & Mount Potts](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-denny-mount-potts/) - Kananaskis, Canada 19 July 2017 Solo Wonderful off-the-beaten-track scrambling in Kananaskis The peaks and valleys along Highway 40 in Kananaskis are among my favourites in the Rockies. Easily accessible with lots of good trails, there is a plethora of scrambling opportunities and beautiful hikes to enjoy. Moreover, it’s only a short drive from
- [Latraldashi](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/latraldashi/) - Svaneti, Georgia (Caucasus) 30 September 2018 Solo Sublime views of Caucasus glaciers and giants Latraldashi sits at the western end of the Gvalda Range and can be readily seen from the town of Mestia below. Dwarfed by its bigger and more impressive neighbor Banguriani (3838 m), it still sits at a respectable 3370
- [Mount Evan-Thomas](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-evan-thomas/) - Kananaskis, Canada 13 July 2017 Solo Great hands-on scrambling with plenty of routefinding challenges on Evan-Thomas's west ridge As one of the less frequently ascended Kananaskis peaks that are visible from Highway 40, Mount Evan-Thomas now sees more regular visits after being included in both Kane’s 3rd edition of Scrambles in the Canadian
- [Mount Barwell](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-barwell/) - A long forest hike
- [Thrift Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/thrift-peak/) - 2 April 2016 With Priyesh & Wen We were looking for an easy objective and a relatively stress-free day, but also wanted a bit of an adventure – or at least something off the beaten track that would involve a little bit of exploration. Enter Thrift Peak! Not the most obvious of choices, but I suggested to
- [Lightning Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/lightning-peak/) - 5 November 2016 Solo There is almost nothing I didn’t like about this trip and this is indeed one of the finest outings I've had this whole year. Bob Spirko recommends “Lightning Peak” as an enjoyable scramble, and how right he is! He is also the one who first found and described a straightforward route up the mountain from
- [Centre Peak & Caudron Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/centre-peak-caudron-peak/) - Difficult access and exciting scrambling in the Livingstone Range
- [Tsirkiari, Simzagari & Cherinda](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tsirkiari-simzagari-cherinda/) - Svaneti, Georgia (Caucasus) 25 September 2018 Solo A long, challenging day in Georgia’s remote Svaneti mountains What an adventure! A long day full of enjoyable hiking and scrambling, and one of those true exploratory trips that I haven’t done in a while. I pretty much had no information available on this route and
- [Ahalgazrdoba (Komsomol)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/ahalgazrdoba-komomsol/) - Svaneti, Georgia (Caucasus) 7 October 2018 With Felix One of the highest scrambles in Georgia’s Svaneti region There are few peaks above 3500 m in the High Caucasus that can be ascended without any technical gear. Ahalgazrdoba in northern Georgia is one of them, although this difficult scramble is not without its challenges.
- [Green Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/ascension-island/green-mountain/) - Ascension Island 2 January 2015 With Tilo Ascension Island’s green oasis You can't visit Ascension without going up Green Mountain, aka “The Peak”. It’s the highest point on the island and literally verdant green in colour because of its lush tropical vegetation that covers the upper half of this mountain which has been
- [ASCENSION ISLAND](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/ascension-island/) - A truly unique place in the middle of nowhere that few people ever visit. Located in the Atlantic Ocean about 8 degrees south of the equator, right between Brazil and West Africa, Ascension is a single volcanic island that forms part of Great Britain's remaining colonial vestiges. It has a British and an American military
- [Lady Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/ascension-island/lady-hill/) - Ascension Island 30 December 2014 / 3 January 2015 With Tilo / Solo A work-out hike with nice views over Ascension Island’s barren moonscape Lady Hill is hardly a mountain – it’s literally just a hill of volcanic rubble. In itself nothing special really, if it weren’t for the interesting views this high
- [Mountain Red Hill](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/ascension-island/mountain-red-hill/) - Ascension Island 4 January 2015 Solo An enjoyable hike with some off-trail exploring on Ascension Island Another beautiful hike in a natural fairytale wonderland on this isolated British outpost called Ascension Island. Mountain Red Hill is really just a small outlier of Green Mountain, the island’s biggest and only proper “mountain”. Despite its
- [Guli](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/guli/) - Svaneti, Georgia (Caucasus) 28 September 2018 With Wen An easy, uncrowded hike on Mestia’s doorstep This is an easy but long hike straight from the town of Mestia in the heart of Georgia’s Svaneti region. On a clear day the views are nothing short of breathtaking! We followed the intermittently marked (yellow-white paint
- [Halgurd (attempt)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/halgurd/) - Choman, Iraq 16 November 2018 Solo A winter adventure on Iraq’s second highest mountain Warning: Multiple minefields exist around Halgurd mountain. Always stay on beaten tracks and established routes, or better yet hire a local guide. Before considering an ascent, check with the local authorities on the current security situation – the Turkish
- [GERMANY](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/) - Germany is a relatively flat country where lofty peaks can only be found in the far south. Even here, in this small part of the Alps that Germans can call their own, the highest point (the Zugspitze) is only 2962 m tall. Of course this doesn't mean that there aren't any beautiful hikes and challenging
- [Piramagrun](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/piramagrun/) - The Piramagrun Massif from the main road to the west. The highest mountain in the group, Piramagrun itself (left), is often shrouded in clouds. Also seen here are Merquli (just left of centre) and Harutah (right).
- [Merquli](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/merquli/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 10 November 2018 Solo Even shorter and sweeter – a difficult scramble in the Piramagrun Massif After the quick three and a half hour scramble to a peak called Kanir in the Piramagrun Massif yesterday, I thought this would end up being the shortest of all my trips this year. Well,
- [Kosrat](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/kosrat/) - Dukan, Iraq 11 November 2018 Solo Scrambling through Iraq’s bureaucratic hurdles Warning: Several sources told me that Kosrat should not be climbed from the east (near Dukan) due to the risk of landmines and other UXO’s dating back to the Iraq-Iran war. The mountains in the area around Dukan have not been entirely
- [Kanir (Pashkala Sowza)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/kanir-pashkala-sowza/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 9 November 2018 Solo Short and sweet – a fun scramble in the Piramagrun Massif Our third day in the Piramagrun Massif, and by far the best so far in terms of weather. The sun finally came out today and it didn’t rain!! Initially we had planned to camp at Zewe
- [Jasana (attempt)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/jasana-attempt/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2 November 2018 With Kawan A small peak that turned out more tricky than expected Time and time again I’ve made the experience that, in a foreign land, the best trips are the ones undertaken with local friends. It was thus with much excitement that Wen and I accepted an invitation
- [Harutah & Chahir](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/harutah-chahir/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 8 November 2018 Solo Charming valleys and unknown peaks Another beautiful day in the Piramagrun massif near the village of Zewe. Just like the day before when I climbed Piramagrun, I was again denied any views from the main summit as the latter half of the day turned out to be
- [Goizha & Azmar](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/goizha-azmar/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 4 November 2018 Solo Yet another hike with landmines strewn over parts of the mountain – this seems to become a common theme on my outings in Iraq. Just a few days ago, north of Jabal Mirzah along the same mountain range, I had stumbled upon some minefields near the top of
- [Schiahorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/schiahorn/) - A quick and easy trip at the doorstep of Davos
- [SWITZERLAND](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/) - Switzerland is a mountain lover's paradise. Outside the Canadian Rockies it's my favourite place to go hiking and scrambling because it offers such a huge variety of easily accessible peaks and ridges in absolutely beautiful natural surroundings. There's an extensive network of well-maintained hiking trails that opens up almost limitless possibilities for exploring the Alps
- [Hoch Ducan](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/hoch-ducan/) - Davos, Switzerland 18 July 2018 Solo Scree, a tough ridge scramble, and more scree I had some unfinished business to deal with on Hoch Ducan (also known as Piz Ducan). Last year, in September 2017, I made an unsuccessful attempt when I left the trail in the Ducan Valley too early and ended
- [Rinerhorn, Leidbachhorn & Älplihorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/rinerhorn-leidbachhorn-alplihorn/) - Davos, Switzerland 8 September 2014 Solo On and off the beaten track: my first scramble in Switzerland While visiting Davos for the first time in September 2014 with my uncle Karl and my parents, I took the opportunity to explore the area a little and find out if scrambling up mountain summits is
- [DISCLAIMER](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/disclaimer/) - The information presented on this website (www.spectacularmountains.com) involves inherently dangerous activities that can result in injury or even death. Route data may not be accurate, comprehensive, or up-to-date. I accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or accident resulting from the use of the information on this website or any links therein. The trip reports, route descriptions
- [Delikkaya Dağı](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/delikkaya-dagi/) - Anatolia, Turkey 16 October 2018 Solo A beautiful hike across Anatolia’s grassy hills with a short and sweet scramble Warning: As of October 2018, the area around Delikkaya Dağı, Mount Köse and beyond is officially a restricted military zone that’s off-limits to visitors as is the case with many other mountainous regions of
- [Nemrut](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/nemrut/) - Anatolia, Turkey 20 October 2018 Solo An enjoyable loop overlooking the world’s second largest caldera lake Nemrut is a dormant volcano that sits along the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian and Arabian plates in Turkey’s Anatolia region near Lake Van. The concentric crater measuring about 15 km in diameter is filled on its
- [Köse Dağı & Küçük Kösedağ](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/kose-dagi-kucuk-kosedag/) - Anatolia, Turkey 15 October 2018 With Wen Volcano hiking in Anatolia Warning: As of October 2018, the area around these two mountains and beyond is officially a restricted military zone that’s off-limits to visitors as is the case with many other mountainous regions of eastern Turkey. We were initially not aware of this
- [Kemerli Tepe](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/kemerli-tepe/) - Anatolia, Turkey 13 October 2018 With Wen A pleasant hike to a barren peak overlooking Tortum Lake Most mountains in Turkey, it seems, are fairly easy to climb, especially if compared to the more rocky and jagged peaks of the Alps, the Caucasus and the Rockies. In Turkey’s mountainous regions, the terrain tends
- [Chkhunderi](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/chkhunderi/) - The village of Iprari.
- [Mentashi & Zuruldi](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mentashi-zuruldi/) - Svaneti, Georgia 1 October 2018 Solo A walk through a charming Georgian village and an easy ridgehike With easy access from Svaneti’s main town of Mestia, this is a wonderful short ridgewalk that affords terrific views of local giants Ushba (4710 m) and Tetnuldi (4858 m). I parked my car close to the
- [Detsili](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/detsili/) - Svaneti, Georgia (Caucasus) 24 September 2018 With Wen An introduction to Georgia’s magical Svaneti region Mount Detsili is really just a big grassy hill, but it’s still 1300 m of elevation gain from the village of Becho in the valley below and a long day if done as a loop via Hebudi on the
- [Oshlak & Maja e Arnenit](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/oshlak-maja-e-arnenit/) - Prizren, Kosovo 9 September 2018 With Wen A mellow ridgewalk in Kosovo We hadn’t even expected to visit Kosovo on our Europe trip at all, but then we spontaneously decided to drive through this tiny territory on our way from northern Albania to Macedonia since “we were in the area anyway”. Always
- [Siljevik, Robodo, Radoštak, Veliko Ćedilo, Grab](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/siljevik-robodo-radostak-veliko-cedilo-grab/) - Za Vratlom mountain hut. A great place to spend a few days!
- [Monte Titano](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/monte-titano/) - San Marino 11 August 2018 With Wen A microstate tourist stroll Normally, I wouldn’t include such minor hikes in my write-ups. To justify a proper trip report, I feel some significant effort should be involved in getting up and down a ridge, peak, mountain, etc. This is a very subjective and personal choice of
- [Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/ehrwalder-sonnenspitze/) - Tyrol, Austria 9 August 2018 Solo The wrong way round: how to make a difficult scramble even more difficult What an adventure! This mountain taught me another important lesson: do your research beforehand to know what’s in store, no matter how easy the terrain may look on a map. Pretty obvious you’d think,
- [OMAN](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/oman/) - There is an endless array of opportunities for hikers, scramblers and rock climbers in this beautiful Middle Eastern country. Oman, the "Switzerland of the Middle East", is politically stable and probably the safest country to visit in the region. It's a progressive mix of old and modern and its friendly people are fairly well-off thanks to
- [NAMIBIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/namibia/) - Some say Namibia is "Africa for beginners" - it's easy to get to, easy to get around, and has none of the political woes that plague so many other countries on the African continent. I think Namibia is for everyone, equally appealing to novice travellers and seasoned Africa explorers alike. In my view it's one
- [IRAQ](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/) - Hiking in Iraq? A very bad idea, many will think. And they're right, for the most part. As far as security and stability are concerned, large swathes of the country are still in a shambles and particularly unsafe for foreigners due to the risk of violent attacks and kidnapping. Much of Iraq is off-limits to
- [ANGOLA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/angola/) - Angola, a former Portuguese colony located on the southwest coast of Africa, isn't really known for its tourist sights and even less so for its mountains. The bureaucratic hassles of getting a visa and the logistics of visiting a country that has very little in terms of touristic infrastructure keeps the masses away. It's a
- [NICARAGUA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/nicaragua/) - Wedged between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua is one of Central America's easiest countries to travel around. While it used to have a bad reputation for political instability and high crime rates, things have gotten a lot better and it has now become one of the regions new "hot
- [Santa Maria](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/santa-maria/) - 12 November 2017 With Michael Santa Maria is one of the most often-visited volcanoes in all of Guatemala and undoubtedly the most popular one in the Quetzaltenango area. While many people use the services of a tour company to guide them up, this isn’t really necessary as there are typically so many people
- [Tajamulco](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tajamulco/) - 15 November 2017 Solo As the highest mountain in Guatemala and all of Central America, Tajamulco is surprisingly easy to ascend. In fact, it’s just a high-altitude hike - that’s all it is! Once you’ve spent a few days in the highlands of Guatemala and have become accustomed to the elevation, it
- [Zugspitze](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/zugspitze/) - The steep northwest face of the Zugspitze on the cloudy evening before our climb as seen from the parking lot.
- [El Pital](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/el-pital/) - 8 November 2017 Solo Cerro El Pital is the highest mountain in El Salvador, located right on the border with Honduras in the north of this small Central American country. At 2726 m it’s not a lofty peak, and you can literally drive almost right up to the top. Most people take a bus
- [El Boquerón & Picacho](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/el-boqueron-picacho/) - 9 November 2017 Solo The broad San Salvador volcano forms a natural barrier on the western flanks of El Salvador’s capital and is a popular destination for locals and tourists seeking a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of this busy city. The mountain really consists of two main peaks: El
- [Chicabal](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/chicabal/) - 11 November 2017 Solo Laguna Chicabal is a popular destination for a day trip from Quetzaltenango (aka Xela [SHAY-la]), Guatemala’s second biggest city. Lots of tours are offered by the many tour agencies in town, but it’s safe and easy to do on your own. I knew it was a short outing so
- [Santo Tomás](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/santo-tomas/) - 13 November 2017 Solo Locally also known as “Pecúla”, Santo Tomás is one of the less frequently visited volcanoes in the vicinity of Quetzaltenango. I saw group hikes offered by a tour agency in the city, but when I did the hike I didn’t see a soul all day! To save time
- [Almolonga, Candelaria & Quemado](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/almolonga-candelaria-quemado/) - 16 November 2017 Solo A day after hiking up Tajamulco and still feeling the effects of a debilitating cold I’d been trying to get over for several days now, I decided that a shorter day with a smaller peak was in order for today. Well, it turned out to be neither short,
- [Augstenberg & Nospitz](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/augstenberg-nospitz/) - Malbun, Liechtenstein 26 July 2018 With Wen Another loop through tiny Liechtenstein The Augstenberg one of the most popular mountain hikes in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein and the Hausberg of the small town of Malbun. This is an easy but super scenic outing that’s fairly busy with day hikers in the summer. And
- [Milseburg](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/milseburg/) - Rhön Mountains, Germany 29 December 2018 Solo A great workout hike through the empty meadows and forests of the Rhön Mountains The Milseburg is a rocky outcrop of volcanic origin in the northern part of the Rhön Mountains in the State of Hesse. It’s a popular destination for hikers of all ages with
- [Subra & Odijevo](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/subra-odijevo/) - Orjen, Montenegro 17 August 2018 With Wen One of the best places to see the bizarre world of karst The Orjen Mountains are a low-lying mountain range along the northern coast of Montenegro overlooking the city of Herceg Novi. We were driving down the coast from Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Montenegro to do some
- [Zla Kolata](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/zla-kolata/) - Prokletije, Montenegro 28 August 2018 With Tilo & Wen In the clouds above Montenegro Zla Kolata is technically the highest mountain in the tiny Balkan country of Montenegro. Most locals, however, appear to regard the more famous Bobotov Kuk in Durmitor National Park as their highest point as the latter is entirely within
- [Savin Kuk](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/savin-kuk/) - Durmitor, Montenegro 21 August 2018 With Andy and Wen How to turn an easy hike into a difficult scramble For our first hike in Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park we were joined by our new British friend Andy, whom we bumped into a few days earlier at the trailhead for Subra near the coastal
- [Mali Medjed, Veliki Medjed & Terzin Bogaz](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mali-medjed-veliki-medjed-terzin-bogaz/) - There are numerous trails in Durmitor National Park - a hiker's paradise!
- [Bobotov Kuk & Uvita Greda](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/bobotov-kuk-uvita-greda/) - Durmitor, Montenegro 23 August 2018 With Wen Montenegro’s most popular mountain What a beautiful hike! Bobotov Kuk is what Mount Temple is to Banff and what Pedraforca is to Catalonia – it’s a must-do hike for anyone visiting Durmitor National Park and a symbol of national pride as Montenegro’s “highest” mountain. Highest in
- [Mount Korab](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-korab/) - Radomire, Albania 7 September 2018 Solo At the top of Albania (and Macedonia) Mount Korab, also known as Maja e Korabi in Albanian, is the highest peak in both Albania and Macedonia. It’s a popular destination with lots of hikers coming up from the Macedonian side, but only few people seem to climb
- [Maja e Veles](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/maja-e-veles/) - Lezhe, Albania 31 August 2018 With Andy, Tilo and Wen A barren, shrubby ridge After spending a few days lazying around on the beaches of Shenjin in northern Albania, it was time for another short hike up a small mountain. Tilo, who was travelling with us for a week, didn’t mind a change
- [Hasenmatt](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/hasenmatt/) - Jura Mountains, Switzerland 29 July 2018 With Markus and Wen A beautiful hike in the Jura Mountains A wonderful trip where Wen and I were joined by my dear friend Markus. This was our first time in the Jura Mountains and Markus’s first visit to the highest point of this elongated east-west ridge
- [Mirzah](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/iraq/mirzah/) - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 31 October 2018 Solo A different type of crux: mine fields in Iraq Warning: Landmines and UXO’s are present along the ridge north of Jabal Mirzah, north of the village of Waylahdar. The route from Waylahdar to Mirzah summit is clear, but avoid all other areas along this ridge.
- [Loras Dağı](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/loras-dagi/) - Konya, Turkey 23 November 2018 Solo Erring around in the clouds above Konya Loras Dağı was nothing more than a boring hike – with the exception of a pretty cool large cave that I came across half-way up the mountain. I certainly didn’t have the weather on my side today, thus the low
- [Grauspitz Traverse: Rappenstein, Hochspeler, Plasteikopf, Schwarzhorn, Vorder Grauspitz](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/grauspitz-traverse/) - Steg, Liechtenstein 25 July 2018 Solo A fine ridgewalk to the top of Liechtenstein An absolutely beautiful but rarely done traverse of a series of peaks along two main ridges in the small principality of Liechtenstein. The trip is long and strenuous, but affords fantastic views over large parts (most?) of this tiny
- [Älpeltispitz](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/alpeltispitz/) - Davos area, Switzerland 20 July 2018 Solo A scenic loop far off the crowds It never ceases to surprise me how empty the mountains around Davos can be in the middle of summer. The Älpeltispitz, or simply Älpelti, is a good example of an excellent hike that seems to be completely overlooked by
- [Scalettahorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/scalettahorn/) - Davos, Switzerland 19 July 2018 With Wen A fantastic trip with superb views of multiple glaciers After the demanding scramble along Hoch Ducan’s NE ridge the day before, I was ready for something a bit more relaxing. The Scalettahorn, situated at the end of the Dischma Valley, was the perfect answer. A popular
- [Chüpfenflue](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/chupfenflue/) - Davos, Switzerland 13 July 2018 Solo A rarely-visited but decent scramble close to Davos The unpronouncible Chüpfenflue is an easy to reach peak that is often overlooked in favour of the much more popular Schiahorn next door. While the Schiahorn has a beaten path to the summit, there are only smatterings of
- [Flüela Wisshorn, Muttelhorn & Jörihorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/fluela-wisshorn-muttelhorn-jorihorn/) - Graubünden, Switzerland 27 August 2017 Solo The weather forecast looked variable today with a chance of afternoon rain, so I decided to do something “shorter” along an established trail. The Flüela Wisshorn, also shown as Flüela Weisshorn on some maps, is the lighter coloured sister to the more famous Schwarzhorn (“black horn” in
- [Piz Linard & Piz Glims](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/piz-linard-piz-glims/) - Lower Engadine, Switzerland 14 July 2018 Solo A big mountain that’s easy to underestimate A fantastic outing to one of the area’s highest peaks and hands down one of the most enjoyable outings I’ve had in Switzerland! Piz Linard is the crown of the Lower Engadine. Its massive pyramid-shaped summit mass towers
- [Seehorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/seehorn/) - Davos, Switzerland 12 July 2018 With Wen Beautiful views of Davos Lake The Seehorn forms the last high point of the long ridge that stretches northward from the Flüela Wisshorn and ends at the entrance to the Flüela Valley. This little peak is also one of the landmarks of Davos, with the bizarrely
- [Pischahorn & Isentällispitz](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/pischahorn-isentallispitz/) - Davos, Switzerland 11 July 2018 With Wen Our first outing in Switzerland this year and Wen’s first time ever hiking in the Alps! As with most mountains surrounding the resort town of Davos, the Pischahorn’s trails and slopes are pretty much uncrowded in the summer. Perhaps it’s the town’s reputation as a winter
- [La Serrera](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/la-serrera/) - Pyrenees, Andorra 15 June 2018 Solo Along with Casamanya, La Serrera is probably one of the most popular peaks to climb in all of Andorra. Access is easy via the Ransol valley in the north of the country, near the town of Canillo. There is a tiny parking lot at the end of
- [Coma Pedrosa, Pic de Baiau, Pic del Port Vell & Pic dels Aspres](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/coma-pedrosa-pic-de-baiau-pic-del-port-vell-pic-dels-aspres/) - Pyrenees, Andorra 14 June 2018 With Wen The highlight of our time in Andorra and by far the most memorable trip we had! Not only is Coma Pedrosa the country’s highest mountain, it’s also located in what I think is probably the most scenic part of this tiny principality. We enjoyed splendid bright
- [Puigmal](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/puigmal/) - Pyrenees, Spain 8 June 2018 With Wen Finally we enjoyed a warm, sunny day with blue skies in the Pyrenees! It was about time – almost all of our previous hikes had involved rain or clouds… or even hail (on La Tosa). Puigmal, also called Puigmal d’Err, is one of the more popular
- [Tosa del Braibal](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tosa-del-braibal/) - Pyrenees, Andorra 13 June 2018 With Wen Once again the weather was not looking good today. We were staring at dark clouds moving overhead as we were sitting in our van at the end of the Ransol valley, contemplating our options for today. Duty-free shopping in Andorra’s malls? Definitely not! Two friendly Spanish
- [Pic de la Coma de Varilles](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/pic-de-la-coma-de-varilles/) - Pyrenees, Andorra 12 June 2018 Solo This was a strange trip. The weather forecast had called for sunny, warm weather, yet it turned out to be a nasty day. I had planned to do a traverse along the frontier ridge that separates Andorra from France north of the Ransol valley, but I didn’t
- [Casamanya](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/casamanya/) - Pyrenees, Andorra 11 June 2018 With Wen Great short hike to one of the easiest-to-reach mountain tops in Andorra! Casamanya is perhaps the most popular mountain hike in this little Pyrenean country, and for good reason. It’s easy to get from anywhere in Andorra (well, almost all peaks here are!), there’s a good
- [Puig Peric](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/puig-peric/) - Pyrenees, France 9 June 2018 With Wen Our original objective was Pic Carlit, one of the most popular mountains in the French Pyrenees. The night before our planned ascent we heard several vague stories of people who had required crampons to get up the crux, apparently a steep, iced-up slope just before the
- [La Tosa](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/la-tosa/) - Pyrenees, Spain 7 June 2018 Solo La Tosa is better known for its ski slopes and the restaurant near the top than for its hiking possibilities. The broad, dome-shaped summit is bustling with skiers and snowboarders in the winter months, while in early summer the bare, grassy slopes are pretty much deserted. Once
- [Sobrepuny](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/sobrepuny/) - Pyrenees, France 5 June 2018 With Wen Located near the regional centre of Berga, Sobrepuny is one of those rather obscure little peaks that are not normally on the radar of mountain enthusiasts visiting from afar. We were looking for a nice and easy day hike from our base in the town of
- [Gallina Pelada & Serrat Voltor](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/gallina-pelada-serrat-voltor/) - Pyrenees, Catalonia/Spain 3 June 2018 With Wen After the fantastic scramble up Pedraforca the day before, we wanted to take advantage of the decent weather window (meaning: at least no rain in the forecast!) and go for another hike in this part of the Catalonian Pyrenees near the town of Berga. Berga is
- [Pedraforca](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/pedraforca/) - Pyrenees, Catalonia/Spain 2 June 2018 With Wen Pedraforca is the ultimate scramble in the Pyrenees. This most iconic of Catalan mountains, rivalled perhaps only by Montserrat with its famous monastery, stands out as a single, massive dome whose top is split into two rocky peaks, giving the appearance of a pitchfork (Pedraforca means
- [Puig dels Quatre Termes](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/puig-dels-quatre-termes/) - Pyrenees, France 26 May 2018 With Wen Our second outing in the Pyrenees, again in the fairly gentle Albera Massif of French Catalonia. This time we drove up as high as we could to the small hamlet of Reuse in the Vallée Heureuse (“Happy Valley”), where a decent trail starts up the ridge
- [Puig Neulós](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/puig-neulos/) - Pyrenees, France 25 May 2018 With Wen This is one of the most popular hikes in the eastern Pyrenees of France, the Pyrénées Orientales. What looks like a few gentle hills from a distance actually holds more challenge than you’d think at first: it’s more than 1200 m elevation gain and 18 km
- [Tour de la Massane](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/tour-de-la-massane/) - Pyrenees, France 28 May 2018 With Wen The Massane Tower, or Tour de la Massane in French, is an ancient lookout tower perched high atop a small ridge top overlooking the Mediterranean coast near the French-Spanish border. The structure was built by the kings of Majorca around the 13th century and used as
- [Großer Rachel](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/groser-rachel/) - Bavarian Forest, Germany 26 April 2018 With Wen The Großer Rachel, or simply Rachel, is the third tallest peak in the Bavarian Forest (“Bayerischer Wald” in German). These mellow, undulating hills rise up to a maximum elevation of 1460 m at the Großer Arber, so it’s not exactly true “mountains” that you can
- [Großer Arber](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/groser-arber/) - Bavarian Forest, Germany 27 April 2018 With Wen Nice quick hike to the tallest peak in the Bayerischer Wald, the Bavarian Forest. Plenty of route options exist to reach the summit, of course, but this one is one of the fastest. The parking lot just north of the touristy town of Bodenmais is
- [Gangolfsberg & Heidelstein](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/gangolfsberg-heidelstein/) - Rhön Mountains, Germany 15 April 2018 With Wen Finally another hike after a long break! I mapped out a route with a decent amount of elevation and distance to give us a nice day of exercise in the lovely Rhön Mountains combining the Gangolfsberg with the Heidelstein summits. “Mountains” is a misnomer, of
- [Jakobshorn, Jatzhorn & Tällihorn](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/jakobshorn-jatzhorn-tallihorn/) - Graubünden, Switzerland 29 August 2017 With mum & dad The Jakobshorn is the Hausberg of Davos – the closest hill located right at the doorstep of town and hugely popular with tourists and locals alike. A gondola takes up the hordes in summer to a restaurant complete with viewing platform, and the “adventurous”
- [Corn da Tinizong (Tinzenhorn)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/corn-da-tinizong-tinzenhorn/) - Graubünden, Switzerland 28 August 2017 Solo With its tower-like summit mass flanked on all sides by vertical cliffs and its slender yet jagged appearance, the Corn da Tinizong, or Tinzenhorn in German, is one of the most easily recognizable peaks in eastern Switzerland. It’s been dubbed the “Matterhorn of Graubünden” because of its
- [Schwarzhorn & Piz Radönt](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/schwarzhorn-piz-radont/) - Graubünden, Switzerland 28 August 2017 Solo What a joy! There are many Schwarzhorns in Switzerland (and beyond!), but this popular 3147 m Davos landmark is one of the most frequently hiked 3000ers in the entire country. The Schwarzhorn is also known to offer one of the best sunrise experiences in the Alps, so
- [Sattelhorn to Chüealphorn traverse](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/switzerland/sattelhorn-to-chuealphorn-traverse/) - Graubünden, Switzerland 25 August 2017 Solo Beautiful first hike on my Swiss vacation this year. Started out with my parents from the tiny hamlet of Sand in the Sertig Valley on the broad and comfortable track up the Chüealp Valley. As they continued on the trail further up the valley, I left the
- [Concepción](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/nicaragua/concepcion/) - Ometepe Island, Nicaragua 2 June 2015 With Wen Concepción was our first big hike in Nicaragua, and a very exciting one at that because it goes up to the top of an active volcano! It’s the higher one of the twin volcanos on Ometepe Island, the biggest island in Lake Nicaragua. We had
- [Maderas](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/nicaragua/maderas/) - Ometepe Island, Nicaragua 4 June 2015 With Wen Maderas is the smaller but more popular one of the twin volcanoes that together form Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua. We wanted to see how the two compare, so two days after hiking up Volcán Concepción on the north side, we donned our hiking gear
- [Monte Manecu](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/angola/monte-manecu/) - Serra da Leba, Angola 20 January 2018 With Linu Morro Maluco – Portuguese for “Crazy Mountain”– was my original objective for today. Pictures of the three craggy summit towers surrounded by steep forested slopes had caught my eye, and since I was visiting the nearby city of Lubango in Angola’s south I thought
- [Wasserkuppe](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/germany/wasserkuppe/) - Rhön Mountains, Germany 2 March 2018 Solo The last few weeks had seen a cold spell over much of Germany, with unusually low temperatures in Bavaria thanks to a high-pressure system bringing in chilly air from the Arctic (-7C is considered very cold here!). Taking advantage of the clear skies and sunny weather
- [Mount Temple](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/mount-temple/) - 3 August 2017 With Wen Mount Temple is touted as “the ultimate scramble” in Kane’s Scrambling in the Canadian Rocky Mountains guide book. At 3542 m (official elevation: 3544 m), it’s also the highest in his book of 180+ peaks, and one of the rare 11,000ers (a mountain whose summit elevation is at
- [Morro do Moco & Monte Loizunga](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/angola/morro-do-moco-monte-loizunga/) - Central Highlands, Angola 16 January 2018 Solo Famous for its rich, varied birdlife – that’s pretty much all I knew about Mount Moco, or Morro do Moco as Angola’s highest mountain is called. At an official elevation of 2620 m, it sits right in the middle of the Central Highlands northwest of Angola’s
- [Monte Bonga](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/angola/monte-bonga/) - Central Highlands, Angola 13 January 2018 Solo Monte Bonga is one of the mountains I had looked at on Google Earth before my trip to Angola. It’s clearly recognizable on elevation maps as one of the highest in the Huambo highlands, but as expected I couldn’t find any info whatsoever on how to hike
- [Monte Luvili](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/angola/monte-luvili/) - Central Highlands, Angola 14 + 15 January 2018 Solo Monte Luvili is a relatively small but highly distinctive peak that resembles a shark’s tooth visible from the main highway between Luanda and Huambo, Angola’s biggest cities. As a scrambler, it is impossible not to marvel at the sheer cliffs surrounding the peak as
- [Mount Dungarvan & Cloudy Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-dungarvan-cloudy-ridge/) - 16 June 2017 With Richard What a trip! We had planned to climb Dungarvan only, but then added on Cloudy Ridge “while in the area” since the weather was so poor in the morning and gradually seemed to improve later during the day. After all, this is an area that should be explored
- [Hailstone Butte, Sentinel Peak & Iron Creek Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/hailstone-butte-sentinel-peak-iron-creek-mountain/) - 30 July 2017 With Wen The foothills and front ranges around highway 532 southwest of Longview are full of easy and accessible hiking opportunities, but strangely they do not seem to see that many visitors. In part, this may be due to the longish drive from Calgary (at least 2 hours), or
- [Beehive Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/beehive-mountain/) - 31 July 2017 With Wen Beehive Mountain was a brilliant outing in one of the more remote parts of the Alberta Rockies, but the huge amounts of terribly loose scree on the west slopes were painful. After an easygoing day hike on Hailstone Butte and Sentinel Peak yesterday, we decided to camp
- [Prairie Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/prairie-mountain/) - 5 February 2016 With Priyesh Prairie Mountain is probably the most boring, most unexciting hike I've done in the Rockies - if this even qualifies as being in the Rockies. And it's also one of the closest "mountains" I've ascended near Calgary. Priyesh and I wanted to do something not too energy-consuming as he
- [Kidd South, Mount](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/kidd-south-mount/) - 21 February 2016 With Trevor & Priyesh It’s very rare that you can go deep into Kananaskis in the middle of winter and scramble up a peak without having to worry about too much snow, but this winter was anything but normal. With mild temperatures prevailing for weeks and the avalanche risk forecast to be low,
- [Haffner, Mount](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kootenays/haffner-mount/) - 28 November 2015 With Priyesh, Sarvan, Elias & Wen Canada is one of the few places in the world, in my opinion, where complete strangers can become friends very quickly. And making friends applies especially to the mountains of course, where you depend on one another and where joining forces is often more fun,
- [End Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/end-mountain/) - 4 March 2016 With Priyesh End Mountain has long been on my radar, especially because it's along the line of mountains that I can see from my apartment in Calgary. After completing a thoroughly enjoyable loop to Association Peak with Richard a year ago, I decided that this year I would slog up neighboring End Mountain
- [Pocaterra Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/pocaterra-ridge/) - 2 July 2017 With Nicolas, Stefanie & Wen This is one of my favourite ridge walks in one of the most scenic areas of the Rockies – Highwood Pass in Kananaskis. We picked Pocaterra Ridge for our “Canada Day” hike (though a day late) and it surely didn’t disappoint! Given that it was
- [Mount Lorette & Skogan Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-lorette-skogan-peak/) - 19 June 2017 Solo There is no denying it, the hiker’s/scrambler’s approach up Mount Lorette and its neighbour Skogan Peak is simply a terrible scree slog. While climbers appear to enjoy good, solid rock along Lorette’s south ridge (YDS up to 5.4 and lots of exposure), an easier and certainly much less
- [Carrot Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/carrot-peak/) - 21 August 2016 With Richard After our failed attempt to summit Saddle Peak the day before, Richard and I aimed for the little known “Carrot Peak” on the second day of our weekend camping trip in the Southern Ghost Wilderness area. Carrot Peak is mentioned in David Jones’ new 2015 climbing guidebook “Rockies Central”, but it
- [Stenton Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/stenton-peak/) - 11 May 2016 Solo Stenton Peak is another remote summit in the Fairholme Range north of Canmore that seems to be too far away from the Trans-Canada Highway to make it on the radar of hikers and scramblers. Access is indeed difficult: it involves a 4-5 hour tramp up rubbly creekbeds, then a steep slog up
- [Mount Townsend](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/townsend/) - 25 June 2015 Solo This is a long trip with a lengthy and painful approach that will get you to the summit of a remote and rarely ascended mountain. It takes about 10 km of hiking along Cougar Creek before you actually reach the base of the mountain, and by then you've gained almost
- [Red Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/red-peak/) - 6 June 2017 With Phil “Rubble Peak” is what it should really be called… that’s all I could think of when Phil and I scrabbled up the final gullies and slopes of Red Peak. There is just so much loose rubble here, it has even become the source of several rock glaciers in the basin
- [Mount Bogart](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-bogart/) - 7 September 2017 Solo Two main routes have been established up this mountain. The original route described by Alan Kane that approaches from the east via Ribbon Creek seems to have fallen out of favour in recent years; instead, most people now chose the arguably more scenic west route outlined in Nugara’s More
- [Shams, Jebel](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/oman/shams-jebel/) - 16 December 2015 With Wen What a beautiful hike! This is one of my all-time favourites, even though only very little scrambling is involved and it’s really mostly an extended walk. Ever since planning our Oman trip, Wen and I had firmly set our eyes on conquering Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun) in the Western
- [Lipalian Mountain + Purple Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/banff-lake-louise/lipalian-mountain-purple-peak/) - 16 December 2016 Solo Purple Peak and Lipalian Mountain are a great objective for an easy, stress-free snowshoeing trip in the Lake Louise area. This was my first trip on snowshoes this season and despite bitter cold temperatures (a high of -26°C in the valley!), I was glad I ventured out to check out
- [Mount Remus](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-remus/) - 29 August 2015 With Wen A fantastic adventure with awesome company on a neat little mountain not far from Calgary. We decided at the last minute to get out and do something this Saturday - and it was sooo worth it! Despite a relatively late start at the trailhead (1145 am), we made quick
- [Mount Lougheed I](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-lougheed-i/) - 10 September 2017 With Vern Sometimes the best trips are those you know the least about before you head out. When Vern made the somewhat spontaneous suggestion to ascend Lougheed I, I have to admit I knew precious little about the mountain. I basically had no expectations, and in retrospect this was a
- [Chaffen Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/chaffen-peak/) - 30 July 2016 With Richard For an easy hike in a relatively unknown and uncrowded area, Chaffen Peak is perfect. There is no scrambling at all, but the hike will still make you sweat with over 1000 metres elevation gain and more than 18 km to overcome. For Richard, it was a good introduction to this
- [Mount Erris](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-erris/) - 20 July 2016 Solo Mount Erris had several surprises in store for me. This was my first time in the Dutch Creek area north of Crowsnest and I found the landscape here to be absolutely stunning. Of course it didn’t hurt that the weather was in my favour with gorgeous blue-bird sunny skies all
- [Rogan Peak & Lakeview Ridge](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/waterton/rogan-peak-lakeview-ridge/) - 26 May 2017 With Phil Situated between its more well-known neighbors Mount Galwey and Mount Dungarvan, Rogan Peak is an excellent Front Range outing that can be reached in a straightforward hike from Horseshoe Basin Trail. Lakeview Ridge is right along the approach, so naturally Phil and I decided to include the ridge
- [South Ghost Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/south-ghost-peak/) - 31 August 2013 Solo After scoping out a route to “Cross Peak” the week before on an unsuccessful attempt to make it all the way to South Ghost Peak, I returned to continue my exploratory tour – but this time with a 6 am start to leave me with plenty of time to complete
- [Association Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/association-peak/) - 1 March 2015 With Richard Once seen as a rather obscure and out-of-the-way minor summit, Association Peak has been getting more and more popular over the last few years and is now frequently combined with a traverse over to End Mountain. Richard and I were looking for a good winter scramble, and as
- [Orient Point](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/orient-point/) - 28 May 2017 With Phil Orient Point has been the most enjoyable scramble for me this year. Unlike neighboring Saddle Peak, this Front Range peak is a thoroughly pleasant affair that to me stands out with its variety of terrain and challenges along the way. It can also be easily done as a day trip
- [Windsor Mountain (with Castle Peak)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/windsor-mountain-with-castle-peak/) - 2 June 2017 With Richard A few weeks after hiking up Whistler Mountain in the Castle area, Richard and I decided to pay this beautiful area another visit. Large parts of the Castle were officially designated a Provincial Park in February 2017, which brings it in line with the same level of environmental protection
- [Whistler Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/whistler-mountain/) - 10 May 2017 With Wen This is one of my favourite easy hikes in the Castle area so far! There was still quite a bit of snow on most other peaks in the area, so we decided to go for a lower-elevation objective to make sure we would avoid any potential postholing problems (like the
- [Olivees Mountain (St. Kitts)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/olivees-mountain-st-kitts/) - 28 April 2017 With Wen Despite being the third highest peak on St Kitts, Olivees Mountain (also sometimes erroneously spelled “Oliver” or “Olivier”) does not appear to be a destination for peakbaggers and we found almost no information on the mountain when we did some research for our second climb on the island. The peak
- [Nevis Peak (Nevis)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/nevis-peak-nevis/) - 23 April 2017 With Wen Nevis Peak was such a delightful hike! It was our first proper jungle experience during our vacation and we were both glad we took the challenge and braced all the slippery mud, rocks and roots that come with it. Without a GPS track we were at first a bit concerned
- [Mount Liamuiga (St. Kitts)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/mount-liamuiga/) - 26 April 2017 With Wen Mount Liamuiga (pronounced lie-ah-MEE-gah) is a dormant stratovolcano that rises 1163 m above sea-level, the highest point in the small Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts & Nevis. There is a well-established route that goes up the west side of the mountain, but that path only reaches the rim of the crater
- [Paradise Peak (St. Martin)](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/paradise-peak-st-martin/) - 10 April 2017 With Wen Paradise Peak, or Pic Paradis as it’s locally called, is the highest point of the Caribbean island of St. Martin and located near its geographic centre on the French side of the island. We picked it as our first mountain hike during our Caribbean vacation – although frankly, this
- [Ship's Prow Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/ships-prow-mountain/) - 1 April 2017 With Phil This is probably one of the least “efficient” trips I’ve done in a long time – the ratio of effort to achievement was just too skewed on this one! If it wasn’t for Phil, who joined me on this unexpectedly strenuous outing, it would’ve been way worse and
- [Mount Charles Stewart & Buffalo Point](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/mount-charles-stewart-buffalo-point/) - 2 August 2014 With Richard There are several things that puzzled me about Mount Charles Stewart. One is that no one ever seems to bother ascending this peak, despite being one of the highest mountains in close proximity to Canmore. The other one is the strange rumour I heard of people flying in by
- [Old Baldy Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/old-baldy-mountain/) - 18 May 2015 With Wen So much bushwhacking! We really didn't expect to be fighting the shrubs and trees so much on this trip, but this is what happens when you miss the right trail at the beginning. The day started with a rather unfriendly encounter: after leaving the parking lot at Boundary
- [Heart Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/heart-mountain/) - 3 December 2016 With Trevor, Richard, Angie All of us had done the classic Heart Mountain scramble before, but for some reason Richard and I had never actually hiked the entire loop that is described in Daffern’s Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Vol. 1. Trevor and Angie remembered the route as an enjoyable outing
- [Fairholme Range](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/fairholme-range/) - The Fairholme Range extends over the area north of Canmore to Lake Minnewanka, with its corner points defined by Mount Inglismaldie in the west, Mount Yamnuska in the SE and End Mountain in the NE. It includes such famous and popular mountains as Grotto Mountain and Mount Lady MacDonald. But beyond these well-known peaks, the
- [East End of Rundle](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/east-end-of-rundle/) - 25 January 2015 With Richard, Trevor and Wen This was my second time up East End of Rundle (EEOR). Trevor had done it probably at least 10 times before; I think this must be his favourite “repeat” trip. Only Richard and Wen had never been up this mountain, if you can call it a “mountain” that
- [Cross Hill + Sisters Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/ascension-island/cross-hill-sisters-peak/) - 29 December 2014 With Tilo It’s questionable if Cross Hill and Sisters Peak qualified as “mountains” if they were located anywhere else, but on Ascension Island they certainly do. The island is so small and isolated that anything sticking out a few hundred metres above sea-level feels and looks like a mountain here! If done in
- [Pigeon Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/pigeon-mountain/) - 19 June 2016 With Wen We had been ignoring tame-sounding Pigeon Mountain for a long time, but we shouldn’t have! It is indeed a very pleasant hike that offers wonderful views of Mount Lougheed, Wind Ridge and Mount McGillivray, to name but a few. Moreover, it can still make you sweat with over 1100 m
- [Moose Mountain](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/moose-mountain/) - 15 May 2016 With Wen Wen and I were looking for something easy, relatively short, and that doesn’t require us to drive for hours to get to. Moose Mountain was the perfect candidate. It’s a straightforward hike in the Foothills just under an hour’s drive away from Calgary. At 2437 m (official elevation; my GPS
- [Hood, Mount](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/mount-hood/) - 30 September 2015 Solo Mount Hood seems to be one of the least popular scrambles in the Kananaskis area, perhaps the entire Rockies. Why? I don’t know. I thought this was a brilliant outing, despite very rubbly and loose rock in the ascent gully. There aren’t many trip reports to be found online –
- [Tower, The](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/tower-the/) - 12 September 2015 With Wenshuang This mountain will be remembered for mostly two things: 1. the beautifully scenic upper valley around Rummel Lake and two other pretty little lakes, complete with grizzly bear, and 2. very loose and miserable scrambling on the steep slopes leading up to the summit of The Tower. The confusing description lacking
- [Richards, Mount](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/waterton/richards-mount/) - 3 July 2016 With Trevor Mount Richards is probably my favourite scramble in Waterton to date. Trevor and I were going to do the Hawkins Horseshoe loop, but Akamina Parkway was unexpectedly closed to traffic so after going through some maps in an outdoor store in town we spontaneously changed our objective to Mount Richards. Stupidly,
- [Commonwealth Peak](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/commonwealth-peak/) - 20 July 2014 With Serge This was only the second time that Serge joined me on one of my mountain adventures (and it’s hopefully not the last!). On a short visit from Edmonton, he wanted to spend the weekend relaxing but also fancied a hike of some sort. So we decided - after much debate
- [Kananaskis](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kananaskis/) - A veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts from Calgary and beyond. Many guidebooks have been written about this area. But, amazingly, there are still opportunities to explore and climb unknown/undocumented peaks. This is one of my favourite areas to visit for a good scramble. Short or long, easy or hard - this area has it all.
- [Waterton](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/waterton/) - Waterton National Park is one of my favourite areas in the Canadian Rockies. It's less crowded than Banff or Kananaskis, but offers just as many beautiful opportunities for hiking and scrambling. The mountains aren't quite as high here but they tend to be more colourful than elsewhere. This is all because the rock is different (and
- [Livingstone Range](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/livingstone-range/) - The Livingstone Range, relatively unknown among scramblers and hikers, is an arrow-straight mountain ridge that starts south of Kananaskis and ends in the Crowsnest area of southern Alberta. Due to its location at the eastern edge of the Front Ranges, the area typically enjoys milder winter temperatures than most other regions of the Rockies. It is
- [Kootenays](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/kootenays/) - The area along Highway 93 in British Columbia, south of the Trans-Canada Highway, offers a fantastic array of hiking and scrambling opportunities on all types of mountains high and low. There are giants like the mighty Mount Ball that takes a good 14 hours return to conquer, or the compact Vermilion Peak that's mostly a
- [INTERNATIONAL](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/international/) - Travelling the world is my other big passion. There are a few places where I was lucky enough to be able to scale a mountain or two, and some of these trips are documented here. Although most are hikes and involve little or no scrambling, they stand out to me because of the different climates
- [Contact](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/contact/) - If you would like to get in touch with feedback (good or bad!), have comments/questions on specific routes, or if you just want to say hi please use the form below. I look forward to hearing from you!
- [CANADA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/canada/) - Canada, my current home, is also home to some of the most spectacular mountains on Earth - the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Opportunities for hiking, scrambling, rock/ice climbing, backpacking and exploring unchartered territory are endless. And if you're lucky to live in the middle of it all, or at least close by (like I do), then the

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- [IRAQ](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/iraq/)
- [TURKEY](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/turkey/)
- [GEORGIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/georgia/)
- [KOSOVO](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/kosovo/)
- [MONTENEGRO](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/montenegro/)
- [SAN MARINO](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/san-marino/)
- [ALBANIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/albania/)
- [AUSTRIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/austria/)
- [LIECHTENSTEIN](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/liechtenstein/)
- [SAUDI ARABIA](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/saudi-arabia/)
- [Rakayib](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/rakayib/)
- [Kananaskis South](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/kananaskis-south/)
- [Calgary Foothills](https://www.spectacularmountains.com/media_category/calgary-foothills/)