play Up One Level not an important image Scrambling Photos from Mount Stelfox South PeakApril 26, 2008


The approach to the South Peak of Mount Stelfox is the same as the approach for Coral Ridge described in "The David Thompson Highway: A Hiking Guide". Park at the Coral Creek Parking Area on the North side of the highway 47 Km West of Nordegg just past the David Thompson Resort. Follow the trail around to the West side of Mount Stelfox and diverge from the trail into the bushes where mentioned in the hiking guide for Coral Ridge. Approach through the forest following the directions in the hiking guide. When possible head for the gully between Coral Ridge and Mount Stelfox. Once there continue on until you see an easy scree slope up the South Peak of Mount Stelfox. No hands on is required unless you decide to ascend via the ridge on the left side of the gully which is intermediate/advanced scrambling.
I ascended via the ridge which required a lot of hands on scrambling. Not knowing about the easy scree slope I went on through some interesting scrambling/mountaineering. This being a very early season trip the snow was still plentiful in a lot of places. The views were spectacular. On the way down I chose the scree/snow slope. The snow was shallow enough that avalanche hazard wasn't a concern. On the return I decided to ascend Coral Ridge as well since I had extra time left over. On return through the forest I came upon some really crappy snow on a North facing section that made me wish I had brought snowshoes.

Click on the play button in the top left to start the slideshow or click on any picture to enlarge it. Use the icons on the top left to navigate.


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Part of Coral Ridge on the far South end of Mount Stelfox.
Part of Coral Ridge on the ...
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Sentinel Mountain from the approach trail.
Sentinel Mountain from the ...
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Sentinel Mountain again.
Sentinel Mountain again.
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Not sure what this climb is called. I assume it is part of the Cline River Gallery. It is located in the Coral Creek Canyon on the West side of Mount Stelfox.
Not sure what this climb is ...
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An unnamed peak to the West of Mount Stelfox.
An unnamed peak to the West ...
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Coral Canyon.
Coral Canyon.
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Coral Creek just before it enters Coral Canyon.
Coral Creek just before it ...
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Two O'Clock Ridge to the South.
Two O'Clock Ridge to the ...
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Looking South West. Mount Cline on the right with Purple Mountain in front of it left. Lion Peak is the distant peak in the center. The peak on the left is unnamed.
Looking South West. Mount ...
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Heading up an intermediate/advanced scramble route up to the South Peak of Mount Stelfox. There is an easy scree slope I descended on the way down that could be used for ascent.
Heading up an ...
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False peak on Mount Stelfox.
False peak on Mount Stelfox.
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Hiking along some deep snow near the summit of the South Peak.
Hiking along some deep snow ...
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In places there were some pretty deep cornices.
In places there were some ...
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Looking South to Elliot Peak and Sentinel Mountain from the summit of the South Peak.
Looking South to Elliot Peak ...
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Looking down to Coral Ridge.
Looking down to Coral Ridge.
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Yours truly on the summit.
Yours truly on the summit.
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Yours truly again on the summit.
Yours truly again on the ...
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I liked Elliot Peak so much I took another shot.
I liked Elliot Peak so much I ...
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Zoomed in looking at Mount Mumford to the South East.
Zoomed in looking at Mount ...
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Zoomed in looking at Mount William Booth to the South East.
Zoomed in looking at Mount ...
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Mount Michener above Abraham Lake to the East.
Mount Michener above Abraham ...
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Zoomed in looking at Allstones Peak.
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Zoomed in looking at Gruff Peak and Christen Peak to the South West.
Zoomed in looking at Gruff ...
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Zoomed in looking at Mount Cline to the South West. Lion Peak on the left. Purple Mountain on the left in front.
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Unnamed Peaks on the next ridge to the West.
Unnamed Peaks on the next ...
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Minster Mountain
Minster Mountain
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The long ridge and true summit of Mount Stelfox to the North.
The long ridge and true ...
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A full panorama from the summit of the South Peak of Mount Stelfox.
A full panorama from the ...
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Looking North East to Allstones Peak in the center and Abraham Mountain on the right. Vision Quest Ridge is in front.
Looking North East to ...
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Looking North East to Windy Point Ridge. Talus Mountain on the left. The Buckle and Lookout Peak on the right. In the distance is Shunda Mountain on the left and Coliseum Mountain right of center.
Looking North East to Windy ...
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Cline Fire Lookout to the South East.
Cline Fire Lookout to the ...
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Descending the scree to the col between Coral Ridge and the South Peak of Mount Stelfox.
Descending the scree to the ...
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Looking back West along the summit plateau.
Looking back West along the ...
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Looking down over the East Face of Mount Stelfox to Whitegoat Lakes and the David Thompson Resort.
Looking down over the East ...
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Looking back up the scree slope to the summit block.
Looking back up the scree ...
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Heading down. Coral Ridge below.
Heading down. Coral Ridge ...
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Looking back up the scree slope.
Looking back up the scree ...
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The long scree route up to the South Peak of Mount Stelfox.
The long scree route up to ...
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Coral Ridge from the col between Coral Ridge and the South Peak of Mount Stelfox.
Coral Ridge from the col ...
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Whitegoat Lakes below Coral Ridge.
Whitegoat Lakes below Coral ...
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Mount Michener to the East of Coral Ridge.
Mount Michener to the East of ...
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Hiking along the deep snow along Coral Ridge.
Hiking along the deep snow ...
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The South Summit of Mount Stelfox from Coral Ridge.
The South Summit of Mount ...
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Zoomed in looking at Ex Coelis to the South.
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Looking South East to Mount William Booth.
Looking South East to Mount ...
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A panorama from Coral Ridge.
A panorama from Coral Ridge.
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Elliot Peak to the South of Coral Ridge.
Elliot Peak to the South of ...
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Looking down to the Cline River Outlet.
Looking down to the Cline ...
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Looking back to Coral Ridge on descent.
Looking back to Coral Ridge ...
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Elliot Peak on the left and Sentinel Mountain on the right.
Elliot Peak on the left and ...
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Looking back up Coral Ridge before I entered terribly weak snow in the forest on descent.
Looking back up Coral Ridge ...

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