Arras Peak, Vimy Ridge and Crypt Peak - Waterton Lakes National Park - Alberta, Canada скачать в хорошем качестве

Arras Peak, Vimy Ridge and Crypt Peak - Waterton Lakes National Park - Alberta, Canada

2023-08-05 - one of the most iconic hikes in the Canadian Rockies, if not North America, is the Crypt Lake Trail. A few years ago it was heralded as one of the Top 19 thrilling hikes in the world by National Geographic! It begins with a boat ride from the townsite across Upper Waterton Lake and then a hike up forest, waterfalls, an exposed trail complete with a natural tunnel and ending at a pristine alpine lake. Along the way hikers are surrounded by no less than 6 peaks, 4 with official names and 2 with unofficial designations. On the left are Vimy Peak (Blackfoot: Sáíkímao’pii or 'One Who Sits Across The Water'), a high point of Vimy Ridge known unofficially as "Arras Peak", and the geologic apex of Vimy Ridge. At the centre is unofficially named "Crypt Peak", a beautiful red argillite summit and on the right are Wilson Ridge and Mt. Boswell. I've been on the Crypt Lake Hike a few times and, on two occasions, also summited "Arras Peak" and the apex of Vimy Ridge but I had never attempted "Crypt Peak". After reading a few online positive accounts of other scramblers' trips up this peak I decided to give it a go. I knew beforehand that there was no way I was going to be able to hike the trail and bag all 3 summits in time to get the shuttle as the last return trip is at 5:30 PM. This didn't pose a problem as I have a kayak and the weather that day called for calm on the notoriously windy lake. So, I set out on a brisk morning. Rather than beach the kayak at Crypt Landing (where the shuttle drops off hikers) I started at the outlet for Hell-Roaring Creek and the lower falls of Hell-Roaring Falls. This spot receives few visitors and is one of the best little gems in the park. After stashing the kayak and making my way to the lower falls I changed into my hiking/scrambling gear and bashed my way up to the human trail. There is a trail that diverts hikers with more energy than their counterparts to an overlook of the upper falls of Hell-Roaring Falls. This trail leads to the overlook and then back to the main trail. Once on the main trail I was soon surrounded by the group of hikers that had taken the shuttle. I left the main trail at the old Crypt Lake Campground. I headed right into the bush and up the slope of Vimy Ridge. It is slog up the slope but before long I was on the official high point of Vimy Ridge known as "Arras Peak". The peak is named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a famous World War I engagement (1917) in France where Canadian forces made a historic victory. Arras is the town closest to the site of the battle. Despite this being the official high point scramblers have noted that a much more prominent high point to the south is actually the true high point, geologically speaking. This point looks like a giant pyramid and can be seen from afar whereas "Arras Peak" just kind of blends in with the rest of the ridge. So, these scramblers started to refer to that point as Vimy Ridge instead. In my opinion these scramblers should have just called the pyramid high point "Arras Peak" and left the official ridge name alone. But, last I checked, no one cares about my opinion. haha. In order to avoid confusion, I've called them by the names that most people know them. There is some Class 3 scrambling up to the apex of Vimy Ridge but nothing that is too exposed. There is a very sketchy cockscomb ridge that leads from the apex over to Sofa Mountain (Blackfoot: Istiikoiistakoo or 'Slide Out Mountain') and I did attempt that a few years ago before giving up and descending to a basin before ascending to Sofa. From the apex it's an easy scramble to the base of the not-easy-at-all scramble up "Crypt Peak". This last peak is not for the faint of heart (Class 4). There is exposure and the rock is loose. It was right at the edge of my comfort level but I was heartened by the well-placed cairns that steered me in the right direction. The views from "Crypt Peak" are outstanding in all directions with lakes and high peaks aplenty. Some scramblers continue a loop from here to Wilson Ridge and then Mt. Boswell. However, this is a violation of US law and isn't recommended. I had done this once before when coming off of Mt. Richards but noted that during the pandemic US authorities pulled up all the bridges on this trail. I've wondered if perhaps my fellow encroaching scramblers contributed to this decision. So, instead I headed very carefully down the way I had come and then to Crypt Lake. After getting to the lake I made my way on the main trail back to my kayak and paddled back to the townsite. References: https://www.spectacularmountains.com/... https://anugara.net/cryptpeak2.html https://www.explor8ion.com/2022/07/01... Videos:    • Vimy Peak-Arras Peak-GR939323(Vimy Ridge)-...      • Crypt Circuit (Boswell, Wilson, Crypt, Vim...   Music: "Land of the Living" by Roo Panes " Lend Me a Hand" by Teodor Holmqvist "Here We Go" by WiL