Mount Cory – Canadian Rockies July 12/01
Cory's summit, stay on the ridge, I went to the right and struggled with loose stuff
When Ann and I did this easy scramble we had originally thought to do Cascade, but a summit cloud in the morning made me suggest a switch to sunnier Cory.
Ann agreed.
As it turned out, Cascade would have been just fine anyway. But it didn’t matter, Ann and I returned a few weeks later and bagged Cascade. The first couple of thousand feet are the hardest; the grade is steep but never loose and a trail shows the way. You top out at a beautiful little plateau, with wild flowers and a view north to the Lake Louise group and nearby Cockscomb Mountain.
The Bow Valley and Lake Louise. This is the summit with Ann sitting having a rest.
After that the route gets more interesting. Very enjoyable terrain over a series of small rises with small bouts of hands on scrambling. A thunder cloud went to the south but never threatened the north side of the valley. Mount Cory seems to be protected by the Massive Range to the west and the Bow Valley also helps open up the clouds.
On the way down we tried going into a talus gully to the right of the main path, looking for loose limestone debris to soften the tedious down hike. This was fine, easier on the limbs but a lot dustier.
Near the bottom, the afternoon summer heat was very fine. Ann and I were bushed but content I think, after over eight hours on the mountain. All in all a fantastic day.Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars may never reach me anymore.
William Cowper
Mount Cory Gallery
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- The plateau and Cockscomb Mountain.
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- Ann took this photo of me with the Trans Canada Highway below.
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- The Bow Valley and Lake Louise. This is the summit with Ann sitting having a rest.
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- Cory’s summit, stay on the ridge, I went to the right and struggled with loose stuff
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- Mount Cory from the highway The route goes up the rib on the right
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- The summit cairn on Mount Cory. Pilot Mountain, I think, is in the background.
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- The three summits of Mt. Edith in the foreground, Mt. Norquay and finally Cascade Mountain. Inglismalde in the distance.
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- South; the cloud is just on its way in, or way out, I can’t remember, but I want to.
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- Panorama of Mt Cory and the Bow Valley with Banff town site on the right. The summit of Mt. Cory is the shaded peak on the left and the plateau is just above the happy face. The accent ridge marked with an arrow.
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