Father / Son Adventure: Winter Ascent of Heart Mtn.

[TreeGuy]

Hey folks. I've been really enjoying everyone's pics posted recently and thought I'd continue the trend.


We took advantage of the recent long weekend. It kicked off with a great little family trip / Hike to Banff. On Monday my son and I decided to take a scramble up Heart Mountain just east of Canmore.


I had been up there a few times in the past, but a decade or so has gone by since the last trip. I recalled it as easy, although relentless. We'd skirt up the west side, avoid the cliffs, make the south ridge and top out from there. This time I was pretty stubborn about keeping on the trail and following the sole set of fresh tracks that were apparent. This led us on a far more 'interesting' route. Steep and no shortage of having to use your hands to climb up the different bands of limestone.

My son is 12, and handled it amazingly. He is now 2-0 in the peaks. Very, very proud of him! Heart give you an elevation gain of just under 900m, ~6km return trip and is considered on the lower end of moderate in the scrambling world. Being winter just throws an entire different element into it, and we finished our mission in just under 5 hours which is a decent time in the summer.

At any rate, enjoy the pics folks, I've also put together a short video which is not without some comical moments and great scenery.

Tree


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiiZSrs4OOg


Info On Heart Mtn:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CF4QFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.summitpost.org%2Fheart-mountain%2F151793&ei=_2gJU7OqM4GCogTzu4L4AQ&usg=AFQjCNGiJ5asIjRvyEqzGLn9O-yecbpK6g&sig2=sg66ayWdlfY6gmnj1lZCgQ&bvm=bv.61725948,d.cGU








http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/073_zps217a919d.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/073_zps217a919d.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/081_zps606a0801.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/081_zps606a0801.jpg.html)



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/087_zps066068bc.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/087_zps066068bc.jpg.html)



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/092_zps365c25a8.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/092_zps365c25a8.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/088_zpsb940de5a.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/088_zpsb940de5a.jpg.html)



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/079_zpsaa4330e9.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/079_zpsaa4330e9.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/100_zps99c9f189.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/100_zps99c9f189.jpg.html)





http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/103_zpsc413a6c8.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/103_zpsc413a6c8.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/104_zps8c3a81c3.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/104_zps8c3a81c3.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/109_zps3f2a4638.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/109_zps3f2a4638.jpg.html)

[thegunman]

Great pics!! That's a good climb. I did it in the summer last year. It's a nice spot!

[TreeGuy]

To the top.....






http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/111_zpsd32723f5.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/111_zpsd32723f5.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/113_zps9b5e352a.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/113_zps9b5e352a.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/114_zps639b6ce3.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/114_zps639b6ce3.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/119_zpsf7a568af.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/119_zpsf7a568af.jpg.html)



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/123_zps957f5192.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/123_zps957f5192.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/124_zps12ab497d.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/124_zps12ab497d.jpg.html)



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/137_zps39d9761c.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/137_zps39d9761c.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/135_zpsf10cf110.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/135_zpsf10cf110.jpg.html)




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s213/TreeGuy22/Heart%20Mtn%2014/130_zps367c36b2.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/TreeGuy22/media/Heart%20Mtn%2014/130_zps367c36b2.jpg.html)

[twofifty]

Beautiful hike. Is that Yam out on its own in the shot looking out onto the foothills/prairie?

12 year olds don't learn to enjoy a hike like this overnight - nice job.

[Kanonfodder]

Nice pics Tree I'm tired from all those hike pics and mountain air.....I need a nap. Lol

[roper1]

Very nice. Pretty cool to get the young fella out there.

[TreeGuy]

Yes, that is Yamnuska. It was actually our very first climb together. Here's the thread if you're interested. :)

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=180991



Kannon. I'm tired too buddy. Partially separated my shoulder two days after then spent the day quadding with the boys yesterday! Dumb but worth it. :lol:

[twofifty]

Checked it out. That steep loose rock is hardcore!

I've got some good summit pics too, with my own, but
they're Kodachrome. ;)

[ice]

Ive never done anything like that yet, but i plan to soon.
Looks like you guys had a great time!
Thanks for sharing!

[blackmamba]

beautiful pics tree .. I love that hike and its good place to take the family .. you guys see any critters ??

[Dacotensis]

Nice pictures tree.
As if you need an excuse to try out the new camera.


Where you been mamba?

[gramps73]

Nice pictures Tree...
Memories like that will last a life time
Thanks for sharing

[brslk]

Nice pictures Tree...
Memories like that will last a life time
Thanks for sharing

Very nice pics and looks like a good time was had by all.
Thanks for sharing!

[TreeGuy]

Thanks guys.

Dac, pics are from my Sony point 'n shoot. The DLSR stayed home this run. Needed to keep the weight / bulk down in order to pack a beer up. It was pretty friggin' good too! :lol:



'Mamba. Only critters seen were a bald eagle circling the peak at about the halfway point. It came back for a fly-by once we were on top, soon followed by a pair of ravens. Pretty cool moment honestly if one has an appreciation for native beliefs. There were about a half dozen sheep tracks overlaying ours on the way down, but they were on the run.....probably due to the 4 sets of wolf tracks on top of theirs.

As a side note, I'm tentatively considering pulling my 410 tag in '16, so these trips are as much about sherpa training as they are bonding. :lol:

[CheeseBurger]

Great video, Tree! Thanks for posting and inspiring!

[Albertadiver]

Thx Tree. These are the threads that should go to six or seven pages instead of some of the other ones that we see here.

Thanks for sharing! I've never done heart mountain. May just have to drag my rear end up there.

[adogwiththumbs]

Great video, Tree! Thanks for posting and inspiring!

X2

[Mekanik]

Thx Tree. These are the threads that should go to six or seven pages instead of some of the other ones that we see here.

Thanks for sharing! I've never done heart mountain. May just have to drag my rear end up there.

X2

Awesome job tree. Thanks for sharing thoroughly too.

Gives me ideas of where to go myself.

[dodger]

Why would you post pics of this nature?? I'm all dizzy and sh$% now.

Dodger.

[fish gunner]

Great thread dad , first acent for the wee man ? Life memory. Thanks for sharing the great views.

[leeaspell]

Pretty cool pics, like to do it one day. But I got a question, why does it seem to be very little snow? I have more snow in my backyard than what seems to be there.

[220swifty]

I'm looking forward to the day my little girl can do this with me, and so is she.

[CaberTosser]

That there's some stuff he'll remember forever. In short order you'll be hard pressed to keep up with him (if that's not already the case :lol:)

[Heavy K]

I'm sure Treeguy is just makin' sure there's someone to break trail for him a few years down the road. Looks like he's got a fine young mountaineer in the making there!

Pretty cool pics, like to do it one day. But I got a question, why does it seem to be very little snow? I have more snow in my backyard than what seems to be there.

Not all that unusual for the Exshaw area. What does fall tends to get blown to Saskatchewan. It's as good a place as any to go for a midwinter bootstomp.

HK

[TreeGuy]

I'm looking forward to the day my little girl can do this with me, and so is she.

When that day comes, Swifty, let me know. The door is open and I'd be more than happy to host and take y'all for a trip. My treat. :)

[Lefty-Canuck]

Not sure how I managed to miss this one. Looks like one heck of an adventure and some great pics guys!

LC

[Ryry4]

Nice. Looks like a great time out with your son.

[Lone_Wolf]

Awesome pictures. Looks like a great father/son adventure!

Makes me want to go do some climbing. I have only been on top of one mountain and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

[diamonddave]

Nice pics Tree, I can not believe how little snow you guys are into! If you tried that around here you would need a chopper to get to the top!!

[Steven Noel]

Thanks for posting, Tree. Looks like a solid climb with a great front-range view. I'm sure your boy loved every minute.

Two Feet and a Heartbeat

Steven

[bagwan]

Great pics. They leave home all too soon but memories and good times are forever.

[DarkAisling]

Thank you for sharing this!

[just_dave]

What a Champ!

He's a good kid for bringing his Dad into the outdoors. :)

[hayseed]

Good stuff bud, and the young man looks like he has the character and strength of the the old man...

Thx for sharin Tree!!

[ÜberFly]

Nice work!

Curious, were you wearing a helmet also modelling good behaviour ?!

[greylynx]

Treeguy:

When you are 86 and he still spends a lot of time caring for you, you will know why.:)

[mudbug]

So where are you two kids headed off to next for an adventure? :)

[dumoulin]

That's pretty cool. You're a great dad. Keep it up, man!!!

[bhguy]

Inspired as a dad !! Thanks for posting

[Reeves1]

Treeguy:

When you are 86 and he still spends a lot of time caring for you, you will know why.:)


:happy0034:

Cool you are teaching your boy the good stuff !
High places stick with a person for life !

Sorry for not posting sooner......limited on line time.

[brownbomber]

I thought I already posted on this thread but I guess I didn't, anyway very cool trip it looks like. Thanks for sharing such great moments with us tree.

[DeNomad]

Great job TreeGuy! Memories like that stick with a kid. I know they did with me! I'm around 40 peaks now.

[Zip]

What a great way to spend time with the young one...must have been a good day for the both of you judging by the pics. We never lived close enough to any mountains when we were growing up so never had the opportunity to enjoy such a day as you have..I'm even kinda jealous...but mostly happy for the two of you..Thanks so much for posting the pics,the country you were in looks amazing and fun to be in.

[Scotty P.]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing Treeguy!

[odsixer]

Awesome pics!!, very inspiring. Mine are 6 and 3, short hikes for now:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x271/odsixer/Andershike_zps401661e1.jpg (http://s181.photobucket.com/user/odsixer/media/Andershike_zps401661e1.jpg.html)

Can't wait to do some scrambles with them.

[TreeGuy]

Cute pic, Odsixer. Thanks for sharing it. :)

I had my two 'Shrubs' sitting in a ground blind with me around that age. A quality product and good planning WILL result in good times.


Next adventure is on hold until hockey season finally plays itself out, but Chinaman's Peak is at the top of the list at this point. I'll try to be a little more organized next time and if anyone is interested in coming along on a fairly easy day trip you are more than welcomed. :)

[blackpheasant]

Time goes by quickly, they grow up so fast its crazy, mine are growin up and have left the nest :sad0020: miss the days where we could just pack up and do an adventure, we don't do it as much these days

Thanks for posting

[odsixer]

Cute pic, Odsixer. Thanks for sharing it. :)

I had my two 'Shrubs' sitting in a ground blind with me around that age. A quality product and good planning WILL result in good times.


Next adventure is on hold until hockey season finally plays itself out, but Chinaman's Peak is at the top of the list at this point. I'll try to be a little more organized next time and if anyone is interested in coming along on a fairly easy day trip you are more than welcomed. :)

My daughter will be 7, she could probably manage chinaman's this year, as I remember its pretty relaxed. We did the hike over Grassi lakes last year, which is another good one.

[Cowtown guy]

Great day Tree.

[edmontonlady]

Tree these are some beautiful photos. Little man looks like hI had fun and was a good sport for posing for dad. Beautiful scenery !!

If you do plan your next trip, please post when and where as i would be interested.

Thanks for posting!!