If you haven’t heard of Type II fun, a quick google search will tell you it’s the type of fun that “is miserable while it’s happening, but fun in retrospect.” The effort in getting to and from the peak of Mt. Ascension in April 2020 certainly had its Type II moments, but the moment of summit was truly remarkable and made the 17 mile, and over 5,000 feet elevation gain day totally worth it.
A late start on a Friday night found us hiking 2.5 miles uphill to Dale Clemens Cabin past midnight, in the dark, bear spray in hand, camping pack on back and backcountry pack and equipment on front, and post-holing.
Our efforts were not in vain, however, as Saturday morning yielded blue bird skies and sunshine soaking the surrounding mountains.
We set out from the cabin on our backcountry skis with the goal to summit the 5,710 ft. Mt. Ascension looming behind Lost Lake. The intent was to cross the ravine and head straight towards the base. From a higher vantage point, we quickly realized crossing the ravine was not feasible and our expectations of summiting quickly sank.
We leisurely continued, enjoying the sun warmth, until our hopes were reignited by the sight of snowmachine tracks on a bluff above Lost Lake that wrapped around the mountain and led to the base of Mt. Ascension.
In the full afternoon heat by this point, we tracked on, choosing to continue at each decision point, until we found ourselves at the base.
After assessing the snowpack and terrain, we decided it was safe enough. We began the climb, which only got steeper, and noted in retrospect that bootpacking might have been the better option. The snow layers felt uniform and stable as we periodically poked our poles into the corn-like stuff on the ascent. I kept my distance behind Vince nonetheless, and little surface pieces of snow tumbled my direction as we passed each other going opposite directions of the switchbacks. Fortunately, the ski skins held on to the snow well and we continued zigzagging up. Within 100 feet of the peak, we took our skis off and hiked the remaining ways to our goal.
We crested over the top of the peak, double checked that we were not standing on an unbeknownst cornice, and then took a moment to absorb the views around us.
Words or pictures cannot do justice; the views overlooking the Harding Icefield, Bear Lake, Kenai Lake, Lost Lake, and snow-capped surrounding mountains in the evening rays was breathtaking. A craggy, vertical, cornice topped cliff was to our right and a deep valley below all the magnificent mountains to our left. In front of us was a sheer drop, and behind us the 5,710 feet we ascended to this point. Needless to say, the spring skiing through the corn-like snow down the mountain was incredible. The view from Mt. Ascension makes any Type II certainly worth it.
Happy trails!
Vince Stewart and Jackie Klecka
"Camping in the mountains,
Makes your senses come alive.
The squawking of the blue jays,
Signals daybreak has arrived."
"In the early morning hours,
Outdoors is where you want to dine.
Where the aroma of sizzling bacon,
Mingles with the scent of stately pines."
"Sitting before a crackling campfire,
While darkness wraps us in its arms.
With thousands of twinkling stars above,
Mother Nature enchants us with her charms."
"This is your chance to get away from it all,
To let your mind and soul be free.
Before you again face the every day chaos,
That sadly has become our reality."
VRS SkiMo Team 