Created 3-Sep-21
Modified 20-Dec-23
2021-08-28 | Unity Peak | 2706 max | 1712 TH | 8.2 km bike | 8.5 on foot | 325 TA bike / push, 835 on foot | 1160m TA | w/ Peter
This trip defines “Super Saturday”. At +2 we started out from the trailhead to ride / push the first 4 km of gravel road that is used by the Lake Louise ski hill to access the backside (also the ski out in the winter and the approach to Skoki). Rather than over-exert I pushed once I was sustained in granny for over 2-3 minutes – which often meant I was keeping pace with Peter in granny once on foot. Another group that started the same time passed us while we were changing boots etc, so not much up time saved… but down it was an 8 minute thrilling rip. Once changed we jumped on the trail and initially overshot the unmarked side trial to the approach gully. Passing many larches, still in their summer green, was the one regret of the trip, but they can’t all be larchy golden days! The approach went on relatively easily cumulating in a ramble across large unstable quartzite to the tippy looking summit block that we didn’t trust with our weight. After a somewhat brief summit stay (second breakfast) we descended to the warm meadow by a stream where Peter finished assembling and installing one of his trademark water wheels and I passed out for ten. No bugs, nice and warm with a gentle breeze… one of our better extended breaks all year. The hike from there to the bikes and final rip was pleasant. What a fine day to be back out in the mountains after a burnout/smoke/work induced sabbatical.
© Clayton Ditzler