Crystal Ridge to Cirque Sub Peak Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

Mount Andromache, Little Hector, and Mount Hector at dawn, from the pull-off (YAY! It's plowed!) across the highway from Helen Lake parking lot.

20 second shutter speed to capture Crowfoot Mountain in the dark!

They couldn't plow the Helen Lake parking lot if they tried...so much snow!!

Starting up the already packed Helen Lake Trail. The trail would soon take a sharp turn to the east, to circumvent Crystal Ridge...but we had other plans, and left the trail, following a variety of ski tracks up towards Crystal Ridge.

Crowfoot's summit cliffs, hit by the first rays of sun, as we gain elevation on the opposite side of the valley.

At just 15m lower than the true summit, Crowfoot Mountain's North Summit is quite impressive itself!

Mount Thompson doesn't want to miss out on that alpenglow action ;)!

The beginning of our ascent was very straightforward, easily following previous tracks through the light forest. Here, we traversed to climber's left, to avoid the steeper slope above.

We soon reached "mellower" terrain to ascend.

We spent time both following previous tracks, as well as making our own, but travel was always easy, on heavily windblown, highly supportive snow.

Eventually this short cliff band stands in the way, but can be easily overcome on gentle terrain around the right side.

These rocks kinda give me Stonehenge vibes...I know its way different, but just the way the rocks are standing upright...ya feel me?

Looking ahead, past the cliffs. The summit of Crystal Ridge is beyond the rocky mound in the center.

I continued to be awed by the stunning views of Crowfoot, every time I turned around!

Sunny :)

Continuing up gentle treed slopes. Note the various ski tracks coming down (some of which we often chose to follow).

As we reached the treeline, we encountered the steep, completely windblown, rocky slope ahead that would lead straight up to the summit (according to our map). We considered switching to microspikes to ascend it (as avalanche danger was of no concern), but decided to explore to climber's right first, to see what other options existed.

My dad ascends past the treeline, dwarfed by Portal Peak and Mount Thompson, rising above the blank, white canvas of snow-covered Bow Lake!

Looking down the parkway to Mount Patterson, White Pyramid, and Mount Chephren (left to right)!

Just below the steep, rocky slope, we traversed this "ridge", to climber's right.

Continuing in an easterly direction, under incredible lighting! Photo credit: Dad

Looking back, as my dad follows up the "ridge", with the rocky slope we considered climbing to the right.

Good representation of how windblown the snow was! Snowshoeing on this felt like heaven, after absolutely rotten conditions on our last trip up Hillsdale Ridge a couple weeks ago!

At this point, we found ourselves on climber's right of Crystal Ridge's summit...So why not start by ascending to the southeast summit and then traverse the whole ridge?! Much to my dad's dismay (he really just wanted to sleep) I always seem to find ways to lengthen the day...Sorry dad! This was our approximate route to the southeast summit, followed by our traverse towards the true summit.

Starting up the rocky slope. (No, that's not just another rock on the left side of this picture...It's my dad!)

Bow Peak rises above more unique, wind-sculpted snow!

Looking back at our traverse over the open slope...It was steeper than it looked from below, and could be risky if avalanches were of concern. With the snow as wind-hammered as it was however, the slope felt very stable, and I wasn't too worried.

Side-hilling towards the southeast summit (center-left). Although a slide was unlikely, we erred on the side of caution, and stuck to terrain with protruding rocks whenever possible.

Approaching the crest of the ridge!

Upon reaching the ridge, we were rewarded with this beautiful view of Cirque Peak to the north! It's so windblown, it almost looks like it would still only be a scramble!

My dad carefully traverses the heavily corniced ridge, up to Crystal Ridge's southeast summit!

His view back from the summit, as I make my ascent. Photo credit: Dad

Dolomite Peak's unique shape always impresses me!

OXO Peak rises above Dolomite's lower north ridge!

Mount Andromache, Little Hector, and Mount Hector with Hector South Peak peeking out to the right, rise in the foreground! Pilot Mountain, Mount Brett, and Copper Mountain line up (very) distant right!

Noseeum Peak fills the frame, with its summit to the right. The small, sharp point of Molar Mountain's summit pokes over the ridge (center), and Mount St. Bride rises distant right!

Portal Peak and Mount Thompson!

Famous Mounts Lefroy and Victoria tower in the distance (center), beyond Crowfoot Pass! The cliffs of Pulpit Peak rise immediately after the pass, below Waputik Glacier!

This funky lighting made it feel like sunrise the whole day!

Glaciated Mount Collie is visible between Crowfoot's North Summit and North Peak!

Bobac Mountain (left) and Watermelon Peak (right), lie down the valley to the northeast!

WOWZERS!

Looking down the beautifully (and dangerously) corinced Crystal Ridge! The summit is the highpoint center-right!

My dad starts back down the ridge, on our way to the summit! Note the drop of the right side...you're gonna want to stay off the cornice here (as always)!

Me, on the small (or so it seems, when avoiding the cornice) southeast summit. Photo credit: Dad

Once back to the low point between the southeast summit and the rest of Crystal Ridge, we simply followed the pleasant ridge to the true summit.

Looking back to the southeast summit.

Approaching the summit! We stuck to the rocky terrain throughout the traverse to guarantee we were always on solid ground!

Summit selfie!

Mount Des Poilus and Mount Collie may sit all the way on the opposite end of the Wapta Icefield, but they're still visible from here, rising on either side of Crowfoot's North Peak!

Mount Rhondda is completely covered in glacier!

Mount Jimmy Simpson's sheer east face rises above it's smaller (but nastier - depending on route) counterpart, Jimmy Junior!

Alright, here we go! From left to right, Mount Patterson, Howse Peak, White Pyramid, Mount Chephren, Sarbach's northeast ascent ridge, Nigel Peak and Sunwapta Peak (very distant, down the parkway), and Mount Wilson behind Bison Peak with some of Murchison's towers!

I was very tempted to try scrambling Bow Peak the next day, seeing the sliver of bare rock on the right-hand ridge! Unfortunately the forecast predicted snow...so it'll have to wait...I guess :(

The full length of Bow Lake and company in one shot!

Looking back down to the slightly lower southeast summit, with familiar faces (previously named) rising beyond!

My dad stands on the chilly summit, with the mighty Crowfoot and it's corresponding glacier in the background!

Me, on Crystal Ridge's summit, with where we are heading next! The northwest summit, and maybe something extra...!?

Continuing on with our traverse of Crystal Ridge. The northwest summit is the rocky outcropping just ahead, to the right!

Looking back down Crystal Ridge from the northwest summit! The southeast summit sits center-left, with the true summit center-right. The only obstacle between the true summit and this point was navigating the bigger boulders on the slope leading up to this peak (a bit awkward on snowshoes...).

I'm a big fan of the colours in this picture of Crowfoot's North Summit!

Aside from the icefall near the end, Crowfoot Glacier looks so smooth, filled in by all the fresh snow!

Goggle boy! The wind started to get pretty nasty, and we really had to bundle up (wasn't easy to find shelter up here!). Lucky for my dad, he brought his goggles, and was able to stay super protected ;)!

The snow-blanketed valley below Crystal Ridge's steep east face. The views throughout the traverse were almost identical, but those identical views were spectacular to say the least, and I didn't mind the extra time to soak it all in one bit!

Throughout the traverse, I was eyeing a peak (highpoint center-right) in the distance, just below (and to the west of) Cirque Peak. Although it looked like quite a distance, and Nugara mentions (in his snowshoeing guide) that travel beyond the northwest summit gets tricky, I couldn't draw myself away without at least giving it a go! Although my dad wasn't the most keen, knowing that if we started down that rabbit hole (and it looked do-able), my "mountain climbing disorder" wouldn't let me turn around, I longingly inched my way towards the peak...With it only being around 12:30pm, my hiking buddy eventually gave in, and we were off to test our winter route finding skills, locked on a target...(which I'm unofficially calling) "Cirque Sub Peak"!!!