Did you know during the Second World War that prisoners in an internment camp were permitted to climb Mount Baldy’s peak – if they promised to come back?
Neither did I but I found this historical tidbit in Alan Kane’s Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies (3rd edition). I researched the mountain online and harassed friends with questions before I ventured out. Of course the one thing I didn’t do was consult the Scramble book!
I’ve wanted to do Baldy for a long time – it’s just a hop skip and jump away from Barrier Lake along Hwy 40.
The photos don’t show it but it was quite icy through the trees as expected. I am super careful now after falling a few weeks ago in the trees at Gap Peak. Slow and cautious is my new motto when it comes to navigating the ice.
This route is a scramble but you can avoid much of the hands on stuff by taking bypass route. I started up the crux to take a look at the scramble. There’s a down section that didn’t look too fun. I don’t have that much confidence in my sneakers (and the rock looked very slick) so I opted to take the route around the crux.
I climbed up a little peak (with a little cairn) to be rewarded with stunning views of Barrier Lake and the surrounding mountains.
I could see where I was going from this little peak. I had about a kilometre to go so slowly and steady I headed to the summit. I was surprised to have the mountain all to myself but the wind did pick up throughout the morning.
I had taken my spikes off earlier so it was the usual grind over loose rock and scree. I kept thinking good practice for Minotaur, good practice for Minotaur.
I stopped more than I should have to snack and take in the views. By the time I reached the summit, my hands were freezing and I was chilled. I just wanted to get out of the wind. Coming down was pretty uneventful – meaning I did not fall once.
I can’t wait to go back again when the snow and ice are gone. There’s lots of options for traverses to South Baldy and West Baldy.
Mount Baldy makes number three on Project 23 & Me. Only 20 more to go!