Sunwapta Peak (Strenuous Hike) (Keep Microspikes Handy) (Helmet Recommended)

Trail Name: Sunwapta Peak (Click the link for the AllTrails Route.)
Difficulty: Very-Hard
Trailhead meet-up time: Sunday, August 17 at 8:00am
Location: Beauty Creek/Stanley Falls Trailhead (NOTE: The parking is a small pullout on the side of the road.)

NOTE: **Attendance** - A waitlist has been created. I will admit attendees at my own discretion. Your answer to the hike question will be taken into consideration. I am aiming for a total of 8 attendees (including myself).

NOTE: Helmet Recommended - Chance of rocks being dislodged on the scree slopes.

NOTE: Keep Microspikes Handy - Fresh layer of snow expected above 3000 metres.

NOTE: Altitude - You may feel fatigue above 3000 metres due to thinner air. Slow and steady approach will be important higher up.

NOTE: Hike Day - All hike dates are subject to change depending on the weather.

NOTE: Difficulty - This is a non-technical hike but very strenuous from an endurance perspective. You should have an above average endurance. Most of the trail is on steep scree and the steepness is constant. The ascent will feel never ending. You must be comfortable going up scree for extended periods of time and also descending steep scree slopes.

Sunwapta Peak is a lofty formation rising about 3300 metres above the Icefields Parkway. It offers amazing views of the Columbia Icefield across the highway, including some of the biggest summits on the Icefield - Mount Athabasca, Mount Columbia and Mount Alberta.

Trail Details
Distance: Approx. 11.5 km (Out-and-Back)
Elevation gain: Approx. 1740 meters
Time: Approx. 9 hours

Trail Description:
Breaking down the hike into 3 sections:
1. Beauty Creek to Drainage (Approx. 3km, 600metres) - From Beauty Creek, we will immediately turn climber's left and head for the big drainage coming down from Sunwapta Peak. We will have to navigate some fallen trees in the lower forest. Once we reach the drainage, there is an obvious trail on the left edge of the drainage ascending gradually to the treeline.

2. Scree Slope to Ridge (Approx. 1.8km, 880metres) - Scree slope goes straight up the face of the mountain. Average grade is about 45 degrees, with some sections up to 60 degrees. This is definitely the most energy consuming part of the hike, patience will be required.

3. Ridge to Summit (Approx. 1km, 250metres) - Staying climber's left of the ridge to avoid cornices, we will navigate more scree up to the summit. Average grade is about 35 degrees.

4. We will enjoy the summit views and retrace our steps back to the parking lot.

RECOMMENDED GEAR
- helmet - in case of accidental rockfall from other group members. With careful steps rockfall is unlikely, but it's good to have extra protection.
RECOMMENDED GEAR & SUPPLIES
- hiking poles - useful on steep scree slopes, especially while descending
- light/medium jacket and gloves - upper mountain is significantly colder
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- hat/cap
· Clothing - Late Summer - Lighter wool clothing is still recommended along with a light jacket/windbreaker. Cotton clothing is okay, but a cotton/polyester blend is preferable for sweat management. Jeans are not good.
· personal first aid kit
· snacks/lunch
. water (recommend 2-3 litres of water) -Beauty Creek is a good water source but only available at the end of the hike. Can give refills with my water filter on return.

Ride Sharing Point:
No designated ride sharing spot. I will leave it to the attendees' discretion to choose a spot. Suggested Ride-Sharing fee for this hike: $30.
This will be a challenging hike but with amazing views of an area we don't see often!