Crowfoot, Little

January 9, 2021, waputik range, wapta icefield

Summit
2800 m
Gain
945 m
Distance
21 km
Round trip
7 hr
Technical
OT3
Activity
ski
Quick 'n dirty
Class 2 - You fall you sprain your wrist. If you're caught in an avalanche you could get seriously hurt or die.
Difficulty
Winter ascent includes serious avalanche risks. Learn how to manage these risks and perform avalanche burial rescues before attempting this trip.
Route
Map

Wietse and I decided that since it has been almost 9 years since we last skied Little Crowfoot it was time for a repeat to check out snow conditions along hwy 93 near the Wapta Icefield. We arrived at a chilly (-17) and very busy parking lot at Bow Lake around 08:15 and by 08:30 we were trying to keep warm with a brisk pace across Bow Lake. Judging by the busy parking lot, well used skin track and many other tracks besides, people have been busy avoiding Covid lockdowns in the city by escaping to the mountains this year. I can’t blame them - nature therapy works! 

Little Crowfoot Ski Route Map
Little Crowfoot Ski Route Map

It’s been a while since I approached and skied the Bow Canyon and for some reason everything seemed smaller than I remembered. Funny how that happens over the years. I remember the first few times I skied through here I would have tingling shoulders - fully expecting slides to come down into the creek while I skied through it. The creek had good coverage and interesting views, as always. There was one tricky little spot near the end of the canyon where we had to sneak over an exposed drop but nothing too dramatic.

Starting off across a cold Bow Lake.
Starting off across a cold Bow Lake.
Bow Canyon landscapes.
Bow Canyon landscapes.
Bow Canyon landscapes.
Bow Canyon landscapes.

As we skied up along the avalanche slopes to the end of the canyon (now high above it on the east side) we noticed that we were following a group of three skiers and had another group of 2 following. Usually this side of the canyon is fairly quiet but not today! We following a good - but steep - skin track up to a shoulder that leads towards Little Crowfoot and Vulture Peak before dropping slightly more east and heading up old moraines to the glacier.

Ascending Crowfoot Glacier.
Ascending Crowfoot Glacier.
Another group points the way up Crowfoot Mountain.
Another group points the way up Crowfoot Mountain.

I was not feeling a ton of energy as we followed the other groups up the toe of the tame Crowfoot Glacier. I trudged up towards Little Crowfoot, following a much speedier Wietse as the wind picked up and cooled us off. The other groups were all continuing for a pretty rocky looking Crowfoot Mountain. The track we were following led nicely to the summit of our destination but the wind at the top was cold so we didn’t linger long. Soon we were cruising nicely down some boot-top powder on a firm base - winter farming is the best kind of work!

Wild views south from the summit of Little Crowfoot with Crowfoot Mountain at left.
Wild views south from the summit of Little Crowfoot with Crowfoot Mountain at left.

We descended about 200 vertical meters to the toe of the glacier before donning skins and starting slowly back up. We had decided early on to do at least 3 runs off the summit and proceeded with our 2nd and 3rd runs. On the 3rd run we took a slightly steeper line off the summit which was so much fun we decided to add a 4th lap. I was glad since I wanted to get around 1500 vertical meters on the day. We were surprised to see at least 2 or 3 other large groups skinning up Crowfoot Mountain as we completed our laps. This was a busy place today!

Following a good track up Little Crowfoot.
Following a good track up Little Crowfoot.
Our 2nd or 3rd lap up the small summit on a gorgeous winter day.
Our 2nd or 3rd lap up the small summit on a gorgeous winter day.
Another group (at least the 3rd or 4th party) approaches Crowfoot Mountain.
Another group (at least the 3rd or 4th party) approaches Crowfoot Mountain.
Our 4th lap had the nicest summit stay. From left to right, Crowfoot, Balfour, Vulture, St. Nicholas, Collesha, Rhondda, Habel, Onion, Thompson.
Our 4th lap had the nicest summit stay. From left to right, Crowfoot, Balfour, Vulture, St. Nicholas, Collesha, Rhondda, Habel, Onion, Thompson.
Views over the Wapta peaks include (L to R), St. Nicholas, Collesha, Rhondda, Habel, Baker, Onion, Thompson, Portal, Patterson, Jimmy Simpson with Murchison and Weed at distant right.
Views over the Wapta peaks include (L to R), St. Nicholas, Collesha, Rhondda, Habel, Baker, Onion, Thompson, Portal, Patterson, Jimmy Simpson with Murchison and Weed at distant right.

We met the group that had been ahead of us earlier in the day as they added Little Crowfoot to their itinerary.  After chatting for a few minutes we realized we “knew” each other - it was Connor Young who I’ve known for years on Social Media through other friends. Connor and his group led the charge off the summit and Wietse and I lagged a bit behind them for the exit. The ski down to the canyon went quickly - staying west of our approach line worked well. I put a nice scratch in my skis while skiing down above the lower canyon, hitting a hidden rock dead-on. Snow coverage is still not where I like it to be lower down but it’s getting there.

Wietse and Connor chat on the summit ridge before dropping down and heading home.
Wietse and Connor chat on the summit ridge before dropping down and heading home.
Exiting the canyon on a cool winter afternoon.
Exiting the canyon on a cool winter afternoon.

It felt good to be out near the Wapta again with the wild scenery it always gives us. Winter feels like it’s progressing in the area although more snow and less wind certainly wouldn’t hurt!