Shaun, Zosia and I checked out the back of the shallow cave before exiting and descending the amphitheatre.  The wet snow created slippery conditions, and we had to be extra cautious with our footing the whole way down the gully.  By the time we reached the steep grassy slope, much of the precipitation had ceased, and we could relax a bit as we made our way back along the base of the cliffs under the east ridge.  Knowing where the sheep trails went, we were a little more efficient descending this section, but lower down, we still had some wet bush and steep terrain to contend with.  At one point or another, we all took minor tumbles while descending the slick trail near the bottom, and I even snapped one of my hiking poles and lost the broken piece somewhere in the thick vegetation.  Fortunately, nothing more serious happened, and we eventually arrived back at my car looking like three drowned rats but happy to have made it down safely.

	Zosia and Shaun climb steeply right from the get-go.
	Mount Bourgeau appears through the mist as Shaun and Zosia traverse a steep grassy slope.
	A bighorn sheep peers curiously over the edge of a cliff.
	Shaun and Zosia aim for the obvious gully in the distance.
	Shaun and Zosia explore a shallow cave located high on the mountain a little off the ascent route.
	The cave provides shelter from snowy conditions outside.
	Despite aborting their summit attempt and getting thoroughly soaked by precipitation and wet vegetation, Shaun and Zosia arrive back at the car in good spirits.

Assured of stellar weather on 19 September 2026, Zosia and I returned for a second attempt at Little Bourgeau (Shaun was already traveling abroad and unavailable).  I am uncertain if we were climbing any faster, but familiarity with the route certainly helped with route-finding efficiency especially along the steep grassy slope below the cliffs and in the rubble-filled gully.  When we reached the amphitheatre again, we skipped the cave and scrambled up increasingly loose terrain further to climber's right.  The crux is a short but exposed crack along a down-sloping slab which we scrambled up with some difficulty.  We both agreed that it was a good call to abort the climb two weeks earlier as the crux would have been much trickier to ascend and descend in wet conditions.  Above the crux, we groveled up some more aggravatingly loose rubble before escaping to climber's right to reach the broad crest of the east ridge.  From there, the remaining hike to the top of Little Bourgeau was pleasant and straightforward.  After snapping some requisite photographs and signing the register, we retreated a short distance below the summit before taking a lengthy lunch break.

For our descent, Zosia and I backed out the same way we came.  The crux was a bit awkward to down-climb, but we both managed to get through without any mishaps.  The ensuing descent of the rubble-filled gully and the traverse of the steep grassy slope all went without a hitch.  Even in dry conditions, the final steep section near the bottom was challenging to descend, but we were extra careful this time to avoid taking any inadvertent tumbles.  It was also much nicer to return to our car with dry gear.

	Zosia begins her second attempt at climbing "Little Bourgeau".
	The east face of Mount Bourgeau looks resplendent in the morning sun.
	Zosia hugs the base of the cliffs as she traverses the steep grassy slope.
	Zosia grinds her way up the long and steep rubble-filled gully.
	Higher up, the gully widens into an amphitheatre surrounded by complex terrain.
	Zosia scrambles up a steep and loose chute.
	Zosia breathes a sigh of relief after surmounting the exposed crux step (crack left of centre).
	Above the crux, there is more steep and loose terrain to negotiate.
	Zosia gains the broad east ridge of Little Bourgeau.
	The remainder of the climb is an easy hike.
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the summit of Little Bourgeau (2692 metres).
	Mount Bourgeau dominates the view to the southwest.  Also visible at distant far left is The Monarch.
	Here is the view to the northwest.
	In this view to the north, Mount Ishbel is difficult to discern in front of Mystic Peak.

The town of Banff is visible at distant right in this view to the northeast.

 

	After leaving the crest of the east ridge, Zosia makes a controlled stumble down some awful rubble.
	Sonny descends the crux step on his butt. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Some bighorn sheep make an appearance near the bottom of the access gully.
	Zosia traverses back along the steep grassy slope on the lower mountain.
	Total Distance:  5.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  7 hours 23 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  1024 metres GPX Data