Unlike the frigid temperatures from three years ago, we had much more pleasant weather conditions on this day.  As we geared up at the trailhead, we were pleasantly surprised to meet Alan Kane and Sim Galloway who were planning to do a circumnavigation of Fossil Mountain.  The preliminary grind up the ski out was unremarkable as usual, but we set a pretty good pace and made it to Boulder Pass in about 2.75 hours.  After skiing partway across Ptarmigan Lake, we turned right up an obvious draw leading to the base of Heather Ridge.  While the avalanche danger was rated "Considerable" on this day, much of the area we were in was windblown, and we found very little evidence of snow instability other than some slides that had already released on some of the surrounding peaks.  The line we took to ascend Heather Ridge felt very safe regardless, and although rocks protruded everywhere, we managed to skin all the way up to the false summit.  Just as the large party had done three years earlier, we ditched our skis at the false summit and boot-packed the rest of the way to the true high point.  Following the embarrassment of being the only one not to reach the high point three years ago, I felt very gratified to finally stand atop Heather Ridge.

We stayed at the high point for over half an hour before returning to the false summit to retrieve our skis.  Although Zosia and Stephane seemingly had no problems skiing back down our ascent route, I took a couple of spills while trying to maneuver through rocks and an inconsistent snow pack.  Once we dropped down to the base of the ridge, we enjoyed a nice and gradual descent back to Ptarmigan Lake.  Our return to Boulder Pass was hampered by a strong headwind, but otherwise, the remainder of our ski out was straightforward.

When we arrived back at the trailhead, we noticed that the vehicle that belonged to Sim and Alan was still in the parking lot.  I found out later that they ended up returning after dark.  In the meantime, Stephane, Zosia and I drove to Banff in hopes of devouring burgers at Barpa Bill's, but disappointingly, the place was closed on this day.  As a result, we had to settle for a celebratory meal at Wendy's in Canmore instead.

Stephane and Zosia ski past Sim and Alan who stopped to wax their skis.

Stephane and Zosia stop to enjoy the view of (L to R) Pika Peak, unnamed and Ptarmigan Peak.  Note the avalanche that has slid on Ptarmigan Peak.

 

	Stephane arrives at Boulder Pass.  Fossil Mountain is visible in the distance.
	Stephane watches Sonny skiing across Ptarmigan Lake.  Heather Ridge is visible at right. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Stephane and Zosia head toward Heather Ridge.
	Ptarmigan Peak dominates the landscape behind Zosia and Stephane.
	Redoubt Mountain towers over its namesake lake to the right of Stephane.  Also visible in the distance is Unity Peak.
	Stephane and Zosia pause below the west slopes of Heather Ridge.
	Stephane and Zosia thread their way through a seemingly endless minefield of rocks.
	Here is a more comprehensive view of Redoubt Mountain from further up Heather Ridge. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Stephane and Zosia ski past some interesting rock formations on the ridge crest.

 

	Sonny and Stephane arrive at the false summit (2654 metres).  The true high point of Heather Ridge is just ahead. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia leads Stephane up to the high point of Heather Ridge.
	Stephane, Zosia and Sonny stand on the high point of Heather Ridge (2694 metres).  Check out Stephane's 360° summit panorama here.
	With Redoubt Mountain behind them, Sonny points out some distant peaks to Stephane. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Beyond Heather Ridge's false summit are Mount Richardson (left) and Ptarmigan Peak.
	The view to the north includes Deception Pass, Skoki Mountain and Fossil Mountain.
	Although Brachiopod Mountain is immediately to the northeast, it is easily overshadowed by distant Mount Douglas (left) and Mount St. Bride.
	Anthozoan Mountain stretches away to the east.
	Encircling the valley to the south are Mount Avens, Pulsatilla Mountain, Television Peak and Protection Mountain.
	The Ten Peaks and Mount Temple are easily recognized to the southwest.  In the foreground are Unity Peak and Lipalian Mountain.

Zosia and Stephane return to the false summit.  At right is Ptarmigan Peak.

 

	Stephane waits for Sonny who is still somewhere up above. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia and Stephane ski into the teeth of the wind howling across Ptarmigan Lake.
	Sonny struggles to keep up to the others as he shuffles across windswept Ptarmigan Lake. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Boulder Pass is much more windy in the afternoon on this day.
	Zosia and Stephane settle into a gradual descent back to the ski resort.

Here is a last look at Mount Richardson, Pika Peak, unnamed and Ptarmigan Peak.

 

Total Distance:  23.1 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  7 hours 50 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  1092 metres GPX Data