LadyMacdonald

East Ridge- Lady MacDonald dominates the northern skyline of Canmore, Alberta, gateway to
the Canadian Rockies through Banff National Park. Take the 2nd Canmore exit off of the
TransCanada as you are heading west (downtown exit). Turn right on Benchlands Trail and the
road will bend back east. Take another right on Elk Run Blvd and take an immediate left turn into
the Cougar Canyon trailhead.

The scramble route is a fairly immediate turn after the trail narrows. The East Ridge does not start
off the canyon floor for another 20-30 minutes. You will pass many sport climbing crags in route.
The start of the East Ridge will be on your left prior to the fork in Cougar Creek. We did observe
one flag marker. The trail ascends immediately, but is not obviously made out unless you are
playing close attention. 30-40 minutes from your car.

This is approximately a 4400' day. Ascend through tree line following the East Ridge until you
reach solid rock. Ascend this first pitch as a scramble. Upon the next ledge, traverse slightly left
looking for a blocky corner. This corner allows for protection if one desires. It will be bolted at the
top. Then traverse left again for another pitch with another corner. Again bolted at the top, room for
pro if desired. These two technical sections will land you on the ridge itself.

I soloed this ridge, however, the other 4 in my party remained roped. There is exposure and
therefore, plenty of bolts. Excluding a few interesting pieces, blocks, etc. in-between, this ridge
runs relativly uneventfull straight for the summit of Lady "Mac" for approximately 2000'. You will
eventually observe the scramble route to your left passing through an old tea house (never
completed) and helipad area. You will meet any scramblers on the false summit. From there, you
have a narrow ridge to traverse over to the true summit. Again, some might rope up for this
section. We ran into rams on the ridge and cat tracks (Lynx or Bobcat) just west of the true summit.
There is a register.

You do not have to return this narrow ridge all the way back to the false summit for descent. Return
to a notch in the ridge and descend scree while picking your angle back to the helipad and the
scramble route which will land you back to Cougar Creek trail.

Scramble-Park at Cougar Canyon trail head parking lot. The ascent trail takes off to the left
within 10 minutes. Ascend steeply, but all trail to the helipad. Then follow a scree path to a false
summit. All of this to now has been easy. The ridge to the true summit must be tackled cautiously
and is the only reason this is listed as a difficult vs easy scramble. They found a body in 2003 who
had slipped off this section. The views are fun, take your time. Good local repeat for beginners.

The backside of this mountain offers a very lush meadow that kind of surprises you. A goat would
be in hog heaven here. This helipad and partial tea house is a huge eyesore and makes no
sense. If they ever do start something for tourist up here, I recommend that one not patronize such
a ludicrous venture.

There is a register. You can down climb and traverse at a V notch if you are not comfortable
smearing the ridge towards the end.