This cache is located in the summit cairn of Banded Peak. Getting to it will
involve a 15km hike or bike along the Elbow River, followed by a steep
1050m scree ascent to the 2941m summit. From the summit you are rewarded with a
spectacular view of Calgary, the rest of the Banded-Glasgow Massif, and the
Kananaskis Front Ranges.
The terrain rating for this cache is 5 stars; not because special equipment
is needed but rather because there are places where a misstep can lead to
problems. And, as with any cache in the mountains, the weather can cause you
trouble.
Do not attempt this cache if you have never bagged a peak
in the Rockies. There are enough hazards up there to make you a statistic rather
quickly. If you have been up something like Black Rock Mountain before, then
this will be similar (but longer methinks).
Parking is at the Little Elbow Campground west of Bragg Creek at N50
47.659 W114 51.166. Cross the bridge and take the
Elbow River Trail southward (either by bike or on foot) until you reach two cairns at
N50 41.750 W114 54.521. At this point, you turn
north and head up the right-hand slope of the drainage. Wend your way through
the cliff bands on the left initially, and then take one of the benches across.
From the Banded-Outlaw col, pick a line through the scree to the summit.
The cache is located in the summit cairn (not the Potter Memorial Cairn which
is a little further south-east of the true summit). There aren't a lot of hiding
spots up there, so you may have to peel the cairn apart to get at the cache.
Please rehide it well.
This cache may be combined with the
Mount Glasgow Cache by traversing across Outlaw Peak and Mount Cornwall to
Mount Glasgow. This a very long day, however, and will probably require two parties approaching from either side (so you can switch bikes on the way
out). This traverse is recommended for experienced scramblers only.
Summit Panorama
(QTVR)
The cache contains the regular goodies (including some interesting music
CDs), finders' cards, and the coveted (by some) First To Find card.
