Ascend another 3kms from the Bow Hut to the St. Nicholas and Mount Olive col (1900’+/- elevation gain). You ascend west from the Bow Hut bending around south as you circumvent St. Nicholas Peak on your left on wide open ice/snow fields. Most parties rope up from the Bow Hut through this section. As you approach the St. Nicholas and Mount Olive col, there is one small steep section that is normally wind blown. Once at the col, the wind normally picks up.

Turn left and skin up to a small flat area that gives a great viewpoint (photo 1 above) over the Wapta Icefield as well as makes a good place to remove your skis. Take your alpine ax and continue in boots up the south ridge of St. Nicholas. This is a double humped ridge meaning you need to traverse the first section on the right hand side to get to another col before starting your final ascent up the main ridge. This traverse can be extremely dangerous depending on the snow load. There are rock placement opportunities at the start of the traverse that would allow you to belay out the leader. Once to the col in the middle of the ridge, you are looking to ascend a snow bench on the right side of the ridge. Return the same.

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