Fisera Ridge (Collembola 2nd solo attempt)

The original idea of this hike was to summit Mount Collembola using South-West approach which connects Allan and Collembola via Fisera Ridge. My previous attempt to summit Collembola via North Route was unsuccessful – I turned around at the base of summit block because I could not figure out a way to avoid exposure on this last scrambling push.

Unfortunately my second solo attempt was also a miserable failure, but the reason was exactly the opposite: when I reached the false (West) summit of Collembola, I could not figure out a safe way to descend to the col between the summits: from the top of false summit it looks like a scary 20 meters drop down:

So I’ve downgraded de-facto the “Mount Collembola loop” hike to innocent “Fisera Ridge”, which was pleasant and (ha-ha) successful. Instead of planned loop with descent via South slopes I had to hike all way back via Marmot Basin again and was late for dinner, but at least avoided unneeded adrenaline rush and risks.

Bob Spirko in his blog mentions that some route finding required on this section, and it can be confusing. Indeed, it took me some time to find the right trail (can see it on my GPS track), but very soon it gets much better:

By the way, this part of the trail was like a mushroom paradise (Bob Spirko noticed the same!). I never saw so many different kinds of mushrooms, and so many of them, in my life.

Once out of the trees, the route goes on the slopes below Centennial Ridge and then curves right at the base of Mt Allan to the col between Allan and Collembola (“Fisera Ridge”).

More photos from my Fisera Ridge solo are here:

My GPS track is here: