There's times when you start up an objective fully appreciating that you're pushing conditions and are therefore mentally prepared for when things get interesting.

Then there's when you go out expecting decent weather, but things don't quite pan out that way.

I've been working on a couple of upcoming articles, but I really wanted a few decent action photos before I post them. To try and make that happen, I pleaded my way into joining Katherine and Skyler on a climb Saturday. They were casting about for options that were clear of snow, moderate grade, and had low early season rockfall potential and Valley View fit every one of those requirements.

Valley View is on Cascade's Bankhead Buttress in the Bow Valley. Tabvar has a great description and topo. It's 6 pitches of climbing to 5.9. If you're coming from Calgary, get off Highway 1 at the exit for Banff and Lake Minnewanka. Instead of turning left into Banff, hang a right. Less than a kilometer down there's an intersection where you can go straight or right. Go straight. Shortly after that, you'll see drainage on your left and pull out just a couple of meters farther on the right. Park there - the approach is up the drainage. Follow the Tabvar route description from there.

The description of Valley View on Tabvar and Banff Rock say to bring a light rack. Both times I've climbed Valley View, we've done that and both times we never placed a piece of gear. Skyler commented a couple of times about great cam placements that have a bolt within two feet. I'm not sure if it's rebolted since the description was first written - but while you should feel free to bring some pro, it's not strictly necessary.

Anyway, so we met up this morning at 8am at Katherine's loaded into the PWDRWGN, and hit the road. After our obligatory stop for coffee and bagels in Canmore, we finished the drive to the start of the approach.