Ahmad on Blackcomb Peak:
“Our hike started from Lot #6 and on the ski runs. We discovered that hiking on ski runs is not a bad idea. We collected over $10 worth of coins. After we reached Blackcomb lodge, which was closed, we hiked to Seven-Heaven Chair to get on the ridge that leads to Blackcomb Peak. The ridge is rugged and rocky. I found that there were two tricky sections and one of them was moderately exposed. Four of us summited after a 6 hour ascent. I found the views from the peak are superior to those from the Musical Bumps. On the way down, we took a different route. We headed down to Spearhead’s col, on to Disease pass, and then down to Blackcomb Lake. Many loose rocks especially on the way to Spearhead’s col. The whole trip took 10 hours. Special thanks to Chris for providing me important information of this scramble.”
Monthly Archive for September, 2008
Page 3 of 3
Tim on Cypress Peak:
“Tim and Firas scrambled Cypress Peak (2,083m) on Monday 1st Sept. This is a fairly easy scramble to a pointy-looking peak just north of Tricouni Peak (between the Squamish and Cheakamus Valleys). The road access is excellent (2WD all the way to the trailhead) although the updated info from Cairn Publishing was also helpful (http://www.cairnpublishing.com/updates/cypress_road_update.htm). The trailhead is easy to find. The route is simple and relatively short. One moderately difficult step on the north ridge makes it interesting. Good info on how to tackle the crux can be found here http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18977 (scroll half way down page). Climbing helmets are essential, however an axe is not required at this time of year since minimum snow was encountered. Also, Roe Creek is easy to cross at this time of year. It took us about 3.5 hours to reach the summit, providing excellent views of Tricouni Peak, Mount Brew and Mount Fee. We were very lucky with the weather because the cloud lifted at about 11am.”
Su-Laine at Brandywine Meadows:
“After three cancellations, five of us piled into one car and had a super afternoon at Brandywine Meadows near Whistler. Thanks Ahmad for the new driving directions. Don’t let the short (6 km) distance and the word “meadows” make you think this is an easy hike – it was the muckiest trail I’ve done in a long time (as one person put it, it became no longer about mud in his socks, but socks in his mud), and steep with lots of fallen trees and some confusing trail marking that caused our group to be separated for about an hour on the return. The meadows at the top, with mountains in the background, are a very special place though and this was a trip to remember. Flowers were blooming, but starting to die off – better get there soon if you want to see them this year. We met up with Carole’s group and had lunch together. “
Carollyne at Mt. Seymour Norvan Falls:
“Unfortunately, sometimes weather doesn’t co-operate, and today’s plan to hike Seymour was one of those occasions. Seven of us eagerly went up to Seymour, hoping that somehow the cloaked North Shore would reveal itself when we got there, but the fog was so dense, the end half of the parking lot was invisible and the buildings disappeared too. We all agreed to hike to Norvan Falls instead, and had a great hike with lunch at the falls, and soaked up the sun at Third Debris Chute beach on the return trip. The water levels in all the creeks are now quite low, making it an easy hike, although muddy at times. We met two backpackers on an early return from Lynn Lake – due to the weather. Momentarily, some of us thought about trying Seymour again this afternoon, but the pleasant sound of the Lynn Creek washed that idea away.”
Ahmad at Williams Peak:
“A blanket of grass was the way to the summit. It was not exposed and wasn’t much of a scramble. All seven of us summited. We did our ascent through fairly hard weather: rain, hail, and even snow. The weather improved later on but we hardly had any views. The trail to Williams Ridge is steep and fairly well-marked. The last kilometre to the summit is rough and rocky and gets steep nearby the summit. There are sporadic cairns and ribbons on the way but not many. If you go around the trees clockwise at elevation 1860 m to get up on the south-west ridge of the summit you will hardly encounter any scramble. The way to the summit is a well-defined, fairly wide gully covered by grass on the south face. Many loose rocks so helmets are necessary. We didn’t see anyone on the trail and saw recent bear scat on the ridge. Our whole trip took 11:05 hours. Special thanks to Tim Gage for providing me important information about the trail.”
