| Ref: Bob
Spirko's Road not taken |
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View from the
pull-off that is situated 1 kilometer south of Baker Creek
Chalets, on the west side of highway 1A. |
| Scramble: RT 10.5; 5.25 up.
We thought Protection Mountain was the name designated to the
long ridge
north of Castle Mountain. After reading Bob's trip report and
researching Armor Peak on Bivouac, we learned that the name Protection
Mountain was newly allocated to the highpoint of the ridge also
known
as Television Peak. Armor and Bulwark Peaks are at the north end of the
ridge; Armor is the taller one but Bulwark is by far more impressive...
and imposing. We got a good start along the trail. As we climbed
higher, we were surprised by the absence of snow. We encountered snow
less than half an hour away from the mine site. We gave up
following the trail and went up a boulder field to treeline. From
there, we had the ascent gully in close proximity; the pace
accelerated, we were looking forward to this snow gully and it looked
fine. We put on the crampons and enjoyed a fast ascent on firm snow,
all the way to the ridge crest! The ridge walk is very pleasant and the
scenery is among some of the best. Pulsatilla Basin was still
snowbound; we recalled our trek on the karst pavement of
the vast basin last summer. The weather cooperated giving us the
opportunity to take our time. Once at the summit, we took numerous
pictures (Fab has a new camera) and had lunch. Returning was carefree,
the best part was the glissade down the gully. I love coming down the
mountain sliding on my bum; I laughed uncontrollably, like a kid! |
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One of the ghetto
bridges across the marshes. |
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Nearing treeline we
encounter old avalanche debris. |
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Too much snow to
follow the trail, we went straight up a dry boulder field. |
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We planned to ascend
the snow gully in the center. |
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Looking back on the
mine site. |
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We put our crampons
on for this firm snow slope. |
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Very fast and direct! |
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Looking down the
steep snow slope. |
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The snow gully
easily breaches the rockband. |
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Cresting on
Protection Mountain's ridge. |
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Television Peak, the
highpoint of the 7
kilometer long ridge, is
now officially named Protection Mountain. |
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Pulsatilla Mountain. |
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Heading to Armor
Peak, the northern highpoint of the ridge. |
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The ridge walk is
quite pleasant. |
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Some easy scrambling
for the fun of it! |
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Looking back down
the summit block. |
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Summit dance. |
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A bit of maintenance. |
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The
northernmost summit of Protection Mountain's ridge, imposing Bulwark
Peak. |
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The amazing karst
basin is a must see when snow free. |
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Mount Ball and
Stanley Peak under ominous clouds. |
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Leaving the top. |
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Enjoying the scenery
while returning casually. |
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Backtracking on the
softened snow. |
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The gully offers
some good glissading! |
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Back to the old mine
site. |
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The highway is just
ahead. |
| Back
to home page |
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