| Ref: Scramble
Cdn Mtns. |
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It is snowing lightly, there is still some visibility. |
| Snowshoe
trip: RT 5.5; 3.5 up. The weather across BC was not looking good for
several days. The only area that appeared to offer some resistance to
this impressive low-pressure system was lee of the foothills. We
planned an outing to south k-country. Because of the long drive to the
Cataract Creek area, we camped and brought the hounds. It turns out that
shortly after turning west from Longview, we said goodbye to the sun
and drove into light snow. The Cataract Creek day use area was busy with
snowmobilers; we set off a little before 11 AM. From the campground, we
stayed low on the creek bed. We came to an old road where the snow was
unconsolidated; that motivated us to use game trails higher on the
dry south facing slopes. We passed the trail that ascends Burke by
100-200 m. not noticing it. Instead of backtracking, we headed straight
up the lightly timbered slope and soon reached more punchy snow. Fab
broke trail with the hounds quartering in front of him; they'll be
tired tonight! Near treeline we came across a buried up-track, we also
noticed the wide trail. I left Fab and the doggies at treeline where
they started their way back down; the windy conditions were not
favorable for the dogs and they had already exerted themselves in the deep
snow. It took less than an hour to reach the lookout from there. The
ridge walk was easy but the wind-driven snow was bone chilling!
I even had to tuck my mitts in my pack in the lookout from fear
of having them blow away! After a few pictures, I headed back down for
some relief from the wind. I followed Fab's tracks down the lovely
trail. When I took my snowshoes off, I found the dry traverse and
headed towards the old road. On the way back, we managed to stay on the
dry, north embankment of the creek for most part. There seems to be a
summer trail leaving the campground, although we lost it from time to
time because of snow coverage. The hounds met me on the road before the
day use area; all happy... Snow fell through the night. Is it not
ironic we drove this far for a break from snowfall and we almost got
snowed in with the Sunfire! |
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At the campground. |
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Salter Creek bed. |
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A very nice rock sculpture. |
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Above the old road and creek bed, we find a dry traverse. |
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The snow below is unsupportive even with the snowshoes. |
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Windblown alpine ahead; Fab and the hounds are returning to the car slowly. |
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False summit. |
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Final stretch, a casual ridge walk. |
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Looking south towards Plateau Mountain. |
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Cameron Lookout. I stayed on the ridge. |
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South-east ridge from the lookout. |
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Looking down the ascent ridge. |
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Quickly heading back down. |
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Almost back in the trees. |
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From Burke trail I located the high traverse to avoid the snow. |
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The next day, we get a clear view of Mount Burke from the day use area. |
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We also wake up to a couple of inches of fresh snow! |
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Our lone track, coming out from nowhere... |
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