| Ref: The Raffinator |
|
 |
|
|
Alpenglow over
Tumbling Peak. |
Snowshoe
trip: RT 9.0; 5.5 up. This weekend is bringing the tail end of the
snowpack's
stable
trend; the temperature is rising along with
forecasted snow and wind. Even though I'm unable to ski for the moment, I
don't like to
miss out an opportunity to get up in the alpine,
especially
in the winter. I jotted down this objective after reading Raff's trip
report, the appealing winter scenery
and good approach are compelling factors. Charles came along and
decided to use skis, smart! I encouraged Fab
to take skis as well but he didn't want to leave me behind on the
descent and chose snowshoes; thanks hun! On the ascent, we
were on par with Charles and reached the back of the draw in good time.
We located the avalanche swath and started breaking trail up into the
basin. The snow slope up the swath didn't provide a
strong surface crust, boot-top postholing ensued. Once in the basin,
the windblown snow carried our weight most of the time. There was
evidence of surface sloughing on the steep mountainsides below
rocks, it's
to be expected from a sun exposed basin. The grade was gentle until we
veered left in a westerly direction; there, we negotiated steep slopes
and some
sidehilling before the summit came into view. We were
happy to finally see the top, it is hidden until the very end. It got
quite windy up there, we all
struggled to get our layers on and take pictures. We noticed a group of
skiers at Chimney Col doing the Chickadee Traverse. After a brief stay,
we left the scenic viewpoint. The skiing wasn't
good, that was my consolation for being on snowshoes... Fab released a
small surface slab over a steep roll with protruding rocks; only 10 cm
deep and not confined in a terrain trap, this avalanche was trivial but
sometimes it's the trivial stuff that hurts! Charles made his way while
waiting for us here and there; at the main trail, we said our
goodbyes. He saved a good hour on the descent to the parking lot and I
saved my knee for yet another journey!
|
|
 |
|
Chickadee Valley
often grants a good uptrack.
|
|
 |
|
Further up the
drainage. |
|
 |
|
At this point, we
ascended an avalanche path to the right,
north of us. |
|
 |
|
The avalanche path
gives way to a basin. |
|
 |
|
Lovely trekking in
the basin. |
|
 |
|
Looking back. |
|
 |
|
|
Making our way under
blue sky. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Rounding a corner
and changing direction in the basin. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Steep sun-baked
slopes ahead. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Above the steep
slopes. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The summit is still
hidden. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Finally, the top
appears! |
|
|
 |
|
|
It's very windy;
lucky for us, the temperature is mild. |
|
|
 |
|
|
At the top with
Chimney Peak in the background. |
|
|
 |
|
|
There's a group of
skiers at Chimney Col (below shadow) doing the Chickaboom Traverse. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Leaving the top with
Storm Mountain in front of us. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Boom Lake at the
foot of Boom Mountain. |
|
|
 |
|
|
This trip offers
great terrain for skiing! |
|
|
 |
|
|
Oops! |
|
|
 |
|
|
We released a
surface slab cutting through the rocks. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Chasing Charles who
is on skis. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Survival skiing is
still hugely faster than walking... |
|
|
 |
|
|
Down the avalanche
swath to the main uptrack. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Back on the pump
track! |
| Back
to home page |
|
|