Catamount Glacier.
Ref: Aaron
Cameron and
Matt Gunn's Hikes
around Invermere & the Columbia River Valley.
Winter
access: Park at the snowmobile trailhead on
Horsethief-Forster Creek FSR at kilometer 20. A grooming fee of 10
dollars a sled is in effect. They stop grooming where the summer
parking is, 348116, the last few kilometers are bumpy. Park the
sleds at the bottom of the ascent to the moraines, 324118, about 24
kilometers
in. From there, ascend towards the low point on the north facing slopes
and proceed in the draw. At
the toe of the glacier, 317110, head south passing by Olive Hut
(perched high on some rocks) and Mount Harmon. Gwendoline Mountain is
at the far end of the glacier.
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20 kilometers of
knee-jarring snowmobiling. |
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Unlike many people,
we leave our sleds behind; riding is prohibited on the glacier. |
Ski
mountaineering: RT 8.75; 5.25 up (from the sled). Whoot,
whoot! We finally made it out on Catamount Glacier this season! We left
Golden at 3 AM figuring it would take about three hours to
reach
the ascent to the moraine; it actually took us four hours. After we
parked the sleds, we started to climb on firm snow. There's
a lot of snowmobile traffic here; better signage would probably deter
some people from going on the glacier... Travelling was quick through
the
moraine, the snow felt bomber. We got to the toe of the glacier
quickly.
Still in the shade, we roped up and proceeded on the glacier. A little
higher up, the view towards Gwendoline unfolds. With
exceptional sights and several climbing options, this area is a local
jewel.
Although the temperature was cool, the sun and absence of wind
sure made it comfortable. We continued on the flat glacier almost
effortlessly. As we neared the hut, we heard snowmobiles. After a
couple of
laps around, they climbed the hillside and dropped down on the North
Star Glacier; it was quiet again. We ditched the rope and gear at some
rocks just ahead of the ascent. Soon after gaining the ridge, we lost
most visibility. A thin layer of stiff slab
bonded poorly on the hard snow surface; as the slope steepened, keeping
an edge became
more difficult. We chose to leave the skis behind, bootpacking was
much more efficient. The climb to the top is easy. With very little
visibility, it felt strange peering over the North Star Glacier; it's
quite the drop on the south side! We stayed at the top for an hour,
waiting out breaks in the clouds. Calm wind and filtered sunrays made
it
pleasant. We could hear sledders below and see them occasionally.
When clouds dissipated, I was ready to take a multitude of
pictures. The weather improved as we returned. We enjoyed the steep run
back to our gear despite the thin crust. I lost my baseball cap on the
way down to the flat section and had to duck walk back to pick it up...
Good times... We skated towards the moraine, stopping often to
take pictures and check out the sledders. By now the snow was softer
and delightful to ski. When we reached our sleds, we took another long
break before all the shaking and rattling!
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Travel is fast on
the firm snow. |
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The climb to the
glacier follows the edge of the shade. |
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Looking back on the
glacier. |
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Gwendoline Mountain
(left) and Black Fang at the far end of the glacier. |
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Mount Harmon to the
left. |
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Getting closer, the
route follows the west ridge. |
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Gaining the ridge. |
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Visibility is
greatly reduced as we climb higher. |
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We leave our skis,
it's easier to bootpack the crusty snow. |
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Looking down the
ascent ridge. |
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Almost there! |
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At the top, mind the
cornice on the south-east side. |
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Catamount Glacier
(left) and North Star Glacier on the right. |
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Visibility comes and
goes; there's no wind and we can feel the warmth of the filtered
sunrays. |
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After an hour, we
start heading down. |
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As we near our skis,
the weather improves. |
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A close look at
Black Fang. |
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Getting ready to ski. |
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This steep, north
facing glaciated slope offers a fantastic run. |
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Mount Nanette (far
left), behind Mount Harmon. |
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Olive Hut below the
Scotch Peaks. |
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It is possible to
ascend another pitch on skis to extend the run. |
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Lots of snowmobile
tracks everywhere. |
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The snow is much
softer at the toe of the glacier. |
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Continuing to the
moraine. |
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Three sledders
prepare to climb up to the glacier. |
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The low point
leading to the moraine from our sleds. |
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Better than walking! |
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Riding a bit of dirt
lower down... |
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