Park at the Rogers
Pass Discovery Center. Skin up Connaught Drainage for a short distance
to the Grizzly Fan, 625832. Ascend climber's right of the slide path,
entering into mature forest to climb Grizzly Shoulder; there's usually
an
uptrack up the ascent rib. Continue to treeline where a
cliffband
guards the ridge crest, 622846. Head north (left) along the base of the
cliffband until it gives way to rolling alpine terrain; it is
also
possible to scramble up the cliffband at treeline. Aim for the saddle
north-east of Little Sifton, the summit itself is easily reached on
skis. To traverse to Hermit Basin, ski down to the saddle and pick
a safe
line down the steep north facing slope; be aware of a probable cornice.
Once on the glacier, several options exist depending on where you
finish your trip.
**Permits are required for this trip**
|
|
 |
|
Grizzly area map,
the Sifton side of Hermit Basin is labeled with a circled number 4. |
|
 |
|
|
It's -24° at
the start. |
Ski touring: RT 6.25; 5.0 up. We planned to
"make the
best" of
this extended high pressure ridge before the arrival of forecasted
frontal systems. Charles was keen to come for another ski tour in
Rogers Pass despite the extremely cold temperature; he arrived in
Golden just in time for supper. When we left the following morning, the
thermometer read -30° C. Holy moly, I wasn't expecting it to be
that cold... It was -24° C at the Discovery Center when we left the
truck. We reached the
Grizzly Fan quickly and felt instant relief from the sun.
Ascending
Grizzly Shoulder was as steep as I remembered it; the uptrack was
well-used but still manageable. Once at treeline, just below the
cliffband, we had some lunch. We were thrilled about the warmth, there
was no wind. A couple from Calgary joined us for a short while, they
were also heading to Little Sifton. We continued on a fine trail along
the cliffband to gain the broad ridge; we had to take our
skis off for one step over big blocks just before the crest. The tour
above Grizzly Shoulder is sublime, the rolling alpine terrain was very
pleasant with the absence of wind and an obvious track. The sun was
shining allowing us to enjoy the surrounding majestic scenery without
hurrying but as we proceeded
towards our objective, clouds started to come in over the Illecillewaet
Glacier rather quickly. We skied to the top of Little Sifton and put on
layers; this was the only breezy location we encountered... We enjoyed
the sights and noticed how the cloud layers were dropping, almost
obscuring the adjacent mountains south of us. The couple from Calgary
joined us once again; after a brief exchange and more pictures, we
started to ski down to the saddle. From there, one by one, we
carefully dropped onto the steep slope to reach Hermit
Basin below. The light was flat and it became difficult to distinguish
features in the convoluted terrain. Fortunately, soft snow on the firm
snowpack granted good skiing down the drainage. We skied all the way
down the slide path west of the Hermit parking lot; Charles
had
left his car there this morning, providing a shuttle back to our truck.
This is a fantastic loop and a classic ski tour, we loved it!
|
|
 |
|
Going up Grizzly Fan
for a short distance before we veer right in the forest, Teddy Bear
Trees on the left. |
|
 |
|
Grizzly Shoulder
offers readily accessible tree skiing. |
|
 |
|
Reaching the
cliffband at treeline, a nice place for lunch; a couple joined us
briefly. |
|
 |
|
Looking down into
Grizzly Bowl. |
|
 |
|
A nice track
continues along the base of the cliffband, Grizzly Mountain on the left. |
|
 |
|
Looking back at
another option up the cliffband (center). |
|
 |
|
Looking back. |
|
 |
|
A slight dip before
we gain the rolling alpine terrain. |
|
 |
|
|
Sublime ski tour
above Grizzly Shoulder. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The Asulkan and Lily
Glaciers in the distance. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Looking back again,
Cheops Mountain on the right. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Little Sifton ahead;
there's almost no wind at all, it feels like spring despite the cold
temperature. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The saddle
north-east of the objective is what we aim for. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Illecillewaet
Glacier. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Skinning up Little
Sifton. |
|
|
 |
|
|
At the top. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Clouds enveloping
the mountains south-west of us. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Tupper and Swiss
Glaciers with The Hermit on the right. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The numerous peaks
of Mount Rogers are shrouded in cloud, Mount Sifton is predominant
today. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Ready to ski all the
way down to the highway! |
|
|
 |
|
|
At the saddle, the
cornice is easily negotiated this time. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Fab shredding the
north slope to Hermit Basin. |
|
|
 |
|
|
A glimpse back up
the saddle and summit. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Very cruisy but it's
now flat light... |
|
|
 |
|
|
We
head straight down to the highway but if you're parked at the Discovery
Center, a traverse skier's right over the shoulder (right of the
picture) is the way to go. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Snow quality is fine
despite the lack of recent snowfall. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Not the place to be
if there's any doubt about snow stability. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Looking back at the
long descent. |
| Back
to home page |
|
|