Ref: Steven's Peak-Bagging Journey
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The trail is easy to follow even with snow coverage.
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Scramble:
RT 10.0; 5.0 up. I missed the ball when I planned Portia Peak. I
intended to gain Two Bears Ridge on avalanche debris in a major slide
path that bleeds to the highway. When I drove by the drainage in the
morning, there was no more snow lower down; instead, the steep gully
had a fast-flowing waterfall. I turned around and drove to the Zopkios
Rest Area and parked at the Needle Peak trailhead; plan B was the well-documented
approach via The Flatiron. I wasn't disappointed with this option as I
had never been up there with snow coverage. Judging from some trip reports, the hike up and over The
Flatiron seemed simple, and the ridge walk to Portia Peak appeared
delightful. There was snow at the
trailhead; luckily, it was firm. It was easy to follow the general
direction of the trail in the forest as there are numerous markers
along the way. Within two hours, I was at the Needle-Flatiron Col. To
ascend The Flatiron, I picked a direct line aiming towards Two Bears
Ridge and bypassed the summit. Upon the ridge, a pleasant hike
ensued under a bluebird sky. The view along the broad ridge is fantastic
in all directions; it overshadows the minor ups and downs. A 200-meter
descent to a deep saddle precedes the final climb up Portia Peak; I chose to make the best of it by
glissading as much as possible. Portia Peak's upper half looks
steep; as forwarned by other climbers, I brought my axe and crampons. I
made my way to a small rockband where I stopped to don my crampons. The
snow was quite firm; on this steep grade, the ascent would have been
difficult without them. When I reached the summit, I took a nice long
break to enjoy the view and eat my lunch. The descent from the summit was the only challenging part of this
outing due to snowballing under my crampons. With caution, I
backtracked to the rockband and gladly put the crampons away. I
dilly-dallied for much of my return while admiring the surrounding sights
and savouring perfect weather. This outing is fabulous and well suited
for springtime.
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Nearing Needle Peak.
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Looking back at Vicuna, Guanaco Peaks (left) and Yak Peak to the right.
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A thin layer of ice on a tiny pool of water indicates a decent overnight freeze.
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Traversing towards The Flatiron.
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Portia Peak appears behind The Flatiron's southern ridge.
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Looking back at Needle Peak.
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My ascent avoided the cornice while bypassing Flatiron's summit.
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The beginning of the scenic Two Bears Ridge.
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The Flatiron is a short jaunt away, I've been there already!
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A deep saddle precedes Portia Peak (left).
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The ridge walk is delightful. |
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Glissading 200 meters to the deep saddle.
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The upper half of the ascent is steep.
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Aiming right of the rockband where I will don crampons.
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Glad to have my crampons on the firm snow.
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Steep sections.
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Skirting to the right of the rocks.
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Looking south-west as I near the top.
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The Flatiron (left) and Needle Peak.
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The Anderson River Group beyond Two Bears Ridge.
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The Old Settler to the west.
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Illal Mountain (left), Jim Kelly Peak and Coquihalla Mountain to the east.
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Due south is Tulameen Mountain and Mount Outram jutting above Mount Snider.
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Heading down.
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Climbing back up Two Bears Ridge.
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Resuming a pleasant walk back along the ridge.
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Coming across ski tracks, they left me a message.
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Looking back at Portia Peak with Carry Peak on the left.
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Needle Peak.
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Looking back at The Flatiron. |
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Alpaca, Vicuna and Guanaco Peaks.
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Nice return with great views.
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