| We followed
Mosquito Creek trail. Just ahead of the campground, we veered on
Mosquito Mountain's
south-west treed rib with a climbing traverse heading north. At
treeline, 482250, we continued into the draw until a canyon forced us
to cut a questionable slope, 491254. From there, we aimed for the ramp! |
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Along Mosquito Creek. |
Ski touring: RT 10.0; 5.5 up. Finally, good snow
conditions and
reasonable weather allowed us to revisit the Mosquito Creek area. We
left the car under clear sky. The trail revealed some ski
tracks
but they eventually veered left, ascending towards Dolomite. We
continued along the valley bottom, our objective in sight. Nearing the
campground, we recognized the hillside we climbed three months ago to
go up Quartzite Peak; no recent up-track. Off we went, breaking trail
on a supportive snowpack. The traverse on the steep treed terrain
before
treeline required the most effort. Near treeline, we came up on some
old ski tracks; people ski this nice sheltered area which offers good
lines both in the trees and the open steep shoulder of Mosquito
Mountain. We followed the up-track past treeline where it disappeared.
After crossing the questionable slope safely, we continued towards the
base of the ramp. Travelling was good with light new snow sitting on a
firm snowpack. With the absence of settlement, cracking and sloughing,
we
proceeded to ascend the ramp. We stayed climber's right between the
shallow snow near the scoured edge and the loaded middle of the
slope. Along the way, the wind picked up. Once at the top,
with
all our layers on, we enjoyed a short break while anticipating the
descent. The skiing conditions down the ramp were probably as good as
they get. With tired legs, we skied down linking good turns. Nice
skiing continued well into the trees. Back on the trail, now well
packed down by today's visitors, we returned enjoying the sunset before
entering the forest.
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Beautiful trio:
Quartzite, Ramp and Mosquito (L to R). |
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Typical terrain off the beaten path. |
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A nice sheltered
area at treeline. |
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Skiing will be good
through the trees. |
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Ramp Peak. |
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Running the gauntlet
across the questionable slope. |
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A look back
at the loaded slope and canyon. |
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We avoided
convexities by skirting the boulder field. |
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Contouring a knoll. |
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Great scenery and a
fine day. |
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The final push. |
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Last stretch is
quite wind scoured. |
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At the top with
Mosquito Mountain in view. |
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North-western view
and Quartzite Peak. |
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Siffleur River to
the north. |
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Windy but the sun
feels nice. |
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Very good turns for
this otherwise wind-blown slope. |
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This descent is a
nice reward. |
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Last glimpse. |
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Yeah, very neat trip! |
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