Ref: AllTrails
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Falls Lake Loop.
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Ski
touring: RT 6.0; 3.5 up.
My friend Ev from Canmore came for a visit so I planned a couple of
peak-bagging ski tours. She was a bit baffled when I told her we would
be heading west to ski, she wasn't familiar with the Coquihalla Summit
Area. I explained that the region is very popular year-round and
offers excellent ski tours with short approaches. From Salmon Arm,
Coquihalla Summit is 2.5 hours away; that isn't too far by my
standards. Avalanche hazard was minimal; it hadn't snowed in a while
and I suspected the south-facing ascent would be very firm. However,
some
research revealed an alternate descent on the northern aspect, exiting
via
Falls Lake. That sparked my interest as snow conditions could be better
for the ski down. The roads were dry. As we drove through Kamloops,
then Merritt, and so forth, Ev exclaimed that winter was over; but as
we
neared our destination, snowbanks increased quickly. We left the
trailhead under blue sky and followed an uptrack. The ascent is steep
and direct. As
we gained height, the snow surface got icy to the point where it was
difficult to keep an edge. Ev struggled with her shorter skins, she
worked very hard to avoid sliding down the slope. The people whose
track we'd been following, turned around on the upper mountain, which
was a testament to how tricky it was. I must admit I thought we might
have to turn around as well but Ev didn't give up and we made it
to the top. It was a great day to enjoy the views and lounge around. I
proposed skiing the west/north-facing alternate descent; it took some
convincing before Ev finally agreed. From Nak-Thar Col, the open
gentle terrain is inviting. After a short distance, it was clear we had
made
the right decision. The skiing was fabulous even if it wasn't deep;
additionally, the route was straightforward. After
being funneled in a narrow gully that also grants good skiing, we
reached valley bottom near Falls Lake. Although the run is only 500
meters vertical, it rivals big mountain terrain lines. As I skied
across the lake, I imagined that descent with boot-top powder; I will
have to come back. Returning on the summer trail is quick and we didn't
have to put our skins back on. In my opinion, this outing was numero
uno!
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Thar Peak from the trailhead.
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After a short distance on the unplowed Falls Lake road, we veered left and ascended the upper cutline.
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Following an uptrack on the south-east slopes.
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A climbing traverse towards Nak Peak led us to the south aspect.
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We continued our ascent on the ridge ahead.
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As we gained height on the south-facing slope, the snow became icy.
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Ev working hard to avoid losing her edging.
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The open terrain is steep and sun-exposed.
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Yak Peak comes into view behind Nak Peak.
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A stone's throw away from the summit!
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A close up of Jim Kelly Peak and Coquihalla Mountain. |
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Lounging at the top, it's mild and there's no wind.
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The south-western view includes countless impressives peaks of the Cascades.
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Nak Peak's gnarly north-east ridge is a scramble.
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Beyond the Anderson River Group (right), the Lillooet Ranges are visible.
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Alpaca, Vicuna and Guanaco Peaks dominate the view to the north-west.
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Falls Lake is straight down on the north side.
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Making our way towards Nak-Thar Col on the left.
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Looking back at Thar Peak.
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Gentle open terrain.
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No powder but still better than backtracking and scraping down the south side.
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A delightful descent from Nak Peak also appears feasible.
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Whoohoo!
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Very straightforward with no interruptions.
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Looking back.
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The terrain leads to a gully.
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The gully grants a good ski down to valley bottom.
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Falls Lake ahead.
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Some people climb this north-facing chute.
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Fabulous ski tour!!!
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