| Via Mount Villeneuve's connecting ridge. |
|
 |
|
|
Watch Peak is 40
meters lower than Mount Villeneuve and 1 kilometer away. |
| Scramble: RT:
7.0 (including Mount Villeneuve twice); 45 min. up. Watch Peak is the
only officially named summit on Paradise Ridge. Although it is lower
than its neighbour to the north, we had to include a visit. The distance
is not a deterrent and a bluff along the ridge adds interest. From
Mount Villeneuve, the ridge narrows leading to the bluff,
we left our snowshoes behind. At the short bluff, there are options of
easy to moderate scrambling; we embraced the opportunity to scramble on
this otherwise mindless walk. After that, we followed goat tracks to
the summit. The weather was slowly moving in but there was no wind and
the temperature was mild. We stayed an hour, watching the clouds move
around the mountains while enjoying hot chocolate. Returning was fast,
even
with a casual pace. Soon after leaving Watch Peak, we were again
greeted by the nice inukshook of
Mount Villeneuve; we passed by, leaving it behind. Back at the
sleds, we prepared for the descent to
treeline. Indeed, coming down on the sled required a lot of
brake pumping to maintain control, I guess that was somewhat
exciting! We stopped to visit the warming cabin and did a quick
exploratory trip in the basin. On our way out, we also investigated a
wall of ice used by ice climbers. This trip was very nice and quite
different. During the summer, the area must be buzzing with people on
ATVs and dirt bikes. |
|
 |
|
The ridge narrows,
we decide to leave our snowshoes behind. |
|
 |
|
|
Descending a break
in the bluff. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The bluff offers
easy to moderate scrambling. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The summit is a
quick walk away.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
At the top, Mount
Trafalgar hides most of Mount Nelson. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Panorama Ski Resort,
south-east of us. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Paradise Basin,
complete with several sledders below. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount Villeneuve and
the continuing highpoints of Paradise Ridge. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Leaving Watch Peak
behind. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Scrambling back up
the bluff. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The break in the
bluff. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The inukshook at the
top is quite visible. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Back on Mount
Villeneuve, Mount Nelson is no longer discernable. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Backtracking as the
weather moves in.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
One last glimpse. |
|
|
 |
|
|
OK, lets head down,
remember to pump the brakes!!! |
|
|
 |
|
|
In the warm cabin. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The view of Watch
Peak and Paradise Basin. |
|
|
 |
|
|
After touring the
basin, we start down; notice the cabin (arrow). |
|
|
 |
|
|
A wall of ice close
to the access road. |
| Back
to home page |
|
|