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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 07:50 AM
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Well I will post a brief report on our attempt of Mt. Ball which was more or less just a bushwack in, camping trip, and bushwack out. We had a late start, arriving at marble canyon at 9:30, and after wandering around the campground a little, we found the proper old road up Haffner creek to the outhouse. That's when things went awry. I had not been able to get the Mt Goodsir area topo so we had no map and began plodding our way blindly up the creek, figuring at least we had that to follow, so there was no fear of getting lost. After several creek crossings on slippery boulders we realized that we needed to get out of the canyon, and scrambled up the south bank and began the hateful six hour trip on the wrong side of the creek. Little did we know there is a semi-trail on the North side!! We bushwacked, bushwacked, got full of soot, and bushwacked some more, until finally gaining a glimpse of the headwall at the start of Haffner creek. We did eventually cross to the north side of the creek about 3/4 of the way up, and began climbing above some limestone cliffs on the left side of the headwall, we later realized we should have zigged where we zagged and gained the headwall on the RIGHT (south) side. At this point both Susie and I were beginning to use some very choice adjectives to describe our enthusiasm about the trip and our lack of routefinding skills, and scoping the surrounding hillside for a place to make camp. Eventually we found somewhat level ground to set up on, and at around 5pm, set up camp. The moon was full and the burned out forest surrounding us looked eerily like halloween, beautiful and creepy all at once. We awoke the next morning to rain and shrouded in clouds. Opting to not continue on to ball due to unstable weather and being on wrong side of headwall, we had breakfast, coffee and packed our gear heading dejectedly down the charred gully, this time taking the ever-so-faint trail found on the north side of haffner creek. By the time we got back to the truck we were sore, dirty and already had our return trip planned. It was good experience, and we will be back Ball!!
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 Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
6302 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 08:02 AM
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| If nothing else you still got a good overnighter out of the deal. That's always good. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 08:22 AM
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| Yes, and for the next trip we will know what to expect!! Something very mentally taxing about climbing through that type of terrain without knowing just where you are going! The isolation was grand as well, just what we needed for the long weekend. |
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Calgary
20 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 1:09 PM
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Hey,
For areas not covered by better commercial maps such as Gemtrek, you can print out topo maps on your home computer for free from Natural Resources Canada in a pinch and toss it in a ziploc bag. I think there's lots of better alternatives than these maps available now and you especially have to be aware of the dated nature of these maps(esp glaciation). You can zoom in on specific areas and stitch adjacent maps together, etc.
If you know what the map number is the ftp site is quickest, or search by product in the lefthand menu, topographic, 1:50 000 and 1:250 000, and use the map to zoom in before searching the number. Good for those last minute trips at least and takes five minutes.
Edit- added url < http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/geogratis/en/download/scanned.html >
Anybody else know of quick sources for maps?
C |
Edited by - ClaytonA on 09/07/2009 1:11 PM |
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3507 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 2:25 PM
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| So, you're still up for The President sometime next spring/summer? |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 6:19 PM
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Absolutely John, we are heading out next week to give it a shot with Shaun, then are heading out with Jay wed,thu,fri for vitoria, lefroy, weather/conditions permitting. So yes up for any outings or objectives you may be interested in. We are going to try to get out this winter for some travel too.
Pat
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 6:21 PM
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Thanks clayton, we were rushed and MEC didnt have the map, but having even a small printed version would have been better than nothing, and would always help in a pinch!
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Banff, AB
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 8:18 PM
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| Wow, I feel like I just read a report on the trip I made into Ball last year!! Haha, good for you for sticking with it till sundown! We had done the opposite, and gained the North bank of the creek too high up, cue seven hours of stepping over fallen trees. And just like you guys, we had wind and rain the next day... But once you get above treeline into the amphitheatre isn't it a wild, beautiful place!? This is a hike I am certaily going to repeat, too. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 5:31 PM
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Well unfortunately we never continued up beyond the headwall as the weather turned to crap, and we found ourselves halfway up the wrong side of the valley. lol. We are going to try and get back in the next few weeks, before the snow comes, but we'll see what happens!! It would have been a gorgeous spot before the fire.
Pat
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13466 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 7:00 PM
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Well done to tough it out and do the overnighter, then call it a day for another time. Your are right, those ghost trees (forest) does like rathr eerie.
K |
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Mount Ball Attempt
