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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1087 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 8:10 PM
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Mount Dewdney has been high on my list for a while now. With the intent of finding some pristine backcountry, I decided to try the trip as an overnighter from Ghostpass. Not getting underway until 10:30, it was a relief that the temp was fairly cool in the shade of the big trees. Once the trail dropped down to 18 mile creek the going was pretty good until the first crossing. With no way to step across, I went upstream a bit, took my boots off and waded.
 The normal crossing.
 My spot.
On from here easy going to the WCWC camp, then back across the creek on a small cedar. There are a lot more blowdowns now than 2 years ago, though mostly just singles. Not sure if I've ever seen a trail with more bear crap, but it's worth mentioning. The creek which drains the entire East basin of Outram is the next problem. I took maybe 8 little steps out onto the 10 inch log bridge, then bailed back and removed my boots again - used the log as a hand rail.
 
From Ghostpass, which I must say is poorly defined, there came a point to leave the trail. My GPS gave me a bearing, and I headed straight down maybe 100 vertical into a ravine. There were a couple creeks down there, and I climbed back up the bank of one that made sense. For a long stretch I had no signal, then was able to have a look at my position from a small opening. Fairly open old growth forest wasn't too bad for travel, though I was constantly changing directions to get around blowdowns. Around 5600 feet some larger glades began to open up, then snowpatches, and finally the alpine.
  
(1)First meadow.
(2)View towards Mount Tulameen.
(3)My camp spot is in the notch in the ridgeline, where the clouds are.
For the first bit I stuck to the ridge, then dropped down to traverse the long meadow. There are some well defined goat trails which led me to the notch. It took me just under 6 hours to get to the bivy site. After setting up, and having dinner I began my hike to the top.
   
(1)Sub-summit from camp.
(2)Mount Ford.
(3)View towards Silverdaisy.
(4)Wonderful micro-terrain below Dewdney, small plants like avens growing in patches.
There was plenty of time to spare after I reached the summit, it was satisfying to hang around, a great vantage point.
  
(1)Snass Mountain area.
(2)Cairn with Snass in background.
(3)Looking a little weary in the summit shot.
We left the top at 8:30, once partways down the temp rose back up strongly, the winds all but ceased. The mosquitos gathered around, but it was really a perfect night otherwise.
     
(1)Mount Ford with meadows.
(2)Ford with the Hozomeens at left.
(3)Again, with Silvertip included.
(4)Almost dark back at camp, view to the West.
(5)Sunset over Outram.
(6)This unnamed peak 2km East of Macleod, is named Mount Hatfield, pretty nice.
It was a warm and comfortable night, though my body was a little stressed-out, mostly I just rested. My favorite part was listening to the hermit thrush, and ptarmigans while watching the stars come out. The same birds got going early this morning, maybe 4:00am, it was a good reason to get up.
    
(1)Dawn at 5:00am.
(2)Morning light on Outram and slopes near camp.
(3)Outram closeup.
(4)There's a mountain goat barely visible, watched him while sipping my coffee.
(5)In turn I was being watched during breakfast.
I left my spot at 6:30, all was well back to the top of the alpine. Took a few random pics from here.
  
For about 15 minutes I felt on route, but I'd made too many changes in direction coming up. I spent an interesting hour travelling around those slopes, and was almost shocked when I found the trail again, at first I thought it was someone's secret trail. When we finally did the last wet crossing I took a break on the shoreline, just sat down on a bunch of loose rocks. There was basically nowhere to stand here, and this pic of the dog kind of sums up the last part of our trip.
 Mission accomplished.  |
Edited by - Elkaholic on 07/11/2010 8:34 PM
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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 Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 8:15 PM
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| Your "unnamed peak" is Mt Hatfield |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1087 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 8:23 PM
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| Never could figure out what Just B was talking about, thanks for clearing that up. |
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Mysterious, pop can stove stashin', gps totin', overnighter virgin, wannabe tentmaker and foul weather wuss who rides a thumper to the trailhead with wonderdog Max to hike the Chilliwack Valley
Chwk
Canada
4908 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 8:31 PM
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Good looking trip...I've got to get out more!
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
756 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 9:00 PM
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| Looks like a very interesting area to explore. The bit of snow lying around sure enhances the scenery. |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3996 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 10:14 PM
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Excellent outing . Great last shot too. |
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Chilliwack
1269 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 10:53 PM
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| That's some creek you had to cross! (picture #3). Beautiful up there and love the sunset shots. Last picture of Rainy looks just how my friends dog did after hiking up and down Outram in a day. Your trips inspire me to check out more peaks and hikes in that area. |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 12:06 AM
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| Very nice feel good TR. Conveys the abiance of a superb overnighter. Well done! |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
721 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 09:05 AM
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Outstanding TR!
It must be nice to have company on these overnighters, particularly ones who don't talk! |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1087 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 12:27 PM
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From the couple spots where my GPS worked, I've put together a map of my route from Ghostpass. Pink is ascent, blue was my return. |
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Mount Dewdney Overnighter Via Ghostpass
