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Ladysmith, BC
Canada
21 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 9:27 PM
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For any of you that have a backpack planned within the next week at the higher elevations of Strathcona, be prepared for lots of remaining snow.
As of July 18, we hit the first patches of snow in the Elk River Valley at 875 metres, and were on 3-7 ft almost fulltime from 1050 m. and higher. The 2 tent spots at Elk Pass were just barely free of snow, with 3-4 ft still on the rest of the pass. Negotiating the upper valley towards Rambler Peak's west basin was no cake walk, with very substantial melt-water coming off the sideslopes and undermining the deep snowpack on both flanks of the upper Elk River.
Scoping south down into the next valley towards Mt Devoe, still a few feet and tons of standing meltwater on the flats. We hadn't thought to bring hip waders, so we turned around and went to Quadra Island to canoe the Main Lakes chain.
cheers,
Gord |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
161 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 9:37 PM
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Good forewarning. Not surprised though - lots of snow is still visible looking west from Discovery Passage. Quadra is an excellent choice and the HBI serves Herman's dark.
Happy Trails
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vancouver island, b.c.
Canada
378 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 9:37 PM
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| Thanks Gord! I know what you mean. Just came out of the Bedwell valley last weekend where the snow starts at little jim lk. and am heading off for Crown Mt. tomorrow AM where I expect to find loads of snow still.Just did a recci trip up there 6 weeks ago and faced tonnes of snow almost the whole way once I finally reached the forest and left ALL 4 clear cuts behind me! Crap! Be warned all who go the salmon river br900 way into Crown....Really shitty clear cuts with excessive blowdown in their perimeters for most of the way up the toe of the ridge.Pay carefull attention to when to drop off the ridge on the way out to avoid the worst of the cuts! |
Edited by - monkeyboy on 07/26/2010 9:38 PM |
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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
LOGAN LAKE, B.C.
Canada
8903 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 10:29 PM
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That fall down, clearcut stuff, can be a tangle-foot nightmare. Amazing that much snow late this year.
K |
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Ladysmith, BC
Canada
21 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 11:58 PM
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Beer Bulletin: the HBI is serving Pipers now, but the Royal Coachman in CR has Phillips IPA and Blue Buck. The Landing Pub at Quathiaska has 2 Surgenor beers from Courtenay.
Sometime this coming year The Longwood in Nanaimo will have a Heather/Sweet Gale flavoured beer. I know, 'cause I picked the Sweet Gale on Quadra.
cheers,
Gord |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
713 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2010 : 9:44 PM
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Hi Gord,
Sorry to hear your Golden Hinde trip didn't work out. Next year, late August, I'm taking a few friends in from the lake and return the same route. I would like to get up the Comb, which is my last peak in the area, so I'm looking at an extra day in the trip plan. We could twin our groups next year, if you'd like.
Three days in, two climbing days and two days out. Of course it means that I won't be able to loan you my two pairs of aluminum crampons.
So how was canoeing in crampons?
Peter |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
32 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2010 : 11:20 PM
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Speaking of crampons...
Do people think they would be needed (or handy) heading up onto the ridge on Albert Edward this upcoming weekend?
I'm already thinking the ice axe might be a go... just wondering if crampons are worth their weight? |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
713 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2010 : 11:35 PM
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An ice axe would be good to have, for sure. Crampons? I take aluminum crampons with me all summer, since they're so light. For Albert Edward, you can probably leave them behind, if you're worried about weight. That said, I've missed summit bids in summer months due to refrozen rock hard snow slopes, in the morning, when I didn't have crampons. As well, two years ago, dropping off Albert Edward on our way to Mt Regan, we found hard glacier ice near the bottom of the traverse and were glad to have brought spikes.
What's another pound or two?
Peter |
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Nanaimo, BC
Canada
19 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2010 : 10:25 AM
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I was going to make a separate post, but maybe this is the place to ask. Probably know the answer already, but still worth asking.
We were thinking of doing the Red Pillar from Ash river next mon-tues. Never done that route before, I imagine its pretty snowy too???? Any comments? |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
32 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2010 : 11:56 PM
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prother - I see your point... what's an extra lb or two... probably should take the collapsible fishing rod as well as I bet those fish in Circlet are probably really hungry :)
summer time in the mountains... gota love it! |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
713 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Kiboko
I was going to make a separate post, but maybe this is the place to ask. Probably know the answer already, but still worth asking.
We were thinking of doing the Red Pillar from Ash river next mon-tues. Never done that route before, I imagine its pretty snowy too???? Any comments?
Canoeing up Oshanow Lake is preferred to hiking the non-drivable road above the lake shore. You will likely find snow up on the ridges in pockets and maybe in gullies on Red Pillar, but mostly you'll be hiking up through forest with lots of windfall, until you reach the open alpine. This year you will have lots of water.
Send me an e-mail and I'll send you my ACC trip report to Tzela Peak from last year, through the route you're interested in.
Peter |
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Bulletin: Strathcona snowpack still a factor
