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Richmond, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 3:46 PM
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Hey everyone! I've been doing a lot of hiking around BC and I figured it was finally time to join up to a forum community, get some tips and meet some new friends.
I'm planning on doing a solo trip up to Mount Cheam tomorrow (I got room for another if anyone is interested). I'm unfamiliar with the avalanche hazard in this area, as well as potential campsites, parking sites, and if the trail going back down is sled or snowboard compatible.
My plan is to drive up and make camp. Snowshoe up as far as the avalanche risk will permit, and then strap my snowshoes to my back and put on my snowboarding gear, and board back down to camp.....
Thoughts?...... |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1656 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 4:22 PM
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I'm sure that others with local knowledge will provide more info soon.
I don't think the trailhead is accessible by vehicle in the winter (you'd need a snowmobile I am guessing.)
Perhaps Laughington is a good alternative? |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
183 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 4:25 PM
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The slope is steep and there are some areas that have a pretty high avalanche risk. I wouldn't go alone and not with out some avalanche training to be able to judge the safety of the slopes. The slope can also be really wind swept and very icey at times aswell. A slip on there can turn into a very, very long and high speed slide down the slope (I'm speaking with experiance on that). An ice axe and familiarity with self arrest techniques is a good idea. The road in can be pretty icey and impassible even in a really good 4X4. I went up last year in a Jeep Rubicon and had a lot of extra walking up the road. You'll have to factor in at least an extra hour or two each way. Sorry to suck all the fun out of it but I've been up there in these kind of conditions and it was pretty hairy.
http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/latest/south-coast |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 4:38 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Steventy
I don't think the trailhead is accessible by vehicle in the winter (you'd need a snowmobile I am guessing.)
Perhaps Laughington is a good alternative?
I was wondering that. I wouldn't mind doing mt. laughington either. Even if I had to snowshoe most of the road up to Cheam, wouldn't I still be able to easily board back down to wherever I left my truck?
Also, does anyone know what the snow conditions are like up there right now? We've had a pretty mild winter.... |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 5:34 PM
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I think the area is much better suited to skis than snowshoes.
If any CT'rs have sufficiently deep pockets, Valley helicopters will fly you up to Harmony Basin, just below the summit. You can camp, ski the bowl for a few days, then ski down to road - about 2000m below. The helicopter ride is surprisingly cheap, especially if you can find another party to share the ride. |
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Fleetwood not Surrey, bc
Canada
1125 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 5:40 PM
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| Weedwacker what is deep pockets and cheap ?? cost ?? would consider this method of transport |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 6:01 PM
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It depends on the details and my memory is foggy. I think we were planning $200 /person for a 5-day trip. It is relatively cheap because the airfield is close to the peak.
I believe the flight is 15 minutes from the bottom of the mountain, or 30 minutes from the airfield. Helicopter time is about $700 /hr. Each flight can take three people plus gear. You will need to pay for the helicopter to fly back to the airfield, empty too.
When we looked into it, we had two parties going in so the helicopter spent less time flying empty. We had planned one flight from the airfield to the peak (3 people), and another from the road to the peak (another 3 people).
You can find accurate prices by calling Valley Helicopters in Chilliwack. They were quite familiar with the mountain and have made trips into Harmony Basin in the past. |
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 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 6:07 PM
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You wont be driving far up the cheam road. then its a loooooong walk up the road to the meadows and the actual start of ascend, There is lots of recent storm snow. I doubt you'd make it to the top,a bit sketchy at the moment (IMO) There are plenty of slide areas to deal with. Safe it for another month or so when things stabilize.
Sledders are up there steadily, maybe you can get towed up.
Laughington is quicker and safer. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1425 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 6:17 PM
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| The whole area past the parking lot is pretty much one big avalanche path / runout. |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 6:48 PM
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Mt. Laughington it is then. I havn't done that route yet, and I already have the map for it... and Cheam can be done another time.
I'll post up the pics when I get back.
Any tips for Laughington? Anyone snowshoed it before? |
Edited by - Doctus on 02/24/2011 6:48 PM |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
4037 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 6:56 PM
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Use the search function and enter Laughington (BC Trip Reports and Subject Only). You will get lots of TRs on Laughington. If you can drive Foley Lake FSR to Airplane Creek FSR turnoff then you'll have no problems walking the road up and taking the old Alder Road to the ridge or staying on the newer road and branching off further up. The TR's have both routes profiled.
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Edited by - simonc on 02/24/2011 6:57 PM |
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Van, bc
Canada
636 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 7:05 PM
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| i was up Thurston today. 4-5" powder at parking lot. 1-2" fresh on trail in trees. and about 12" fresh up on the open ridgeline. be prepared for trailbreaking! it is a great area for snowshoeing and camping.... boarding not so much. other Chilliwack mountains should have similar conditions though. |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2011 : 11:48 PM
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| Some of these areas are not travelled frequently. I would avoid it solo, unless you are very comfortable doing so. There are plenty of simple hazards that can end your day in misery. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1133 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2011 : 09:35 AM
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| Probably too late on this one, but I was up Laughington on the 12th. At the time it was snowing heavily and I was plowing through knee deep heavy snow. I took the new road to the cutblock and up to the knoll. Probably a lot more snow now though. |
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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
13598 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2011 : 1:22 PM
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Doctus
I have been up there several times; Airplane Creek Road lower and Upper. and also did the Ridge. It is a good snowshoeing area.
K |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2011 : 8:47 PM
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Not much of a trip report, but it was still a blast. Thanks for the Mt Laughington recommendation guys! Definitely going back there (next time with my tire chains)
I got there later than I had planned. I didn't make it past the treeline, but I still got some good altitude before I suited up and boarded back down (I was loosing sunlight). I made camp at the Foley/Airplane intersection.
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Edited by - Doctus on 03/09/2011 8:50 PM |
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Van, BC
Canada
2841 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2011 : 8:51 PM
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Nice pics.
Probably don't need the pepper spray this time of year though :P
-Ryan
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Richmond, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2011 : 9:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Ryan.in.yaletown
Nice pics.
Probably don't need the pepper spray this time of year though :P
Thanks.... and usually I'd agree with you about the pepper spray, but when I go solo I spare no precaution. Wolves, bear and cougars are rarely seen, especially in winter, but when I'm silently trudging along, not making as much noise as a group, I've accidentally snuck up on my fare share of wildlife. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1656 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2011 : 9:39 PM
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| Good one. How far did you make it in the truck? |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2011 : 10:30 PM
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Yeah, the whole drive and aproach can be tough this time of year.
The best stuff is up top, past where you went of course.
Cheam would be 3x the effort right now. looks like you had a good day out anyways. |
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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
13598 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2011 : 6:42 PM
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Nice one Doctus. Enjoyed your pics and your account. Lots of snow there.
K |
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Mount Cheam Snowshoe Trip Planning
