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 Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
4000 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 6:08 PM
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This is part II of Ryan's TR of Mount John Decker. All together there were 8 of us on this trip, 4 of us summited John Decker and 3 then decided to follow the ridge northwards from there to Tolkien S1 (sub peak of Tolkien 1km south). We were joined by 2 more who journeyed through the bowl east of the ridge whilst the other 3 returned the way we all came up. Us 5 then went east and northeast to join up with a west spur of Phelix Creek Road to make a loop trip.
This sounds confusing and I wrote it - hopefully it will become more clear with the forthcoming text, pictures and map.
Here's Ryan's descriptive TR for John Decker: http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39125
All the others car camped that night and I knew they'd get an early start, but I couldn't resist an extra hour of sleep. Leaving Vancouver at 06:30 I made good time to the gate (690m el.) at Birkenhead Lake access and by 09:30 I set off. A handy stick arrow made by Alastair directed me off the snow covered road and into the forest. No breaks and a steady pace soon got me into the alpine and as I neared the small lake near 1800m elevation I could see some of the group on a ridge to my left.
After yelling "Hello" (Ryan heard me but couldn't see me) I took a quick break and continued upwards.
 An idea of the forest below 1000m elevation.
 My first glimpse of the others. John Decker behind.
We regrouped near the summit and Alastair ascended followed by me, Mark and Marek. Not too difficult but the exposure was significant on each side (see Ryan's TR for pictures). Lot's of great views as this mountain is a little lower and centrally located around higher peaks.
 2209m summit shot: Marek, Mark, Alastair and me.
 Whitecap Mountain to the northeast. I think Taillefer is at centre left.
 The descent.
 The route northwards to towards Tolkien S1 (the shadowed bump beneath Tolkien - centre of skyline).
 Looking back at Mount John Decker. Cirque, Olds and Oleg with McDonald rear left.
3 of us (Alastair, Mark and me) dropped off the steep north side of JD's lower north summit and followed the very pleasant ridge whilst the others retraced their steps. More cloud was disappearing and we were getting great views westward across the Sockeye Creek Valley.
 On the ridge. Sockeye/Mystery Peak at left.
 Further on and a look southwest with Sun God prominent.
The route up Tolkien S1 was easy and soon we were on top. Marek and Johnathan soon joined us having taken the broad bowl route just east of the ridge. From this summit (2229m) we had a good aspect of John Decker and a closer look at more peaks in the Cadwallader Range. One of them has been named by Dru (Peregrine Peak).
    
1. Looking back at where we came from. The ridge we took with the bowl taken by Marek and Johnathon below.
2. Northwards towards Tolkien Peak. Easy to get to if you can get off the steep north side of the peak we're on. Aragorn and Gandalf are the two peaks rear right of Tolkien.
3. ENE view towards Sockeye/Mystery (centre skyline). Valpolicella Peak area at right and Sockeye S3 at left. Peak 2492 is far right and Beaujolais is just right of Sockeye.
4. Zooming in on Mount John Decker (near right). At rear are Olds and Oleg with Gardiner the pointy peak in front of Olds and McDonald in front of Oleg.
5. And one more shot of John Decker. Our ascent ridge to it from the valley is where the shadow meets the sunlit slope.
Alastair's plan was to now head eastward for a while and then drop down northeast to contour down and around to a spur road off of Phelix Creek. Enjoying the late afternoon light we set off and the batteries ran out on my camera. Good thing I'd brought two of them (cameras) so that I could continue taking pictures (around 250 on this trip).
Things were looking good to the south and Birkenhead Peak had finally shed the cloud around it's summit.
 Birkenhead Peak to the SSE. Taken with the Canon.
 The other guys making good time. We'll be curving northwards and down to the lower left area of this shot. Prospector Peak far left with Phelix Peak to it's right.
 Northeast view - Weinhold (way back), Taillefer centre left with a sub peak of it centre. Prospector Peaks to the right.
 Regrouping before the drop into the valley. Johnathan, Marek, Alastair and me.
 And off they go. Taillefer is centre left and I think Weinhold is rear left of it.
A steep descent gets us into the valley southeast of Tolkien Peak and we head ENE losing elevation and passing a small frozen lake to emerge at a cutblock. From there we quickly gain the logging road and start down that to reach the main branch of Phelix Creek Road.
After 6-7km of logging road walking we get back down to the vehicle and where we all started. The slide prone part of the Phelix Creek Road .5km up it has a fair amount of debris on it which would take a little while to clear for 4x4 access.
Round trip was just over 10 or 12 hours with an cumulative elevation gain of around 2000m and a distance of 20km of so (Marek should have closer figures). We hit up MacDonalds in Pemberton for some well deserved food. A big thanks to Alastair for organizing this - it was a very scenic loop trip .
 Map of route. |
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Van, BC
Canada
2793 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 6:25 PM
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Very impressive loop :)
I really have to get into the Tolken area this summer for more exploration - it's a very beautiful area.
-Ryan
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post creek, bc
169 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 6:28 PM
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| nice trip and pics...bob |
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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
13465 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 8:29 PM
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That is an impressive group for a superb trip. Thanks for sharing the great scenic shots, as always.
K |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 8:56 PM
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 I gotta know, Is Tolkien actually named for JRR Tolkien? has to be.
Right? Look at that Image and tell me Tolkien didn't like to hike or he wouldn't have created such vivid and amazing destinations that we could only dream to hike to in his books.
Everyone looks happy! As well they should! What a beautiful outing with perfect weather and jaw dropping views. It's fun when you get together with other people to hike and it coordinates so well. Great stuff!! |
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253 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:10 PM
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| nice area |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
30 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:16 PM
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Spectacular loop. Great photos. Fine dining.  |
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Van, BC
Canada
2793 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:19 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
I gotta know, Is Tolkien actually named for JRR Tolkien? has to be.
Right? Look at that Image and tell me Tolkien didn't like to hike or he wouldn't have created such vivid and amazing destinations that we could only dream to hike to in his books.
Everyone looks happy! As well they should! What a beautiful outing with perfect weather and jaw dropping views. It's fun when you get together with other people to hike and it coordinates so well. Great stuff!!
Yup - there are mountains in there named Mt Gandalf, Mt Aragorn, and Mt Shadowfax?. And some other unofficial ones too I think.
-Ryan
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:22 PM
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| With Gandalf and the likes, I'd say Tolkien can't be a coincidence....a better question is...why? |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:27 PM
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Good strong group and awesome terrain to be in - makes for a great day  |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:31 PM
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Another great trip. Love the "regrouping" shot.
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76 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:33 PM
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| The final ascent photos are just fantastic. What a great weekend for a trip like this. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:39 PM
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| Wow, that was a big loop. Excellant trip. |
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832 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:55 PM
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My GPS route plots and stats:
 
Total distance 19.2 km, cumulative elevation gain 2121 m, highest point 2242 m (Tolkien S1)
A few more pictures:
     
1. Simon and the mountain he's just climbed
2. Mark coiling the 20 m rope
3. Alastair and a view of John Decker from Tolkien S1
4. Closeup of John Decker and its NW subsummit
5. Mark, Simon, Alastair and Jonathan chilling out (literally) on Tolkien S1, with Tolkien Peak behind
6. Simon catching up
Panoramic view south from Tolkien S1:
Descent from Tolkien S1 towards Phelix Creek valley:
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
629 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 10:54 PM
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| Great pictures everyone! Fantastic Loop Route. There's a lot of beautiful country up there. Too bad it's so far from home! |
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505 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 09:06 AM
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| I think Alastair had it right,if one fell of the crux they probably wouldn't die,just a really rough ride :p |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 10:12 AM
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| Impressive trip and impressive amount of snow. |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 10:45 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Ryan.in.yaletown
quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
I gotta know, Is Tolkien actually named for JRR Tolkien? has to be.
Right? Look at that Image and tell me Tolkien didn't like to hike or he wouldn't have created such vivid and amazing destinations that we could only dream to hike to in his books.
Everyone looks happy! As well they should! What a beautiful outing with perfect weather and jaw dropping views. It's fun when you get together with other people to hike and it coordinates so well. Great stuff!!
Yup - there are mountains in there named Mt Gandalf, Mt Aragorn, and Mt Shadowfax?. And some other unofficial ones too I think.
-Ryan
As well as Long Lake and unofficial summits on the ridge system to the south of the lake, Frodo as well as Gimli. That's a fun ridge walk, by the way. Good day trip if you are camping at Birkenhead Lake. |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
4000 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 12:06 PM
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I've never been to The Tolkien Group/Brian Waddington Hut area, but after looking at a few TR's on CT and Bivouac I think I will have to head up there soon and maybe spend a night.
Incidently, as if I don't have enough cameras right now I went out last night and bought a Olympus E PL1 4/3 camera as they have a good deal on at London Drugs (and Future Shop) with the camera, 14-42mm and 40-200mm lense bundle at $580.
Some good looking pictures there RB. Great pano's. |
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West Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
289 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2011 : 11:38 AM
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| Belated congratulations on an impressive trip! I wish I could have joined you. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
149 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2011 : 1:32 PM
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| Excellent accurate trip report. Prospector Pks is another great destination on firm April/May snow when you can motor. |
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Tolkien S1 (and Mount John Decker). Apr 30 11
