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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 10:27 PM
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From the Sasquatch Inn on the Lougheed highway a long road, 32k up the Chehalis FSR takes one to the Skwellepil North Rd, a few 100 meters past Skwellepil Creek Bridge. Al(Alhike) was with me to sample the delights of this rugged area. We took care as logging trucks are rumbling out from at least as far as 22k.
 Some of them are wide!
Al and I had plans to climb Skwellepil Peak a 1592m peak. It is situated at the head of Skwellepil Creek not too far from Stonerabbit. Last year I had climbed Stonerabbit and then on another trip attempted Skwellepil Peak. In the end I climbed a satellite of Skwellepil(due to very wet cold vertical bush) and Olive Peak. Today our objective was the main peak, but we would find a better way to climb it and then descend the vertical bush route for a traverse of the peak.
First though, on Skwellepil North were many, many waterbars for 4k, with about 12 of them we needed to do a little rock work on. Finally I reached my tolerance limit...so we stopped and geared up and plodded up about another 4k of road....oh the water bars just go on and on.
   Our peak to the right of the col.
  Al enjoying the creek crossing bushwack.
  Some easy snow slopes and we arrive at the undulating ridge that leads to the summit.
 We're heading for the summit along this ridge Its is very pleasant and the views to the west are glorious.
  Robie Reid and Blinch lake and Peaks.
 Thanks Al for the fine company!
We decided now to head down the steep bluffy side to make this a traverse of the peak. I thought the snow would be more connected but the ridge was interrupted by steep bluffs, and so discontinuous snow. We thrashed and hung our way using gravity to our advantage! This is what it looked like from a short way up the other side. 
   Some of the fun we had
 4 hours to summit.
The bugs were not bad, a few red flys followed us around but didn't do much. |
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
629 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 10:42 PM
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| Looks like a great day! I don't think the bugs like the weather. |
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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 - 07/11/2011 : 10:44 PM
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Ed A fine day with Al, he sure loves that bushwhacking and cruises up those snow slopes on glide. Great TR and interesting shots. How as the snow, firm or hard with a soft layer. Wonder if the snow was easy to boot-kick step ...
K |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 10:59 PM
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| Karl, the snow was really nice and firm especially in the trees. Just what you'd expect this time of year, softening abit in the afternoon and great glissading. We didn't take crampons, just iceaxe. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13057 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 11:39 AM
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| Looked like an interesting peak when I saw it from the Bardean area last year, very enjoyable report, Ed |
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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 - 07/12/2011 : 11:47 AM
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Good to see you get this one in the bag. I'm hoping to see some good aspects of Stonerabbit, Ratney and Bardean.
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West Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
289 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 1:02 PM
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I don't know this area at all, but interesting report. This photo caught my eye.
It looks somewhat terrifying  |
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 5:53 PM
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I really enjoyed this outing. Thanks a bunch, Ed. After three hikes in a week of swinging off bush with a day of trail loppering thrown-in, my forearms were a bit stiff this morning.
    
1-3- Hiking the lower slopes
4- Ed on the N-E ridge with Stonerabbit, Ratney, and Bardean arrayed beyond
5- The golden Ears peaks are in the distance at left and Robie Reid towers above Stave Lk
   
1- a good view of Alastair's and his team's route on the Judge
2- upper Skwellepil valley
3- emerging from the "light at the end of the tunnel" while descending the S-W ridge |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1089 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 6:59 PM
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| Three hikes in a week and your arms are sore? You must have strong legs Skwellepil looks rugged, but pure - good going guys. |
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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 - 07/12/2011 : 7:05 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by EAK
Karl, the snow was really nice and firm especially in the trees. Just what you'd expect this time of year, softening abit in the afternoon and great glissading. We didn't take crampons, just iceaxe.
Thanks Ed...
Seems like a good time of year to get around with snow helping the travel; soft enough yet firm enough to walk on, and perhaps cover some of the brush to lessen bushwhacking.
K |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:25 PM
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The south side of Stonerabbit is a go with a bit of careful maneuvering.
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6788 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:44 PM
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well then, thats a serious good trip boys, I like the Blinch view, brings back a bit of pain and smiles. You guys hit some of the best terrain thats not visited often.  |
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362 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2011 : 10:06 PM
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| Great TR! It's cool to see that perspective on Ratney and Stonerabbit recon shots are always welcome. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2011 : 10:12 PM
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I really like this trip. Great looking rocks around that area.. Looks like a couple true mountain men. :)
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Skwellepil Peak
