| Author |
Topic |
|
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 2:59 PM
|
I have been looking for Canoe-Climb locations for some time now and finally had the chance to execute one of them.
WIDGEON PEAK - BURKE MOUNTAIN APRIL 28, 2012
Stats:
Participants:Kelly, Mark, Ron
Gear:Ice Axe(used this), Crampons(didn't use), Snow Shoes(didn't use), hiking poles(used this), 2 canoes(didn't swim..that's for sure)
Approximate distance covered: 9km/2hrs return on water, 12km/8.5hrs return on land
Starting Elevation: 17m
Topped out at: 1240m approx.
Max Grade: 75%
We decided to meet at 5am, departing in 2 vehicles from chilliwack to take advantage of the light available to increase our success for summit.
Arrived at Rannie Rd. boat launch just after 6am and were dipping the canoes by 6:30am.
Our paddle across the main slough didn't take too long and before we knew it we were meandering through the widgeon wildlife tributaries...sounds of morning birds filled the air with the ocassional honker flying overhead. We saw a few deer grazing along the shore and at one point noticed something significant aborting the shore and crashing into the marsh..
The water was crystal clear and ranged in depth from 1ft to a few meters (high tide).
It took about an hour to reach the shore of Widgeon Campsite where we quickly traded our canoes and paddles for backpacks and hiking poles to begin the long journey into the valley between Burke Mtn and Widgeon Peak.
By 12pm we were on the ridge and heading for Widgeon Peak. The ridge was very steep and in some sections only a foot wide of passage with shear drops on either side.
At around 12:30 we had managed to go as far as we could up towards Widgeon due to the conditions presented to us...sketchy passage, snow cornices and cliffs had reduced our confidence and the decision was made to play it safe and try the more acheivable peak...Burke. Going down was an axe assisted veggie belay that only lasted for a few moments and we were once again navigating the ridge back and heading for Burke.
1:30pm - Once we payed our dues with the ups/downs of the ridge we managed to yet again get ourselves in a predicament with the obstacle this time being a series of 10 foot meltaways that resembled bergschrunds. We toyed with the thought of crossing these but we were already quite vertical with cliffs to the left and steep snow slopes to the right...so we called it off with only 50m vert. left to the top.
Our experience going down was a lot more relaxed as the snow cushioned our steps and provided some relief for our sore leg muscles.
We had come up a mixed route (old logging road,marked trail,DIY trail)but now that we had experienced the easy but lengthy travel of the old road we thought it would be a good relaxing way down. There were very minimal overgrown sections on the road and this helped our thoughtless descent to be quick and "almost" painless.
Once back at the campsite, I wanted to try out my newest gadget given to me from my friend BillyGoat. ~pop can stove with my home made cous cous and curry~ It only took a minute or two and I was enjoying some nice warm comfort food to give me some energy for the almost 5km solo paddle back to the vehicle. Little did I realize how pleasant it would be to "ride the tide" back to the truck. There were more beachy-grassy islands appearing now that we were in low tide movement but nothing was impassable...some spots were 6" depth.
We did have to give up some effort though crossing the main channel back to the boat launch as the tide and current were not in our favor.
Anyway, that's our story and I think we'll stick with it. I hope it provides inspiration for more adventures to come.
A BIG thank you to Mark and Ron for humoring me along the way.
Here are some pictures and a video to put a face to those peaks.
Cheers,
Kelly
http://youtu.be/VQAr0_JjvsE
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    |
Edited by - kellylegros on 05/01/2012 6:07 PM
|
|
 Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 3:24 PM
|
| A valiant attempt to be sure and great effort all around I'm glad seeing the popcan stove to have found a happy home. |
|
|
Chilliwack
1271 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 4:37 PM
|
So awesome. Wish I could have joined you guys but work called. Serious steep spots by the looks of your pics and some very heavy packs! No wonder you were sore!
Kelly: I think I am going to start calling you Keljit or Kellyinder since you seem to have a thing for Indian food - butter chicken at home, couscous and curry on the trail. Glad you got that pop can stove.
Hope to join you on your next canoeing and hiking adventure.
|
|
|
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 4:45 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kanike
Kelly: I think I am going to start calling you Keljit or Kellyinder since you seem to have a thing for Indian food - butter chicken at home, couscous and curry on the trail. Glad you got that pop can stove.
Hahaha...yeah Ron tried some of the curry at camp and started glowing and smiling.
Guess I am part Indian. I lovaah da spice!
You just need a doctor that will prescribe canoe hike so you can join us next time to get off work.
Kelly |
|
|
|
Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 8:45 PM
|
Cool trip Kelly, had a little bit of everything.
Sounds like a nice ride out, a smidge better than walking an FSR.  |
|
|
Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 9:08 PM
|
| Way to go Kelly and team! A cool adventure. |
|
|
Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 9:25 PM
|
| Good effort....love those pack the snowshoes the whole way hikes. |
|
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6792 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 9:45 PM
|
| Superb effort in not quite ideal circumstances. 2 thumbs up. |
|
|
Surrey, BC
Canada
119 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 09:10 AM
|
| Nice Adventure! Love the photos :-) |
|
|
Port Coquitlam, BC
Canada
7 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 10:17 AM
|
| Turned around about 3 weeks ago on Widgeon for the same reason (Doing the route over from Burke) |
|
|
11 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 12:43 PM
|
Great attempt!!
You will have to try it when the snow is gone. The bowl area looks much more inviting than in the summer with all the salmonberries. I'm glad you were able to follow some of the flagging. I'm hoping to get some work done on the trail this summer. Widgeon Peak could be a popular destination. |
|
|
|
Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13475 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 12:46 PM
|
A great solid trip with variety, nice shots all round.
K |
|
|
Port Douglas, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 1:28 PM
|
"the obstacle this time being a series of 10 foot meltaways that resembled bergschrunds. We toyed with the thought of crossing these but we were already quite vertical with cliffs to the left and steep snow slopes to the right...so we called it off with only 50m vert. left to the top."
really? whatever, you guys suck...is this the kinda crap you guys will pull when your at 14,000ft, 5 steps away from the summit this summer? 10 extra super sets of front squats with box jumps for each of you. |
|
|
Port Douglas, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 1:31 PM
|
| i didn't write that...Kevin was in my office and used my computer under my log in...I think this is a cute trip report, and wish i went canoeing with you while eating granola. |
|
|
North Vancouver, bc
Canada
155 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 3:27 PM
|
| Looks like a great day out, quite the variety, I like the shot of the mountains from the boat, wouldn't mind checking that area out. |
|
|
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 5:47 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Marduk
really? whatever, you guys suck...is this the kinda crap you guys will pull when your at 14,000ft, 5 steps away from the summit this summer? 10 extra super sets of front squats with box jumps for each of you.
Marduk, please tell Kevin that it is this kind of careless behavior that causes people to end up with broken necks and back injuries ending up in search and rescue call outs where they have to fly in the BIG plane and shoot flares off lighting the whole city up while the helicopter rescue ensues. I mean really...I don't even have facebook so why risk my life for a photo anyway?
...now about those front squats w/ box jumps...
Ps- my new home made power bars are "to die for.." |
Edited by - kellylegros on 04/30/2012 5:49 PM |
|
|
362 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:57 PM
|
| Looks pretty sweet - good going boys. |
|
|
 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
|
Popkum, B.C.
Canada
629 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 8:06 PM
|
| I really enjoyed this report! I've only done the paddle portion, and it was great. |
|
|
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
841 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 7:11 PM
|
| Thanks for all the +'ve vibes. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Widgeon Peak/Burke Mtn-Canoe/Hike
