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362 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:23 PM
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Mt Outram – Apr 28, 2012
Springs arrival has brought some excellent opportunities for quick and direct travel when the snow conditions are right – the flip side is getting trapped in soft and sticky snot if you’re unlucky (but this is something most here are familiar with already). Getting out over the past few weekends had given me confidence that the former conditions were likely in the morning hours but would almost surely deteriorate into the latter by the afternoon. When thecamel asked if I was game for Outram I was enthusiastic but aware that it could be a really tough if we got caught in shitty snow. Now I know Cody is a family man so I didn’t want to suggest any really outrageous start times but I pushed to depart as early as possible and we agreed to meet up in Hope at 6:30. Carpooling for the last stretch into Manning gave us the opportunity to introduce ourselves in person and chat a bit before setting out.
Being marked by a giant marmot at the Manning West Gate made the trailhead pretty easy to find (although I still almost managed to f that up, less talking and more navigating perhaps?). We set out on the Engineers Road and then proceeded up some gentle switchbacks after passing the turnoff to Ghostpass Lake.
A couple hundred vertical meters of open trail brought us to what seemed to be continuous snow and we stopped to put our snowshoes on. Setting out again, we kept on following the markers but after about 10 minutes I found myself struggling to stay on what were now increasingly rare islands of snow in a predominantly snow free landscape – WTF? I know that MEC has a good return policy and that MSR makes a great product, but I don’t think that open trail was really the use case the Ascent’s designers had in mind. A few minutes of this and we were forced to stop and take our snow shoes off again.
A bit more trail brought us to the true snow line but since we were wary of being fooled again we decided it would be best to post hole for 20 minutes to be sure Snowshoes on again, we climb steadily higher, alternatively bypassing and following the many switchbacks until encountering Seventeen Mile Creek. From this point the trees began to thin and the slope steepened considerably. It’s probably around here that you would begin to have serious difficulties if the snow wasn’t quite so nice.
 
A steep treed section and a slide path or two put us in the bowl where the tarns would be in summer – some cornice action here.
 
I looked up at the final ridge and worried that the summit would be totally engulfed but I kept that shit to myself. Luckily the sun broke through and the cloud progressively cleared away in the final 200m or so.
   
In short order a windswept talus slope brought us to the south summit and fully into the sun. The true summit was now simply a matter of staying back from a heavily corniced edge and few steep steps brought us to 2461m in an island of clear weather.
   
You would briefly be able to spot Baker or the tops of a few closer mountains to the south but mostly it was swirling cloud billowing up from the north side of the mountain and blue skies above. The air was remarkably still and warm compared to the stiff breeze that we had encountered only a little earlier and the cloud made for an aesthetic lunch spot.
  
Satisfied that the skies wouldn’t miraculously clear immediately after we departed, we re-entered the mists and spent some time looking for the snowshoes I’d left somewhere among the snowshoe mimicking rocks.
  
Cody ended up spotting them before me (I was too busy navigating by GPS only  ) and we had a good time postholing like crazy before strapping on the MSRs once again. It looked like sweet skiing in the open meadows and there were some nice photo opportunities on the descent.
  
 
Both of us wished we had brought a crazy carpet but it probably would have ended with someone injured in a tree well so this was for the best I think.
Shortly before recrossing Seventeen Mile Creek Cody noticed another set of tracks heading up and subsequently back down so I guess we weren’t the only ones out here today. It seemed like the person was wearing crampons in the soft snow so I’m not surprised their summit bid was unsuccessful. We joked that they were probably just making sure we were far enough that they wouldn’t be interrupted breaking into the vehicle... we both laughed and shared an uneasy look.
As usual, the last part of the trail seemed longer than on the way up but we joked around and found ourselves back at the parking before too long. Luckily the car was intact and we screwed around for a few minutes relishing the sensation of removing boots and taking photos with our iconic mascot of the day.
I was talking with some colleagues at lunch last Friday and when they asked what my plans for the weekend were I told them about how I was going to meet a stranger off the internet and go hiking in a remote location. They both exchanged looks like “well we’re probably never going to see Ben again” but I assured them that I was fairly confident I wouldn’t be murdered – “20, 25% chance max” I told them. In the end I was glad to find that not only did I not get killed but that Cody is in fact a super cool dude and a great guy to go hiking with
Thanks for the awesome day out man! I think we got lucky seeing the sun up top although a dermatologist might disagree considering the burn I’m sporting. I’d be more than happy to do it again though and I look forward to our next endeavour!
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:27 PM
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That's one mountain I've got to climb at least twice a year (summer and fall). I wonder if it's actually easier with all that snow on it?
Lovely place, good job! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:46 PM
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Good to see you guys made it to the top!
I didn't get on the trail until 9 (got a little side-tracked on the way there) so I wasn't really expecting to make it all the way up. That combined with the clouds convinced me to give it up at about the halfway point.
I was wearing snowshoes on the ascent but switched to crampons on the way down because I found it easier to descend the steep slopes that way.
I agree the snowline was a little puzzling... snowshoes on, then off, then on again.
Anyways, nice TR and great photos guys.
I'm thinking of taking another crack at it soon.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 8:28 PM
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Nice write up Ben. Good to see you didn't take any shortcuts!!
Here's some of my pix for the day.
Ben leading the way through the trees.
Chilly wind. My paws got pretty cold somewhere around here.
 
Some BIG cornices up there.
Looking back above the clouds.
Anyone know what Mt. this was poking out of the clouds at times. Think we were looking S-SW?
Ben approaching out of the clouds.
I hesitated for a second at the corniced up and down to the true summit until Ben arrived on scene. I asked him what his comfort level was as I was fishing in my pack for my gloves. I looked up a second later to see him standing on the true summit.....question answered.
  
Wasn't a lot of room for a dual summit shot.
Looking back at sub-summit.
Below the clouds.
 
What happens when you're too lazy to throw on pants and continually punch through up to your knees.
The burn is, we joked about wicked burns we've had before and given the clouds and cold, didn't even think about throwing on some sunscreen. Maybe I'll start a new fad....the headband burn line!
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Edited by - thecamel on 05/01/2012 9:58 PM |
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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
13467 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 9:13 PM
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Great trip, great report, and really enjoyed your write up of your adventure; Ben and Cody. ..
I still have not done this mountain, I like to give it a try as well. Perhaps to get out with others who are considering on doing this mountain.
K |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1089 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 9:42 PM
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| Have to say the pics of the true summit are the best one's you got. I'd probably settle for the lower of the two high points given the snowy conditions, but like to see you guys went for it. |
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Van, BC
Canada
2793 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 10:06 PM
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Great work in the snow :)
-Ryan
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1607 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 10:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by thecamel
Anyone know what Mt. this was poking out of the clouds at times. Think we were looking S-SW?
That looks like a great trip!
My guess for the mountain is Silvertip. |
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over the hills and far away
Canada
709 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 07:45 AM
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| Nice one. That massive talus slope must have felt less tedious with snow on it. |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 5:28 PM
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| Some fricken amazing summit pictures, guys. A trip well done! : ) |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 7:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Steventy
quote:
Originally posted by thecamel
Anyone know what Mt. this was poking out of the clouds at times. Think we were looking S-SW?
That looks like a great trip!
My guess for the mountain is Silvertip.
Yah I'd say the same. Nice go guys. Those ARE some big cornices! |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
345 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 09:05 AM
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| Very sweet trip and thanks for opening the route for the season. I think I ll go check it out soon. |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 08:58 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by DoubleE Alpinist
From this point the trees began to thin and the slope steepened considerably. It’s probably around here that you would begin to have serious difficulties if the snow wasn’t quite so nice.
You'd be correct. I believe you are talking about the point we had to turn around at back last December when we attempted it. Conditions where just not good.
Good job on doing it those conditions though. Considerably more difficult than doing it during the summer. |
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Mt Outram - Cloudy with a chance of sun - Apr 28
