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Vancouver, BC
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 3:24 PM
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Headed out early on Saturday with the intention of going up Hanover. My day got off to a bit of a bad start when I found out that Tim Horton's doesn't serve breakfast before 5am 
Started up the trail from Lions bay around 5:30. Came across this on the trail just pass the water treatment plant.
Aww gross...c'mon guys, can't you find a toilet?
Came across another pile just before the Brunswick/Lions junction. Gee I guess the bears like this trail. I was a bit spooked since I was alone and it was early morning, but I figured that my horrible singing would scare off all manner of man and beast.
Soon I was at the end of the old logging road and starting up the steep section of trail leading up to the ridge (after passing a third pile of bear scat).
Some patches of snow are still clinging to the trail, but summer conditions will soon prevail here I think.
After about two hours of hiking I gained the ridge, and started looking for the HSCT junction. I wasn't too sure where it was supposed to be so I just followed the first set of tracks heading off towards Hat pass.
Lots of evidence of recent slides through here but the snow was still very hard at this time of day so I felt comfortable cutting across the slopes.
I came through Hat pass around 8:00am and saw that the sun had already begun to wreak havoc on the snow conditions there. I soon began sinking up to my knees and realized that if I continued on to Hanover I would face a horrible slog on the return, and would be exposed to risk from slides. On top of that, I had a feeling the gullies on Hanover would be sketchy at best due to the southern exposure.
View from Hat pass, aka wet slide central.
I decided that I might as well just head back to the Brunswick trail where the snow was still holding firm. My last trip to Brunswick was clouded in, so a second visit on a clear day would be worthwhile. But first I climbed a short way up the north side of Brunswick to get this shot of the Tantalus range:
The climb up to Brunswick was uneventful and I reached the peak around 10:15. This time I decided to traverse the ridge to get to the true summit. Much of the ridge is snow-free now, so I was much more comfortable doing the traverse knowing I wasn't traveling on any overhanging cornices. Some mild exposure on the ridge but nothing too exciting.
This section looks daunting at first, as it appears you have to traverse this narrow exposed ramp (top-centre of photo) but you actually just go around behind it.
Views from the summit were incredible. Could see all the way to Black Tusk and beyond. I inspected the gullies on Hanover with the binoculars and was happy that I didn't attempt the route.
 - Hanover
 - Hat
 - the lakes
 - Sky Pilot group
 - Lions, Harvey, & Howe Sound
 - Black Tusk & Garibaldi |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 3:28 PM
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| You'd probably have had no problems in the gullies....you might even have been able to buttslide down. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
874 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 3:37 PM
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Bear cub on the Hat trail at about 950 meters, Friday.
Mother was nearby but fortunately not aggressive. |
Edited by - weedWhacker on 05/21/2012 3:37 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
13465 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 5:10 PM
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Nice view shots of those distant peaks.
Brunswick seems to be a great central mountain.
K |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
908 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 6:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by weedWhacker
Bear cub on the Hat trail at about 950 meters, Friday.
Mother was nearby but fortunately not aggressive.
holy crap you were close! |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
908 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 6:13 PM
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| looks like a great day up on the slopes. To bad the snow was turning to crap and you had to do your plan B. Good thing though that your plan B had such amazing views! |
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:24 PM
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| I remember heading up to Brunswick years ago...that ridge was scary. I think one of the lakes below is Deeks Lake. Nice shot of the Lions and Harvey. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
874 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 10:20 PM
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| There is a serious slope near the top that I would not try without axe, crampons and partner to rope up with at this time of year. I am a bit surprised there haven't been more accidents on it. I have had a few white-knuckle experiences over the years but maybe I am just getting old and fearful - or wiser. |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 11:53 AM
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Can't believe how much snow has gone from up there.
Thanks for the conditions update |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 3:52 PM
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Great job making the summit, mj. Really like this shot...still one for Katie and I to accomplish.
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Brunswick...again
