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 Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3996 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 8:23 PM
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Pop Quiz - Mount Duke is named after...
    
A: The Duke Of Wellington
B: Duke Nukem
C: John Wayne
D: Archbishop William Mark Duke
E: Marmaduke
Culater told me he had "had enough" of bushwacking and wanted to do a peak that actually had a trail to start. The 3 last major trips we'd done together all involved plenty of that so when he suggested Mount Duke south of Vantage Peak (Joffre Group) I readily agreed.
An early start out of Vancouver had us parked at the large pullout on Duffey Lake Road and hiking a new for us trail by 9am. The time I did Vantage it was possible to still drive up Cerise Creek Main. Some boggy sections (and Giant Hog weed right at the beginning) but otherwise a good trail to get us over to the old road and up that to where the trail continues towards Keith's Hut.
We follow this and after crossing a creek (partially submerged logs) we pause at the usual spot for good views of Joffre Peak.
 Joffre with the tip of Matier far left.
Coming to a junction we take the left route marked "Glacier" and follow that as it winds it's way towards the base of the moraines left behind by the retreating Anniversary Glacier. Some boggy sections here too along with creek crossings.
Side-hilling across the toe of the moraine we then start to rise on mostly open terrain heading up towards the Vantage-Matier pass (still with a trail to follow). Snow covers the ground near the top and we trudge up that to take a break at the top.
 Vantage at left, Duke centre and Snowspider rear right.
 The Twin One Glacier with Matier peaking out of the clouds.
Still with a trail we ascend Vantage taking slightly different routes up it's west side. Some bush, various flagging, cairns, snowslopes and rock got us to the peak of 2235m and a good view of where we want to go next.
 The way to Duke. Twin One Lake below right.
 Howard, Matier and Joffre looking splendid.
After a very short time on top we descend Vantage's southern ridge which was straightforward with bush and krummholz that could mostly be avoided (no more trail now). A small tarn was passed near the low point (1920m) and after a flat section we start up the northwest ridge. This is a mixture of talus and bedrock interspaced with some heather ramps and minor snow slopes.
 How things looked.
We mostly stuck together with a few different routes on some scramble sections. One part I took up a steep snow slope nearly ended badly when near the edge/moat I broke through but managed to spread myself out enough to not crash down on the rock below.
A few sections we had to ponder our next moves but it was a really pleasant hike/scramble with no real difficulties. And the views started to open up.
 The Upper Twin One Creek Valley and HMJ. Cayoosh way back right.
Once in a while the talus would shift when we trod on it and there were still some impressive cornices on the eastern side of the ridge. No bugs up this high and they weren't too bad throughout the day at lower elevations either (worst on walking out on the logging road).
 Vlad enjoying things.
 Some easy going scrambling as we near the peak.
Topping out on the broad summit we make our way across to the cairn, drop our packs and take in the views which are slightly hindered by some cloud. Just under 5 hours to get here means we have time to go further if we wish.
 This is further...
The ridge system continues southeast from Duke to curl around in a horseshoe to go northwards to Mount Caspar. This looked like an awesome ridge walk but as a day trip I wasn't too sure. One, time; two, possible terrain hang ups and three, it would be quite the distance. Also, the exit would involve plenty of logging road walking along Caspar (possible bushiness) and Cerise Creek logging roads.
The first peak along the ridge is unnamed but has been called "Greifswald" on Bivouac.com - named after the birthplace of Caspar David Friedrich. Mount Caspar however is named after Caspar Phair (Lillooet resident).
Anyway, this officially unnamed peak it the first peak along the ridge in the picture above. It's higher than Vantage and has a high ridge joining it to Duke. The next peak along is called "Kosegarten" who was a German Poet and influenced Friedrich.
There won't be a pop quiz on the previous 2 paragraphs. The answer to whom is Mount Duke named for is D.
    
1. Snowspider Mountain to the south.
2. The continuation of ridge around to Mount Caspar and the Upper Caspar Creek Valley.
3. A zoom on Caspar. You can see a recent avalanche slide path that took out the forest on it's south ridge.
4. Me looking back at Vantage and it's northern ridge. Cayoosh, Chief Pascall, Marriott and Rohr at rear (taken by Vlad).
5. 2379m summit shot.
Leaving our packs we leave the summit and follow more pleasant slopes downward. Ramble and Scramble is how I'd describe the hiking from Vantage onwards. This area was really nice with a couple of steep sections to descend. The 2100m low point is reached and then we start up to the peak which had some nice ledges to work up near the top.
More good views greet us up here and we enjoy them as we ID the mountains close and far. Still some cloud around - more so to the southwest.
   
1. Looking back at Duke and the ridge taken to get here. We'd heard and seen part of the cornice below collapse when on the summit of Duke.
2. I gaze off towards Snowspider. Good memories from that trip. Asherah and Twin Two left and right rear of it.
3. 2283m summit shot.
4. The continuation of the ridge as it continues to "Kosegarten". St. Jacobs/Gideon area centre rear. Storm area rear right.
Vlad soon started to head back whilst I grabbed a few more shots then followed.
 Starting the long walk back.
 Where we just were - "Greifswald" with "Kosegarten" centre rear.
 A nice grassy ramp just above the pass. Sweet and fresh running water nearby too.
 An idea of the terrain back up Duke (taken by Vlad).
A marmot whistle greeted us as we re-ascended Duke and scrambled a steep section. Topping out we once again took a rest, some pictures and then started down.
 Vlad and Twin One Lake.
 A view of Duke from the tarn near the pass between Duke and Vantage.
On tiring legs we start back up Vantage. As this peak has quite a bit of krummholz we had to go fairly high to avoid it and couldn't short cut some elevation by traversing it's southwest slopes. Nearing the summit the terrain opened up enough to start the side-hill and I grabbed one last shot of the mountain we had visited twice today.
 The Duke, Snowspider and Twin One Lake.
Flagging is soon spotted and we follow the track back down Vantage with a stop on the snow slopes below to grab water out of one of the many rushing creeks. Back on the trail we descend to the moraine and bypass the hut trail again to take the lower trail back to the main trail, logging road and newer trail back to Duffey Lake Road.
Emerging there at dusk we grab a quick rest at the car and ease out of muddy boots. No beer on hand but MacDonald's in Pemberton was not far away. All told, it was a nearly 12 hour trip with about 2300m in cumulative elevation gain and I'm not sure about the distance - which I hope Vlad will provide.
 Map of route.
Feeling much better after a Big Mac, fries and iced coffee we hit the road and go home. |
Edited by - simonc on 07/29/2012 8:31 PM
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 8:43 PM
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| Nice report, Simon. Beautiful area. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 8:52 PM
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| Cool trip! This report was doubly enjoyable to read as the area you covered was of my interest. Thanks. |
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 | LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2506 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 8:59 PM
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I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to see this terrain in summer as compared to winter when snow and ice blankets everything and i thank you for the pictures and the stoke. Incredible terrain back there that keeps me going back year after year and season after season
Twin One looks way spookier without snow than with. |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 9:20 PM
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Wow, that place looks incredible! Great shots!
I'm beginning to wonder if Mount Duke is named after Daisy Duke because it is so beautiful  . |
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Van, BC
Canada
2790 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 9:20 PM
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Very nice! I was looking that way when I was up on Vantage last year wondering what the route was like :)
-Ryan
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 9:52 PM
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| I bivied near your "grassy ramp" last year. Couldn't imagine doing all that as a day trip from Vancouver. Good job! |
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North Vancouver, bc
Canada
155 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 10:38 PM
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| Nice one. That ridge walk between Duke and Greifswald looks enjoyable. |
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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
13054 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 10:51 PM
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| Yes, it sure looks great without banks of cold, rolling fog and stormy looking cloudage like when we were up last year. Outstanding pics, Simon, and a great day out, obviously |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
959 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 09:04 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by simonc
All told, it was a nearly 12 hour trip with about 2300m in cumulative elevation gain and I'm not sure about the distance - which I hope Vlad will provide.
Previous trips indicate it is 8k to Vantage, so I think it's safe to assume another 5k for a total of 26k return.
Great trip and a report (as usual), thanks Simon for a company.
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 12:44 PM
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That looks like an enjoyable ridge traverse. Another bonus of most hikes along the duffey lake road is that you're usually starting above 1000m's at the TH so any bushwhacking should be relatively quick before you're in the alpine.
Great TR overall
Love that ramp
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 1:08 PM
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Way cool ! |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 5:40 PM
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| The terrain you two cover in a day is always impressive...two thumbs up. : ) |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3996 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 10:37 PM
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quote:
noman Posted - 07/29/2012 : 9:52 PM
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I bivied near your "grassy ramp" last year. Couldn't imagine doing all that as a day trip from Vancouver. Good job!
Hi noman, I'd be interested to know how far around/where you traveled and how the terrain was.
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Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3055 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 11:07 PM
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| Impressive trip as always. Looks like a great area back beyond Vantage. |
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360 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2012 : 11:01 PM
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| Love those views |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1111 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2012 : 07:17 AM
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| I really need to get into this are for a few days to maximize exploration. Thanks. |
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Topic |
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Vantage to Mount Duke & a "Greifswald" Jul 27 12
