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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 4:41 PM
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Big Dog Mountain August 5th/6th, 2012 - A night on the summit
Our original trip to Kwoiek Glacier area was spoiled with a rockslide up the Log Creek FSR blocking access to the long ridge leading up to the Kwoiek Needle that would have allowed us to enter the Kwoiek Glacier Playground Of Peaks...while inspecting the vehicle clearance to see if we could navigate around the slide we were gettng eaten alive by mosquitos.
The other way into the area was from Kwoiek Creek FSR but there were reports that indicated the road ended around the Kwoiek lake which would have been a long slog up to the glaciers from what we determined.
My back up plan was to go back to an area where we had previously run out of time and with no visibility we did not obtain our objective. Big Dog Mountain
With the mosquitos and access crisis, we thought that the Big Dog area would provide a better 3 day exploration and, hey, we could bag the mtn finally.
Off we drove up the canyon past Lillouet and up the Yalakom rd for around 70kms until we finally reached our usual trailhead.
We began the long slog into the valley and admired the odd scenery...forest fire blackened trees settled in purple flora with a deep blue sky to contrast like some martian planet backdrop.
  
  
Once we finally gained the high ridge we were approaching the lake and man did it look inviting after walking on dirt and rocks in +35 degree direct sun for a couple hours. Mark and I soaked our feet for a while and took a water break before heading up further to the rocky spine between the peak above the lake and Big Dog's final ascent.
   
Looking back from the ridge to the lake there were some spectacular views to be had.
   
   
The final approach to the summit seemed to go on forever after carrying our heavy packs all the way to this point...oh well, we had our minds set on a summit camp for the night and there was no turning back...at almost 10,000ft we were on top of the world for that location soaking in the evening sun from what seemed to be the highest mountain for miles and miles. What a view!
   
We cleared an area and leveled the ground the best we could before setting up the tent. In fact, we were lucky to find a spot that was boulder free up there and just big enough for the tent. Once that was set up we cooked up some supper and took our seats on the rocks to enjoy the setting sun that lit up the rocks and clouds.
   
 
With smiles on our faces we talked about the day's accomplishments and discussed what the agenda for tomorrow might be. Looking back into the valley to the southwest we quickly eyed up Noaxe Mtn and its connecting ridge system to the lake where we had rested earlier that day. The plan was to set up a central camp somewhere not too far or to much higher than the lake and do a day trip or two from there to summit Noaxe and possibly Blue Peak as well depending on how quickly we travelled.
With the plan set, we settled in for sleep and awoke the next day to yet another beautiful clear, hot day. Mark boiled up some water so we could enjoy some coffee before packing up camp to head out on the next leg of the adventure. Noaxe Mtn.
  
  
Going down to the ridge and across to the lake was quick and painless but we both felt a little less energetic after the previous day's big push. At the lake we topped up our almost empty water bottles and took a rest before heading onto the unknown ridge...actually we weren't even sure if the ridge was even completely connecting or how technical it could become.
Climbing up to the high point above the lake we realized that the ridge did connect and it seemed fairly straight forward. On the ridge Mark commented on how stable the rocks in this area were...perhaps it was the fact that they were like stucco covered low grit count sandpaper rocks that clung to everything they came in contact with, including Mark's leg.
 
Anyway, we made our way down with no problem at all and found it quite enjoyable. At the bottom however, we realized that we had lost a lot of elevation and to gain it all back would require more effort than what we wanted to spend...a couple options were to save the gaining of the ridge to Noaxe until right below the base of the mountain or head for Blue Peak and forget about Noaxe...we hmm'd and haww'd for a while and decided to head towards Blue Peak instead to see if that was something we wanted to attack.
 
After skirting around the shoulder to the south east we looked at Blue Peak and the long ridges leading up to it and came to the conclusion that we were done with the area and our level of excitment to gain another ridge to summit something smaller than what we had already done didn't appeal to us. Our new plan was to head out a day early which was fine knowing that we had obtained our summit..satisfied with our accomplishments we began the long descent back to the truck.
   
   
This was a great trip with so many rewarding views and it was our first summit camp and a good one at that.
Thanks Mark for driving and for being able to explore this area with me. Guess we'll have to go back to get a few more peaks in...Noaxe, Big Sheep? |
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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
13445 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 5:13 PM
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Fabulous one, congrats Kelly and Mark.
A beautiful area with such amazing views. Now you have the payoff with the conditioning you took with all those mid-week after work hikes, which I had shared some with you.
K |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 5:28 PM
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| You have a lot of peridotite and similar stuff up there, which does tend to be super-grippy. |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1087 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 5:33 PM
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| Captured the feel of the Shulaps Range with your photos, in particular the sunset ones. |
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Port Douglas, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 5:37 PM
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Kelly, I like the romantic feel that your TR gave me...looks sweet like Mark. Good job boys in setting up your tent on a mountain...was it hard? I thought it would be easier just to lay down on the rock for a few hours and then cover more ground...kinda like what we will be doing next week for 7 days |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 5:45 PM
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Thanks Tim, Dru and Karl.
Adam, yes the trip was like being at the spa...
Can't wait for the little ridge walk trip we are going to do...it probably won't be as hard as the heather trail...I mean really...bending down to take pictures of all those lillies really tired me out.  hahahahahahahahaha..
We should maybe leave the tent behind and just do a walk a thon for charity.
:-)
Kelly |
Edited by - kellylegros on 08/07/2012 5:52 PM |
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over the hills and far away
Canada
708 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 6:19 PM
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"alomost 10,000ft" is definately rounding up, but a real sweet trip nevertheless.
Are you able/willing to say more about the "uaual trailhead", like how far off the Yalakom you drove and the elevation of your parking spot, and how much hiking were you able to do on road? |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 7:07 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Candy Sack
"alomost 10,000ft" is definately rounding up, but a real sweet trip nevertheless.
Are you able/willing to say more about the "uaual trailhead", like how far off the Yalakom you drove and the elevation of your parking spot, and how much hiking were you able to do on road?
I guess you're right about that Candy Sack...more like 2862m
About 65km along Yalakom rd you turn off and drive another 5km up a spur rd..I think the parking elevation is 1600m approximately...It was about 9km of rd walking...possibly more up the valley.
Cheers,
Kelly |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
99 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 7:56 PM
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Kelly thanks again for the couple days in the hills to this rare visted peak. (Summit register had a Lillooet group from Aug.2001) Had great views, very few bugs and sun. (maybe a little too much), Here are a few stats from my GPS.
Parked at 1635M
High point 2865M
Total accumulative elevation 1605M
Round trip 23.2K
Pictures to follow
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 9:57 PM
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Nice spot.  |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6907 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 10:02 PM
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| Another great TR, nicely done. Summit camping is fun (especially in good weather)! |
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| Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
626 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 10:32 PM
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I really enjoyed your report, it's nice to see some mountains without all those pesky trees interfering with the views! |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 9:45 PM
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Thanks everybody.
This sure is an area worth exploring more..I will have to go back to check out Noaxe, Big Sheep and the Shulaps Peak..some fun scrambles to be had by the looks of it.
Cheers,
Kelly |
Edited by - kellylegros on 08/08/2012 9:49 PM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 10:20 PM
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| I almost missed this fantastic report of the area rarely covered. Thank you for sharing your experience. I can sense outstanding beauty of the area from your report and photos. |
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Chilliwack
1269 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 07:13 AM
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| Well done Kelly and Mark though I wondered what happened to Adam and Evan. Now I read that you'll be heading out soon for your next big adventure. Sure looks like a super area you visited. Nice lake and beautiful scenery. Good goofy self portrait. :D |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 09:45 AM
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Thanks Trailrunner and as for you Kanike...hahaha..yeah, Evan can't make it up here this year...but we are doing a Big Traverse in a couple days...stay tuned! It will be Epic.
Cheers,
Kelly |
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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 - 08/09/2012 : 10:36 AM
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| This looks like an fabulous area and you've got me really interested in it. Thanks for posting and the pictures - good stuff. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 10:52 AM
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ahhh that lake looks so inviting. If not too cold, I would have had to swim to that island and back. Been there lots with finally seeing cool water after a hot, dusty walk. Going to
be 41 down here today. But, I love the desert. Nice picture of the lake from up high. too bad about the road blockage, earlier. Amazing evening summit pictures! wow! Is that a helmet cam? I saw a cool thing where a guy took a little pully and hung his cam on the wheely and put it on a few hundred feet of fishing line and let it slowly glide down the trail taking pictures of the hikers below going down the trail. One person holds the line or fastens it to a tree or rock and stretches out the line down hill and lets the camera roll along to be safely caught at the end by someone or create an incline elbow.
It really looks cool to watch it roll along; capturing the scenery. Hollywood effect for really cheap and lightweight efforts. You could stretch it across a section of the lake, stand high on one side, let it glide to the other shore/lower end.
Great stuff! Beautiful country. thanks! |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 5:51 PM
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Hey Simon.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
If you want more specifics just shoot me an email.
Rented Mule....I like your idea about cable cam...I have thought about higher level shots for quite some time and soon I will have to buy a quadcopter to mount the GOPRO helmet cam to and then I can get some nice aerial shots. Till then, I will use a hiking pole to get up above people as they pass by and use a 2ft track to roll cam on to get a simple pan now and then...neat effect!
Kelly
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Kimberley, BC
Canada
122 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 6:39 PM
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Nice!
Was the access road before the newly signed mining road up that way? I believe it is on the same mountain. |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
832 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 8:17 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by whitebark
Nice!
Was the access road before the newly signed mining road up that way? I believe it is on the same mountain.
Same access and valley as the mine.
Best plan would be to call ahead to Sona Resources to get permission to use that Elizabeth Mine road.
Not sure if they are mining at the moment but they should know if hikers are in proximity.
Cheers,
Kelly |
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Big Dog Mountain - High Camp
