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362 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2012 : 9:57 PM
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Central Cheam Circuit: The Still, Stewart, Baby Munday North, Knight - Aug 11 & 12, 2012
For a variety of reasons, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the Cheam Range. My last trip there had been in October of last year so Jeremy and I both decided it was time to revisit. Climbing Rainier the previous weekend followed by a non-stop work week had left me feeling a little worn out and I thought it would be nice to take it easy and stretch the trip out over 2 days.
A couple hundred vertical meters and more than a few water bars saw us arrive at the TH off Airplane Creek FSR shortly after 12:30 on Saturday. Greeted by sweltering heat and heavy overnight packs we couldn’t help but smile with anticipation. While getting geared up another truck arrived with 2 guys referencing the Scrambles book and trying their best to figure out where exactly they were. They’d originally come to climb Cheam but had taken a wrong turn and ended up here instead. When asked for my suggestion I recommended they tackle Knight considering the previous navigational error, running shoes and general lack of experience in the area. They left before us and I’m sure they figured “that’s the last we see of those two”... suffice to say that wasn’t the case.
The short descent between the old FSR and Airplane Creek was less muddy than the last time I was here but still kind of sloppy. After the crossing the real ascent begins and despite the steepness, we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves chatting and not having any time sensitivities to worry us at all. We knew we wanted to camp near the small lake in the three-way col between Munday, Stewart and The Still but other than that we we’re totally undecided as to what we might climb and in what order – perfect!
Near 1700m we began traversing the flower covered meadows with the looming bulk of Munday towering above. Aiming for a drainage originating from our objective col we crossed a few minor snow patches and began ascending the creek therein.
 Baby Munday
Like most of the trip would prove to be, this part was very aesthetic with wild flowers and the cascading creek providing a nice background. We both took the opportunity to refill our water from the stream and relished the luxury of making no attempt at conservation.
  Ascent drainage
Once we came to the still partially frozen lake south of Munday we set out finding a nice spot to camp and settled on a perfectly level, wide mossy bench. The views were great and we chose The Still as the objective for that evening.
The Still
After setting up the tent we ascended a distinctive outcropping of red rock and entered a small plateau below the mountains north-western ridge.
 Red rock south of Stewart
Staying close to the ridge crest was easy but the rocks were a bit loose and due care was prudent.
  North-west ridge
Part of the way up Jeremy spotted a group of goats near the summit and counted seven of them in total – a first for me in the Cheam range.
 Alpine ungulates
Eventually we deviate from the ridge and traversed some meadows and a hanging snow field on the western face before ascending the small southern sub-summit where we’d last seen our hoofed friends. On the way I spotted this flower which I wasn’t readily able to identify... anyone have an answer?
 What am I?
In the time we’d taken to ascend the last portion of the sub peak (10 minutes maybe) the goats had travelled to a point well beneath Welch – a journey we estimated would take us at least 1-2 hours
The small peak connected to the main summit via a knife edged ridge which provided for as much or as little exposure as one might desire. We kept it fun and were standing on top in no time. Looking out at Welch, Foley and Conway was a good motivation to get up them sometime sooner rather than later.
   Ridge scrambling
 Welch, Foley and Conway
 Levitation summit shot
We glissade down the small snow field and drink in the playground laid out before us. As the sun set behind Baby Munday I was looking forward to dinner and the Perseid meteors for dessert.
  
1. Glissade
2. Sunset behind Munday
3. Overview, our campsite is on the rock left and below the lake
By the time the Milky Way was visible we’d spotted the first streaks of light in what would be an impressive show punctuated by a few truly spectacular meteors with tails extending across much of the sky. Well after midnight I was starting to get a little cold so I decided I’d had enough and turned in for the evening. I’m sure Jeremy has some better photos of the night sky so I’ll leave those for him to post.
I woke up to diffuse light illuminating the area and got a couple pictures of the mountains to the south as well as our little camp.
  
1. morning light
2. Rexford, Slesse, Border Peaks, Tomyhoi and Baker
3. camp
We boiled water for coffee and breakfast, broke camp and scoped out our route before setting out in the cool morning air.
Stewart
Despite doubting we’d have a chance to use them, both of us had brought our crampons and ice axes if only for the exercise. Fortunately, a steep and direct snow route afforded us some opportunity to utilize them and we bypassed the red outcropping and climbed to a slightly higher plateau due east of the lake. From here another steepish slope brought us to the base of Stewart perhaps 30 minutes after leaving camp. Both snow routes are bypassable so crampons are not a necessity.
  Snowfield ascent, unnecessary but direct
We scrambled the southwest ridge on nice rock with minimal difficulty. This short section was likely the highlight of our route – the central location, stellar views, airy feeling and good quality rock made this the quintessential Central Cheam peak.
   Stewart scramble
 Looking northward to Baby Munday North, Knight, Lady and Cheam
 Southward towards The Still, Welch and Foley
 Transcendental top out
Baby Munday North
After descending the southeastern ridge of Stewart we headed west across a small basin towards our next objective. Baby Munday proper is certainly a worthy objective but we were only here for the easy North summit.
  Munday views
Looking back out at Stewart and down onto our camp was great.
  Our day so far
Coming up to the summit we found the rock here was pretty loose and the scrambling was quick and easy. In what seemed like a flash after departing Stewart, we were again topping out and snapping summit pictures.
 True summit
 Our next objective
 We all need somebody to lean on
Knight
I’d already been up Knight before but it didn’t take much convincing to persuade me to give it another go. We dropped into the notch separating the true and north summits of Munday and descended toward the col below Knight. Jeremy stuck to the cliffy bluffs and I decided to “rock glissade” down a loose debris field.
 My descent route is the loose gully in the center while Jeremy stuck to the bluffs on the left
We came up onto the meadows below the last push up Knight and we both commented on how nice of a camp site this spot would make. There was plentiful water to be found nearby as well.
 Good camping here
A little more sweat and we were coming out on top for the 3rd time that morning. It was before noon still so I knew we’d have a nice and leisurely walk back to the car afterwards.
   Knight summit
 High-fiving high-point
A bit of lunch and we were ready to head out. We managed a little but more glissading and enjoyed the blistering sun as we began the walk back.
 Leaving Knight behind
 Looking out at The Still and the prow of rock we’d camped on the night before, at this point we'd completed a circumnavigation of Baby Munday.
The walk back was pleasant but hot so it was a nice treat to have Airplane Creek as a brief respite before the road. We both dunked our heads and chilled for a few minutes.
 I took this last picture after we’d rejoined the road
This would probably make for a good day trip but it’s really nice to take your time and enjoy it as an overnight. The total distance travelled was a bit over 17km with a cumulative elevation change of 2400+m so not too bad.
Thanks for a great trip Jeremy! I look forward to seeing some of your pictures (especially the ones where you tilt the camera to make the scrambling look really intense). I highly recommended this area for the interesting route, varied topography and unbeatable views. |
Edited by - DoubleE Alpinist on 08/15/2012 11:29 PM
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 05:06 AM
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| Nice. The Cheam range is great- if only the rock was better. I believe the flower is Silky Phacelia. |
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Langley, B.C
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 11:05 AM
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Nice TR. I have done this same trip but in the reverse order. We hiked up and summited knight and spent the night at the knight-baby munday col and then summit the north sub summit of baby munday then stewart and the still. Being on knight during the sunset and seeign all the alpine glow was cool but I think your route is the better way.
This trip still stands out as one of my favorites.
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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
13461 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 12:27 PM
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Beautiful trip and a nice way to do it in a relaxing and take your time to enjoy all style.
Like your pictures, have done Stewart, Baby Munday, and Knight. But the "Still" remains on my to do list.
K |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
45 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 2:26 PM
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Awesome report DoubleE Alpinist! Is your name in reference to the Greendale album by Neil Young?
I am intending to do the same trip you've listed, and I was wondering if the road was driveable with a 2WD. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. I have a 4x4 Suzuki XL7, but the transfer case has gotten stuck everytime I have used it recently, so I am little hesitant to use it.
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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 - 08/16/2012 : 2:45 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by KARVITK
But the "Still" remains on my to do list.
K
You still have to do the Still? |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 6:07 PM
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| So that is how it is done. : ) |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 6:59 PM
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| Looks like fun. This loop will go on next years to do list. I like the variation in summit poses. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1294 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 7:51 PM
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| Excellent! |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:50 AM
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Awesome report and photos, did you get any shots of Jones Lake from up there?
I love the view from the Lake looking up at that range. The range is like a beautiful curtain at the end of Jones Lake. |
Edited by - AcesHigh on 08/17/2012 12:51 AM |
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357 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 08:21 AM
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Awesome! Love the summit poses. I have wanted to head to this area for a while, looks like really fun scambling to be had. |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3999 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 11:17 AM
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Nice, but you have to go back and bag the true Baby Munday.
The Still is a nice scramble even with the loose at times rock. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
345 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 11:51 AM
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| Great job Ben!! Looking forward climbing with you soon! |
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over the hills and far away
Canada
708 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 11:52 AM
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| Nice way to spend the weekend! Nice pics too- I remember it being real hazy those days. |
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mission, bc
Canada
6 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 5:27 PM
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Nice report Ben.
Here are some of my photos
                      
And some flowers
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 10:10 PM
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| Great looking trip guys! I will definitely add this loop to my list for the future. |
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Port Douglas, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 01:08 AM
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| awesome, brings back sweet memories from many years ago. Thanks for the TR...It wasnt that long ago and you could drive the Airplane Creek FSR right to the TH. 12 years ago...2000..I think...cuz I was solo and had the new Gladiator soundtrack playing on my discman as i hiked up! |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1089 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 06:09 AM
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Count me in as another local boy with a soft spot for the Cheam Range. Your trip brings back lots of good memories, nice photo sets guys  |
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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
13055 Posts |
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Cheam Circuit: Still, Stewart, Baby Munday, Knight
