| Author |
Topic |
|
2421 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 11:09 AM
|
Has anybody done the Mt. Fitzwilliam trail to the alpine site? Especially in summer?
Just wondering how crowded it gets and if there's anything special to watch for. Looks like some nice peaks up there. |
|
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
331 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 11:39 AM
|
http://summitsearch.org/trip_reports/79-fitzwilliam-basin-backpack-and-mount-clairvaux-ascent
There were 2 other groups when I went up in 08. The reservation system consists of a board at the trailhead that you sign into. I think a lot of people go up anyway if the campground is full and just camp wherever. The upper campground has only 2 official sites. Beautiful place. The mosquitoes on the way up are close to Tonquin levels.
If your into scrambling, all the peaks can be scrambled. There isn't really any beta on them though except Clairvaux which is detailed in the link. |
|
|
287 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 11:40 AM
|
Hey Peter,
Compared to Berg Lake, you will feel very isolated. |
|
|
Edmonton, AB
Canada
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 12:27 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by ecoulthard
http://summitsearch.org/trip_reports/79-fitzwilliam-basin-backpack-and-mount-clairvaux-ascent
There were 2 other groups when I went up in 08. The reservation system consists of a board at the trailhead that you sign into. I think a lot of people go up anyway if the campground is full and just camp wherever. The upper campground has only 2 official sites. Beautiful place. The mosquitoes on the way up are close to Tonquin levels.
If your into scrambling, all the peaks can be scrambled. There isn't really any beta on them though except Clairvaux which is detailed in the link.
Eric, how obvious is the trail into the basin? I wonder if I can approach in dark so that arriving at alpine in the morning but that will be my first time on that trail.. Then do 2-3 peaks and head back the same day. |
|
|
Kamloops, British Columbia
Canada
150 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 12:32 PM
|
Love to try this hike out as a Berg alternative/quick weekender.
Looking forward to the report if you head out that way...personally haven't heard of too many people that have done it. |
|
|
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
331 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 12:35 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by StevenSong
Eric, how obvious is the trail into the basin? I wonder if I can approach in dark so that arriving at alpine in the morning but that will be my first time on that trail.. Then do 2-3 peaks and head back the same day.
The trail is super obvious to the first campground. After that it goes through a marshy area and isn't very obvious. You can start in the dark but you might want at least some light for that section.
You can do Frontier, Bucephalus and Fitwilliam in one traverse. Just gain the ridge South of Frontier and traverse to the other 2 and back. That's a traverse I'd like to do. You should be able to find an easy route up Kataka as well. It would be a very long day trip. I'd bring some minimal overnight gear if I was heading up there and grab 4 peaks on a 2 day weekend. |
|
|
Edmonton, AB
Canada
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 12:49 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by ecoulthard
quote:
Originally posted by StevenSong
Eric, how obvious is the trail into the basin? I wonder if I can approach in dark so that arriving at alpine in the morning but that will be my first time on that trail.. Then do 2-3 peaks and head back the same day.
The trail is super obvious to the first campground. After that it goes through a marshy area and isn't very obvious. You can start in the dark but you might want at least some light for that section.
You can do Frontier, Bucephalus and Fitwilliam in one traverse. Just gain the ridge South of Frontier and traverse to the other 2 and back. That's a traverse I'd like to do. You should be able to find an easy route up Kataka as well. It would be a very long day trip. I'd bring some minimal overnight gear if I was heading up there and grab 4 peaks on a 2 day weekend.
That sounds good. Fitwilliam looks impressive. I gonna be interested if you're planning on a 2-day trip as well. If I go solo, anything less than 25 hours will be a day trip, but if I can find a partner then it's a different story. |
|
|
2421 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 1:14 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by jeffs78
Hey Peter,
Compared to Berg Lake, you will feel very isolated.
That's what I'm hoping for! |
|
|
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 7:21 PM
|
| I went on the Fitz last year, great trail and very easy to follow, but the back part of the trail seems to keep a lot of snow late in the season. I went in early June last year and ended up not even making it to the campsite. The first couple hours are great though, once you get past the steep switchbacks to start it's easy going. I'm going to give it another shot, but probably not until July or August when it's dried out. |
|
|
2421 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 10:05 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by CervantesX
I'm going to give it another shot, but probably not until July or August when it's dried out.
Cool. I'm thinking the August 24th weekend. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Mt. Fitzwilliam
