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 Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 6:43 PM
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About 5 years ago, we day tripped the higher (by 8 metres) SW peak of Mount Bor in the Valhallas, but I've always wanted to go back and tag the lower NE summit. Last weekend, between thunderstorms and rain we hiked into Gwillim Lakes in a couple of hours and continued above the lakes to the Lucifer-Black Prince col.
A and D heading up to the Lucifer-Black Prince col
It was a kinda mixed day as the previous days weather system hadn't completely moved out, but made for misty views of Gwillim area:
An easy snow slope leads down into the basin below Mount Bor and we found some flat benches among the glacier polished slabs to make camp.
A and D checking out Mount Bor on the way down to camp.
A really wanted to climb the left hand snow couloir on Bor, and, not only that, she wanted to kick all the steps, so D and I were totally up for it.
The snow couloir on the left leads to the west ridge.
Easy snow climbing up the couloir, no need for crampons.
Once you get on the west ridge, you realize Bor is a bit loose, but the climbing is easy.
We had a step or two of class 3/4, but soon found ourselves on the first of two towers on the summit ridge.
We couldn't tell whether the first tower, with cairn was higher or the second, also with cairn, so we scooted over to the second and found a summit register with three entries.
On the way back we used ledges on the south side.
Climbing back down the couloir seemed preferable to the loose rock so we did that.
Camp was scenic but chilly that night with katabatic winds blowing down from the snowfields above.
Big walls above camp.
Next day we walked descended down to the valley bottom and passed Rocky and Hird Lakes traveling towards Urd Peak.
Leaving camp at the relaxed hour of 7 am.
This is Urd Peak above Hird Lake. A beautiful walk from camp past snow covered meadows and lakes.
A and D by Hird Lake, Urd Peak behind.
We hiked up a grassy slope that led to a ramp that led to a snow slope that led to a col below the west face of Urd Peak, that led to the top.
We only stayed half an hour on top as we still had to walk all the way back, pack up, climb back up to the Lucifer-Black Prince col and walk out.
Good views of the Devils Range:
Chariot Peak and Thor Lake:
Climbing back up the glacier polished slabs to camp was easy on the way home as we could see the way up. They were a wee bit wet:
Back at camp, we packed up and A kicked some awesome steps back up to the Lucifer-Black Prince col:
Quick descent to Gwillim Lakes as the snow was pretty perfect for standing glissade.
A and D at the Lucifer-Black Prince col.
There were tons of day hikers about, but A wanted to get her big pack off so we practically ran down to the truck passing them all along the way. Or, maybe she was after the ciders she'd stashed in the creek. |
Edited by - sandy on 07/24/2012 6:54 PM
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155 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 7:03 PM
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| Looks like an awesome trip, Sandy! The Valhallas caught my eye over a decade ago. Hope to visit this beautiful place this year. |
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 7:27 PM
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| Nice. I sure miss the Valhallas. |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6784 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2012 : 12:04 AM
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appreciated  |
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A Valhalla Weekend: Mount Bor and Urd Peak
