Every spring I make a pilgrimage down into the remote and spectacular Flathead region of SE British Columbia to climb, hike, sight-see, and car-camp. There remain a handful of peaks whose summits I have yet to eat my lunch on, and we will attempt to ascend at least three of these on this trip. This is not a hard-core trip: there will be little or no 5.11c rock climbing, no vertical ice, nothing especially alpine (very few peaks in the Flathead rise above 8500'), and no 18-hr days. In fact, we won't even be backpacking, but instead will camp close to our vehicles. Consequently, you can bring almost anything your little heart desires: coolers, BBQ's, lawn chairs, board games, etc.
Here's the plan, one which I should emphasize is utterly and completely dependent on the weather: should we get a forecast for rain during the week of June 27-July 1, we will adjust the departure date forward:
Day 1: drive S to the Crowsnest (coffee and cookie stop at the Cinnamon Bear) and from there again S to Corbin; another 12 km or so will bring us to Flathead Pass, where we will camp (we will need to bring a water supply). This vehicular approach requires 4WD and high clearance (fortunately, I have access to two such pick-up trucks). The drive will take about 4 hrs, so there may be time for keeners to ascent Centre Pk, Mt Borsato, Hollebeke Mt., or one or another of the nearby minor peaks.
Day 2: ascent of the apex of Limestone Ridge. We start right at Flathead Pass and meander 7-8 km along the spine of Limestone to its high point at just short of 8000' (see link to photo below),
Day 3: pack up and drive S to the W side of Mount Corrigan (7760'), which we will ascend by whatever route looks feasible (see link to photo below). Once down from Corrigan, we will drive over to Wigwam Creek and camp there.
Day 4: ascent of Mt. Broadwood -- this is one of the highest peaks in the Flathead, approaching 10,000'; it is girdled and defended by an impressive 'China Wall'. My explorations show a significant weakness in this wall on the S end; once beyond the wall, it should be a doddle back N along the summit ridge to the apex. But who knows, right?
Day 5: drive home, with maybe a stop for supper.
Overnight gear; food; stove (propane or Coleman is fine);
scrambling and hiking gear.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Luxury items; treats for the leader
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
See above
Notes:
I will be climbing Patterson's Peak until June 23, and I will be in Edmonton June 24, 25. You can always leave messages on the phone machine, which I prefer since I likely will not have time to read e-mail; I will try to respond and organize what I can Thursday evening. The rest will have to wait until Sunday.
Therefore, if you are keen on this trip, please leave a phone message at 403-246-8246.
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If you sign up for this trip and then find that you cannot attend, please let me know ASAP
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Registration for this event closed on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 06:00 PM.