[TR] Little Yoho Valley- Stanley Mitchell Hut - President, Vice President, McArthur, Isolated, etc. 04/09/2019

[JasonG]

Trip: Little Yoho Valley- Stanley Mitchell Hut - President, Vice President, McArthur, Isolated, etc.

Trip Date: 04/09/2019

Trip Report:

 

I'm not the guy to adequately describe a trip like this in words.  When it all gels- weather, snow, partners, location- my descriptions fall flat.  Suffice it to say that this was a good one.  We spent six days in the backcountry, including four full days of skiing and peak bagging around the historic Stanley Mitchell hut.  AKA as the "gem" of the Canadian Rockies, a special thanks goes out to the ACC for maintaining such an atmospheric spot to rest, relax, and slay powder.  It is so great that you almost forget about the long slog in.  Almost. 

 

While the core of our group was the usual suspects ( @Kit, @Trent, myself, and Gordo), it is notable that we had someone along that had never met any of us.  Austin should be commended on his ability to deal with our aged pace, low risk tolerance, and poor hygiene.  He is a fine young man and should not be hanging out with the likes of us.  And, after this trip, he probably won't!  But for a few days at least we all clicked, and there was only the present.  We were able to stand on summits in the sun, looking out on mountains beyond mountains, with nobody else around.  It is hard to get any better.

 

The 13km road slog to start:

The inside of the historic Stanley Mitchell hut

President and VP:

Austin and Gordo booting up the Prez:

@Kit:

Summit of President:

Big Country, but not the band:

Looking over at the V.P.:

Avalanche Roulette on the V.P.:

Austin picks correctly:

We can all learn a thing or two about skiing from Gordo:

And @Kit can teach us to pin it:

When we were traversing behind this cornice, some of it fell off in a cloud of powder:

Austin on the summit of McArthur:

@Trent  and @Kit getting ready to head up Isolated:

Patagonia Provisions provides!

The one and only Stanley Mitchell:

@Kit heading to Emerald Pass with Mount Marpole behind:

Proper head coverings are essential in the Great White North:

Gear Notes:
Whiskey, meat, cheese

Approach Notes:
Long

[sparverius]

Sweet pics J! Good that Gordo got to join!

[JasonG]

Finally added some captions....