gsilvest Posted March 25, 2004 Posted March 25, 2004 (edited) Hi Folks, I have four free passes. My wife and baby son are heading to the UK for a 4 week holiday and that means I have 4 free weekend passes to go and enjoy the mountains without having to promise to clean, fix, or shop for anything. They are going in May, which is a little unfortunate as that is not exactly prime season, however I hold out hope of finding some good early season, non-ski routes. I'm posting here to consult with the 'collective' on their views and recommendations of good early season SW BC weekend mountaineering trips. My criteria, although I'm not too fussy, include : - easy access (but not necessarily the park and climb variety) - not long slogs with NTD. Physical effort doesn't scare me away, it's just that I'm looking for something more than just a long walk with an ice axe - Moderate routes but preferably with lots of pucker factor (aka well protected exposure) Although I have lots of desire to go certain places (see Alpine Selct), having never being into the mountains much in spring I have no idea what makes good trips. For example, one trip I'm considering is a traverse of Thar-Nak-Yak-"continuing W then N along the ridge line"-Zum and back out. Anyway, before I babble on too much I'll sign off and say thanks for the insight and advice you have on possible trips. In return for your knowledge I'll leave you with a parting topical joke : What's wide at the bottom, narrow at the top, and has ears ? Answer - mountains ! Confused ? Have you never heard of moutaineers (mountain ears) ? Ha, ha. Gary Edited March 25, 2004 by gsilvest Quote
fern Posted March 25, 2004 Posted March 25, 2004 why don't you list some more of the routes in Alpine Select that appeal to you. sounds like maybe the full N Ridge on Wedge might fit your criteria. Quote
Dru Posted March 25, 2004 Posted March 25, 2004 If you are going to traverse Yak in May I hope you have a high tolerance for soaking wet, partially snow covered granite slabs. You could probably have more fun climbing at Squamish in the rain I would suggest some lines like maybe the Joffre Couloir on Joffre, North Ridge on Baker, N face on Shuksan, NW face on Matier, north arete on Cayley, etc. can be fun May type climbs. In late May steep south facing rock like the south face of Viennese can also be snow free and mostly dry. Eaton Peak can also be good while there is still snow over the bush. But did someone say - Mountaineers? Quote
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