Cirrus2000
06-18-2009, 04:09 PM
Left the Cheakamus Lake trailhead, 855m (2800 ft) elevation, at 9:55. Cloudy but nice. Trail had snow on and off for the last 1/4 of the way to the Helm Creek Campground (1555m - 5200 ft). From the meadows above the campground, started to get views of the peak. Mixed sun & cloud.
Starting Out
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212423.jpg
On The Trail
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212424.jpg
This way to Santa's Workshop
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212425.jpg
Bridge over the Cheakamus River
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212426.jpg
Snow on the trail
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212427.jpg
The route up to the peak
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212432.jpg
Halfway up the ridge, it started to rain pretty steadily. I stopped and ate, and waited. Had lots and lots of time, so no hurry. After a while, it eased off and I continued.
Rainy Ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212434.jpg
Approaching the summit ridge, the clouds cleared just enough for a very intimidating view of the summit block
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212435.jpg
Loose and exposed ridge. Very fun scrambling along there. Unfortunately by now, it was engulfed in cloud, the wind was howling, and the rain was intermittently driving stinging needles into my skin.
Along the ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212437.jpg
I reached the summit block, and scrambled up a bit, until reaching the nasty traverse into the groove up the east side. Decided that without my helmet (forgot it!!!), a partner or dry rock, I just wasn't that into the results of the risk/benefit analysis. Live to scramble another day... So I missed the peak (2146m - 7041 ft) by about 10 meters or so!
Summit Block
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212438.jpg
The groove to follow to the top
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212443.jpg
I quit!
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212442.jpg
Near summit
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212440.jpg
Looking down the ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212445.jpg
Started back down around 3:45. Back at the trailhead around 7:45. 27km (just under 17 miles). Glad I went, but I wish the weather was better, and almost regret that I was too sensible to do the peak.
Muddy
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212447.jpg
For plant lovers:
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212444.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212448.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212450.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212451.jpg
For insect lovers:
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212449.jpg
A taste of the BC Coast Mountains in June:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-OUk5Ygns
A few more pics at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/cirrus2000/HelmPeakHike#
Starting Out
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212423.jpg
On The Trail
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212424.jpg
This way to Santa's Workshop
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212425.jpg
Bridge over the Cheakamus River
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212426.jpg
Snow on the trail
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212427.jpg
The route up to the peak
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212432.jpg
Halfway up the ridge, it started to rain pretty steadily. I stopped and ate, and waited. Had lots and lots of time, so no hurry. After a while, it eased off and I continued.
Rainy Ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212434.jpg
Approaching the summit ridge, the clouds cleared just enough for a very intimidating view of the summit block
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212435.jpg
Loose and exposed ridge. Very fun scrambling along there. Unfortunately by now, it was engulfed in cloud, the wind was howling, and the rain was intermittently driving stinging needles into my skin.
Along the ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212437.jpg
I reached the summit block, and scrambled up a bit, until reaching the nasty traverse into the groove up the east side. Decided that without my helmet (forgot it!!!), a partner or dry rock, I just wasn't that into the results of the risk/benefit analysis. Live to scramble another day... So I missed the peak (2146m - 7041 ft) by about 10 meters or so!
Summit Block
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212438.jpg
The groove to follow to the top
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212443.jpg
I quit!
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212442.jpg
Near summit
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212440.jpg
Looking down the ridge
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212445.jpg
Started back down around 3:45. Back at the trailhead around 7:45. 27km (just under 17 miles). Glad I went, but I wish the weather was better, and almost regret that I was too sensible to do the peak.
Muddy
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212447.jpg
For plant lovers:
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212444.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212448.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212450.jpg
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212451.jpg
For insect lovers:
http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/212000/212449.jpg
A taste of the BC Coast Mountains in June:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-OUk5Ygns
A few more pics at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/cirrus2000/HelmPeakHike#