TR - Helm Peak, Garibaldi

[Cirrus2000]

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




On The Trail




This way to Santa's Workshop




Bridge over the Cheakamus River




Snow on the trail




The route up to the peak






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



Approaching the summit ridge, the clouds cleared just enough for a very intimidating view of the summit block




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




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




The groove to follow to the top




I quit!




Near summit




Looking down the ridge




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




For plant lovers:











For insect lovers:




A taste of the BC Coast Mountains in June:





A few more pics at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/cirrus2000/HelmPeakHike#

[Udink]

Looks like a nice hike--well, except for the wind and not making the summit. I've always enjoyed hiking in the rain, but probably only because it doesn't happen too often here.

[jman]

woah nice TR! great pics and i love the color of the Cheakamus River - very cool.

btw what is the camera you are using??

[Cirrus2000]

Yeah, despite the weather (which was only really bad for the middle of the trip, approaching and along the summit ridge) I still enjoyed myself. I'm kind of used to hiking in the rain, so it could be worse...

jman, I love the colour of glacial/snowmelt lakes & rivers! Pretty stuff.

The camera is a Pentax Optio W60 - bought it for my Utah trip in April. It's working pretty well so far... I'm very happy with the resolution and the zoom (out and in).

[Sombeech]

The camera is a Pentax Optio W60 - bought it for my Utah trip in April. It's working pretty well so far... I'm very happy with the resolution and the zoom (out and in).

Sweet report, Kev.

Hey, when filming video, do you hear the zoom sound during playback?

[R]

Tasty!