Ochre Spring Peak - Ski Tour

 

Clearing a bit as we descended, view along SE Ridge 
of "Ochre Spring Peak".

View back to summit as we descended. 

Ski tour....

Curt just getting back into the trees. End of the nice snow.

OSWB heading down for some bumpy turns.
(Photo by Curt)

Dolomite Peak Circuit Ski Tour

Sunday February 1 got out for a great ski tour, the Dolomite Peak Circuit, with John and Curt. John, Colin, Mel and I did this fun traverse back in January of 2021, old trip report here.

John and Kevin chit chatting on the way up.
(photo by Curt)

Getting some great views.

Started out with low valley clouds which gave some great views as we headed above tree line. Sun came out as we descended to Lake Kathrine. On the traverse to Dolomite Pass the wind really picked up and it started to snow. Exciting conditions as we ascended and descended the pass. Wonderful day out. About 17 km, 900m of gain and tons of fun. 

View to west.

Heading uphill, views to Dolomite Peak. 

Skins off, ready to ski down to Lake Katherine.
(photo by Curt)

Skinning up to Dolomite Pass, getting snowy and windy.
(photo by Curt)

At the pass.

Getting ready to switch to downhill mode.

John ready for action.

Heading down below pass.

Dark skies below.

Wicked Wanda WI4, 60 metres, 1 pitch

 

Jason on the approach.

January 16, had an awesome day of ice climbing in the Ghost with my old friend Jason. We climbed Wicked Wanda since it was well shaded and we assumed it was protected from some of the recent warm weather. We were right. Excellent ice conditions. JW lead the full climb as one pitch to the top bolts. Fun 4- up to the funky wind sculptured section, then super interesting featured climbing through this top section. 

View to the route.

JW heading up.

My view up on second.

My view down. About half way up.

JW excavated some ice and made us a nice little tunnel to get behind a small feature. The top section was amazing climbing. Super fun pitch.

Heading up into the wind features.

JW's tunnel.

JW at the top bolted anchor. 

JW's view down to me on second.
(Photo by Jason)

OSWB nearing belay station.
(Photo by Jason)

Great to get on some ice. Didn’t see any other climbers, quiet, sunny and calm day in the Ghost.

View north from top of the route.
Blue sky and calm. 

JW's awesome Ghostmobile.
Such a cool ride.

The proud owner.

Bow Summit - Backcountry turns

Curt skinning up the nice up track. 

Old guy making tracks.
(Photo by Curt)

Sunday January 11 got out for some yo yo skiing with the Curt at Bow Summit. Very busy at the parking area for Peyto Lake with all kinds of people getting out to enjoy the beautiful day.

 

Curt getting ready with our first downhill transition. 

We skinned up a well packed up track and first did couple of laps on a few nice short sheltered slopes at tree line. Great snow with nice consistency in the snow pack. Short runs but really nice quality. Since we were new to this spot we toured around to check things out. 

One of the nice sheltered slopes we skied.
Super nice snow, but not powder.

Weather started out calm winds with warm temperatures, but around 2pm snow squalls appeared along with increasing winds.  We skied over to overlook Peyto Lake then explored more south and did a long run on a slope that was well used with many tracks. 

Peyto Lake

Really nice long run, but definitely not freshies. After skiing this slope we made our way back to the car. Great day of earning our turns. 

Base of the big run. 

"Piper Pass Peak" (GR390177) - Solo Ski Tour

 

View to Piper Pass from Little Elbow trail.
(South Cat's Ears sunlit pointy peak on left, 
South Tombstone Mtn. on the right) 

Had a fun solo ski day Sunday November 30. Last day the Highwood Pass section of highway 40 was opened, so I thought I should head there. Skied to Piper Pass and then slogged up the little bump of “Piper Pass Peak” (GR390177). 

South Tombstone

Elpoca Mountain behind,
Elpoca Tower on the right.

Morning colours.

View to the south-east aspect of Cat's Ears.
I assume this is where the name was derived. 

November 30 was my 3rd time on this little bump. First time I hiked to Piper Pass was in August 2003, hiked up it then. Second time I have skied up to Piper Pass. Back in 2015 I spent the winter solstice camping near Piper Pass and walked up the peak then as well. My trip in late December 2015 was an attempt to ski/hike up "Little Tombstone" (Janelea Mountain)(GR396213). The plan was to camp south of the pass, then ski north over the pass, down the drainage and hike up Little Tombstone. Skied up highway 40 from the winter closure at King Creek, past Elbow Lake and dug in a warm snow cave on the last flats below Piper Pass. Day two I hiked up the wind blown south side of Piper Pass, but I chickened out skiing down the north side of Piper Pass. It wasn't very safe for a solo skier. Lots of hard wind slab with little support. I did drop about 100m, but chickened out and skinned up, and then hiked up Piper Pass Peak again. Did not write up the trip back in 2015.  

Map of Piper Creek area.
In December 2015 camped south of Piper Pass.

Fast forward 10 years, November 2025 had really good snow coverage in Piper Creek, skied up and down the regular Piper Creek summer trail, a but scary on ski out with the narrow trees! Great Opal Range views from the pass.