GR 376159 ('East Opoca ') - Scramble

Thursday August 14 Raff and I had hoped the weather would hold and we were keen to attempt Mt. Jerram. On the hike up Opal Creek, the clouds got thicker and thicker and lower and lower, so we turned our attention to the low summit of Opoca Peak (GR 368155). Opoca Peak, thusly named since it divides Opal and Elpoca Creeks, is a short, but tough technical climb with zero beta.

Mt. Jerram (l) and North and South Cat's Ears (r)

We were hoping to ascend quickly as we knew the rain would come soon. We slogged up to the col between Opoca Peak and East Opoca, hiked to intersection of this col and the north ridge of Opoca Peak. Searched a variety of locations along the steep face for the best line, geared up, rock shoes on, then the hard rain started. We removed our rock gear and decided to hike in the pouring rain to the low summit of East Opoca (GR 376159), about 1 kilometre to the east.

View to East Opoca

Fun and scenic hike considering the awful weather. The driving rain stopped as we reached this little summit (2450m).  We did the quick hike over to the slightly lower eastern highpoint as well. A fun hike with great views with lots of wet weather.

Mount Nelson - Scramble

Meet up with TJ and Meg the day after Barber Rock for a classic Columbia Valley scramble; Mount Nelson. A very prominent peak from the Invermere area. Mt. Nelson reaches an impressive height of 3315 metres and has a striking summit block. This peak is highly sought by locals and often is the pinnacle of some locals alpine experiences. Actually it is a moderate (Class 3) scramble to a prominent summit with fantastic views of the Rockies and Purcells, including the Bugaboos.

This moderate scramble packs a punch though; about 2000 metres of gain, with the first 600 metres or so on a very steep dirt trail. The hands on scrambling is crazy loose, with a fall presenting terrible consequences. Overall this scramble is a very fine, technically easy, romp to the top of an impressive summit.

Scrambling on summit block.

All approach information and route description is available in the Matt Gunn's excellent trail guide (Hikes Around Invermere & the Columbia River Valley).

Summit shot.

Summit Cross, it is big.

Solitaire (Barbour Rock) - Sport Climbing

The semi famous Barbour Rock. I first learned of this obscure crag in the mid 1990's, it is almost masked in legend; great rock, short approach, diversity of climbs and almost to hot to climb in the summer. 

No published beta, but it can see a lot of traffic. My buddy TJ (who grew up in Invermere) set me up for an awesome day of cragging at this venue. TJ and Meg were at this crag about a week earlier and had fresh beta on the routes. I enjoyed several leads, probably up to sport 5.9 with far spaced bolts. TJ lead a great 10b ish route with a crazy tough overhang crux off the deck, awesome TR for me. 

Appreciate the peek at this great venue with awesome company.