GR127288 "Smutwood Peak" - Ski approach, scramble South Ridge

Great to be back in the hills.  First summit of 2018. The little "Smutwood Peak" (GR127288) is a little peak with a big view.  Great views south to Mt. Birdwood and the Burstall Pass area including Mt. Sir Douglas.  Easy ski approach via the popular Commonwealth Creek to the col between Mt. Smuts and Mt. Birdwood; Andrew Nugara applied the name to this peak based on these nearby summits. I have skied up this valley several times in the past, mostly on yo-yo ski trips where turns were the primary goal. I have ascended Mt. Smuts twice, attempted the NW Ridge of Birdwood (chased off by thunderstorm) and done the Birdwood ski traverse, so I know this approach well.

View from Commonwealth Creek to Mt. Birdwood (l) and Mt. Smuts (r) Col.
Often called "Smuts Pass".

"The Fist" 

Being a Monday (April 23), John and I had the valley to ourselves and we made quick progress up the well packed valley bottom ski track. Nearing the end of the valley, we couldn't find an uptrack (only a very steep uptrack below the face of Birdwood, super exposed avi slope that we wanted to avoid) so I broke a new trail to tree line near the col. Blue bird sky and hot sun made the open alpine very warm, but we heading up nice and early so snow conditions were great, not ice hard and not sloppy slurpee, yet. 

John on the final up section to "Smuts Pass"

Nice short tour to the base of the south ridge. We left our skis were the ridge was blocked by a vertical wall of snow.  Blasted up the short vertical snow section and then an easy plod up to the first false summit.  One or two short rock steps along the ridge made the snow plod, mostly good snow for steps, but the odd waist deep wallow, a bit more interesting. Easy breezy plod to the true northern summit under blue sky and little wind.

John at Col between Mt. Birdwood and "Smutwood Peak".

Base of south ridge. 
We skied to the base of the first big cornice (at the rock band line) and left our skis.

Double summits of "Smutwood Peak". Summit on the right is the high point. 

Pano from "Smuts Pass" to col and "Smutwood Peak".

Main summit from the first lower summit.

Great views all round, great day out, quick run back to the skis, then high quality turns to the col. Great spring snow conditions for turns from the col to tree line, then back on solid ski track for a quick ski run to the road. Awesome day out.  

John on the summit.

OSWB summit selfie. Mt. Birdwood behind. 

View down south ridge. 

View back to main summit on descent.