Commonwealth Peak – July 7, 2005

Mountain height:   2,775 m (9,102 ft)
Elevation gain:      850 m + 180 m up some of Pig’s Tail
Ascent time:         2:45
Descent time:       1:35

Solo scramble.

If you go in expecting the worst – sloshing across marshy flats, nasty bushwhacking up steep slopes, and tedious slogging up annoying scree – you may quite enjoy the scramble up Commonwealth Peak, as I did. Regardless of the tedium involved on the ascent route, the spectacular scenery and phenomenal summit panorama make this a more than worthwhile trip. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to have clear skies to enjoy all of the expansive view from the top, that includes French, Robertson, Sir Douglas, Birdwood, Smuts, The Fist, Eon, Assiniboine, Nestor, and almost everything on the east side of the Smith-Dorrien highway, but even with the cloud cover, I was completely enthralled by an endless sea of familiar peaks.

Like many before me, I couldn’t resist a little side trip to the west, to see if Pig’s Tail (or Shark’s Tooth – a far more accurate description in my opinion) could be scrambled up, from the Commonwealth/Pig’s Tail col. I ascended to within 100 vertical metres of the summit, but eventually arrived at a section that obviously involved technical climbing. The reward of the short-lived ascent, however, was a great view of a stubborn and magnificent cornice hanging on to the north side of the ridge. A short and fairly easy trip with fantastic visual rewards.    

From left to right: Birdwood, Pig's Tail, Commonwealth Peak

Mount Sir Douglas, seen from the flats

The stunning view south towards Sir Douglas and company

The Commonwealth/Pig's Tail col and Mount Smuts (right)

At the summit, looking to the east; (left to right) The Tower, Galatea, Gusty Peak, The Fortress, and Chester 

The imposing east face of Mount Birdwood; Pig's Tail is camouflaged in front

A closer look at Mount Robertson (left) and Sir Douglas (right)

The large cornice on the north ridge of Pig's Tail; Birdwood behind

More of the cornice

Commonwealth Peak, seen from the ascent slopes of Pig's Tail

The summit of Pig's Tail (left) and Mount Birdwood (right)

LOG