Commonwealth Ridge V
March 15, 2020
Mountain height: 2561 m
Elevation gain: 750 m
Ascent time: 3:00
Descent time: 1:40
Snowshoeing with Dan.
Commonwealth Ridge has clearly asserted itself as one of my favourite
snowshoe trips around the south end of Highway 742 – an area that is a goldmine
of fantastic winter excursions (Little Galatea, Tent Ridge, and Smutwood Peak
to name a few). A seven year absence from the peak meant it was time for
another visit and when my good friend Dan suggested we head to the mountains, Commonwealth
Ridge was the first objective that came to mind. Surprisingly, Dan had never snowshoed, so this would be his first
time using this easy but sometimes laborious mode of winter travel.
Under beautifully blue skies we snowshoed to the base of the north ridge
of the objective, following a nicely broken trail. Thankfully that trail went almost
all the way up to the treeline. Dan graciously broke trail from that point to
the scenic north summit.
After a short break we decided to attempt the middle summit. We both had
ice axes but only I had crampons. As such the true summit would be out of the
question. We were able to complete about a third of the ascent
wearing snowshoes. Eventually, however, the terrain clearly dictated something
less bulky on our feet! Throughout the ascent, the scope of the views and
scenery increased exponentially. Even as my third ascent of the ridge in perfect
weather the experience was every bit as awe-inspiring as the previous trips.
We called it a day at the middle summit and then traced our way back
to the north summit, enjoying not only the great views but a pleasant (and distant) encounter
with a couple of mountain goats – beautiful animals!
Although the initial plan was to return the same way we came up, when I
told Dan that my brother and I had Crazy Carpeted down the east face, way back in
2003, he was game for trying that route. We didn’t have Crazy Carpets but the
snow was perfect for plunge-stepping, avalanche conditions were low, and there
always existed the option to go left and descend through the trees if the
terrain became a concern.
The terrain didn’t become a concern but there were sections that were a heck
of a lot steeper than I remember – we certainly didn’t need Crazy Carpets for
glissading those parts! Dan expertly led the way, hardly looking like a first-time
snowshoer. Although it was a super fun descent route, this one is not for the
faint of heart and would be quite risky in anything but “low” avalanche
ratings.
A spectacular day, with a great friend, on a fantastic mountain – doesn’t
get much better!
Had to stop on the drive in and photograph awesome Mount Warpsite
Dan embarks on his first snowshoe trip.
Left to right: Commonwealth Ridge, Commonwealth Peak, Pig's Back, Mount Birdwood
Dan breaking trail near treeline
The views are about to open up
There they are! Views of Commonwealth Peak and Mount Birdwood are stunning from here-on-in.
Dan is almost at the north summit and the ridge to the middle summit is straight ahead
Pig's Back (centre foreground), Mount Smuts, and The Fist join the show. And Dan at the far left.
At the north summit
The classic Kane scrambles to the east: Mount Galatea, Gusty Peak, and Mount Chester
Two even more classic Kane scrambles: Smuts and The Fist
Dan and the view to the north from the north summit
Commonwealth and Birdwood are about as eye-catching as eye-catching gets!
Dan and Mount Chester. The ridge to the right of Chester is Headwall Peak.
Mount Engadine and The Tower strut their stuff as Dan comes up the north ridge
Straightforward terrain early on
Time to ditch the snowshoes.....
...for good reason
There are a couple of mildly tricky sections along the ridge, but all are very short
Lots of minor highpoints along the way
Continuing on
....and on
Superb views and we are not even at the summit yet
Approaching another steep but short section. True summit at the far right, middle summit is just right of centre.
Here comes The British Military Group
Almost there, looking north
View towards the true summit from the middle summit
The spectacular East face of Commonwealth Peak
Burstall and Hogarth Lakes far below
Chester, Headwall, and Kent Ridge North
Dan at the summit
Pretty darn happy to be here again! (photo by Dan)
The Biggies of the BMG: French, Robertson, and Sir Douglas, as well as many others
My BIG head blocking poor Sir Douglas! (photo by Dan)
The true summit to the right and Whistling Rock Ridge to the left
A nostalgic favourite at the right: Eon Mountain
I wouldn't call Smuts a nostalgic favourite, but it certainly packs a punch and is a great trip!
Close-up of the true summit. The route goes down and around to the
right and requires an ice axe, crampons and benign avalanche
conditions.
Not sure which mountains these are, but they certainly look cool
Murray, Smith-Dorrien, and Prairie Lookout
Heading down
\
Dan has spotted someone on the ridge below
These two beauts!
Close-up
Without crampons, bum-shuffling down a few sections was prudent!
Almost back down at the north summit
Dan sizes up the descent route down the east side of the mountain
And away he goes
Not steep enough to glissade
Good plunge-stepping though
Definitely steep enough to glissade! (as we did)
Dan leads the way, finding the least steep route
Onto much gentler terrain
Looking back at our descent route. In places, it's way steeper than it looks.
Exquisite winter scenery on the way back to the highway
Dan graciously broke trail again
30 seconds away from the highway
Last look at the objective
Smuts and The Fist from a different angle
The End
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