Mount Haffner

March 14, 2010

Mountain height:         2535 m
Elevation gain:            1140 m
Ascent time:                4:30
Descent time:              2:00           

Snowshoeing with Mark.

With good weather, but a high risk of avalanches, Mount Haffner seemed to be a good objective. The first couple of hours of the ascent were very enjoyable, thanks to a wonderfully firm snowpack, clear skies, and the unique tree scenery, courtesy of the 200- fire. However, about three hours into the trip, conditions changed for the worse. Thin, high clouds formed above and suddenly the snowpack was not so firm. We hoped the snow would be better at the Vermilion/Haffner col, but it was not. In addition to some serious post-holing, the remainder of the ascent was characterized by some serious whumpfing and cracking of the snowpack. At first this was a little distressing, however, given we weren’t on terrain that was steep enough to slide, the experience actually became more exhilarating than anything else.

The summit view should have been “spectacular”, but the cloud cover would ensure it was just “great”. Clearer skies loomed on the horizon and had we an extra 2 hours to hang out at the summit and wait for those clear skies, we would have – but we didn’t so we didn’t! 

On descent, we tried a shortcut that turned into a longcut. In the end we had to traverse back to a point near our ascent route. Naturally, by the time we reached the road, the skies had cleared and the scenery was once again stunning. An enjoyable day in a beautiful area of the Rockies.    

The unnamed peak to the west of Haffner

Starting up, through the burnt remains of the 2003 fire

Looking up at the trees

At the Vermilion/Haffner col, looking at the route ahead

Vermilion Peak

The Goodsirs

On the main ascent slope

At the summit, looking up Haffner Creek. Ball and Beatrice near the centre and Haffner Senior to the right

Mark and Stanley Peak

Me and the view to the north

Another summit view

Heading over to the lower point to the east

Same as above

The Goodsirs again

Heading down

Clearer skies on the horizon

Part of the longcut

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