Healy Pass Peak

January 21, 2017

Mountain height: 2577 m
Elevation gain: 985 m
Ascent time: 3:50
Descent time: 2:30

Snowshoeing with Joanna. Raff, Chelsey and Katherine skied the route.

A week earlier Matthew Hobbs and Matthew Clay had invited me to attempt this peak. Although I was super interested, having never visited the Healy Pass area, circumstances would make that impossible. However, after seeing Mr. Clay’s awesome trip report, the day after his ascent, the trip was immediately catapulted to the top of my list of snowshoe trips to do.

Not only was Raff game to join me, he also brought friends – Joanna on snowshoes and Chelsey and Katherine on skis. Joanna and I travelled as one group and Raff, Chelsea and Catherine the other. I was able to keep up with Joanna long enough to discover that she is an incredible athlete – 200 km non-stop races, extreme trail-running races, and whack load of mountains ascents and a host of other super-human feats. Her total elevation for 2016 was more than 200,000 m – equivalent to climbing a 200 km high ladder, or Mount Robson, from base to summit 67 times, or the stairs in the Calgary Tower 1052 times! (In truth, I wasn’t really keeping up with Joanna – she was simply slowing down to a pace where I could. I have no doubt this super fit person could have made it up and down the mountain before I was even close to the summit).

We eventually caught up to Alison (from Observation Sub-peak last year) and Heath, also on their way to Healy Pass Peak. They went ahead and after a quick food break, we followed.

Shortly thereafter, we finally cleared treeline, into the magnificent environs around Healy Pass. Views of The Monarch and the Monarch Ramparts were excellent. Pristine is perhaps the best adjective to describe this stunning area.

At this point, I fell way behind Raff (who had caught up to us) and Joanna, but was content to go at a slower pace that would keep any potential bout of cardiac arrest at bay! The scenery continued to impress, but was about to stun, as we gained the col, southwest of the objective. This was my first, up-close look at the Pharaoh Peaks and Egypt Lakes area and magnificent it was!

The plod to the summit was longer than expected, but thoroughly entertaining, with vastly improving views of the entire area. By the time I arrived at the top, Alison, Heath, Joanna and Raff had already celebrated their achievement (apparently headstands were the antic of choice!) and Raff was breaking out the Jägermeister – perfect timing! The summit view was magnificent (as was the Jägermeister!), especially towards the Pharaoh Peaks, The Monarch, and mounts Pilot, Brett and Bourgeau.

Katherine and Chelsey had experienced some technical difficulties with their skis, but soon caught up with us as we left the summit.

Though long, the descent was easy and gratifying. Joanna and I had a pleasant run in with Alan Kane and Sim Galloway along the way. I was quickly overtaken by all on skis and arrived at the parking lot in a satisfying last place!

What a great trip! Unfortunately I didn't get to spend much time talking to Katherine and Chelsey, but it was a pleasure getting to know Joanna. Thanks to Raff for connecting us all.