“Little
Galatea”
January 3, 2009
Mountain height: approx.
2700 m
Elevation gain: approx.
800 m
Ascent time: 4:30
Descent
time:
2:40
Snowshoeing with Mark.
“Little Galatea” is the lowest of the three main highpoints
of Mount Galatea (really it isn’t – I’m just
calling it that!) Having thoroughly enjoyed an ascent of Rummel Ridge, a week
earlier, we set out to attempt this very similar peak, several kilometres to
the southeast. Rummel Ridge was Bob Spirko’s idea and this trip was suggested
to me by a good friend (who cooks a wicked prime rib!)
Leaving
the parking lot early, under frigid temperatures, we hiked to a point just
before Chester Lake and then put on the snowshoes. Lucky
there was two of us to share trail-breaking duties, because getting to the base
of the peak was Grueling with a capital ‘G”! The first section of the ascent
gully was fairly steep and given the avalanche hazard we ascended through the
trees to the right. This was GRUELING with all capitals, but thankfully, quite
short. After that, we ascended the more gentle slopes of the main gully, in
outstanding weather conditions. The sky was flawless – a shade of blue that was
almost hypnotic to look at. Of course, the view to the west and southwest was
spectacular and just got better and better throughout the ascent.
Upon
reaching the ridge we had a task to complete before going to the summit. Mark
was entering a competition to try to win backstage passes to one of the best
bands in the world – Marillion. His idea was to send a photo of me wearing a
Marillion t-shirt on a mountain. Snow piled up on the ridge in shapely
formations provided some wonderfully background scenery. Combined with the
perfect weather this seemed to be a good opportunity to try the photos.
Thankfully, Mark’s t-shirt was big enough to fit over my three other layers of
clothing, as stripping down to a single t-shirt in temperatures around -25 degrees
Celsius would not have been to my liking!
This
process took about 30 minutes and then it was a quick and scenic hike to the
summit. Although very similar to the summit view I saw on Rummel Ridge the
previous week, the flawless sky made the panorama infinitely more stunning.
Smuts and Assiniboine were magnificent. Nearby
The Tower and Mount
Chester were also looking
quite grandeur.
We
opted to take an alternate descent route down the south ridge in order to check
out the cornice scenery. This started off well, but soon we were forced onto
steeper snow slopes on the southwest side of the peak. Once down, more grueling
trail-breaking ensued around the south side, in order to get back to the trail
we made. In retrospect, going down our ascent route would have been far easier
and safer. Once back onto our tracks, the remainder of the descent was very
easy.
An
outstanding trip and a memorable start to 2009.
Approaching the Chester Lake area. Little Galatea is the little bump at the far left
Mountains of the British and French Military groups are behind us
Alpenglow on Commonwealth Ridge, Commonwealth Peak (both in front of Mount Birdwood), Mount Birdwood, and Mount Smuts
Birdwood without alpenglow
Mark traverses back into the ascent gully
Preparing for the long ascent up the gully
Nothing but beautiful blue sky ahead
And great mountain scenery behind
Mount Chester in the background
The grade eases higher up
Steep terrain that deserves respect and caution
At the col between "Little" and "Big" and heading to the summit
The Marillion shots
Back into more sensible attire for the push to the summit
Mark takes the final few steps to the summit
There's a wee bit of a drop on the north side of the summit
At the summit
Views of Mount Assiniboine are always a hit
Same goes for Mount Smuts
Pretty sweet summit panorama for a minor outlier of a much bigger peak
It was quite chilly up there
Close-up the Smut's south face
More Marillion shots (we didn't win the contest!)
Starting down the south ridge
It's a beautiful ridge, but gets more serious farther down
Lots of traversing to avoid those serious slopes
Great views of Mount Chester
Gusty Peak
Strenuous trail-breaking to get back to our ascents tracks
Gusty again
Looking back at the route
