Mosquito Mountain II

February 6, 2010 

Mountain height:         2977 m
Elevation gain:            1130 m
Ascent time:                6:40
Descent time:              3:05       

Snowshoeing with Mark. 

After completing a summer ascent of Mosquito Mountain in 2008, the peak immediately went onto the “Trips to Repeat in Winter” list. The environs of Mosquito Creek and Molar Pass are stunningly beautiful and there’s nothing like a healthy dose of snow to make them even more so.

This was a very last minute decision, so we got a relatively late start. It took us only 1.5 hours to snowshoe 6 km to the Mosquito Campground, at which point I thought we could be at the summit within 3 hours. The metre deep, unconsolidated snow and our less-than-peak physical condition ensured that wouldn't happen. Trying to find the least steep route possible to treeline, we ended up taking a rather circuitous path that took us far away from the ridge we were aiming for. Trail-breaking was not as grueling as other snowshoe trips we’ve done (ie. Survey Peak), but it was no walk in the park either.

Above treeline I had a very similar reaction to my previous visit to Mosquito – WOW! As good as I was expecting the scenery to be, it was in fact infinitely better – WINTER RULES!

We now had a fairly long distance to traverse back to the ridge. Going straight to the summit was also an option, but far more dangerous (avalanches) and probably not as scenic. That traverse was breath-taking both visually and physically. By the time we reached the ridge, exhaustion had come, kicked the living daylights out of both of us, and left without a word. Unfortunately, Mark was quite ill with the flu and in far worse shape than I. He insisted I continue to the summit without him and so I did. We were able to keep in contact with walkie-talkies.

The ascent was very slow and very, very tiring. However, the magnificent views of Ramp Peak, some seriously cool pinnacles on the west side of the ridge, and the promise of a stunning summit panorama were more than enough to keep me moving. 2.5 hours after our turn around time had passed, I arrived at the summit. The view was phenomenal.

Energy–wise I struggled through much of the descent. Thankfully, it was a relatively easy trip down and the late-day colours of sunset provided yet more visual excitement. Headlamps came out for the last 7 km of the trip.

Overall, an absolutely brilliant day out!


Ramp Peak (left) and Mosquito Mountain


Coming out of the trees


Looking back to Noseeum Mountain


The Sun over Noseeum


Unnamed peaks to the southeast


The terrain starts to open up


Looking at the road ahead


On the road


Same as above and more unnamed peaks


Interesting snow scenery


The upper slopes of Mosquito


Noseeum again and more cool snow scenery


Inspired by Vern's black and white from his Burstall Pass Peak trip


Approaching the ridge


Ramp Peak


The southwest ridge of Mosquito


The beautiful environs of Molar Pass; Mount Hector is right of centre


Ramp Peak proved to be very photogenic


The ridge narrows


Heading up the ridge


Cataract Peak at the left


Clearwater Mountain


Getting close


The summit view  looking north, Clearwater (left), Devon Mountain (right, foreground), 
and the three peaks of Mount Willingdon (behind Devon)


Looking southeast


Looking down to Ramp Peak, Quartzite Peak, and the long continuation of the ridge


Not sure if these peaks are named


A partial summit panorama


Coming down



Looking down to where Mark
(little dot to the left on the ridge) was waiting for me 


The pinnacle where Mark took photos



A last look at the trio of Quartzite, Ramp, and Mosquito


Mount Hector to the left


Evening colours on Mosquito

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