“North Buller Pass Peak”

February 1, 2009

Mountain height:         2755 m
Elevation gain:            940 m
Ascent time:                5:20
Descent time:              3:15                

Snowshoeing with Mark.

My second trip taken from Mike Potter’s Ridgewalks in the Canadian Rockies, in as many weeks, and Mark’s first. Unfortunately, we should have taken note of Mr. Potter’s descriptor “superb views” and attempted this peak on a clear day. Not only was the summit view superb, but almost everything in between the car and the summit also fit the descriptor, even in the dismal weather conditions of the day.

This was our first visit to the Buller Pass area. Once out of the trees, the scenery opened up to reveal a long and beautiful ridge, extending east from Mount Buller. At this point we probably should have just gained the ridge, explored it a little, and went home. That way we would have a good excuse to return to the area with better weather. Instead we gained the col at North Buller Pass and then went north towards the summit of North Buller Pass Peak (unofficial name, obviously). This required some fairly steep side-sloping, but that part was also quite short.

We slogged up to the summit in viciously cold weather, swore a few times at bleak sky ruining what would have been a stunning panorama, and rushed home to try to catch the end of Super Bowl XLIII. Fortunately, the game was far less disappointing than the weather we just experienced. Another classic Super Bowl with an unbelievable finish (Steelers 27 – Cardinals 23), yet again proving the NFL to be the best professional sports league on the continent. 

Coming through the canyon

The ridge east of Mount Buller

Mark approaches an interesting section of the canyon

Same as above

Checking out a small frozen waterfall

North Buller Pass, just left of centre

Looking back at Mount Buller

At North Buller Pass; North and South Kidd at the left

North and South Kidd

Nestor and Old Goat

South Kidd, with Ribbon Lake below it

Another unnamed peak, with Buller at the right

Heading to the summit (left of centre); Bogart in the clouds to the right

Unnamed and Buller again

Tramping up easy slopes to the summit

Heading back to North Buller Pass

Same as above

The most we saw of the Sun

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