North Ridge of Mount Buller

February 7, 2009

Ridge height:          2350 m
Elevation gain:       600 m
Roundtrip time:      6:45                

Snowshoeing with Mark.

This was actually an attempt to reach the summit of North Buller Pass Peak for a second time in a week. Our previous ascent had been under overcast skies and we wanted to see the views with better weather. We also decided to attempt a much shorter route – a decision that turned out to be the beginning of the end!

The route involved ascending to the north ridge of Mount Buller (a Bob Spirko trip), descending into the valley to the east and then going straight up to a col immediately south of the objective. In short, the trail-breaking was so strenuous (going both up and down), we were forced to bail on the route long before we could make it down to the valley. We salvaged the day by ascending a small section of the north ridge of Mount Buller. The weather had started to deteriorate at this point so failing to make the summit of North Buller Pass Peak was not disappointing.

Looking southwest across Spray Lake

Cone Mountain

Nestor (left) and Old Goat

Almost at the ridge

Nestor and Old Goat again

Mount Buller and the north ridge of Buller

Mark ascends the ridge

Blowing snow

Snow scenery

Eon Mountain

End of the line

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