Piggyburst Col
April 18, 2015
Mountain
height: 2515 m
Elevation gain: 650 m
Solo
snowshoe.
What
lies
between the summits of Piggy Plus and Mount Burstall?.......Piggyburst
Col.....of course!!! A mildly entertaining, if somewhat awkward name,
but that’s all
I've got!
I had
been waiting to do this trip late in the snow season and so when a mid-April,
high pressure system rolled in, it was game on. My last visit to the area was a
summer ascent of Piggy Plus, way back in 2006. The
valley that leads to the col was fantastic without snow and so it was
guaranteed to be phenomenal with a good layer of white stuff.
And such
was the case for this trip, from beginning to end. In fact, even before I arrived
at the trailhead, I had to pull over multiple times to gawk at the winter magic
all around. Once up
and into the “Piggy”
valley, the camera was out of its case permanently.
Perhaps the best part of
the trip was the surprise view at the col. Of course I had already seen the
same view in 2006, but with everything plastered in snow, the panorama was
thoroughly shocking!! Needless to say, my camera got a pretty darn good workout
here.
Not
wanting this amazing trip to end, I had two options at this point: a suicidal
attempt of Piggy Plus or a not-so-suicidal ascent, a short distance up the
south slopes of Mount Burstall. I wisely chose the latter!
Terrific
cornice scenery, blowing snow and additional amazing views characterized the
ascent. Obviously, making it to the distant summit of Mount Burstall was out of
the question, but I was able to gain a decent amount of elevation before
turning back.
An
effortless, plunge-stepping descent back to the main trail and then the easy
hike out ended a truly magnificent day.
The north end of Spray Lake and Old Goat Mountain
Mount Nestor (left) and Old Goat Mountain
The sublime environs around Smuts Creek
Same as above. From left to right: Prairie Lookout, Mount Burstall, Commonwealth Ridge,
Commonwealth Peak, Pig's Back, Pig's Tail, and Mount Birdwood
More of the same beauty
Approaching the turn off to Mount Burstall
Skiers like this trail too!
A scenic little detour to Burstall Lakes
Pig's Tail (Shark Fin?)
In the upper valley
Piggyburst Col directly ahead
Looking back to the Birdwood, Pig's Tail, Commonwealth Peak trio. Snow Peak at the far left
Snow Peak
The Himalayan-looking east face of Whistling Rock Ridge
The aesthetic form of Birdwood
Hallelujah!!
Looking up the south ridge of Mount Burstall
Great cornice scenery on the way up
Mount Robertson is one of the most striking mountains in the Rockies
Blowing snow
Continuing up the ridge
Mount Murray at the right
Piggy Plus
Nearing the end of the line
Robertson and Piggy Plus
Winter - nature's greatest sculptor!
Looking back at the south ridge
Same as above
Back at the col
More breath-taking views of the return trip
Looking back at a section where I decided to go left
and then changed my mind and went right!
The End
