Barnaby Ridge II

Click HERE to see what occurred before

...and on return that sketchy snow slope was not sketchy at all in one place, allowing me to traverse directly over to the ridge of Barnaby, instead of going all the way back up The Amoeba. Another easy and super scenic hike to the summit of Barnaby ensued. Seven hours and thirteen minutes after leaving the trailhead, I finally reached the summit of the intended objective, very happy but equally exhausted.
 
Returning the same way I came up was hardly an option in my present physical condition – too many ups and downs. Instead, I decided to descend the nearest drainage to the north. This worked magnificently on generally easy terrain. In fact, I ended up in the same drainage Mark and I had used for ascent 17 years earlier. Once at the bottom, the trip finished with a mercifully easy 1.4 km walk along the road back to the parking lot. After a more than seven-hour ascent, I was very pleasantly surprised to complete the entire descent in less than two hours.
 
Overall, a totally awesome return to Barnaby Ridge. Given the "more than meets the eye" potential for other routes up this beaut, more visits are likely.



The Amoebet at the right and the route back onto the Barnaby ridge



Looking back to The Amoeba



...and forward to Barnaby



Now that The Amoebet is a thing, photographing it from different angles is also going to be a thing



So is looking back to The Amoeba. The terrain between The Amoeba and the summit of Barnaby is some of the most rewarding in the area.



And forward to BR (hopefully no confusion about that abbreviation)



And, of course, the ever-popular all three summits in one pano



Just TA and TA



Just BR



Travel throughout is varied and interesting



The overall colourful nature of The Amoeba becomes more evident the further you get away from it



The Amoebet and sweet rock



One of my favourite views of The Amoeba


Blah, blah, blah for a while






































The bulk of Barnaby is revealed



The TA's in their full glory



Finally the true colours of Table and Whistler Mountain (in front) are revealed



The east ridge of The Amoebet looks super cool and very intimidating - probably not a scramble



Passing by the drainage north of the summit. The idea of descending it instead of retracing my steps was already firmly rooted in my brain at this point of the day.



Still fascinated with the MPMFAAOBR



And the TAs



There's the summit cairn, and it's big!



The very unofficial winner of the COTY Award. Congratulations Barnaby!


Summit panos


















The slightly lower summit to the west was very tempting, but my energy levels were saying no



Lys Ridge (right) is a terrific, but very long day



Mount Miles and Krowicki Peak (left) have also provided several amazing experiences



Joining the MPMFAAOBR are Boot Hill and Tombstone Mountain to the left



The distant and beautiful Flathead Range



Close-up of The Amoeba and much of the route to The Amoebet



Close-up of The Amoebet



Drooling over this potentially fast and easy descent route



Good to see some green again



The crux of the descent was getting down the rock band at the left - the snow made it easier



Several significant rock bands adorn the summit ridge of BR



The grade eases up lower down



Lots to look at still



The drainage was filled with snow and avalanche debris. The firmness of the snow made for very easy travel.



Gravenstafel Ridge and the Castle Mountain Ski Resort are constant companions



Tons of tree debris



A nostalgic look at the rock band that lured Mark and I, 17 years earlier



Same as above



A more comprehensive view of Barnaby. The red peak near the left is The Amoeba.



At the road and looking back up the descent route



The route I took up 9 hours earlier is now visible: up the centre, over to the left, up to the ridge, right, over and up to The Amoeba



Back at the trailhead The Amoeba is front and centre

The End (finally!)

LOG