Igneous Peak reconnaissance
 
April 17, 2022
 
Solo snowshoe.
 
With an iffy weather forecast in hand, getting some exercise was the primary motivation for this trip. I decided that snowshoeing up the Igneous Peak drainage might be interesting, even though snow would be covering most if not all the fantastic, colourful rock that the route boasts.    
 
I definitely got the required exercise, as breaking trail ranged from moderate to severely strenuous. The snow-filled drainage was so different from my first experience without snow. Once out into the open I continued up the drainage for a while and then took a left turn, ascending steeper slopes towards one of Mount Blakiston’s many south ridges. I made a decent amount progress, but turned around when avalanche risk became a concern.
 
A good day out and definitely a route I would consider trying to complete all the way to the summit of Igneous with favourable snow conditions.

View from the trailhead. Looks like I'm breaking trail right from the start.



Buchanan Ridge, the east outlier of Mount Rowe and Mount Lineham



I've long lost count of the number of times I've taken this photo of Mount Lineham from the Lineham Falls Trail



The middle section of the drainage; not a colourful rock to be seen!



Looking back



The route ahead looks cool, but the cloudy conditions are not



Buchanan Ridge and Mount Carthew



Gaining elevation on the left side of the drainage



Same as above



Chapman Peak, near the right, joins the view



Looking over to Ruby Ridge



The cool rock of an outlier on Mount Blakiston's southeast side



View from the highest point I reached



Descending



Close-up of that cool rock



The red and green argillite band - one of the highlights of trip, when there is less snow



Naturally the sky starts to clear as I'm leaving



Making a separate snowshoe track on descent - a good indication that snow conditions are perfect



Results of the 2017 Kenow fire



Buchanan Northeast and Buchanan, The Middle Child



Close-up of Buchanan Northeast



Close-up of The Middle Child



Close-up of Buchanan Ridge



Mount Lineham again!

The End

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