Orient Point






 
October 19, 2023
 
Mountain height: 2653 m
Elevation gain:    1570 m
Ascent time:        5:35
Descent time:      5:20
 
Scrambling with Doug Robson and Scott Mills.
 
A super cool day with two super cool humans!
 
Doug and I had been trying to organize a second trip together and when our schedules finally aligned, they also did so with a friend of Doug’s, Scott Mills. Not only was Scott a very accomplished mountaineer with years of experience, but he was also the proud owner of a Toyota 4 Runner. In the math/mountain universe, 4 Runner = ascent in The Ghost! We picked Orient Point because neither of us had done it and the route earned a five-star review from Cornelius Rott. We also decided to follow Cornelius’ route up and down the mountain.
 
The approach road was in decent condition and Scott negotiated it with ease. More importantly, Scott was able to drive a good distance south towards the South Ghost River, saving us from several kilometres of walking. Following Cornelius’ GPS track was very easy. We were all surprised by the number of well-trodden trails in the area and also impressed by the vertical walls of rock of Orient’s awesome southeast face.  
 
Upon reaching the south ridge of the objective, a steep rubble slog ensued. Fortunately, once above that section the remainder of the ascent featured super interesting rock formations and terrain, a few sections of fun, hands-on scrambling, and terrific views (though marred a little by the unexpected nasty weather to the west). Doug led much of the ascent, scrambling with ease up some pretty fierce terrain. A strong, gusty wind made the final section to the summit a little more nerve-wracking than it normally would be, but we all arrived safely, Scott tearing up the last section and getting to the summit well ahead of Doug and me.
 
Due to the wind, we didn’t stay long at the top, instead descending to a sheltered area for a food break. We then followed Corneluis’ alternate descent route down the mountain. Kudos to him for route-finding his way down here. From above the route looked fairly straightforward, however, it is interrupted by numerous near-vertical rock bands. We were glad to have his track to keep us on track! The same was true for the lower section of the descent, requiring a light bushwhack to get down to the very wide and dried-up South Ghost River.
 
The last part of the day went on for much longer than anticipated, but we did make it back to Scott’s vehicle with enough time to get back onto the main approach road before darkness set in.   
 
Great trip! A huge shout-out and thank you to Cornelius for the route and also to Doug and Scott for their awesome company.




Early Sunlight on the southeast side of Orient Point



Later Sunlight



The rock on this side of the mountain is very impressive



In fact, the entire southeast side is impressive



Scott and Doug follow a surprisingly good trail towards the ridge in front



Same as above with End Mountain in the distance (left)



 Still mesmerized with this side of Orient



...and still!



Onto the south ridge of the objective



A very focused Sunbeam or the way the camera is interpreting the light



Scott and Doug gain the south ridge



Obviously only one way to go here



Looking back over some of the approach



Now we get the up-close views of some of that impressive rock that makes up the southeast side



Scott and Doug on a pleasant section of the south ridge



Again, enjoying views of the southeast face



Doug starts up the not-so-pleasant section of the ridge. The terrain here is loose and steep rubble.



Scott grinds up the ridge. The very wide and presently bone-dry South Ghost River is also an impressive sight.



Scott spots a cool rock window



Great view to the southwest, but the cloud cover was a little disappointing



Scott tackles a nice section of scrambling



The route becomes far more interesting at this point



Won't be scrambling up that!



Ridges and peaks to the west



The cloudy conditions did create some cool lighting



The ridge is lined with cool pinnacles



Doug finds another rock window



Looking back at some of the cool terrain behind



Doug in the window (photo by Scott)



Scott in the window (photo by Doug)



Continuing on



Signs of clearing to the west, but it's a ruse!



Doug and the ridges to the west (photo by Scott)



Approaching a serious rock band that must be circumvented on the left side



Heading left



Looking back (photo by Scott)



Super impressive vertical walls of (more of less) solid rock



Doug heads for a cave-like feature in the rock



Same as above


    
It's not just a cave, but provides a difficult route up and through the rock band, via a small hole (similar to Grillmair Chimney on Yamnuska). Doug and Scott went up, while I went around.



The small hole you emerge from (photo by Scott)



Around the corner, the summit is finally revealed, but is still a distance away



Back on the ridge



A rainbow faintly frames Black Rock Mountain



A more comprehensive view



Challenges up ahead



More traversing below amazing rock bands. And the clearest sky of the day.






Doug looks for a weakness



And finds one (photo by Scott)



Up goes Scott



Doug and the other end of the rainbow



Same as above



Scott's view of me and Doug on the ridge (photo by Scott)



Close-up (photo by Scott)



Scott battles the rubble, typical on mountains in the area



Hoping that's the summit but it wasn't



View to the north



The route wasn't intensely exposed but very strong gusts of wind made it feel more serious (photo by Scott)



There's the summit



Lots of really cool stuff to the north, including Devil's Head and Phantom Crag



Scott at the top



Last few steps for me (photo by Scott)



Doug and I at the summit, bracing ourselves against the vicious wind (photo by Scott)



Doug quickly checks out the ridge to the west



Scott signs the register



Clear to the east, blustery to the west



Mysterious view to the south



Descending



Looking back at the south ridge



A section of easy terrain...



...that eventually leads to a cliffband



Back to easy terrain



Approaching another drop-off



Past the drop-off



The rock bands along the route are all impressive



Aiming for the south drainage



The drainage is close (photo by Scott)




Scott and a big chunk of the descent route



The cool rock bands never stop on this mountain



Finally in the drainage



There will be lots of looking back from here on, as the descent route and drainage are fascinating



Case in point (photo by Scott)



Case in point 2



and 3



Part of Orient's other south ridge



Seeing some green for the first time in several hours











End Mountain and an unnamed peak



Scott leads the triumphant last few steps to the vehicle

The End

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