Peyto Peak

Peyto Peak attempt – March 5, 2006

Peyto Hut elevation: 2,480 m (8,134 feet)
Elevation gain: 550 m
Roundtrip time: 10:05

Ski mountaineering with Mark and Kevin.

It took Mark and I three scrambles to get completely addicted to that form of recreation and I was hoping the same would be true of ski mountaineering. Three has now come and gone – I’ll wait for ten.

This was a planned attempt at Peyto Peak, with the option of trying Mount Jimmy Simpson from the north, if conditions for Peyto seemed dangerous. Initially the weather was great and as we skied across Peyto Lake, enjoying the beautiful east face of Caldron Peak. Even more breath-taking was a closer look at Peyto Peak’s east side, when we left the canyon and started up the moraine. New snow enabled us to gain the moraine without having to take off our skis and carry them, but higher up, wind had blown sections of the slopes clear and we were forced to take the skis off.

Upon reaching the highpoint of the moraine, the wind picked up it started to cloud over to the west. It had also taken as us longer to reach that point than expected and we pretty much gave up the idea of reaching a summit. Instead we settled for a leisurely ski up the Peyto Glacier and a quick visit to the Peyto Hut.

The ascent was thoroughly enjoyable, as the beautiful forms of Mount Baker, an unnamed bump to Baker’s right, and Trapper Peak became visible. Peyto Peak, Mount Thompson, and the Rhhondas also added immensely to the surroundings. After a short stay at the Peyto Hut we started on what was definitely our best ski run down to date. The snow was fantastic - untouched, fresh powder, no icy sections, no wind-crust - and the grade was very manageable. The only downside was that it was way too short and although we all wished it would last all the way to the parking lot, within a few minutes the run was over and we had to put the skins back on our skis up to gain the highpoint of the moraine again. A few more sections of enjoyable downhill followed and then it was the long and laborious slog back to the car. Kevin didn’t seem any worse for the wear by the time we reached the parking lot, but both Mark and I were physically done. A very enjoyable first time out to the Peyto Glacier and Hut.