Monday 25 July 2016

Buller Pass Hike

This weekend was finally beautiful weather in Calgary, after constant rain and storms and unseasonably wet conditions, so Jeanna and I took advantage of the conditions to get back to the mountains after our big Australia trip. We chose Buller Pass, incorporating the north pass to south pass loop, as a reasonable objective to ease ourselves back into hiking condition and to not choose anything too aggressive for breaking in Jeanna's shiny new boots! It was a great step up in my training for my sheep hunt in just a month's time, so I liberally loaded up my pack with a few extras for the day hike.

The route is about 15km return, with 800m or so of elevation gain. It is a lovely hike that incorporates several different vegetative zones, from the dense coniferous  forest by the trailhead, the up through an old burn, which is very prolific with grasses and undergrowth, then up into the alpine.

Jeanna breaking out into the alpine, looking toward North Buller pass. For future reference, the trail to the north pass leaves the main trail at the fourth log bridge.

The trail up to North Buller Pass

Working our way up to North Buller Pass. It was significantly cooler up in this valley than it was on the approach. The pass is visible the upper left of the picture.

The trail pitches steeply up at the pass, and to take advantage of a rib formation, the trail goes straight up. For scale, the tiny dot on the horizon is a person standing in the pass.

Jeanna almost at the pass, looking back down the valley.

Looking south from the pass towards Mt Kidd in the background. It is a beautiful high alpine meadow with a tarn down in the cirque. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't spot a young ram that was bedded on a rib down in the valley, but we saw him later when we got closer. We walked past the remnant snow to the right of the picture and over the meadow to access the return via the South pass.

Jeanna on the pass


The wildflowers were beautiful and diverse

One of three young rams that were hanging out in the high basin

We crossed over the undulating meadows and over towards the access to the south pass. Guinn's pass is in the background. We were hit by a spirited little squall, so put on our rain jackets, although we soon shed them again as we made our way up through the rocks of the South Buller pass.


The view from South Buller Pass, looking down to Ribbon lake and Mt Kidd

A wonderful day to be out in the mountains with my lovely wife!!

On our way back down South Buller and to the return trail. The wind was extremely forceful just as we came over the pass, but down in the valley it was quite pleasant, so once we got down there we stopped to lounge on the soft ground cover and enjoy the rest of our lunch supplies. There was a crystal clear stream running down through the valley, with delicious clean water. It was an idyllic way to spend some time on a sunny afternoon.

Jeanna's boots were a triumph, and I also tested a pair of thin neoprene ankle supports that are meant to reduce slippage in your boots - I think I will keep using them as they definitely made for a more snug ankle fit in my boots.

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