[MCR] Babines

Subject: [MCR] Babines
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:04:05 -0700
I guided a two day traverse of the Babine Mountains Park over the weekend. A new trail starts at 19.5 km on the 9000 road which branches off the Telkwa Highroad about 10 km from Moricetown (mapsheet 93 L/14 Smithers, UTM 621128 92177 - the road is not on the map). This gives access to the widespread tundra plateaus of Grassy Mountain. We crossed the main ridge between the Galleon and Mt Cronin (UTM 635172 88797, elev. 2110 m) into Silver King Basin. The glacier leading into this col from the North is gentle and free of crevasses in the middle, but bare almost to the top after the last weeks of heat and drought. Crampons may soon be necessary. The trail down Driftwood Creek is bikeable, but washed out in a few places.

The hike combines wandering wide open rolling tundra with a traverse of a glaciated pass. The views of all surrounding ranges are spectacular. Water and camp spots are easy to find. There are no technical difficulties and very little bushwhacking, but some boulder-hopping is required. On this perfect August long weekend, we did not see another soul until we hit the trail in Silver King Basin.

Christoph Dietzfelbinger
Mountain Guide

_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The 
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in 
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable 
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information 
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions 
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from 
this list.