Why the Hinde(less) you ask? Because we didn’t summit the Golden Hinde, which, for most people, would be the primary objective of this trek. For me, and for most of my group, it wasn’t a big disappointment, because for us it was about the journey, not just about bagging the highest peak on Vancouver Island.
We were two groups of four, with the other group canoeing over Buttle Lake before traversing across Marble Meadows and then to the Hinde, attempting it on the 21st. Aftrer coming within 200 meters of the top, they turned back due to hazardous snow conditions. My group hiked up the Elk River Trail to Elk Pass and then across to the Golden Hinde, making it to the South Tarn at the base of the mountain on July 21. Our hopes of a summit attempt on the 22nd, however, were dashed when we heard from the other group (via our inReach satellite communication) of their aborted attempt. To be honest, though, I’m not disappointed. I was tired, and climbing the mountain (which I had bagged in 1998) and then having an arduous 3-day hike to Buttle Lake before the short canoe back to my truck wasn’t appealing. And frankly, I don’t have the confidence on steep pitches, especially snow, that I once had.
July 18
Four hours later, we took the trail less-travelled towards Elk Pass
A bushy affair until we broke out of the trees
And up towards the pass, where we set up camp at 7 p.m. at 1268 m. el., after having travelled 13.5 k.
Because it was getting late, we didn’t reach the bowl between Rambler Peak and Mt. Slocum, and our site was rough
Paul lowering our food bags over the cliff for our “mouse cache”
We reasoned (hoped) that we were out of bear country, so just protected our food from smaller critters
July 19
Heading up to Elk Pass
We lost the trail coming down from the pass, but re-gained it lower down
We had planned to get to the marked tent-site past Mt. Devoe, but with terrain like in the photo below it was slow going
At 5 p.m. we came to this beautiful spot with a little tarn and set up camp
July 20
And some fine camp food! (Minute rice, rehydrated tomatoe sauce and vegies, and TSP)
July 21
Digging the morning latrine pit
Although we didn’t use our ice-axes for their intended purpose, they were very useful!
We went off-route descending from the divide, making for slow and tiring going
And then a little astray heading up to the Behinde’s SW shoulder
But, we got back on track and reached camp at the South Tarn at 7 p.m. Exhausted!
But a beautiful spot with just enough space for our four tents
July 22
Andrew had “in-Reached” us the night before from their camp on north Burman, saying that they hadn’t summitted, so we decided not to try. I wasn’t too disappointed, as I was exhausted and we still had three long days ahead of us. Andrew also said they were going down to Westmin, instead of continuing with the traverse, and since Ashley had hurt her knee the second day, she wondered if she could take the shorter route out with the other group. After I relayed this info to Andrew, we set out, meeting up with them in three hours. Then Paul also decided to join them, and Andrew came with Michael and me and our two groups split up at Schelderup Lake, and the three of us started up the tough steep hike, climbing 500 m. from the lake to the ridge above.
Rough going on the way up
Above photo: Michael Paskevicius
Relaxing on the ridge
July 23
A spectacular day with rugged limestone formations and an abundance of flowers!
Viewing the Hinde – “Coulda, woulda, shoulda” – NOT!
And lots of elevation gain and loss, naturally!
We reached a pretty tarn at 5 p.m., and since we had a few k. to go before the next suitable camping spot, we stopped there, even though the tenting options were rough. It was now cold, driving us into our tents early.
July 24
Cool setting out at 8 a.m.
Above photo: Michael Paskevicius
But it warmed up by the time we reached Marble Meadows
Then we headed down the trail (constructed by the Ramblers in the ’60’s)
After a short paddle
we were back to my truck, and the exhaustion disappeared, replaced by the glow of a great week in the mountains of Strathcona Park.
Great trip report, we were up in Marble Meadows while you were on your traverse. Did you see the helicopter touch down somewhere in the vicinity of Phillips Ridge on July 22? We watched it from Limestone Cap.