April 5, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We came prepared for the worst: snowshoes, crampons, mountaineering axes, and full avalanche kits! The east ridge is likely the least bushy and quickest route to Nahmint’s summit, but it’s not an easy hike by any means.
This time, we were able to drive right to the start of the route, stopping just around 500 metres on the logging road. That meant no warm-up — the climb hit us immediately! From the very edge of the road, we were hiking up 30-degree slopes, a relentless angle that continued all the way to the alpine.
Hiking this route in early spring has its advantages. The vegetation hasn’t fully woken up: green buds haven’t yet burst, and the dreaded devil’s club hasn’t foliated. Beyond 800 metres of elevation, the accumulated snow still traps the brittle remains of last year’s brush under the surface, making travel even easier.
We were all elated to reach the alpine — thrilled to leave the last of the bush behind and to catch our first glimpses of the surrounding peaks. Although there’s still plenty of snow left to melt, our route stayed well clear of the fall zone beneath the remaining cornices.
I have to say, this ridge is far more pleasant to ramble in the spring than it was last fall. Compared to our autumn trip, we practically walked a straight line! The snow covered much of the complicated ground, smoothing out what would otherwise have been tricky terrain.
The biggest challenge of the day was the summit block. In the summer, the final push is little more than a light scramble. This time, though, accumulated snow created a steep slope of over 47 degrees! Fortunately, we kicked off our snowshoes and carved a direct line to the summit by kicking steps into the snow. We made sure to stay well clear of a large cornice that still loomed over the Nahmint Valley.
The only sour note of the day was losing my ice axe in the last gully before the snow ended. I tossed it down with my hiking pole to free up my hands for a bushy scramble, but when I got down, the pole was there — the axe was not!
The route is already seeing a fair amount of use. While it’s not yet a true trail, there are old flaggings and the faint beginnings of a track that will likely wear in quickly.
All in all, it was a perfect spring adventure — the right mix of challenge, excitement, and early-season conditions. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of Nahmint’s rugged terrain as the snow continues to retreat. If you’re looking for a rewarding ascent with minimal bushwhacking this time of year, the east ridge is a fantastic choice — just don’t forget to double-check where you toss your gear!
Photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/38qoQTqy6sCm8KWN6