January 25, 2026
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
If I could describe a perfect day in the mountains, it would look a lot like the club’s recent trip to 5040 Peak. It was the kind of day that begins with a light chill but never truly feels cold; snow that’s firm underfoot and never collapses beneath your boots; blazing sunshine that warms without scorching; and, of course, good friends to keep you moving upward.
Honestly, it felt more like May on 5040 than January. The day reminded me of my February 2015 ascent—the year winter never was. On that trip, we stood on the summit in shorts and T-shirts, with very little snow to speak of. While 2026 delivered far more snow overall, it didn’t begin until nearly 700 metres. That allowed for fast, free movement along the well-developed NW Ridge trail before finally transitioning onto snow. From there, the open terrain made for steady travel and expansive views in every direction.
The only real tarnish on an otherwise perfect day? It’s January. We should be wading through knee-deep snow, earning our turns on skis, and embracing the sweaty, exhausting challenges that define winter travel. There’s no doubt we’ll pay for days like this come summer—but for now, it was hard not to savour every step.
