createThe BCMC is a group of like-minded individuals who participate in outdoor activities. The club was established in 1907 and currently has over 400 members. The club organizes mountaineering, rock climbing and back country skiing trips throughout the year. The BCMC holds monthly socials, offers courses to members and represents the interests of mountaineers and back country skiers in British Columbia.
Northwest of Duffey Lake, just East of the Boulder creek FSR, lies a North-South ridge connecting three peaks; Onion at the South end, Molybdenite in the middle, and Phair at North. Though Phair isn't a the highest mountain on this ridge, it sure is the most alluring, for me at least. On a late April day last year, I told myself that I had to attempt Phair Peak; as I stared at it from Slumber Peak which is just North of it. I will fess up that what allured me most was the West ridge of Phair, and particularly a steep gully that bisected it; for me it was and is an aesthetic route.
I have to give credit to Alastair Ferries, for if it wasn't for his Slumber Peak trip, I probably wouldn't have heard of Phair. I made a point to set a date that would work for both him and I. I was surprised by the interest in this mountain. I had in total 12 people show up; at various times. It was interesting experience to organize a trip for the BCMC, and it won't be my last either.
On Saturday May 24, Alastair Ferries, Andrzej Jarzabek, Chloe Tergiman, Dean Perez (started later), Fred Touche, Gordon Esplin, Michelle Hyun, Joanne Lantela, Mark Bondyra, Philippe Lapointe, Ross Polutnik, and me began hiking from our ad-hoc parking area at the beginning of the Boulder Creek FSR. For all my talk of the aesthetic West ridge route, I settled on the South Ridge approach for Phair. This decision was based on the idea that it would be a good idea to summit Phair, and view the tougher route first hand, and then come back for it. This decision of mine wasn't overlooked by Alastair, haha. I got an earful from him about how the South ridge wasn't alpinism, and that I essentially was a type of fowl.
After my dose of Alastair admonishment, I decided to stick with my South ridge idea. The group hiked along the Boulder Creek FSR, and at about 7km down the road (elevation approximately 1500m), we started hiking East towards the Molybdenite-Phair col. This was the last time I saw Fred until the summit; that man is a machine. In the higher reaches of this approach there is a cliff band, but we shot for a point where we thought a break in the band might be, and it panned out. I would suggest bringing a helmet for this trip. In such a big group, we had to incidences of rock fall caused by participants. As you near the ridge crest, there is a minor bump between the Molybdenite-Phair col, which can be bypassed on the left. The ridge walk was quite fun, and there's not much snow left; no snowshoes, ice axe, or crampons/microspikes needed.
Once we crested the ridge, through blowing snow and loose rock the summit can be reached in about 30-45 minutes. Once on top, I was hoping to scope the aforementioned West ridge route, but the weather wasn't on my side. At the top, Alastair brought up the idea of going for Molybdenite, but my resolve to down a [i] Hillbilly Deluxe [/i] burger at [i]Mile One Eating House[/i] was greater. Alastair and I discussed a full traverse from Phair to Molybdenite, starting at Phair's West ridge. Another trip for next Spring has been set I think. After our talk, Alastair decided to go and at least scope out the notch just before Molybdenite.
The ridge walk down was quite beautiful. The weather had improved, and the views of Slumber and Boulder Peak were superb. As our group dropped down the scree slopes, I caught a sight that assuredly is rarer than viewing a Sasquatch. The inimitable Alastair Ferries was dropping down from the ridge towards us, but Molybdenite was further South. Why was he dropping down West? That I'll leave for him to fill in.
We all quickly hiked back down to the FSR and made it out to the cars. It was a superb day, and I'm glad to have my first trip as BCMC organizer under my belt. I would like to thank Alastair for introducing me to this mountain. I would like to thank Alastair (again) and Fred for being open to new people hiking with them. I look to these two guys, and other as mentors, and I am very appreciative that I have the opportunity to hike with and learn from them. Their mountain travel ethos is inspiring for me.
Oh yeah, we started hiking at approximately 0730, and the hike lasted for about ten hours round trip. Dean started at 1330, and took six hours round trip. Dean is fast.
This is a great area; give it a go.