26.07.2020
This is the last peak for me . . . . . . . . . yup, I am finally done with this Cheam range!
Had you going there for a second, no? I don't think I will ever be done with mountains.
- High Clearance 4x4 - there is a serious cross ditch that is tricky and a section of road that is eroded out which might be challenging and of course the bomb craters I have gone on about previously on the Foley FSR
- Counted 11 people all day in this central Cheam region
- Bugs were not bad - bring your favourite bug juice to keep the most obnoxious at bay
- Water sources all over the place - thankfully - I must have drank 6 or 7 litres
- Crampons for the snow fields - did not use them - depends on your risk tolerance and skill
- Suggest poles and micro-spikes for the 39% grade forest descent (yup, they are not just for snow imho - you will thank me)
- Nature is trying really hard to reclaim the trail along the old road which entails the first 30 minutes or so of travel - especially sucks if everything is covered in dew in fall or spring
The Ascent: It's more challenging than I thought. The Still can be a pretty simple ascent of scree and talus if you choose that route. It can also be much more interesting if you choose to scramble parts of the ridge line ;) You choose the intensity you would like out of your adventure. There is also lots of garbage chossy rock that rips off easily along the ridge and tons of scree peppering most of the steps on the way up so take your time on the way up AND down. You can also leverage the snow fields to speed your ascent in a few sections to avoid steep almost featureless slabs. It took me about 45 minutes to the peak, ascending from the saddle part way up the ridge then traversing over to the snow field, then up come fun class 2/3 steps/slabs to the peak. The peak is a narrow edge large enough for a couple people to stand, narrow over to the false peak, but there are lots of small pockets where you can comfortably sit and enjoy the scenery and refuel.
The unobstructed view of the south ridge to Welch Peak looks pretty scary. I should really do it again in bluebird weather instead of wet and mostly socked in. Maybe I will give it another go this summer.
To sum it up... this central region of Cheam is not visited very often... high clearance 4x4 required, the descent is rough on the knees if you have issues with that so a little more of a sufferfest than say Golden Ears, MacFarlane, Flora.
Be safe, have fun and maybe I will see you out there!
Regards,
Rex
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