15.06.2013
I have done a number of trips lately, and as far scrambling goes, Isolillock is at the top. If you're reading this and you've got a pulse, go attempt Isolillock Peak!
The Sowerby Creek FSR leading up to parking area is in decent enough shape. There is a giant boulder that partially blocks the road (distance unknown), but it's easily bypassed on left on your drive up.
From the parking area, follow the FSR up to the point just before the second major creek crossing. At this point head into the bush and start whacking your way to the Hunter-Isolillock col, which is Northwest from here. After a short time of bushwhacking if you head East for a short distance you'll likely encounter an old burned forest area, which will make for easier travel (still going NW) as you head for the col.
From the col, head Northeast towards the ridge that leads up the prominent false summit of Isolillock. On the day we went, we chose a route that went over snow; it was steep and hard packed enough that we put on our crampons and got out our ice axes. There is some really fun routefinding to be done here. I suggest setting up cairns along the way, so that your route can be found during the descent.
From the false summit, Isolillock can be seen in all its glory. From this vantage, the scramble up to the true summit appeared to be bit imposing for me, but once I got going it's was quite easy and a helluva lot of fun! You'll have drop down into a gap just below the final scramble. There are two obvious routes as far as I could discern at this point, either scramble straight up (heading NE) or traverse across snow slopes (heading N) then scramble up. I chose to ascend and descend via the direct Northeast route.
The most unique thing about this mountain is, the view it offers up. You can see the whole Cheam Range, and further into the US. Look North towards Lytton, and if you look West you can see Vancouver Island out past the ocean. I really enjoyed this trip. Travelling by map and compass, the routefinding, the scrambling, the friends, the views, and Nature; these are all the things I will remember about this trip.
I'd also like to extend a huge thank you to Jeff Han, Alastair Ferries, Drew Brayshaw, and Simon Chesterson. Your willingness to answer questions and provide advice made this trip happen. Credit for the GPS track goes to my friend Ross.
My summit video: Isolillock Peak Vista
1381 x gelesen 2 gefällt das GPS
fullscreen