Abstract: A hike with snowshoes up to Russet lake. Scrambling toward Fissile peak with crampons and ice axe on loose rocks, snow and ice. Snowshoeing toward Whirlwind peak.
Difficulty: Russet Lake: easy hike slowly going up. Some navigation might be needed at the end as the snow can cover all trace of the trail toward the lake in the alpine zone.
Fissile Peak: Moderate, loose rock and mild exposure. I heard a small avalanche craking down while being there. The gps track i propose go through a gully which can be prone to avalanche as well.
Whirldwind: Easy-Moderate, mostly hiking.
Participants: Solo
Access: From Vancouver drive north on Highway 99 to Whistler and turn right (east) onto Village Gate Blvd. After 400m turn left onto Blackcomb Way at a T-Junction. The entrance to the day-lot parking area is a short distance along Blackcomb Way on the right. Overnight parking for Singing Pass is located in Lot 4; due to the length of the approach, the majority of people ascending peaks from Russet Lake should park here. If you're planning a day trip to the area go right as you enter the parking area and find a spot as far down (south) and as close to the base of the Whistler Gondola as possible. Walk to the south end of the parking area and onto Blackcomb Way. Follow Blackomb Way to the left to a bus loop located near the base of the Whistler Village Gondola. Just past the bus loop a gravel road leaves to the right - signs indicate this is the route to Singing Pass. (From Matt Gun's Scrambles in SWBC)
Follow the trail up to Russet Lake (see gps track for Fissile Peak, the track start at the parking lot)
After the bus loop I found the entrance toward the gondola. A big sign say not to hike or bike but you have the right to continue to walk on the left side toward the beginning of the Singing Pass Trail higher up. The sign intention seem to be to hold people from walking and wondering around the ski slopes and gondola pillars. After 10min walk there's a huge concrete water tanker on the left and a green sign which show the beginning of the Singing Pass trail. (Another sign mentioned that all hikes should go in that direction, which confirmed the right to be there..). The trail is wide and easy. There's what seem to be a landslide few kilometer up. A muddy slope must be climb down and then up, there's a small rope for those who needs it. Few threes are blocking the way at Harmony creek, I've choose to cross the creek below those obstacles. Its straight forward up to the Musical Bump trail sign. I've found easier to walk with snowshoes from 1700m and up. Signs of bears along the trail and some footprints which look like a big cat (and group by two like a rabbit) for some distance past the Musical Bump sign. I've blow my annoying whistle at regular interval to feel safer as I was solo. (No new footprints on the way back). It look like its a nice place for back country skiing around this point (1-2km before the merge with Musical Bumps and higher in the alpine)
Then I've used my GPS to track my way toward Russet Lake. The view is quite amazing as soon as we hit the alpine.
There's a nice hut which was in good condition (only the toilet door cannot lock from the inside so it stay open, which can be uncomfortable with strong wind and snow. I left an entry in the log book mentioning that we need a new 'screw loop' in order to use the hook part of the lock. Its an easy fix..)
After I set camp in the hut I went toward Fissile Peak (always with my snowshoes).
As the daylight time was getting short, I approach towards a different route then what is actually propose in Matt Gun's Book. I've trade my snowshoes for my crampons about 1km before the proposed trail and went up a scree slope.
I had to work my way up by cleaning up the ice and snow. Rocks quality is quite poor on the route I chose and many where sliding down, its a good thing there was nobody below me. I then zigzagged between the rocks and the snow toward a ridge. I kept right as a nice cornice was on the left.
100m away from the summit I reached what looked like a 'lower peak'.
As the light was diminishing more and more, I chose to stop there (grrrr) and start my way back toward the sketchy route after I quickly took some pictures).
After a nice night sleeping in the hut, I woke up. It was out around 8:30. I was happy to have a pair of goggles. I had to clean them regularly as the wind whipped the wet snow on my face. Its was hard to see but there was some short opening here and there. I climbed up the ridge around Fissile glacier to have a better view. For what I could see, I thought I was where the pictures from Scrambles book pointed out. I reach a ridge which look the same (maybe it is) and went up. I followed some contours which looked like the one on the picture.. and reach a part where there was a glacier. At this point it was impossible to see further. I could hardly see some black dots at some distance and wondered if it was Overlord Mtn. I've stopped and put some warm clothes on so I could wait a bit and see if the weather would cleared up in order to have a better idea of whats in front of me. After my lunch I saw that it was not getting better so I chose to head back. I was quite surprise to realize that I didn't reached Whirlwind summit even if what I went through look like it from what I saw (I erased this part of the trip from the gps data I've included with this report). Back to the hut I then put some dry and warm clothes on and enjoyed a day dreaming rest in between two infusion of tea.
I left on the third day by the same trail. I kept the snowshoes down to 1500m. I was once again amazed by the striking differences in the beautiful landscape; the green color tones where filling my eyes with enjoyment.
The parking sign which said '72 hours parking max' was not there anymore (??) But I doubt it will change just like that without new rectifications signs.. lets see next time if it still available for overnight.
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