Very long hot day to gain a seldom climbed summit with vast views marred this day by BC smoke.13 hours car to car for 20km and 1500m of elevation.We parked on the side of the road at 8.00am and hiked up and over Grass Pass mostly in cool shade to reach Nugara's meadow about 9.45am. From here we followed a discernable trail initially on climber's left of the creek before crossing and continuing on the north side close to the creek for about 2 kms. Then steeply up and diagonally left to reach tree line and gain the SE ridge. This ridge leads upwards with easy scrambling to the main ridge avoiding the crux. There was a faint trail to where we stopped for lunch just below the "first significant high point" about 12.30pm.


Mount Head - various routes

Greg heading up the SE ridge of Mount Head

A rather ugly talus slope traverse was followed to gain the ridge proper which was followed to the summit register. At 2.30pm we signed the new booklet placed by the Scrambling and Mountaineering Club earlier this summer. Some names were familiar. Views were marred by BC smoke. We started back down by 3.15pm.


Manfred traversing the summit ridge of Mount Head

Susan approaching the summit cairn

Holy Cross Mountain from the summit of Mount Head

Ramblers on the summit of Mount Head

We followed a steep line down the SE ridge to reach the creek with welcome cool flowing water, but then had difficulty finding the "trail" back to the meadow. Some bushwhacking and rock hopping was enjoyed before reaching the meadow around 7.00pm. It was a welcome relief to one's knees to walk the dirt road back to the cars by 9.00pm. One member commented that I had planned the trip this way to hike the heat of the valley floor in the shade. If you believe this then you believe every Trump twitter. IMO, we took longer than the estimated 11 hours because of several factors: heat, several long breaks for views, route finding and age-induced slowing. Thanks to everyone's patience and cooperation this was a memorable trip.
Note that although we took helmets, the only person to use one was Kevin and that was to prevent his cap from flying away, rather than for protection. ie IMO helmets not needed.

Participants: David, Greg, Manfred, Susan, Kevin

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