4 Summits, 5 Peaks (if you include the two peaks of Mount Saddle (the Shaddle)). Not too bad for a day's hike. The weather was quite warm especially out of the wind and made for a very enjoyable day. This was also a trip of lost equipment.

We hiked up Mean Creek - it wasn't so mean! Eventually a track appeared on the north bank which was used to the base of Hornecker Mountain. From here, it was an ascent through trees to near the summit where there were meadows and some rock.

The descent down the northeast ridge was partly open and partly in trees. A first lunch was convened partway up the south ridge of Windy Peak. It proved somewhat windy at the summit of Windy Peak.

We then descended back down this ridge

and proceeded along the north ridge of Saddle Mountain (the Shaddle).

This proved to be an up and down affair to the first summit.

We descended to the saddle and climbed the second (south) summit.

Here, it became decision time. The idea of dropping to the col between Saddle Mtn. and Livingstone Mtn. and descending Mean Creek was a non-starter due to the amount of bush in Mean Creek. So the choice became 1. retrace our steps to the Windy Peak/Saddle Mtn. col and drop into Mean Creek there or 2. proceed on to Livingstone Mtn. and drop down the west slopes to the cars. The choice was really apparent as the distance to go to Livingstone was a lot shorter but there would be a 600 feet elevation gain required.

We slogged up to the ridge of Livingstone Mtn. As we were only 300 feet vertical from the actual summit we went and bagged this summit also.

A descent was then made to the northwest ridge and we found an open slope to take down to a drainage on the west slopes.

Sometimes we were in the drainage and sometimes on the south banks of this drainage. Eventually a logged out area was reached and followed to near the road and thence back to the cars. Our arrival time at the cars was about 5:15pm.

Regarding lost gear, we had one person with a lost hat, one person with a lost water bottle(c/w grizzly bear teeth marks on the lid) and one person who almost lost a ski pole. They were able to retrace their steps and find the pole.

Thanks to Alicja, Shirley, Lisa, her guest Heather, Mel, Janet, Peter and Janice for joining me on what proved to be a stellar day.

Bob - Coordinator and Scribe