We had an absolutely spectacular day for this fantastic traverse. All of the larches in their full autumn glory.
We set out from Fish Creek at 9:00, a new trip for all of us. I had done Lipalian/Purple a few times and Unity in winter on a Pumpkin Traverse. I think that for the rest it was all pretty much new. The parking extended to several dozen cars along the road. With a strong group we were up past Temple Lodge and almost into the open part of Wolverine Valley in a little over an hour.

Breaking out of the shadows into Wolverine Valley meadows

The valley was wetter than expected. We found drier terrain under the shoulder of Redoubt Mtn, but that ended up involving some crossing of talus. Then we had to find the easiest way up to the Unity/Redoubt col. The route we took, immediately beside the drainage was a bit of a challenge.


Crux Unity Peak, approaching the col

From a track provided by Sim, it looks like Kevin has a better route maybe a 100 m to the left. I dislodged a "portable handhold" that had all of us with our hearts in our mouths, but it bounced down away from the others. We stayed closer together and were very careful after that. Once up onto the ridge we took a short break and set out on the long ridgewalk.


Scrambling underneath ascent col of Unity Peak

Soon we were into the fantastic blocks that form the summit of Unity Peak.


Brian on the summit block of Unity Peak

Carl on true summit of Unity Peak

Nearing the summit of Unity Peak (looks steeper than it is due to camera angle)

Marg at the summit of Unity Peak, Deb and Cordula below (Mt StBride in bkg)

We tried to traverse the ridge towards Lipalian staying close to south but that ends up in cliffs and had to do some switchbacks in order to find good way down.

Something similar happened at the gendarme north of the Purple/Unity col. I though that the bypass would be pretty high up. In the end we "bagged" that too (making for a "fourbagger"), before tracking back and down to the bypass and another climb up to the col.


Brian, Deb, Cordula and Marg at the Purple/Unity col

Then it was on to Purple Mound/Peak (both names are in common use)


Beautiful lake on our way to Lipalian with Protection Mountain in the background

On the way we heard shouts from Christine who was with another group heading down to Wolverine Ridge after doing Lipalian and Purple.


Hiking up to Purple Mount/Peak - as photoed by Christine

There were quite a few hikers at the top of Purple M/P, I think mainly members of the Slow & Steady group.


Marg, Carl, Cordula, Brian and Deb on Purple Peak/Mound (Pulsatilla, Protection in bkg)

One more descent and climb got us up to Lipalian Mountain.


Brian, Cordula, Deb and Marg on Lipalian Mtn (Mt Hector in bkg)

Were we took a longer break, before heading for the long downhill walk.


Why is it called the Larch chair? (Hector, Richardson, Pika and Ptarmigan in bkg)

Margaret and Carl on the Larch chair

Heading down the Lookout run off the larch chair

We were back at the cars a little after 5. Our devices read 19 or 20 km with 1300 m of ascent. Apologies for the many photos, but those are only a small selection out of all the photos that "told the story" or showed the lovely larches and mountain views.
Many thanks to participants: Cordula,Margaret,Brian (photos), and Deb (photos), for joining me, Carl (C/S/P).