Mount Chesmill (Via NW gully) Off-Trail hike on 7-Aug-2022

After reading a trip report of a winter ski ascent by Vern Dewit i had the idea of trying this route rather than doing it from the south slopes, not only would it save a couple of hundred meters of elevation but the grade would be less steep. After about one hour of easy walking on the snowshoe trails and the Headwall lakes trail we reached the bottom of our ascent gully only to discover it was full of boulders, deadfall and other assorted debris. We had no option but to bushwack our way to the col, not too bad as far as bushwacking goes.

Bushwacking up to the col
Bushwacking up to the col

A rare strip of flowery meadow
A rare strip of flowery meadow

Reaching the col after an ardous bushwack
Reaching the col after an ardous bushwack

From the col it was a steepish climb on rubbly rock and boulders to the summit. After a long rest taking in the inspiring views we retraced our steps to the col and then we went down the gully, easy at first but lower down as it narrowed becoming a quasi scramble on slippery rocks eventually we decided to leave the gully and continue our descent in the forest.

Up we go
Up we go

Up and up
Up and up

On the way up. Mount Chester across the valley
On the way up. Mount Chester across the valley

The summit comes into view
The summit comes into view

Mount Chesmill summit (2820m)
Mount Chesmill summit (2820m)

Siesta time at the col
Siesta time at the col

Participants: FranciscoC/S, Gary, Susan, Jeannette, Chip Photos, Cathy Photos, Deb, Kate, guest Karen Woo, Dana. Thanks to all for joining me in this wonderful and successful exploratory trip

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