The drive to the Burstall parking lot was a pleasant surprise with virtually no washboard, potholes or loose gravel. It was sunny and cool when we started out around 9:30.

Ready to go at a crisp -1C

We made steady progress to the col under increasingly cloudy arriving shortly after noon.

At Piggy Plus - Burstall Col (real people this time)

We decided to take just a short snack break then headed down and across the meadows atop Whistling Rock Ridge to the lookout where we had good views back to Piggy Plus col and over to the Robertson glacier.

Birdwood (in cloud), Pig's Tail and Commonwealth

Piggy Plus, Robertson glacier (Mt. Sir Douglas in clouds)

larches under black cloud

We dropped down out of the wind for a relaxed lunch stop, then wandered back to join our uptrack for the return to cars. This is a bit tricky as there is a cliff band between the meadow and the trail. There was a bit more sunshine which brightened up the larch which were in the burnished gold, not the bright yellow, phase of autumn colours. I guess they will be pretty bare in a week or so.

Late afternoon sun on Mt. Chester

Thanks to participants: Rosanne,Ron,Douglas,Michael for their company, good cheer and navigation skills.

Philip