Piggy Plus - Burstall col Off-Trail hike on 5-Sep-2025

It was a sunny and pleasantly cool morning as we headed up the trail towards Burstall Pass. The meadow soon levelled off giving us views towards the climb to the col and also back towards Commonwealth.

Crossing the meadows towards the rocky climb to the Piggy-Plus Burstall col

Looking back towards Commonwealth Peak before our rocky climb

The route for the rocky climb to the col was clear although footing was sometimes a little uncertain. We soon reached the narrow col where we had a nice view of the French Glacier with only a little smoke.

View of the French glacier from the top of the col.

After Chip and John returned from their jaunt past a couple of high points on the ridge up towards Mount Burstall, we headed back down and headed over to the lower part of Piggy Plus Ridge to look down on the Robertson Glacier.

Robertson Glacier from one of the higher points on the Piggy Plus ridge

Then we headed along the lower parts of the ridge to reach the small bump usually called the "Bluffs". There were great views of our route and of the surrounding mountains so we had a leisurely break in the sun before heading back.

A snack break at the "Bluffs" looking at the col on the left that we climbed, the length of the Piggy Plus ridge and the Robertson Glacier on the right.

Looking north towards Birdwood and Commonwealth as we were starting down from the "Bluffs"

Participants: Philip, Douglas, Chip, Andrew, Laura, John

Edit report | Back to List