Mount Andromache Scramble on 11-Aug-2023

We were surprised to find the parking lot at Hector Creek full when the eleven of us arrived just before 9:00 am. Most of them must have just been sleeping overnight in their vehicles, because we only saw three other people all day on our way up Mount Andromache; two climbing Mount Hector and one solo hiker doing both Little Hector and Mount Andromache in one day. Several of us had done this trip previously as a traverse i.e. descending the northwest ridge down to Noseeum Creek, which most of us agreed was somewhat unpleasant due to rockfall and the steep hard packed dirt on the descent, especially with a larger group. So I wanted to try this as an out and back trip i.e. descending back down the same route we used to ascend. As well, on this trip on our way up to the east peak of Andromache we chose to climb up to Hector Pass first by staying in the bottom of the valley, rather than side hilling higher up along the scree slopes and ascending through one of several gulleys. On our way down from the east peak, instead of returning back to Hector Pass, we chose to descend through the most easterly gulley, which was not too steep and had minimal rock fall, and worked well even with our larger group. Most agreed that these various route choices worked well, but it was also felt that the traverse was worth doing, but perhaps is best done with a smaller party of four or five experienced scramblers.

Many thanks to Sim,Gary,Susan,Mike,Ulrike,Pam,Lenard,John,Toshiko, and Tatyana for joining me Jack on this great scramble.

Total Distance: 13.8 km
Total Elevation Gain: 1390 m
Total Time: 8 hours

Approaching the waterfall bypass on the way up Mount Andromache.

Climbing up past the upper waterfall on the way up Mount Andromache.

At Hector Pass on our way up Mount Andromache.

The route up to the east peak of Andromache from Hector Pass.

The main (west) summit of Andromache as seen from near the east peak.

Descending from the east peak of Andromache on our way to the main (west) summit.

Mount Hector and Little Hector from the summit of Andromache.

Three lakes from the summit of Mount Andromache: Hector, Turquoise, and Margaret.

On the summit of Mount Andromache, Hector Lake, Mount Balfour, Mount Gordon, Vulture Col, and Mount Olive in the background.

Some eggs we came across on the way down from Mount Andromache.