A few weeks ago I got a text message from Scott Pick. He asked if I'd like to join for a heli-trip to the Niut Range. Of course I said yes!! We drove to
White Saddle Air near Tatla Lake (about 10 hour drive North of Vancouver) and flew into an alpine lake just South of the peak of Niut Mountain. The group was Scott, his wife Marina, a climber named Nick, and myself. We camped near the lake and I made a day-hike up a nearby peak.
We flew in on Saturday afternoon with about a foot of snow on the ground. I built a snow wall to protect my poor 3-season tent from the wind. By the end of the trip I'd tied out at least 10 guy-lines to keep it from flapping in the wind.
After a chilly sleep I set out into the valley to explore the area. Most of the mountains are made of loose, crumbly rock. Scott had mentioned a nearby peak he saw on the topo map and google earth that could make an easier ascent. At about 2650m this unnamed mountain would become my goal for the trip.
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| View of the valley from camp |
Scott was right the peak didn't look too intimidating after making most of the elevation up a mellow valley.
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| My goal was in the distance centre-left |
As I made my way up the ridge, the view really opened up. Amazing perspectives on the ridge and Tatlayoko Lake.
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| I had come up through the valley to the right. Notice Tatlayoko Lake in the distance on the left. |
My turn-around alarm went off just as I made my way up to my goal. Near the top I realized I was standing on a sub-summit. The true summit had been obscured from view all day. I had made it sooo close. Short on time and energy I turned back and returned to camp.
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| The rocks in the foreground show the sub-summit. Distance to summit is further than it looks like through thigh-deep snow. |
Here's a view back from the sub-summit on the valley I had travelled through.
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| The route back to camp was down to the trees in the valley and then turn right. |
The next day I rested and hung out near camp.
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| Scott and Marina hiking near camp |
Scott let me borrow his Feathercraft packraft and paddle the lake!
By day 3 the snow had melted considerably, I woke up at 5am, but it was stormy out. At 6:30 I headed out to reach that summit. Less snow on the ground made for much easier hiking. The winds were very strong. I did not stay long at summit.
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| Rocky summit at centre-right. I built a small cairn when I reached it. |
Here's a photo of Tatlayoko Lake.
And another view of my path through the valley. Notice how much snow has melted.
When I got back to camp, Nick and Scott told me they'd found an ice-cave. Of course I had to see it!
The next day the helicopter was delayed due to low visibility. Nick and I killed time by exploring the lower lakes.
Up close it looked like a tropical beach!!
Nick showed off his climbing skills on all the boulders he could find.
Finally the sky cleared enough for pilot Mike King to come pick us up. We were all happy to head home.
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| Ain't no selfie like a heli-selfie |
A few notes:
-Helicopter trips are more affordable than you might think. Scott Pick is the man for planning the best heli-trip with the shortest flight time.
-Rock slides are a real concern in this area. I saw and heard one major rock fall from a distance and would never want to be close to one.
-Scott says there's a good chance I was the first person up that mountain. I guess I'll never know!
