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Snow Peak and Commonwealth Peak attempts

  • December 28, 2002
  • Round-trip distance: approx. 14 km

Snowshoeing with Mark.

Attempting a repeat of last year's amazing birthday hike up Mount Allan, we started snowshoeing along the Burstall Pass hiking trail towards distant Snow Peak. By the time we got to the headwall, however, we were sinking almost the ground in two feet of fresh, powdery snow. We turned around and made a valiant but futile effort up Commonwealth Peak. The snow and bushwhacking were a nightmare and in an hour we didn't even get half way up the gully.  

    
Pig's Tail (on the left) and Commonwealth Peak from Burstall Pass Trail

 

    
Looking towards Mounts Robertson and Sir Douglas from the trail

 

Burstall Pass and Snow Peak

  • July 20, 2003
  • Mountain height: 2,700 m (8,856 feet)
  • Elevation gain: 875 m
  • Ascent time: 5 hours
  • Descent time: 2:20
  • Round-trip distance: approx. 20 km

Hiking with Mark, Keri, Mum, and Larry.

I'm surprised that this easy and pleasant hike and scramble, in a strategically perfect location, hasn't made it into Alan Kane's book. The scenery around Burstall Pass is stunning and it only gets better as you make your way to the easily attained summit of Snow Peak. Mounts Birdwood and Sir Douglas are especially breath-taking from this vantage point.   

     
Commonwealth Peak, as seen from Burstall Pass Trail

    
Larry, Keri, Mum, and Mark on the Burstall Pass trail; Mount Sir Douglas is in the background

 

    
A little snow wasn't going to stop us from attaining this easy peak, with a magnificent view

 

    
Mark at the summit, with Mount Sir Douglas behind him

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