Our first trip to the Bugs turned out to be a magical convergence of great friends, a spectacular setting, and beautiful weather. This day was no different and we climbed another stunning formation that rose above our camp like a giant tooth. Our chosen route was a 7-pitch, 5.9 on the backside of Snowpatch Spire called Surf's Up. The Atkinson/Piche guide did us well again and we were pleased with the quality of climbing. In fact, I thought the two pitches above Surf's Up Ledge were the most enjoyable that I climbed in our entire trip. Simply fantastic.
Snowpatch Spire as seen from the Applebee Dome Campground. |
Paul heading to the Snowpatch-Bugaboo col in the background. |
An interesting "ice bridge" across a lake near camp. |
A group of six heading to the West Ridge of Pigeon Spire. |
Lisa at the burgschrund near the top of the Bugaboo-Snowpatch col. |
Paul near the saddle. |
The views on the Upper Vowell Glacier are worth the relatively short hike from camp. |
Paul with Pigeon Spire in the background.
We would climb its West Ridge (right skyline) later in the trip. |
A closer look at the striking east face of Pigeon Spire. |
Three new friends we met in camp heading for the Superdirect on Snowpatch Spire.
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Looking up at Surf's Up. |
Snowpatch Spires (with our route marked) as seen from Pigeon Spire. |
Looking up pitch one. |
Paul leaving the belay on the second pitch. |
Paul on pitch two. |
Pitch three? |
Looking down pitch three? |
Beginning the pitch that takes around to the south face. |
Paul making his way around to the south face and onto the Surf's Up Ledge.
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Lisa at the belay. |
Starting the fantastic crack pitches above Surf's Up Ledge.
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The climbing reminded me a lot of Lumpy Ridge.
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Long flared crack systems on impeccable granite... good stuff. |
Looking down at Lisa and Paul on Surf's Up Ledge.
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Higher on the pitch. |
Is the Bugaboos fantastic or what?!?! |
Lisa and Paul coming up at the same time. |
A balancey move near the end of the pitch. |
Paul coming up. |
All smiles. |
Off on yet another pitch of incredible crack climbing. |
Paul and Lisa on the last pitch before we stated the ridge climbing to the summit. |
You don't get this view at just any crag. |
Lisa at the top of the last steep pitch. |
Enjoying life. |
Looking back down at the Kain Hut and the parking lot drainage. |
Looking down at camp. |
There is a fair bit of ridge climbing required to get the summit after topping out Surf's Up. |
One of the gendarmes near the summit. |
Lisa on top. |
Bugaboo Spire as seen from the summit of Snowpatch. The Kain Route follows the ridge facing the camera and the right skyline is the NE Ridge. |
Me and Lisa. |
Paul and me. |
Some poser. |
Summit register fun. |
Great times! |
More traversing to get to the rappel route. |
The first rappel from the top. |
It would be hard to overstate the beauty of this place.
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Wheee... |
Paul rapping. |
Lisa rapping. |
Looking up at the final rap of the day. |
The final rope pull is always a great feeling isn't it? |
Scrambling back to the glacier and the trail to camp. |
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