Archive:Mountaineering Camp 2008

The plan

Mountaineering Camp is an opportunity for VOCers of different abilities to get together and enjoy some scrambling/mountaineering together. Although we will all camp in one spot, different groups will head out to different destinations during the day. The evenings will be filled with good food, good stories, and good times. Traditionally it's held over the Labour Day weekend, and this year is no different - Saturday August 30th to Monday September 1st.

This is not an instructional trip (do not confuse it with Glacier school). Although there will likely be experienced members around who may be willing to give you some advice.

So who's in charge?

Veenstra, sort of. But mostly you. At Mountaineering Camp you're in charge of picking your own climbing team and deciding on an activity within your abilities.

Location

This year's MC will be in the area surrounding the Harrison Hut. See the hut's wiki page for directions.

Scrambling

Overseer (2749m)

The highest peak in the area. In his scrambles guide Matt Gunn describes a route skirting the edge of the Madhorse Glacier and up the South East side as moderate, not to mention giving it three stars (out of a possible three).

The Three Stooges (2441m)

The North ridge of The Three Stooges, glaciated on either side, points straight at the hut. Matt Gunn says: two stars, moderate.

Frozen Boot (2579m)

The Northwest ridge is an enjoyable scramble according to the hut log.

Volition (Two Doctors) Peak (2368m)

SW from the hut, a scramble. Bivouac has some beta

Zygo Peak (2623m)

SE from the hut, another scramble. Bivouac has some beta on it too.

Uriah's Heap (2621m)

Another scramble with enough beta from bivouac to make it go.

Climbing

Overseer (2749m)

Alpine Select describes a route up the central couloir on the Southwest face and up the headwall as 5.8, with many variations possible (read: possible routefinding difficulties or choose your difficulty, depending on how you look at it)

The Meager Obelisk (2260m)

A 40m rock tower near Volition (Two Doctors) Peak offers a 5.9 fist crack. The first ascent involved two mountaineers luring two craggers from Squamish to act as rope guns. Upon completing the first ascent the craggers immediately top-roped some harder climbs on the same pillar.

Participants

Signup

1. Scott Webster
2. Anne Webster
3. Ran Z (door-side shotgun bench)
4. Kristen Brewer
5. Colin V
6. Anne Vialettes
7. April Hall
8. Angela H
9. Laura Morrison
10. Philipp Z
11. Roland Burton
12. Shuyu Fan
13. Chris P
14. Jason B
15. Evan M
16. Kristyna (friend of april)
17. Ashlee J
18. Scott Nelson
19. Sandra Nicol
20. Bob L
21. Allison Boothe
22. Greta R
23. Ben SP (the hut is definitly gonna be crowded)

Objectives

Doing something cool? Tell the rest of us about it! Maybe somebody will climb the Meager Obelisk? (Philipp)

Anyone want to try the south face of Overseer? (Scott)

HUT Objectives

Things to do to the Harrison Hut. These projects should not interfere with more serious, mountaineering, objectives. But they do require a little preparation.

ROOF SCREWS: Last time I was up there, Jun 20-23, Pete Hudson was putting screws into the roof to hold the aluminum cladding on, but he ran out of screws. To finish the job we need some more screws, and a Hard Man to screw them in. I will buy the screws for about $10 if somebody approves.

END WALL TREATMENT, SHORT TERM: Due to the lack of a paint brush, we were unable to paint the end will with the gallon of paint that is up there. If we bring up a 2 inch brush, we can at least paint the door frame where it has been damaged by the helicopter flight in. We might as well roll the rest of the paint onto the end wall, weather permitting, just to preserve it for another year.

END WALL TREATMENT, LONG TERM: Painting the end wall may not solve the problem of the end wall being damaged by sunlight, because the wall is very porous and is covered with patches of paint of varying adhesion. There is a paint scraper up there. A permanent solution might involve buying a roll of "farm coil" aluminum and hauling it in, and covering the end wall with this. A roll of aluminum 3 ft x 50 ft costs around $250 and weighs around 40 lbs. It could be cut into two 25 foot rolls to make it more carry-able. Expect to spend another $10 or so for screws, and we'd need to bring up tin snips for installation. Probably won't happen this year.

MONEY BOX: The money box is up there but it needs to be installed. To do this we need a drill and a 3/8" bit 5-1/2" long or longer, and a wood block which is 2 3/16 width (thick). A brace and bit might be handier than hauling in an electric driver and a charged battery (?)

SIGNAGE: Some quality signage is needed, laminated, welcoming people to our Hut and encouraging them to pay $5/night, either in the money box, or mailing it to us.

NEW BROOM: Is needed; should have nylon bristles because corn brooms absorb moisture and go bad.

BIG HOOKS: for hanging packs upstairs, would be good.

Rides

Arrange your rides here!

Roland Burton (probably drive up Friday evening and tent)

1. Shuyu Fan
2. Chris P (tentative)
3. April
4. Kristyna