Originally published at: https://accvi.ca/events/mt-service-c2/
To sign up please contact Knut at kvsalzen@uvic.ca
* This is a second attempt on the summit (the first attempt in April failed due to challenging snow conditions) *
Description: The objective for this trip is to climb Mt Service and traverse the adjacent open ridge that ends at the col between Mt Service and El Capitan. The Mt Service ridge does not require any technical climbing and is suitable for experienced hikers and mountaineers that are familiar with steep snow terrain. Ice axe, crampons, and snow shoes are needed, in addition to 10 essentials. The plan is to hike in on the gravel road that runs parallel to Cottonwood creek (about 6 km) and camp near the Cottonwood creek crossing for one night. The next day we will continue to continue hiking on gravel roads until we reach the bushy start of the ridge at the end of the Cottonwood valley. Much of the ridge will be under deep snow, likely including the col between Mt Service and El Capitan, which marks the end of the ridge and start of the hike back to the camp (approx. 12-14 km for the round trip from/to the camp), followed by hiking back to the trail head. Please do not sign up if you are not familiar with the use of an ice axe as there is a short steep section that may require the use of an ice axe.