Page 1 of 1

Bugaboos Climbing, Paddle Flake Direct

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:01 am
by skykilo
Pedro Hirsute and I made a quick trip to the beautiful Bugaboo Spires of British Columbia.

Scenery during the approach
Image

First we tried to climb something that looked awesomely adventurous. It took us three tries to climb a first pitch off the glacier. The first attempt involved me falling off some hard wet stuff, spending lots of time climbing every which way but to a belay, then bailing.

Here PH makes our second attempt on a face crack.
Image

That pitched seemed to match one bit of beta but it was found distasteful for other reasons. Then I got to lead a beautiful dihedral through a roof with a splitter crack. It didn't match any beta but it was a sweet pitch.
Image

Then we bailed and drank some Irish whiskey.

The next day, we climbed the Cooper-Kor on the East Face of Pigeon Spire. I left my camera at our first water stop of the morning, so no pictures of one of the most scenic climbs I've ever done. But here's a picture of Pigeon Spire. The East Face is on the left. We descended the West Ridge, on the right, which was a nice lofty hike.
Image

Someone found my camera and gave it to Sheryl Crow. She took good care of it and it was returned to me the same night. Thanks, someone and Sheryl!

Snowpatch Spire scenic
Image

We were short on time, but wanted to make one last climb. So we headed for Paddle Flake Direct, a highly recommended route requiring only a very short hike from camp. The climb is left of the corner, part of it touches the vertical line between sun and shadow. Climbers can be seen on McTech Arete.
Image

The first pitch was 55 m of pure fun. PH follows.
Image

PH works the awkward start to the next bit.
Image

Higher on the route, PH finds a good rest before climbing through the roof with the hand crack. Good times!
Image

Hero hand jams to the top!
Image

Thanks for the great trip, Peter! Let's go send that other stuff....

Re: Bugaboos Climbing, Paddle Flake Direct

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:47 pm
by jplotz
Mmmmm! Bugaboo granite, climbing's equivalent to January faceshots. Love it up there and need to get back. Thanks for posting!

Re: Bugaboos Climbing, Paddle Flake Direct

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 6:10 pm
by danhelmstadter
whoa! thanks for the rock stokeage, terrain looks unreal.

Re: Bugaboos Climbing, Paddle Flake Direct

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:56 am
by E_$
yes to Bugs rock, and pictures of climbing on it! too bad you lent your camera to Sheryl. really?