Elkhorn Attempt

With a stellar forecast, and the family out of town, I decided that taking a day off for a ramble was in order. I have been keen on Elkhorn for awhile, and had an abortive attempt on it last year (though didn't make it too far).

Rumor is that Elkhorn is day-trippable. Given the shorter days at this time of year, I figured I would need an early start. Unfortunately I am not very good at getting up early in the morning. After a few hours of sleep, my alarm started crowing at 3:30 in the morning. I played the snooze game for 15 minutes, and after a bowl of granloa and yogurt, was off at 4:15. I pulled into Campbell River, zonked, at 6:00 and had to have a short nap before grabbing a coffee and taking off at 6:30.

I hit the trail at 7:45 (so much for an "early" start). I had the approach mostly sorted from my first trip into the area. Highlights included an au cheval log crossing over the Elk River, and a tarzan up a dodgy fixed rope up a wet, slimey cliff.

From the alpine, the mountain surroundings open up. You get some pretty good views around.

King's Peak

Looking along the ridge to Elkhorn. The route I tried heads up the big cleft to a notch on the right side of the mountain.

Rambler Peak

I followed the ridge up to the base of the mountain proper, where you have to swing around and try to get into a gully system on the west side of the mountain. Once in the gully, things got a little more challenging. The rock was a little wet, and the climbing a little funky. Being by myself I wasn't able to work up the courage to get past the first main obstacle in the gully, so turned around about 5 1/2 hourse into the trip. Still had a good hour or so to get to the top.

Base of routes on Elkhorn

Colonel Foster

Back down the ridge, down the slimy cliff, and over the river found me back at the car a little shy of 10 hours after starting. I was almost home before it got dark. Next time a rope and a partner are probably in order.