Description

Blanchard peak is an impressive looking peak in Golden Ears park.  Unlike the park’s namesake, there’s no hiking route up.  Two options for ascent: fly gully (snow) or Alouette Mountain, then climb the peak (mostly a scramble, with 20m of 5.4), before descending over Alouette Mountain.  We will pitch out the 5.4 section.

See this trip report: https://stevensong.com/coastal-interior-bc/fraser-valley/blanshard-needle/

All participants must know how to rappel.

Equipment:

• Ice axe
• Crampons and fitting boots
• Harness
• Rappel setup

Note: trip depends on getting golden ears parking passes.  If that’s not possible, a backup scramble or hike will be considered.  There is a chance of rain in the forecast; if rain materializes we will be retreating.

Hazards:

Potential hazards for this trip include (but are not limited to) rockfall (especially in Fly Gully), slips and falls either in belayed section or while scrambling, falls on snow and failure to self arrest, anchor failures, becoming lost or separated from the group, and other hazards associated with mountaineering activities.  Specific hazards and mitigation plans will be discussed as part of the trip.