Mist Mountain

Dist: 11.2km    Elev: 1330m    Summit: 10301'    Time: 6h    Difficulty: 5/5

Byron and I decided to test our luck on a scramble he has been eyeing for a few years, despite a wintry weather forecast. Fortunately, we broke through the thick grey clouds around Highwood Pass and were gifted blue skies and sunshine for the entire day!

The hike began by climbing north from the roadside pullout for roughly 3km up steep grassy meadows towards a small pass between Nameless Ridge and the southern ridge of Mist Mountain. From here we turned west and followed a rocky trail (barely visible beneath a fresh layer of snow) through the steep bowl beneath Mist Mountain. With no obvious track to the summit, Byron and I improvised our way up the steep scree slopes; a route requiring constant hands-on scrambling and significant exposure at times. Thankfully, morale was kept high with rapidly expanding views to the south.

Cresting the ridge at last, we were faced with one final steep section to reach the true summit. At 10,300ft, this was my new highest summit and the "top-of-the-world" views were deeply satisfying after a challenging climb. Following a brief photo-op to document our accomplishment, Byron and I enjoyed a long scree ski down the bowl of loose rocks beneath the summit. Coming down was a lot faster and a lot more fun!

Looking back at Odlum Ridge as we break through the trees.

Climbing through grassy meadows towards the pass seen in the middle.

Byron traversing the rocky ledges below Mist Mountan.

Looking back towards Mist Ridge. We came through the snowy pass to the right.

Getting higher as we blaze a trail through the snow and rocks.

Steep scree climbing. Only worth it for views like this.

Final push to the summit.

Summit selfie!

Summit panorama looking roughly northwest.

We "skied" down this long scree slope for a fast and fun descent.

Nearing the end of the rocky bowl.

Final stretch back to the trailhead.

A beautiful and successful autumn adventure in the mountains!