Leckie Peak
June 22-23, 2024
It was another mediocre weather weekend in June, and I was itching to get out and do something, especially camping since I’d really been craving a night under the stars lately. From all the forecasts I’d checked, it looked like Saturday was the good day, and Sunday would be rain no matter what, but Francis managed to locate a small full-weekend weather window just north of Goldbridge. I hadn’t thought to check that far north but with two days of good looking weather we decided it would be worth the long drive.
On Friday night after work, we quickly packed up our camping gear, and made the late night drive through the Hurley all the way to gun creek rec. site. We went to sleep in the back of the pickup around midnight, which was not so late all things considered. It was a beautiful night, and cuddled up to my favourite person in my extra warm sleeping bag I felt incredibly lucky.. for everything really. It was the first time I’d felt truly happy since being on Muhabura.
In the morning, we woke up with the sunrise around 5:30am, and had to try quite hard to keep sleeping until our alarm at 6:30. We slowly made our way to the trailhead, and then even more slowly up the steep bushwhacky hike. Despite there being no trail, the forest was quite open and compared with other SWBC bushwhacks it was quite tame. It was less than 2km to leave tree line which was fantastic, and before we knew it we were on to rocks and snow.
Our truck camping setup at Gun lake
Francis starting up through the forest
Me coming up through the bushwhack
Looking back towards the lush valley below
Very old grizzly claw marks we found on a tree
Francis traversing a talus field
Taking a break before starting the boulder field
We plowed up on very thin and isothermal snow through the beautiful hanging valley, occasionally punching right through to hip deep. Thankfully all the snow slopes we’d been worried about for overhead avalanche danger were way more snow free than the satellite imagery had shown us which eased the concerns we had. As we neared the col, we began looking for somewhat sheltered spots to camp. Despite our weather window, there were still predicted winds up to 50 or 60km/h, and we were not about to play any games with a stressful night of sleep.
After scoping out a few campsite options, we opted to just ditch our stuff under a boulder to skip the risk that our tent blows away into the valley. With lighter daypacks now, and it only being 1pm, we set off towards Leckie peak and maybe Farrier.
Francis heading up the snowy valley
Me coming up the snowy upper valley chosing a different line that I thought would be easier walking. (It was not, lol)
We chose to follow the more fun and aesthetic ridge line, and even though there was some extra elevation gain and loss, it still seemed a better option than scrambling up a loose chossy gully straight to the summit.
Around halfway up the ridge line, we were met with some unexpected weather: rain!!! We watched it come towards us from surrounding valleys and were surprised it wasn’t in the forecast. When we reached the summit though we could see blue skies on the other side of our cloud so opted to wait it out.
The views were beyond incredible, and there were so many noteworthy peaks for us. Mount Penrose to the south east which we’d done last year instead of a failed attempt at Sorcerer (southwest). We could also see mount Vayu and Mount Sloan, both of which I wasn’t there for but Francis speaks very highly of. To the northeast we could see the whole Chilcotins traverse that we’d completed shortly after we started dating, with mount Sheba being especially noteworthy as one of our favourites. Finally, the Bridge glacier which looks so epic I made him pinky promise he wouldn’t go without me.
After awhile on the summit the rain had stopped but the sun was refusing to come out again for us. With what looked like even more ominous clouds rolling in, we decided to start our descent.
Along the ridge line, we became even more thankful to not need to cross any snow, since we actually set off a few small wet-loose avalanches from knocking down loose rocks. Our plan to do other peaks in the area was not looking too good, and we decided from this point forward we’d just stick to snow free ground where possible.
Francis starting up the ridgeline towards Leckie peak
A bit further down the ridgeline with Leckie peak behind
Views looking back along the ridgeline towards our campsite
Me coming up the final slope to the summit
The storm starting to roll in
Looking over towards the other peaks we wanted to climb on this trip
Looking back along the ridgeline
Views of the sky!
Us on the summit
When we arrived back at Spooky peak (an unofficial Bivouac name), I made the call that I didn’t have Farrier peak in me. I’d been feeling quite nauseous from anxiety pretty constantly as a result of recent events, making it difficult (impossible) to stomach any food without wanting to puke. All I’d eaten for the 1400m of elevation so far was half the muffin I’d brought for breakfast, and with it nearing 4pm I was getting dizzy. We found a little alcove near the summit for me to curl up in, and I donned every one of my layers as Francis set off to the next mountain.
From that little alcove is actually where I wrote this trip report thus far, as I watched the tiny dot that is my boyfriend climb up the opposite slope. I soon wished my alcove was a cave, since right around when Francis summitted we got completely socked in by another much bigger rain cloud. (I hope he’s back soon!! I don’t have eyes on him anymore)
The little dot that is my boyfriend (crossing the snow field down there if you zoom in) haha
pov: me writing this trip report
A pretty rainbow I saw while I waited
He of course did return in speedy fashion, totally out of breath but still asking if I was okay and whether I was warm enough.
– I’m sorry I took so long! He says
– No way! you went so fast!
I was still shivering with all my layers on though, so we soon took off back towards camp. The ridge line went much quicker this time as we opted for side hilling instead of ups and downs on top of the ridge. My layers came off quickly and by the time we got back to camp I was all warmed up again, and the sky had cleared from the rain.
We sheltered ourselves into a little wind scoop, and took little steps until we’d made ourselves a little square in the snow. Even though we did get hit by a few big wind gusts while setting up camp, we could tell that the wind up on the ridge was much, much stronger. We felt pretty happy with our decision to camp with a few less views in exchange for a bit more warmth.
Over dinner we briefly talked about the following day, since we’d had three more peaks planned, and agreed that we’d only consider going up there if there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Eating dinner as the sun sets
A pretty sunset
More tent shots because it’s sooo pretty!
Getting cozy in the tent before bed
Our tent in the morning, now surrounded by fresh snow
I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of snow falling off the tent. I tapped the material and more little chunks fell off. By the morning, we’d received a few cm of fresh snow all around us. We cuddled up to each other and I wished I could have stayed there like that all day or until the sun came out. We were definitely not going to hike now.
When we finally emerged from the tent to eat our cold muffins (a new Andrea and Francis breakfast classic, lol) it was cold. We donned every layer and packed up as quick as we could. I was happy to have full ski mitts with me!
The hike out was short and uneventful. The snow was a little more firm than on the way in, making for quicker travel in most places. The parts where we did punch through the icy crust were a little painful on my shins, and filled my boots with snow, but I was beyond caring. I only wanted to be back at the truck.
Although we didn’t achieve every one of our mountain goals on this trip, I’m so stoked we got into this area. It marks the third year in a row since we met that we’ve camped somewhere cool near Goldbridge, and I think we both hope to continue this tradition. The views in this area are superb, and it’s so remote and rugged that you’re almost guaranteed to see no one else.
Francis heading home amid the storm
Me coming down through the snow field again