Trip Date: March 07, 2008
Elevation Gain (m): 1085
Round Trip Time (hr): 8
Total Trip Distance (km): 20
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 2/3 – you fall, you sprain or break something
Difficulty Notes: A fairly straightforward ski tour with some easy glacier travel. The route to the Sir Douglas / Robertson col has obvious avalanche potential and stable conditions are required.
GPS Track: Gaia (includes ascent of Haig Ridge from 2021)
Technical Rating: OT4; YDS (Skiing)
Map: Google Maps
On a beautiful day in early March, TJ, Megs, Wietse and I completed the French / Haig/ Robertson ski traverse in the heart of Kananaskis Country under the looming summit of Mount Sir Douglas over the French and Robertson Glaciers.
We made our way up French Creek, following a set of tracks. There were some close calls with falls into the creek but eventually we struggled up to the lovely alpine valley at the toe of the tame French Glacier.
We continued the relentless ascent to the French / Robertson col where our views became stunning.
Clouds were building over the icefield and views of French, Munro and Sir Douglas were awesome.
We continued to traverse to the Robertson / Sir Douglas col while the clouds moved in and out. TJ tried to shortcut the huge slopes to the col, but this wasn’t worth the exposure to avalanche terrain.
Wietse and I bootpacked upward, following a solo skier who turned out to be Rod McAlister who I’ve been friends with on Facebook now for many years and enjoy his unique perspectives on life very much.
The views were stunning at the col but the ski down the Robertson Glacier wasn’t quite as stunning, unfortunately.
Wietse did as good as expected considering it was among his first backcountry ski tours but the punchy snow was very difficult to ski nicely.
The ski back out along Burstall Creek was very pleasant in warm sunshine.
