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Burstall Pass Peak

Summit Elevation (m): 2593
Trip Date: January 23 2010
Elevation Gain (m): 1000
Trip Time (hr): 7
Total Trip Distance (km): 19
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 2 – you fall, you sprain something. Unless you’re caught in an avalanche – then you could die.
Difficulty Notes: Winter ascent includes serious avalanche risks. Learn how to manage these risks and perform avalanche burial rescues before attempting this trip.
Technical Rating: OT4; YDS (Ski)
GPS Track: Gaia
Map: Google Maps


On Saturday, January 23 2010 I joined a nice large group of friends for a jaunt up Burstall Pass Peak in the Burstall Pass area of Kananaskis. Since I had a bat attitude (or “battitude”) on the evening before, I decided to sleep in an extra hour and try to catch the rest of the group on the way up the pass. I was a bit bummed out on the drive to K-country because the weather was very grey and depressing. I was starting to think sleeping in would have been a great idea.

Burstall Pass Peak Route Map

At the parking lot the weather was still socked in but since I was there anyway I decided to get a work out and try to catch up to the rest of the group. I went quickly up the trail and 1 hour 5 minutes later I was over the first major elevation gain and thinking that I may not catch the group quite as quickly as I thought! 

At the final slope before the pass I finally heard voices ahead of me and was relieved to come around a corner and run into the group. To make things even better, the sun finally started to poke out and there wasn’t even a breath of wind as we crested the pass – very unusual for this area.

TJ led a great line up the first peak and soon we were strapping our skis on our packs and starting on a very cool high traverse to the true summit. We spent a good half hour on the summit with snow dust drifting down on us and the sun warm on our faces – it was fantastic! 

Looking over South Burstall Pass (R) towards the line of rock that is Whistling Rock Peak (L), Zeke’s Peak and Mount Sir Douglas (R).
Looking over South Burstall Pass (C) towards the line of rock that is Zeke’s Peak (L) and Mount Sir Douglas (C).

The ski down the pass had some great moments, the best being some glades just under the pass. All-in-all a great day out and I’m very glad I didn’t miss it.

 

2 thoughts on Burstall Pass Peak

  1. Found a pair of Foster Grant folding prescription glasses in a case on the summit of Burstall Pass Peak. Contact me if you know who lost them. They look expensive.

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