Pump Peak Backcountry Skiing

Scott and I did a couple of trips last winter, but we couldn’t connect this season yet. So when the timing worked for both of us on Sunday, April 10, we made plans to make a short backcountry skiing trip to Pump Peak in Mount Seymour Provincial Park.

Brockton Point

BC Parks had discontinued the day pass for Mount Seymour, so we didn’t have to book a pass in advance. Scott and I met at 6:45 am and carpooled to the backcountry parking area on Mount Seymour.

After a quick beacon check at the trailhead, we were on the Mount Seymour Trail. Unfortunately, given the recent weather conditions, it was hard-packed snow on the trail.

An hour later, we were at Brockton Point. Although the snow conditions were not great, we decided to continue to Pump Peak.

Gear Trouble

Shortly after Brockton Point, we took the Old Mount Seymour Trail leading to Pump Peak’s South Face. The South Face is relatively steep (about 30 deg. in the upper section), but I felt I could handle it and skin across the slope. But it was hardpacked snow, and we had to get out our crampons.

As Scott put on the crampons, I also took out my G3 crampons. I had watched the G3 video and thought it was quite easy to put on the crampons.

One essential part I missed is that I had to install the crampon adaptors. As Scott saw me fiddling with the crampons, he came down to help me out. I usually have a medical kit with a multi-tool in my backpack, but I hadn’t packed one for this trip.

We tried crampon points, store cards and car keys to put on the adaptor. Finally, we got them on with a decent fit and hoped they wouldn’t come out on the slopes.

With the crampons on, I started skinning across the slope. I was trying to catch up to Scott when I slipped and tumbled down the lower section of the South Face. Fortunately, I didn’t hurt myself, but the lever on the toe piece of the ski binding got stuck. I tried to get the lever back in position but couldn’t.

Pump Peak

Finally, I decided to bootpack up the South Face. I was already thinking about the possibility of hiking out if we couldn’t fix the binding.

Just below the Pump Peak, Scott and I regrouped to have a look at the binding. After about 10-15 minutes of trying different methods, we finally got the lever of the toe piece in position.

We did a quick hike to the Pump Peak. I expected more snow here, but I could barely get any purchase with my hiking pole at the summit. It was a beautiful day, but surprisingly it was not crowded.

Soon, we got down, put on our skis and started our descent. Scott skied down the South Face, something he had wanted to do for a long time. I did more side slipping and survival skiing to get down the face.

On our way to Brockton Point, I had a bad fall. I didn’t realize it then, but somehow I had managed to hurt my left ribs. I think it was the beacon in my chest pocket that got pushed against the ribs when I fell. I couldn’t sleep on my side for the next few days and felt the pain anytime I engaged my core.

From Brockton Point, we skied down the resort to the trailhead and then to the parking lot. We were back in the car by 11 am. In total it was just under 8 km round trip with about 550 m of vertical. It was a short trip on a beautiful, and I learned some lessons the hard way.

Territory Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge that this trip took place on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I commit to learning about Indigenous peoples and issues and making reconciliation an ongoing effort.

Source: Native-Land Pronunciation Guide: First Nations.info