The Wapta Traverse is a 70km ski from Peyto Lake in the north to Sherbrook lake in the south
Peyto Lake is a classic scene for landscape photographers however for people starting the ski to Petyo hut, the lake is a starting point.
There are lots of pull outs along the Icefields Parkway but this one is special, its the start of our adventure. I am on the left and this is my story.
At a snowy parking lot along the Icefield Parkway we gather all our gear we will need for our 6 day ski traverse. Our goal for the first day is to get to Peyto Hut located high above the Peyto Glacier, 10 KMs and 700m elevation gain. We are staying at that hut for two nights before moving onto Balfour hut.
It is great to catch up with old friends and talk about trips we've had since last seeing each other. There are ten of us in the group so there is a lot of chatter.
This world famous ski traverse starts with a sketchy luge through the forest before being spit out onto frozen Peyto Lake. We rearrange all the gear in our packs that has shifted and start the several KMs down the lake towards the creek and canyon.
The first couple hours skiing to Peyto hut is flat travelling along the lake and creek.
Beyond the lake and canyon the route heads up an ancient terminal moraine. The climb is about 300m and is typically quite difficult due to the exposed ridge and hard snow.
Starting up the lower part of the moraine
There is no real trail during the winter as the winds blast the route between groups of skiers. We follow the logical route up as do most others varying slightly in certain spots.
Upper part of the moraine
Finally, we reach a point high enough on the ridge that we can traverse sideways and head towards the toe of the glacier.
At this point we are all pretty hungry so we stop and take shelter behind an old structure Parks Canada used to monitor the glacier. We eat a quick snack and hydrate. This is a windy cold spot so our stop is brief.
Topped out on the moraine. Petyo glacier in the distance. The hut is on the ridge upper left.
From here we drop down a couple hundred meters and then it is time to rope up into teams as we get close to the ice. Two groups of three and a group of four. This spot is a bit of a let down because you can see the outhouse high on the ridge and it doesn't seem like it is that far. It is still pretty far. A solid two hours of uphill slogging as we carve a 3 km, 270 degree arc around the glacier to the hut.
The climb is uneventful but the weather starts to close in once we are a few kms from the hut.
As we climb the glacier a storm is rolling off the icefield.
The last 300m to the hut requires a final steep, 70m climb off the glacier and up onto the moraine where the hut sits. This is usually what finishes everyone off.
Arriving at the hut at dusk
When you see that little blue hut in a sea of white and gray it is a wonderful feeling. A little pocket of life in an environment we are not meant to live in.
This is our home for two nights. We planned to have a full day to ski. Let's see what the weather looks like in the morning.
~~
You can also check out what I am doing on other platforms
Website: DaveMarkel.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/alpineliferInstagram
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alpinelife Twitter
If you are into NFTs I am on...
Opensea: https://opensea.io/AlpineLifer
Foundation: https://foundation.app/@AlpineLifer
Tux: Tux