Bonnington Traverse: Day 1

The common start for this traverse is at the 1214m Bombi summit, 17km East of Castlegar along Highway 3. Start where the power line crosses the road and follow it in a northerly direction for about 6km, this is perhaps the least enjoyable part of the trip. There are many service roads paralleling the power lines that will facilitate your progress however, if you are not familiar with the area it is simpler to follow the gently rising power lines. After about 3km along the power lines, you will arrive at a power line junction. Continue along the main power line, which turns in a Northeasterly direction. After almost 3km along this segment (around 1570m) the power line turns back in a northerly direction. From this point (near tower #154), leave the power lines and ascend a forested west-facing slope for 365m in an easterly direction to a broad pass (1935m) 1.3km southwest of Grassy Mountain. From the pass, ski down in a Northeasterly direction for a distance of about 400m to the Grassy Mountain hut at 1900m (642-598, NAD83). The route to the broad pass is on private land, please respect any signs posted by the landowner.