Little Sifton Traverse

A mini traverse that gets you up high in the Selkirk Mountains around Roger's Pass, BC. Combine it with a summit attempt on Little Sifton & you have the makings of an epic day out. The views are jaw dropping. Good weather & stable avalanche conditions are a must. The trip begins at the Roger's Pass Discovery Center (1307m). A car drop at the Hermit Campground parking lot is helpful for the end of the day but, not a requirement (it's a short 1.5 km walk back to the Discovery Center from the Hermit Parking Lot). Begin by obtaining your Winter Access Permits from the Discovery Center. Then start by ascending into the Connaught Drainage (aka Balu Pass Drainage) behind the Discovery Center on a wide, cat track-like road. When you arrive at the first major slide path that is descending out of Grizzly Bowl, begin ascending steeply through the trees on the right. This is known as Grizzly Shoulder. It's a serious slog of 800m to the top of the shoulder to Grizzly Knob. Once you reach treeline, continue ascending on the left of a large rock wall until you climb over a small step. From here you are on the wide open alpine slopes. Acsending easily through jaw dropping views until you gain the col on climber's right of Little Sifton (the col is at 2630m). Some parties begin their descent here by skiing north out of the col onto the north glacier. Alternatively, you can climb to the summit of Little Sifton (2730m) if conditions permit, the view is well worth the effort. Descend back to the col, ski north over the wind lip onto the north glacier. Caution with windslab on this slope! Mid-winter, the crevasses are well covered on this glacier. Many parties leave the glacier travel gear at home. Trend around right until you are descending down the Hermit Valley heading back towards the highway. Stay close to the large rockwall on your immediate skier's rightside. A 1500m descent through the rolling moraines & into the Grizzly Slide Path takes you back to your car at Hermit Parking Lot. Approx 1515m & 14.8 km. 5-7 hrs car to car.