Description

Mount Seymour's easy backcountry access makes it a popular location for beginner tourers with AST 1 minimum. There are numerous variations to this route, but this one is recommended for a period of a couple days after a snow event down to 600m.

Start in the parking lot and ensure you have checked in with Seymour Provincial Park as day-pass/parking systems have been in effect recently).

Park in one of the two backcountry specific parking lots.

Trailhead is due north, to the west of the Mystic Chair.

1.

Follow the packed in skintrack just to climbers left of the ski hill.

Do not go on the skill hill.

2.

The trial recently has been groomed making it easier and wider.

However in early season this may not yet have occured.

3.

The trail has several steep inclines before popping out beside the ski hill again with a steep descent.

It is a bit short for a transition, so most opt to skin ski this and continue climbing.

However, for beginners it might be worth removing skins as the slope is steep. 4.

A steep incine requiring a kick turn gets you up to Brockton point, with a short descent head to the ridge climbers right.

Transition n the ridge and ski the somewhat open section.

Staying on the ridge reduces avalanche risk, but is slower.

The main risk will be tree wells, so use the buddy system.

5.

Avoid descending beneath 1000m as there is a large section of cliffs and higher avalanche risk traverse northward, or skin back up the same ridge, and skin beneath Pump Peak around to its SE side.

6.

Transition and skin the ridge.

Beware of large opens sections which will have more risk.

7.

Skin back up.

8.

(Optional as higher risk) Follow the hiking trail up the Gulley to Pump Peak, make a short descent on skins towards Tim Jones peak.

Transtion and ski the SW ridge of Tim Jones, sticking in the trees.

9.

Traverse at 1100m around the ridge and ski the trees beneath Pump peak 10.

Skin back up to beneath Pump Peak and make for Brockton. 11.

Ski back down the groomed trail being cautious of snowshoers and other trail users coming up.

While the resort doesn't officially want tourers on the ski hill, if you are not confident in your abilities and need more space to turn, then the resort would be a safer option.

Be sure to make your own risk assessment honestly.