Description

For a deeper dive into the route and detailed terrain photos, check out the post on Beyond Our Peak: https://beyondourpeak.com/the-ravens-burly-line-for-burly-storm/ The Ravens route is as good on the up as it is on the down.

Starting at the Illecillewaet parking lot, the ascent through the same-name valley is relatively straightforward.

After a winding uptrack through convoluted moraines, you gain the Illecillewaet Glacier, granting exquisite views of the Northern Selkirks across the highway as well as the impressive Dawson Range to the South, one of the highest mountains in the region.

You'll have to travel past two crevasse fields before gaining the Ravens ridge.

From there, carry on toward the snowy ridge to the west.

It's a beeline for the high point of the run at 2540m where you'll get a good view of the Dome Glacier to the west, another epic glaciated run. As for the descent, it features 1000m of epic skiing through an alpine and treeline slope ranging from 30-35 deg.

Keep in mind, the slope is frequently battered by the prevailing SW winds which may degrade the upper slope's snow condition and stability.

Here's a bit of warning: you're exposing yourself to overhead hazards (from a rocky ridge), rolling convexities and numerous terrain traps below.

The gullies strewn across the face are frequently cross-loaded making the avalanche hazard assessment and route finding a little more challenging.

Again, make sure the slope stability is adequate before attempting this route. The tour finishes with a mellow slog down the Asulkan Trail back to the parking lot where you get to enjoy a well-deserved tailgate beer.