Arrowhead Mountain
December 31, 2015
2185m
Lizzie Creek / Lillooet Lake Road, BC
Arrowhead Mountain is one of the easiest objectives from Lizzie Creek Cabin and judging by the log book in the cabin it seems like this is also the most popular objective, both in summer and in winter. On the 7th day of our Christmas – New Year ski trip everybody was tired and demotivated, but I was still keen on tagging at least 2 more summits before leaving this pristine place. Ben agreed to join me while Alan and Alex opted for a rest day. Arrowhead and Tynemouth are more “skier friendly” than Anemone and Tabletop, so there’s where we were going.
Arrowhead Mountain and Tynemouth Mountain ski ascent route. GPX DL
To access this two peaks we’d once again, skin up the Long Lake’s outflow drainage and then across that boring lake. The skinning had become increasingly difficult over the days thank to the -20 degree temperature and the sunshine, but still manageable. Near the far end of Long Lake we veered left and up the gentle valley between Arrowhead and Long Peaks. That valley was very foreshortening and it took us a good while to reach Rainbow Lake which was directly below Arrowhead/Tynemouth col. We crossed the lake and ascended partway towards the col (which itself is named as Moraine Pass) before taking a sharp turn climber’s left up a “hidden” ramp system, and thank to a temperature inversion this south face soon became toasty and we felt hot even down to just t-shirt.
Skinning across Long Lake
Up the broad valley between Long Peak and Arrowhead Mountain, looking back
Arrowhead Mountain ahead
Looking ahead towards Moraine Pass (Arrowhead/Tynemouth col)
Ben skinning up this pristine valley
Gorgeous terrain all around!!
The ascent was nothing science from here as we’d simply plod our way up this ramp. The left side of this ramp was a bit exposed to some cliffs and the ramp itself had a steep roll about 2/3 of the way up. Near the top we traversed left underneath a giant boulder before plodding the last few meters to the summit. The summit was very spacious and we took a lengthy break up there.
Steep switchbacks up one steep roll
Gaining height quickly
The route we took was obvious
Looking back towards the impressive Cloudraker Mountain – bagged the day before
Here we traversed left of the rock outcrop
Almost there
Summit Panorama from Arrowhead Mountain. Click to view large size.
Anemone Peak
Tabletop Mountain
Meditation Mountain and Lindisfarne Mountain
Tundra Peak
Caltha Peak – had we pushed we might can get it in a long day in this trip…
Mt. Skook Jim is that glaciated massive.
The Nahatlatch Peak massive
The summit block of Tynemouth Mountain. We attacked it from the left ridge
Diversion Peak doesn’t look very winter friendly
Cloudraker Mountain with Nivalis/Sir Richard behind its left shoulder
Looking towards the endless peaks by Spearhead Range
Mt. James Turner and Wedge Mountain
A look down at Cherry Chip Pass (bottom left), Tundra Peak and Caltha Peak
Me on the summit of Arrowhead Mountain
The skiing down that ramp was fast and fun, but the snow had become a bit heavy in the sun. Some small wet slides had occurred on steep south facing slopes but the route we took was still bonded well.
Great skiing down the south face.
Now it’s time to put the skins back on and get ready for the next objective – Tynemouth Mountain.
Steven's Peak-bagging Journey 