Kings Peak - 206
Despite Kings Peak not being the most prominent Vancouver Island peak, it is definitely one of the most popular ones. There are two more standard routes, The Main Gulley, which is more commonly done in snowy conditions, and the Hiker's route in the summer time. I have wanted to do Kings Peak for years now, but always thought it would be cool to do an alternate route to the norm, and do one of the many climbs that have been done on the peak. Over the winter I did a trip with an Island local to Mount Myra, and we talked about doing more trips in the future, so I recruited Rich Priebe to join me again for this mission. We decided on Pauper's Buttress on the Queen's face, as it seemed like a decent moderate route and an interesting way up to the summit. Rich picked me up in Comox at 6 AM and just after 7:30 we were at the trailhead and had began the approach up the standard trail. The trail is fantastic and we cruised up in good time. Nothing technical on the trail, but hikers should beware of a few slabby sections of rock and some steep eroded root sections.
 |
|
 |
| This is the Main Gulley |
 |
| We opted to climb up these bushy slabs in center shot |
 |
| A first look at Pauper's Buttress |
 |
| Pitch one. We followed the right side crack starting under the roof |
.jpeg) |
| Rich setting up belay on the ledge |
 |
| Me leading pitch 1. Photo Rich Priebe |
 |
| Rich nearing the top of Pitch 1 |
.jpeg) |
| Rich leading the bushy corner on pitch 2 |
 |
| Scrambling class 3/4 terrain between pitches |
 |
| Kings peak left, More of Queen's face to the right |
.jpeg) |
| Me leading final pitch. Photo Rich Priebe |
 |
| Looking down part way up the final pitch |
.jpeg) |
| Rich following up the final few moves |
.jpeg) |
| On top of Queen's face, Kings peak ahead, and Elkhorn peeking out |
.jpeg) |
| Kings Peak summit |
.jpeg) |
| Elkhorn, Rambler and Colonel Foster (L>R) |
 |
| Gnarliest of the Island, Colonel Foster |
.jpeg) |
| Victoria Peak and the Warden are obvious |
 |
| My mom was up here a few weeks ago... Hi mom! |
.jpeg) |
| This is Pauper's Buttress |
.jpeg) |
| Taking the Hiker's Route down Queen's Ridge |
 |
| The gulley to descend on the Hiker's Route |
.jpeg) |
| Amazing waterfalls on the trail |
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment