Jenny's Mountain Adventures: Jumbo Pass Nov 17-19

Early season touring can be hit or miss. This year we nailed it up at Jumbo Pass.

We left Calgary just after 5 am to meet Emily and Trevor at the Petrocan. From there we drove west to Invermere, stopping at Kicking Horse Coffee for some caffeine on the way through. Then it was up the road to Panorama and beyond.

Emily catches some zzz's on the drive out to Jumbo

The maintained road continues to a sled staging area. Beyond that, the road is not plowed all winter. Most people use sleds to access the trailhead 17 km up from the staging area. Shoulder season can be the only time you can drive all the way to the trailhead which is what we intended to do. The roads were snowy as we drove into the mountains. As we passed the end of the maintained road it got deeper and deeper. Fortunately, a truck had already tried to go in that morning and tracks were broken up the road most of the way. Eventually we got to a point where we had to throw on the chains. Alan, Robyn and Dave caught up to us just as we finished chaining up and they followed us up the slippery road. About 2 km from the trailhead we couldn't drive any further. We spent a while getting the truck turned around, then winched Dave's truck up the road to the turn-around point so we could turn him around too. By the time we started skinning, it was already noon.

Kyle gets to use his winch

It was a beautiful sunny day for a ski. We passed two guys on their way out and were grateful for a broken trail to follow. The ski in is 5.5 km from the trailhead with 670 m of elevation gain. Thanks to the early season snowpack, we were able to ski the whole way in and skip taking the summer trail, instead skiing directly up towards the hut which saved us some time.

Heading up the road (Photo: Dave)

On the way in

Up to the ridge, getting close to the hut!

At the hut, we unpacked and made some warm drinks as we waited for Alan, Robyn and Dave to arrive. This was Dave and Robyn's first time on a hut trip and they were pretty excited to finally get to the hut! We cleared out to go for a night lap while they unpacked, heading up to the ridge above the hut to watch the sun set.

Untracked lines as seen from the hut (Photo: Dave)

Leaving the hut for a sunset lap

Beautiful light over the peaks and valley

Following the skin track to the ridgetop

Snow-ghosts at sunset

Trevor with a big smile

From the ridge, we had amazing panorama views of the whole area. The mountains are big and massive glaciers hang above steep walls. Down in the valley, thick clouds had rolled in giving the appearance of an ocean tide coming in. When we dropped in for our first turns of the trip (and first of the season for Emily and Trevor), we were all shocked at how deep and light the snow was. It was Emily's birthday weekend and she was ecstatic about the amazing present from mother nature!

Emily shredding birthday pow in the last light of the day

Kyle getting ready to drop into the darkness with Karnak and Jumbo Mountains in the background

Night touring back to the hut

Back at the hut we feasted, caught up with our friends and made plans for the following day. The hut was well stocked with a wood stove, Coleman stove, lantern and plenty of cookware and dishes. There is space for 4 on sleeping platforms on the main floor with room for many more in the loft with sleeping mats. Dave found his sleeping bag and got cozy, not moving much all night except to make the occasional comment or grab a snack while the rest of us sat around the table with hot drinks talking late into the night.

Keep Jumbo Wild

Morning arrived and we broke into two groups to go explore the area. Kyle, Mike, Trevor, Emily and I followed the ridge south from the hut to ski lines off Bastille Mountain, while Alan, Dave and Robyn farmed powder on the slopes to the north of the hut. The snow was great and we all found fresh turns.

Team beta scopes out their line for the day (Photo: Dave)

Jenny, Mike and Trev up on Bastille (Photo: Dave)

Mike and Kyle

Emily finds some pow on the lower slopes of Bastille

Ski repairs in the hut (Photo: Dave)

Robyn getting after it (Photo: Dave)

Alan in the pow (Photo: Dave)

Dave finds a sneaky line (Photo: Alan)

Dropping down to the hut (Photo: Dave)

Returning to the hut (Photo: Dave)

We regrouped at the hut and a few of us went up for a final evening lap before dinner. We woke the next morning to clear skies and an amazing sunrise. After breakfast, we packed up and hit the slope above the hut for a few laps before we skied out.

Glorious sunrise (Photo: Dave)

Alpine light (Photo: Dave)

Good morning! (Photo: Dave)

Lots of lines left - not for long!

Hut hog makes a morning appearance

Blurry selfie stick shot of part of the crew

Kyle drops in (Photo: Dave)

Jenny skiing November powder (Photo: Dave)

Mike scopes his line (Photo: Dave)

Emily has her eyes on the prize (Photo: Dave)

Trevor gets his wheelie on (Photo: Dave)

Kyle getting sendy (Photo: Dave)

Mike hucks the waterfall

We were able to ski a fun couloir on the way out and Mike found a waterfall to hit. Down in the forest, the coverage was sparse and we hit a few rocks, but we were able to ski all the way back to the truck without much issue.