Pantheon Range Coast Mountains
Our destination is Nirvana Pass, which is aptly named as it really is a Nirvana for ski mountaineers.
It’s got a lot going for it as a backcountry skiing location. Being in the Coast Mountains it gets lots of snow. Being on the east side of the range it has decent weather. It has reliable access by helicopter. The terrain is amazing, with numerous glaciers tours, ski ascents, and 1300 metre runs, all within day trip distance of a base camp at the pass. It even has good tree skiing terrain for poor weather days.
Our plan is to fly into Nirvana Pass from Bluff Lake, which is about 3 hours west of Williams Lake, on Saturday morning. A spectacular 15 minute helicopter flight will deposit us at the pass at an elevation of 2000 metres. There will be no need to lug heavy packs around as we will land right where we will set up camp.
After base camp is established we will spend the next week touring from there. Mt. Astarte is right behind camp, Siva and Byamee Mtns. are across Colwell Creek on the other side of the pass. Hermes Peak is a bit further north and Septentrion Peak and Mt. Juno are south of camp down Twist Creek.
Base camp will be in a protected area in the open trees near Colwell Creek. We will have a heated kitchen /dining tent in which Bonnie will keep us well fed. Personal tents will be provided as will toilet facilities.
At the end of a great week White Saddle Air’s Long Ranger helicopters will whisk us back out to the civilization of Bluff Lake.
Dates: April 15-21, 2012
Cost: $1,950 + HST
Availability: Yes Limited to 6 participants.
Click to see photos from April 2010.