Sun, Sep 28 2008 - Mount Bosworth - Paget Peak Traverse (View Original Event Details)
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As promised, Mike delivered on another "variation" from Kane's book. We (Aarmaan, Dobby, Mike and Anne) were off to an early start, slowed only by the crystal clear blue sky and excellent lighting that just begged for a photo break along the road, or two, or three... five? After carefully considering the multiple avalanche paths that could qualify as the start of the prescribed route, we selected the correct one, and with some crafty route-finding, ended up locating the narrow little gully that would get us above the first cliff-band on Bosworth.
The gully provided some very aesthetic scrambling up solid rock shaped in a natural staircase. After which we hiked up some scree slopes and across a couple more gullies to once again find a little rocky ridge which led to the top. From here on, the scramble was on mostly solid rock with a few harder moves that required some cautious consideration. Here again, Mike kept us in good stead and found the easiest routes (for us) and some more interesting variations (optional). Once passed the "crux", a 30m band of interesting rock with some must-use handholds, it was a steady ridgewalk to the top.
Then it got really interesting as we descended into unknown territory between Bosworth & Paget. We descended the ridge to reach the col between the two known scramble routes. This was made a bit more difficult by the recent dusting of snow that hid the gaps between the rocks. Surely enough, the passage to the col made itself clear & obvious as we progressed, but before reaching the last uphill stretch to Paget, we got stopped by an unappealing choice of a rock wall or traversing on a steep snow-covered slope without a rope! Wisely, Mike led us down off the col and into the valley formed between Bosworth & Paget. We took one last look at the gully leading back up to Paget Peak, but determined that the lateness of the hour, combined with the same tricky snow cover on Paget that had slowed us up before, indicated that it was time to head straight down. Besides, the calendar posting said 1500 metre elevation, 12km and 8-10hrs, and the only way we could stay true to the numbers was risk bushwhacking down the valley.
We were able to follow the valley in a clearing and then on the edge of a rockfall to start. We eventually had to start bushwhacking through the smaller brush of an old avalanche path, all the while trying to head off to the right in the hope of re-joining the Paget Lookout Trail. As far as bushwhacking goes, it wasn't too bad, but we were relieved to find the trail, take off the gaiters and stroll down to the highway, making it *just* within our allotted 10hrs.
We had a very yummy dinner at the Louise Hostel restaurant and it was fully dark by the time we were on the highway towards home. And once again, the crystal clear sky begged for another roadside stop for some stargazing and a great view of the Milky Way.
- Anne