Sky Pilot Scramble

Jul 23, 2017 - 8:00 AM
Jul 23, 2017 - 9:00 PM

Organizer Info

Paul Olynek

Meeting Point

8am St Davids and 9am Sea to Sky Gondola

Trip Details

Grade:
C3
Category:
Scrambling
Requirements:
  • Screening
  • Members Only
Max Participants:8

Trip Description

Route Description
Summit: 2031m (6,663ft)
Elevation Cumulative: 1,438m (4,717ft)
Return Distance: 18km

Sky Pilot is a fantastic and iconic peak on the Sea to Sky highway that has a great mix of classic scrambling terrain. The beginning starts as a nice walk up the Sky Pilot trail with a gradual ascent into forest. Once past the tree line, you encounter some rock basins, and a small pocket glacier. We ascend into the col and make our way over to the pink slab. This is the first short exposed section but there is now an anchor at the top if you feel uncomfortable and need to be belayed (up or down). We top out on a nice rocky platform and then contour around the mountain moving towards the second crux, a gully. It's rocky and grassy but provides good steps. Then it's a hop skip to the summit to enjoy amazing views. 

Logistics
9am: Meet the the Sea to Sky Gondola parking lot. We will do a quick orientation and gear review.
9:30am: Ride up the gondola. If you have a season's pass, bring it. Otherwise the cost for the day is $35.
9:45am:
Bathroom breaks, buy a coffee, grab a treat and off we go!

Expect ascent time with the group will be 5-6hrs plus about 3hrs for the return.

Gear
Harness - If you're not comfortable with the pink slab bring a harness for rappelling off. 
Belay Device (ATC)
Locking Carabiner
Prusik
Helmet (required for crux sections)
Microspikes (Hillsound or Kahtoola)
Ice axe (there is still lots of snow up high)
Poles
Waterproof boots
Sunglasses, Glacier Glasses, Hat
Light Gloves
Day Pack (25-35L)

Other
Water: There's isn't much water on the trail higher up so bring 2-3L for the day.
Food: Snacks, sandwiches, treats
Sunscreen + Bug protection
First Aid kit

Required Skills
Rappelling
Walking on Snow

Previous Trip Report
http://forums.clubtread.com/27-british-columbia/48445-sky-pilot-aug-17-2014-a.html
("FYI some of the pink slab pictures look far worse than they are, you know, camera dramatic effect. It's honestly not that bad!" - Maria M.)

Note
Priority will be given to any members who participated in our club's recent Scrambling Courses.

Participant List

10 / 8
Organizer
Paul Olynek
179
Attended
5
Joined & Left
1
No-Shows
Co-Organizer
Henry Marsden
74
Attended
4
Joined & Left
2
No-Shows
Confirmed
Oriana Graber
43
Attended
22
Joined & Left
2
No-Shows
Confirmed
Heather Ross
2
Attended
0
Joined & Left
0
No-Shows
Confirmed
Samuel Mullen
37
Attended
10
Joined & Left
2
No-Shows
Confirmed
Derek Sprunger
8
Attended
2
Joined & Left
0
No-Shows
Confirmed
Claire Tallon
40
Attended
6
Joined & Left
0
No-Shows
Confirmed
Joseph Zhou
16
Attended
2
Joined & Left
0
No-Shows
Confirmed
Sarah McLaughlin
3
Attended
1
Joined & Left
1
No-Shows
Confirmed
Mijail Vilchez
3
Attended
2
Joined & Left
0
No-Shows

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