Blowdown and Gott Creek Traverse (Gott, Rita, Strawberry, Walrus, and Kite)

February 14-15, 2015

We kicked off our scenic high traverse adventure from Duffy Road, cruising up Blowdown FSR to the lake like we owned the place. Next up: climbing Gott Peak via the South face, because why take the easy way when you can gain bragging rights?

From the summit, we bravely chopped off a small section of the cornice (no mountain was harmed in the making of this trip) to drop into Cottonwood drainage. The skiing was pretty sweet as we followed the ridge system, tagging peaks like Rita, Strawberry, Walrus, and Kite. Honestly, it felt more like a wildlife documentary with all the cool names we were checking off.

We then contoured around to the South side of Elusive Peak, eventually descending to the West fork of Gott Creek. To finish off, we cruised down Gott FSR back to Duffy Road,classic.

Oh, and the cherry on top? Alex had to hitchhike back to where we left the car at Blowdown because, you know, logistics. So shoutout to all the kind strangers who gave him a lift. Next time, we might just bring a second car, or at least some snacks for the roadside waiting game.

All in all, a day packed with peaks, powder, and unexpected travel adventures!

nice fluffy snow

Gotcha Peak from Blowdown road

Ben skinning up on the South face of Gott Peak, Gotcha Peak in the background 

Ben and Alex  skinning up on the South face of Gott Peak

skinning up on the South face of Gott Peak. Gotcha in the background

Gotcha peak and the Queen Slvermine area

Blowdown Creek

Ben and Alex nearing the summit of Gott Peak

Alex chopping the cornice on the East Face of Gott Peak

The ridge system of Gott/Blowdown  is barricaded with cornice

Cornice entrance. We down climbed a short section .

Skiing the East Face from the summit of Gott Peak

Ben traversing towards Rita Peak

Alex on North Cottonwood drainage

Ben and Alex on North Cottonwood drainage, heading towards Rita and Strawberry Peaks

Ben and Alex side slipping to the col of Rita-Gott

Gott Ridge

Alex  skinning up towards the summit of Rita Peak

Moomin Peak

Looking towards the North face of Gott Peak

Looking towards the North face of Gott Peak

View from the summit of Rita Peak. Strawberry Peak(foreground) and Walrus Peak in the distance.

Moomin Peak

Alex reaching the summit of Rita Peak

The East ridge of Rita Peak, where we skied down to Strawberry peak

Alex on the summit of Strawberry peak. Moomin Peak int he background

Eastern view from the summit of Strawberry Peak

Tigger Peak

South ridge of Walrus Peak

Ben and Alex on the summit of Strawberry peak. skiing down to our camp.

Walrus and Strawberry col.

Our camp on Walrus-Strawberry col

Eyeore Peak

Sunrise on the camp

Morning chore at the camp. I think Alex is taking a crap.

Grunt up the South ridge of Walrus Peak

Boot packing the rocky section

Ben and Alex on the summit of Walrus Peak

Blue Jay Peak(foreground) where we were the weekend before. Wonder peak(left), Mount Russell at the back of Blu Jay

Peak bagger machine on the summit of Walrus Peak

Ben and Alex on the summit of Walrus Peak

Ben is about to ski down the North ridge of Walrus Peak, heading towards Kite Peak

Our ski tracks on the North ridge of walrus Peak.  A lot of pizza skiing for me

Ben heading towards the summit of Kite Peak

Alex on the summit of Kite Peak. 

Looking back where we were. Walrus peak

Ben and Alex having a quick break on the summit

Alex skiing the West bowl of Rita-Walrus

Ben skiing the West bowl of Rita-Walrus

Beautiful run

Contouring around  the South base of  Elusive  SW3. Tigger Peak in the far left corner

Tigger Peak. Descending towards the West fork of Gott Creek

Skiing down in the tree line

A little bit of bushwhacking 

Alex on Gott Creek

Ben and Alex on Gott Creek

Alex walking on Gott Creek FSR

Alex hitching a ride back to the car. He had to walk 6km before got a ride.

While  Ben and I waited almost 2 hours for Alex to get us picked up.