The Spearhead Traverse is a route I learned about shortly after getting into backcountry skiing in 2018. It is regarded as one of the most scenic traverses in Canada and has been called the “Haute Route” of North America. The route connects Blackcomb to Whistler by way of a meandering traverse that crosses 11 glaciers, winds around 17 peaks, and travels through some of the most spectacular alpine terrain. It’s about 21 miles, give or take the exact variation one chooses (and there is no shortage of variations from which to choose), and about 5,600’ of gain if you exit via the standard Singing Pass route. Oh, and it also requires at least 21 transitions. It’s no small undertaking physically or technically, so I kept this route in the back of my mind as I accumulated more experience in glacier travel, reading terrain, navigating, and improving my endurance these past few years.

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In early April, Sander and I climbed and skied off the summit of Mt. Garibaldi in beautiful British Columbia. It is a peak that Alex and I attempted to ski last season via Brohm Ridge, but we were turned back on that trip by incoming weather about 1,200’ below the summit (blog post here). In my trip report, I wrote that I wasn’t sure I would ever go back to attempt Garibaldi again, and if I did, I certainly would not take the Brohm Ridge approach. Well, less than a year later I did go back, but I was true to my word and did not access it via Brohm Ridge. Instead, Sander and I took the longer but, in my opinion much better, approach via Garibaldi Lake and the Rubble Creek Trailhead.

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