Avalanche danger was low and weather acceptable for an attempt on Eightmile Mountain we set off with a party of 4 at 4:40am from the gate on Icicle Creek Road. The roadwalk portion went by fast, having being consolidated well by parties on the previous week of pleasant conditions. We were then pleased to find a reasonably packed skin track to Eightmile Lake. Jake and I snowshoed, but Masayo and Alper chose to posthole to the lake. Obviously either worked.
We reached the lake after about 2.5 hours of hiking/snowshoeing from the TH and enjoyed a nice breakfast break at the lake. The wind was bitterly cold so we ate near some trees, it was less windy there. Anxious to continue, we then snowshoed across frozen Eightmile Lake.
Noticing a less frozen inlet, we sidehilled annoyingly on frozen snow until we could easily continue uphill on the drainage uphill towards Eightmile Mountain.
Around 5500 elevation we had to start actually trailbreaking in earnest. The snow was sparkling and beautiful but the wind was biting and cold. We snowshoed up the drainage until the final approach, nearly 8 miles from the car.
Here it was extremely cold in the wind. Some of the wind blew snow and visibility made us question our destination. But 2/4 of our party (not me!) were peak-baggers and we were close, so we continued snowshoeing uphill, taking turns breaking trail.
The snow steepened to the point where snowshoes became annoying so we took them off and transitioned to ice axes for the ascent. We kicked steps uphill until eventually topping out on the summit plateau, which had some very icy sections.
At first it was extremely cold in the wind, but it died down and we decided to enjoy lunch there before descending.
On the descent, the weather cleared giving improved views of Cashmere, Stuart and the core Enchantments.
Over an excellent and recommended trip for a strong party in low avalanche danger conditions.
It was a hard trip but worthwhile!
@kitya: it could have been more imposing if the snow had been firm, hence the two axes and crampons carried, but it was just nice deep secure postholing on this trip.
@jeff: about 45 degrees. Snow covered all the annoying bits. Two of my girlfriends did this trip in summer and had nothing good to say about the gully. Snow made it pleasant!
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