Augerpoint Traverse

Augerpoint Traverse - Buttle Lake to Mount Washington

40.4km, 3356m elevation gain (11,010 feet!), 24h 15m hiking time.

This is the second year I did this hike on the August long weekend and I've already been talking about doing it again next year. Tracey has suggested I call it the Augustpoint Traverse! Maybe next year I'll exit at Woods Mountain instead!

Some great weather and spectacular views, it almost makes you forget about the mosquitos!

Thank you for getting up early to drag me out there Tracey! <3

Day 1 - Buttle Lake to Ridge Camp, Jack's Fell Summit.

8.4km, 1498m elevation gain, 6h 55m.

I got off to an early start to try and beat the sun and was on the trail around 7:45am. Jack's trail is a relentless grind about 1200m up the ridge. There was a bit of snow left on the ground but you didn't walk over much of it, the trail was in pretty good shape.

I passed the first campsite and found a nice spot on the ridge at the foot of Jack's Fell. I set up camp, packed a lighter bag and made my way up to the summit of Jack's Fell. I took a long nap when I got back to camp. It was way too hot out and the bugs were pretty bad.

I enjoyed a nice sunset with a late dinner.

Day 2 - Ridge Camp to Ruth Masters Lake, Syd Watts Peak, Augerpoint Mountain Summit.

9.2km, 736m elevation gain, 7h 4m.

I was excited for this day. It was still way too hot but it was a couple degrees cooler than day one at least. I tried to get up Syd Watts Peak last year but turned around due to me taking a route that I couldn't make work and it being too hot on the ridge. I was glad to have a better route that worked, thanks Dean! Getting to Syd Watts was still a bit of a challenge. I chose not to bring microspikes or crampons so it meant I had to traverse around some steep patches of snow.

After making it back and across the ridge I took a quick detour up Augerpoint Mountain before making my way down to Ruth Masters to camp.

Ruth Masters is a great place to camp. The water was cold and it was great to cool off in the heat of the day. There was two other groups there who shared the lake with me.

Day 3 - Ruth Masters Lake to Mount Washington, Mount Albert Edward Summit.

22.8km, 1122m elevation gain, 10h 15m.

Leaving Ruth Masters Lake is a bit of a grind, especially if you are heading towards Mount Washington. You start by dropping down into a valley at the foot of Mount Albert Edward before having to make the climb up. The climb up through the forest was hot but once you got onto Albert Edward a strong wind picked up. It was nice to be able to push hard up that and have the wind keep you super cool.

Somewhere along the way a rock gave way under one of my feet. The other leg folded back and pulled something in my knee. Nothing bad but with other summits in the near future, I decided to skip Mount Jutland and head home early.

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