Steep Peak

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Depending on conditions, this line can be anywhere from a walk in the park to rather technical. It should not be attempted in a whiteout or with threatening weather on the horizon as a minor miss step could be fatal once on top of the ridge.

Gain the saddle between "The Dome" and "The Knowl" by switch-backing your way up through the treed slope near the North West corner of Darkside Lake. Once at the saddle, trend to climber's left and make your way up to the top of the hill there. The top can be gained from either climber's left or right, avoiding the steep central aspect that faces due north.

Once on top, make the short descent down the backside. From this small saddle, trend right and begin to switchback up the slope until you gain a small bench about 100 meters below the top of the ridge. Depending on what the wind has been doing recently, the snow just below the ridge top can be heavily wind-affected and crusty, or be holding deep wind slabs.

Once on top of the ridge, head left and pick your way along the ridge, making sure to stay just right of the ridgeback. The entire left side is heavily corniced and should be given a wide berth as you make your way to the summit of the peak. There are numerous ski runs that you can gain access to along the top of the ridge, but make sure you know where you are going before making your way out to the edge. The North Face of Steep Peak, is, as the name suggests, very steep. To descend back to the lake, pick a line to ski or reverse your ascent.