![The larches have already lost most of their needles and colour.](gusty01.jpg) |
Gusty Peak is a familiar landmark for
those who frequent the Chester Lake area. The Fortress is
barely visible at the head of the valley on the right. |
![So far, a pleasant slog...is that an oxymoron?](gusty02.jpg) |
Sonny makes his way up the valley
northeast of Chester Lake. |
![Already some potential for avalanches here.](gusty03.jpg) |
This is the view of Gusty Peak near
the head of the valley. Sonny's route up to the summit is
shown. |
![Note the evidence of an avalanche at bottom right.](gusty04.jpg) |
This is a closer look at the final
slope leading to the summit (knob at right). |
![Possible ski ascent?](gusty05.jpg) |
The Fortress looks impressive to the
east. |
![Unfortunately, the snow was still too soft to get a good glissade--it was ideal for plunge-stepping though.](gusty06.jpg) |
The snow actually makes the ascent a
lot easier on this day. |
![Although it was cloudy for much of my ascent, the weather conveniently cleared up just as I reached the top!](gusty07.jpg) |
Sonny takes the last few steps to the
summit. |
![About 3 hours and 40 minutes from the parking lot.](gusty08.jpg) |
Sonny squats on the 3000-metre summit
of Gusty Peak. |
![These peaks all look kinda the same!](gusty09.jpg) |
Mount Galatea dominates the view to
the northwest. Just to the right and behind Mount Galatea is
the Tower. |
![Because of the cornices on the left and the steep slope on the right, it was rather tricky to get to this vantage point.](gusty10.jpg) |
This is looking back at the summit
from a short distance along Gusty Peak's north ridge. |
![What the heck was I thinking coming up here?](gusty11.jpg) |
Here is a view of the north side of
Gusty Peak's summit ridge. The false summit is at right. |