Region: BC, Coquihalla (Hope area)
GPS Elevations: Markhor Peak 2000m (6562ft), Needle Peak ~2084m (6837ft)
Difficulty: 4th class
Style: Solo
Total Ascent: ~1356m
Distance: ~8.5km
Note: Had an issue with GPS prior to Needle Peak so some numbers above are approximate
Come fall I found myself nursing an injury that was preventing me from climbing during prime climbing season. So rather than sit around Montreal and sulk about it I decided to get out West for a week and try some scrambling. Scrambling for me had always been a way to get to climbs (or down from climbs) and not a dedicated outing but the thought of traveling light and moving fast seemed like it should be fun.
Everything I researched about starting this scramble from the Markhor side was out the door when I arrived to pipeline construction which fenced off the entire starting area. I wasted a lot of time in the morning trying to figure out a way past it all but eventually found an ill marked path that circumnavigated the entire construction site and dumped into the bush behind it all. It was bushwhacking and random flagging here and there for most of the way through the trees. If there’s a worn trail somewhere in there I didn’t find it. But I did find a nice waterfall and being back in dense pines was a nice change from Eastern Canada.
Once above the tree line the route becomes pretty obvious. I worked my way towards some sand colored dirt/gravel that surrounded rock outcrops along the ridge to Markhor. And then once at ridge level I found a fun steep scramble up juggy holds (with a sandy landing) to get onto the more solid rock that makes up the rest of the ridge towards Markhor.
From the summit of Markhor I trended left (East) toward what looked like less steep terrain but I believe this was a mistake and if I’m ever back I’ll definitely try straight down instead or even trend right a bit. Even if left was less steep it became insecure slabby downclimbing. I would have preferred a steeper downclimb with more to hold on to!
It only took around 30 mins to reach the low point between Markhor and Needle and then it’s a beautiful and aesthetic ridge scramble directly to the summit of Needle. One pretty exposed section is encountered about mid-way along the ridge where falling wouldn’t be an option and when I passed there were slings left there from those who opted to rope up.
I then encountered an exposed step just prior to the final chimney that leads to the summit, but I feel I hit this only because I strayed too far right (West) and reversing my decision involved too much down climbing. I suspect remaining left (East) as you near the top provides easier ground.