March 16-18, 2019, Garibaldi-Neve Traverse

This traverse was more skinning than skiing but well worth it. Good turns were found on the Garibaldi Neve / Bishop Glacier, Pitt Glacier and Sentinel Glacier, a full day approach in. Snow was icy in the morning turning to thick deep sludge in the afternoon with warming conditions. Enjoy!
Pre-Trip - Car shuttle: Friday afternoon drove two cars up to BC. Dropped one car at Rubble Creek. Road Black Tusk TH parking lot at Rubble Creek was blocked with snow so parked car nearly next to highway. Observed broken car glass in snow but (spoiler alert) no issues.
Day 1 – Diamond Head TH to Opal Cone: Drove up to Elfin Lakes / Diamond head trailhead. Chains required to reach upper parking lot 1 mile away, fines imposed. Since our Subaru AWD was not enough Monique negotiated a ride in a pick-up with a local from Brackendale (thank you Bruce!). 9am started slog up logging road to day use Red Heather hut that has stove and propane heat. After some additional traversing on Paul Ridge reached Elfin Lake Shelter at 1pm.
The highest avalanche danger section, the Gargoyles was ahead of us. Since the sun was now behind the ridge and it was in the shade we decided to proceed with caution. Other skiers had already headed out for the Diamond Head traverse from the Elfin Lakes hut and we could see their track rising above. We stayed low for the Neve Garibaldi and spent the next 2 hours toiling through thick, deep, soggy snow traversing the avalanche terrain, most of which had very recently slide. Reached point beyond Opal Cone at 5pm and decided to camp on edge of Garibaldi Glacier. Cold night.
Day 2 – Opal Cone to Garibaldi Lake Outlet: Awoke to skiers at 7am doing the traverse likely in a day. Since we were at least 8 hours (leisure time) away from the Diamond Head Parking Lot I can only image they started the night before??? Regardless, we departed at 10am after the sun had risen and warmed our tents and bones. Skied up the Garibaldi Neve / Bishop Glacier following well established ski track. The official Garibaldi-Neve traverse on maps takes a route trending slightly to the right but this was more direct. Reached high point, and half way point, at the top of Bishop Glacier at noon. Did not climb Mount Garibaldi as we probably would have needed an entire day with the deep snow conditions. Surprisingly no slides observed on Mount Garibaldi. Bergschrund still passable currently. See photo. Amazing panorama from this point on the traverse.
We ripped skins and had a phenomenal ski down the Pitt Glacier past the Sharkfin (see photos). The Sharkfin is a potential camp spot as this gets sun in the morning AND evening.
Skinned up to top of Sentinel Glacier at the base of Glacier Pikes. Some people camp here and do laps, rightly so, on the Sentinel Glacier (see photos). We skipped the laps and skied directly down to Garibaldi Lake arrive at edge around 4pm. We proceeded to the day shelter on the other side of the lake which was a long arduous 2 hour crossing that took patience. Some water observed in the track in the middle of the lake. Seemed safe on skis.
Camped at edge of lake. Another cold night.
Day 3 – Garibaldi Lake to Rubble Creek: Departed 10am after retrieving lost tent poles that had shot out unknowingly onto lake surface. Attempted to ski route next to creek in ski tracks but quickly ran into dangerous snow bridges and ski tracks precariously close to open running creek water 3 feet down. Opted for icy trail, packed down by snow shoe-ers due to safety. Skied down "the barrier". Had to carry skis partially down on trail to Black Tusk Parking Lot. Excessive pine needles, dirt and water ice on trail. Skins off at Black Tusk TH parking lot and skied to cars. Arrived at cars 3pm. Yay!
If I had to do it over again would recommend staying at Elfin Lakes Shelter the first night and crossing Gargoyles in early AM the next morning followed by getting to the Tent or the Sharkfin on day 2. Climbing Mount Garibaldi would have been nice but that could be a separate climbing trip all its own. Focusing on the traverse without the climbing distraction and extra weight would have been nicer in my opinion.
Weather / Avalanche: Weather forecast was for warming so we were cautious. Most of the traverse is on low angle terrain **except the Gargoyles**. Since this area gets full morning sun this should be crossed early in the day or late in the evening.
Gear: Rope, harness, skis, boots and poles. Did not use rope. Brought ski crampons but did not use them. We had aspirations of climbing Mount Garibaldi so we brought ice ax, crampons and two pickets along. Did not use. Extra fuel for hot water bottles was nice.
Permits: Bought Backcountry Wilderness Permits in advance. No room left at Elfin Lakes Hut or Elfin Lakes Camping zones on such short notice.