Massive Mountain Attempt Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

From the Redearth trailhead, we turned left (the opposite direction of the signs and welcoming previously broken trails), and were immediately breaking trail along the highway fence.

Early on, we were already forced to navigate deadfall!

We soon reached this drainage, and followed it to the south-east.

Unique snow formation!

Let me out!! The mellow sides of the drainage soon began to cut away to steep walls...and when we reached a big log jam, we thought we were trapped!...Luckily we were able to get high enough on the left to climb (more like crawl) on top of the wall of logs! Once past, we immediately looked for an escape route, and exited to the left as soon as we could! Photo credit: Dad

I thought these poplar trees looked cool with the snow :)

Looking back across a creek we crossed...Look disorienting yet??

We eventually found ourselves on a bit of a ridge that we hoped we could follow for a while...but it soon petered out, and we dropped down to the left.

It was extremely easy to get disoriented when navigating terrain like this...

We constantly found ourselves drifting to our right, only to check our GPS and see the mountain was to our left!!...This happened over and over, and for some reason we just couldn't wrap our heads around angling left!...As it turned out, this would end up being a key factor contributing to our failure to reach the summit.

Finally a view! Cockscomb Mountain is briefly revealed through the trees!...Could kinda use a view of what we're aiming for about now though!

The deadfall just didn't want to end! Photo credit: Dad

Even powder baskets were no match for the snow!

Beautiful view of Mount Ishbel!

Action shot of powder baskets not doing their job!

Noetic Peak rises high in the distance!

Eventually the slope steepened significantly, which really didn't help matters given the conditions! Even with snowshoes, we had been sinking deep into the soft powder snow all day! My dad was ready to call it a day and head back early on, but I was determined and broke trail through extremely tiresome conditions...As the angle of the slope increased, we were sinking 45cm (we measured) with every step!! Needless to say, it was extremely slow going...But at least it was a sign that we were going up the mountain!

A view opens up, down the valley of the Trans-Canada Highway!

Pilot Mountain's east face is quite the sight! At this point it became very clear that we were on the edge of the north ridge, while the route description I had come across ascended more in the center of the Massive's north slopes...not good

The slope continued to steepen as we ascended through thinning trees. We knew that in order to meet up with the "correct" route, we'd have to traverse far to climber's left, but a big open slope lay there...Our only option was to continue up the ridge, and hope we might find an alternate route...

Through all our efforts, our north ridge route eventually came to an abrupt end, with a slope too steep to ascend with the snow conditions. Our last resort would now be to try and traverse to our left.

Unfortunately, this is where our adventure would reach its conclusion. We would have to complete a traverse of this steep, open slope, and we just weren't confident enough of avalanche conditions...The sun would also set in 2 hours, and it had already taken 6 tiresome hours to get to this point! As hard as it was, we agreed that today wouldn't be the day to bag Massive Mountain :(

I've never really noticed Cockscomb Mountain until today!

Mount Cory (another mountain that will need a take-two) is barely visible over Muleshoe Ridge!

Looking down the valley of Ranger Creek, which apparently sports the rugged approach for scrambling Cockscomb!

Castle Mountain with Eisenhower Tower, Helena Ridge with its subpeaks, and Helena Ridge East Peak from left to right!

Noetic Peak with snowy outliers! Hillsdale Ridge sits quietly below, center-right.

On our way down, my dad dug into the snow to see how deep it really was! We didn't find the bottom...

Retracing our tracks down the mountain.

How I really feel because we didn't make the summit...

But at least I'm in the mountains :) Photo credit: Dad

Back at the highway.

I don't know if this is weird, but I've always had a strange dream to walk on an animal bridge ¯\_(ツ)_/¯...today that dream came true!

Even encountered an animal on it! What an experience!

Slow shutter shots! (credit to the wire fence for helping me stabilize!)

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, Massive Mountain was just too massive of a task (I take back what I said on Muleshoe Ridge...), and will have to add itself to the take-two list :(. Even so, making the tough decisions to turn back and learning from the experience is just as important as reaching the summit...or at least that's what I try to tell myself! But mark my words, I'll be back Massive!