Rummel Ridge Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

Starting up the wide, heavily skied off trail, through the burnt forest. Would make for a great, low hazard, place to ski...You just gotta make it before the crowds! Rummel Ridge rises distant-center.

"Be sure to turn around [to enjoy the views] when stopping to catch your breath" - Nugara... 😢

After about 1.6km, and 300m elevation gain (just after the wide trail sidehills, and then viers to the left), we found a narrow trail branching off to our right, down to Engadine Creek (note the blue ribbon).

We may not be having the best luck with weather this trip, but we're two for two with finding pre-broken trails! What a treat!

After following the trail, as it strangely curved left, and then back to the right (I guess I shouldn't judge...I could be the one stuck making my own!), we were soon gaining elevation up to the ridge.

After a short, steep climb to gain the ridge, it was smooth sailing, up gentle treed slopes.

Looking back to cloudy Mount Engadine from a brief clearing along the ridge! Our first view of the day, after first being in a snowy whiteout, followed by dense forest!

The trees begin to thin, as we continue to gain elevation up the ridge.

Spray Lake is actually visible! No way!

My dad approaches the summit of Rummel Ridge, under thick, grey cloud.

Summit selfie!

Although its summit is hidden in the clouds (upper-left), Mount Galatea's north face is likely the highlight of this trip!

Little Galatea is another snowshoe ascent I'm hoping to try! Definitely gonna wait for a clear day though...

Close up of the incredible rock folding on Mount Galatea!

The Fist's distinct form rises to the left, with Tent Ridge's summit and southeast peak to the right!

Looking across the south end of Spray Lake, to the long ridge that sports the traverse from Mount Fortune, to "Fortulent", all the way to Turbulent (very distant, in the clouds)!

Another view towards The Fist. The dead needles on the trees are the only splash of colour on this drab day!

A comprehensive view towards Spray Lake.

Cone Mountain is also largely greyed out.

Pig's Back, another snowshoe objective, is barely visible (center). Surrounding it, rise a collection of impressive peaks, including Commonwealth Peak, Mount Birdwood, and Mount Smuts...None of which we'll be seeing today 😢.

Since there's nothing else to see, I guess I'll take some more pictures of Galatea's sick cliffs/sub peak!

Galatea's summit tried its best to escape the cloud...but would ultimately lose the battle.

Me, on the summit of Rummel Ridge, with a much bigger mountain behind!! Photo credit: Dad

My dad, with snow-covered Spray Lake beyond!

I think grey is officially my new least favourite colour...😑

Our only clear view was looking up to the end of The Tower's west ridge! With how bare the slope looked, and it only being 10am, I would have been interested in extending this trip, and seeing how far I could get...It was obvious that my dad was in no shape for that however, so we made our way back down instead.

Starting down the ridge. Note the strip of burnt forest, leading down to the highway below.

Raven!

Although packed trails are a game changer on ascent, fresh pow is 1000 times more fun on descent! As we made our way back down the ridge, we quickly ditched the up-trail, and plunged through the deep powder to skier's left, eventually completely losing sight of said trail.

Not only was our descent route a total breeze, we even got to see a massive mushroom along the way!

We made it down the ridge in no time at all, and almost got carried away, descending the west slopes of Rummel Ridge, before realizing we had to angle back to skier's right! After descending a short steep slope (maybe the reason for the round-a-bout trail we followed on ascent), we intercepted the trail, just before the creek crossing.

Ascending back up to the wide approach trail, after crossing Engadine Creek.

Looking back up to Rummel Ridge. A short, easy, and enjoyable (if you're granted clear skies...) outing, that makes for a great day out if time is short or, like me, your dad's a sicko!

Continuing the search for soft pow, as we descend through the burnt forest, back to the highway.