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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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49.27000°N / 123.11°W |
Route Type:
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Difficult scramble with technical sections |
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Time Required:
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A long day |
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Difficulty:
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Class 3-4 |
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Approach
This is strictly info. for climbing the West Lion, the higher of the two summits. There are two approaches as detailed on the main page: the first is to drive through North Vancouver to the official trailhead (The Paul Binkert Trail) and the second and perhaps easier route is from the downhill ski parking lot at Cypress Bowl, along the Howe Sound Crest Trail, around the west side of Mt. Strachan and then up Unnecessary mountain where you will find the base of the East and West Lion. Each hike is anywhere from 7 to 10 hours depending on one's level of fitness so prepare for a long day.
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Route Description
You can either use the fixed rope to lower yourself to the platform or you can downclimb... (The downclimb into the gap is around class 4). From there you traverse along a rock ledge moving to the east(class 3-4) to more managebale terrain and then it is an exposed but straightforward class III scramble to the summit through bushes and short rocky ledges along an obvious trail.
Essential Gear
This isn't a bolted route so a harness isn't really necessary. A chalk bag might be useful and if early or late in the season a single ice axe might be a good idea as well... as it is snow covered for much of the year. A helmet, gear for all weather and some sturdy boots or shoes is really all that is necessary.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.