Mount Athelstan

The walls and towers of Mt Athelstan seen from Sal...

Description 

Located 50km northwest of Pemberton above the junction of Salal Creek and the Lillooet River, Mount Athelstan is a massive, glaciated summit. On its west side above Salal Creek are some impressive rock walls and buttresses.

Getting There 

From Pemberton, drive NW to Pemberton Meadows and cross Lillooet river on a bridge, following signs for Meager Creek. Follow the Hurley River FSR, then the Upper Lillooet FSR, for about 50km, past the Meager turnoff, to a steep hill which may require 4wd. At the top of this hill, turn right in 2km onto the Salal Creek road, Branch S25. Keep left at two forks, and right at a third; the road end is about 5km from the Lillooet FSR. The walls are visible above. Takes about 2 hours to drive there from Whistler.

From road end, head up into the forest, aiming slightly right (south) of a major slide path descending from the walls, to avoid thick slide alder. When the ground steepens abruptly, drop down left and traverse easily through a hole in the bush onto open scree or snow in the slide path. Climb this to bivy sites below the walls, 1.5-2.5 hours up from the car.

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