01

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Red Peak
  • Location: Kananaskis Country (Highway 742)
  • Activity: Scrambling
  • Height: 2,758 m (9,049 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,460 m (4,790 ft)
  • Distance: 19.3 km / Loop (12.0 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 8.6°
  • Estimated Time: 7-9 hrs
  • Technicality: Intermediate
  • Fitness Level: Hard

Technicality to Red Peak is Easy. From N. Buller Pass to Buller Circuit Peak (GR212386) is Expert.2a. From Buller Circuit Peak to S. Buller Pass is intermediate.

After one frailer in winter I decided to retry unnamed peak GR213406. (North Buller Pass Peak by Nuraga and Red Peak by Daffern)

I parked my car at Buller Mountain Parking. The trailhead is right across the highway there is a trailhead sign. I followed the popular Buller Pass for about 4.2 km until near GR191381. It’s very hard to see but there are letters made by rocks on the ground to indicate the turn off to the North Buller Pass. More defined trail goes to south to South Buller Pass. If in case you miss the turn, you will still come across a bridge right after the turn, so keep that in mind. After another 1.2 km, there was a small waterfall where trail disappeared. I went up loose and steep scree slope on the left of the waterfall to find the trail again. After that follow the trail to North Buller Pass.

Route from the pass to Red Peak is quite straight forward and mostly hike. Aim a small peak just north of the pass. How far up you go is your choice but higher you go you will get to ridge top faster (if you go too high though, you will lose elevation), or stay lower and traverse on sidehill below the peak like I did and slowly gain elevation to the ridge. Once on the ridge, keep going to the Red Peak.

Shaun suggested going to South Buller Pass since we had more than enough time to traverse. So I suggested taking a ridge route. The ridge looked quite challenging from far and it was but what was most difficult about it was the looseness of rocks. It is extremely loose especially down bottom near N. Buller Pass. This ridge has little bit of narrow parts, bit of exposure for short distances, a few difficult scrambles (but again extremely loose). Routefinding is not required since there isn’t much choice of routes you can have. Nearing GR212386 (Buller Circuit Peak), there was a spot that you can take a break (page 25). Going straight from here didn’t look a good idea so we went to left. It was steep but route was moderate scrambling and this path lead us to the last summit ridge.

From Buller Circuit Peak to South Buller Pass is only easy scramble. I saw a trail leading all the way down even though some section, the trail is fainted little.

Note: According to Nugara’s older trip reports, there is avalanche potential at the steep slope before North Buller Pass. Beware of snow condition if you attempt this in winter condition.

02

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Soon this pass will be all white… And I don't want to be the first one to start snowshoeing when the time comes. I hope it will be you!!

03

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Out of tree!!

04

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Shaun approaching the last steep hill to North Buller Pass.

05

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

At the pass. This summer came late, and winter seems coming in hurry… 2010 summer was such short and cold summer.

06

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

The killer, Mount Kidd, already looking real winter condition.

07

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Leaving the pass. The view was very nice as I have seen from other websites.

08

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

On the approach ridge to Red Peak. (However this picture is looking south, Red Peak is north from here.)

09

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Shaun who was backpacking a day before was concerning about snow, so we actually brought snowshoes just in case… Luckily snow didn't appear to be a problem so we left them in my car.

10

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Red Peak's summit. Not the close one but left of coming up sub peak.
(Photo By Shaun Luong)

11

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

If I tell this picture was taken in winter I think everyone would believe.
(Photo By Shaun Luong)

12

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Pretty area. Nice to do this both in summer and winter, but winter would be little tricky going up the steep slope to North Buller.

13

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

At summit. We almost reached Neptune, but no. ε=( ̄。 ̄;)

14

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Looking the pass.

15

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Quite a drop.

16

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

We were almost at the cloud line.

17

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

A typical photo.

18

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Buller Circuit Peak
  • Location: Kananaskis Country (Highway 742)
  • Activity: Scrambling
  • Height: 2,697 m (8,849 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,460 m (4,790 ft)
  • Distance: 19.3 km / Loop (12.0 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 8.6°
  • Estimated Time: 7-9 hrs
  • Technicality: Expert.2a
  • Fitness Level: Athlete

Shaun suggested to traverse to South Buller Pass. So I suggested via going over the ridge.

19

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

But first, we had to go back to North Buller Pass.

20

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

The ridge was extremely loose. Me carefully placing my foot on narrow and loose section.
(Photo By Shaun Luong)

21

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Rock is eating Shaun. I will miss you Shaun. (ノω・、)

22

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

In the afternoon, sky opened up little. Snow covered Mount Bogart.

23

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

As we kept continue going up, the condition of ridge improved and it wasn't as loose.

24

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

The end of the first section of this ridge.

25

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

The second section of ridge. Go left then scramble up. Mouseover.

26

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Summit view from this unnamed peak. Mount Engadine and The Tower on the right.

27

Buller Pass Circuit | 2010-09-06

Going to South Buller Pass from the peak was easy.

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