General
In general, the approaches and descents are less technical than the approach and descent from the Squamish apron, but the walks are a good deal longer. Due to the climate there tends to be a lot more vegetationon the approaches, which can be either a benefit or a detriment, depending on the situation.
Dale Earnhardt Dome
From the campsite at the forks it's about a three kilometer hike along the left hand spur (N35f) to the "stage", with an altitude gain of about 300 meters and several creek crossings. This is a decommissioned logging road and all the bridges and culverts have been removed and replaced by ditches, often quite deep. So far the water in all the creeks has proven palatable there have been no difficulties from drinking it.
Depending on conditions the creek crossings after the first one may have little or no actual water but don't be deceived - a bit of rain can change everything. Because the road sees little or no maintenancethe bush is encroaching quickly and sections that have been nicely open in the past may appear quite different in the future.
From base camp the hiking is straightforward, if a bit steep, to the first creek crossing . Just before the creek the grade levels out and the bush opens up to provide the first good views of the Dome.
This is the most difficult water crossing and a good place to water up for the rest of the hike. Early in spring, if the rain has been heavy, it is possible that this creek will become un-crossable without massive feats of engineering. This was so early in the spring of 2002, for example.
After the first crossing the road becomes well bushed in and you are hiking more of a trail, with a few minor route finding difficulties until you get up to the second crossing. When in doubt, go left.
By the second crossing, you're at around 450 meters altitude - after this the road is much more open and the views are great the rest of the way up. This is actually a tributary of the main creek. By the fourth crossing you are around 500 meters altitude and back at the main creek again.
Just past here the road takes a big right turn and you begin the switchbacks. Three more creek crossings and a stiff uphill stretch take you to the top of the first switchback and a fork in the road. Take the left turn here, up the second switchback, and shortly thereafter you'll pass a prominent bolder with a big chimney crack splitting it. If you want a first ascent badly enough you can thrash into the bolder and climb the chimney! Nobody has done it so far, that I know of.
Saner folk will continue past the split bolder and two more creek crossings to the top of the second switchback. The road forks again here and this time it's the right fork you want. At this point you are close to a prominent gully coming down from a large granite wall on the North face of Peak 4400. This is a common place to see bears, so be alert.
Now you follow the last switchback past a final creek crossing to reach "stage" altitude circa 600 meters. The "stage" commands a great view, and this explains the name.
From here the real bushwhacking is about to begin! Climb over a bit of a log barrier to the start of the blazed trail to the dome itself. A short way along is one final creek crossing with a small touch of exposure. This is usually the last place you can get a reliable water supply, so tank up if you need to. Now follow the trail (it gets rough after here) until you come to a big log which you must climb for around thirty feet to the start of the final approach slab.
The approach slab is fairly low angle and the best approach is to stay on your feet and walk straight up the middle. This can and has been done, even in pouring rain. After maybe a hundred feet up the slab you come a nice big ledge with a small waterfall and tiny shallow pool on the left (if the weather hasn't been too dry for too long). The pool is very shallow and muddy, so you'll only want to drink from it if you are *really* thirsty.
Your altitude here is about 650 meters.
From the end of the ledge scramble up to another ledge which goes both ways along the base of the huge slab. Wapiti mainline is around 40 or fifty feet to the right near the intersection of two ledges. Look up and you'll see the first bolt.
Watersports Wall
From the camp, walk down the right fork of the logging spur (N35c) to a bridge across the creek. This is another good place to get water and, if you like to swim in cold water, a dip.
Walk on past the bridge until you come to a large ditch across the road. Cross this and continue on the road to another, even bigger ditch. On the other side of this second ditch, scout for a natural land bridge leading into the clear cut bush on the left.
The picture at right shows the upper part of the Watersports area on the extreme right hand side. The slab with Chia Pet on it is hidden in the bush at the bottom.The white slab just left of Watersports in the picture has been visited and is made up of low angle and very rotten rock. The linear gray"slab" in the middle of the picture is actually the fall line of the creek with the above mentioned bridge at it's bottom.
The trail is steep and climbs around 500 feet or so to the base of the slabs. Frankly, the less said about this slog the better! As with the hike to the dome you'll know you are finally getting close when you come to a big old log you must climb for twenty or thirty feet. A bolt is visible about twenty feet up the low angle slab. This is the start of "Chia Pet", described in the other routes page.