Sky Pilot + Copilot in 1 shot; then Castle Towers in 1 day
 

The high pressure system was Thursday to Saturday. Sunday was "okay" but other days are not so good. But then I had to be in town on Friday so two long day trips were in the order. Since I just moved to BC so not familiar with the obscured ones. Sky Pilot, Copilot and Castle Towers all has a few nice trip reports here so I'm not going to post in details. For full trip reports visit my site.

Thursday, Sept. 10:
Full TR:
http://stevensong.com/sky-pilot-mountain
http://stevensong.com/the-copilot

I hiked up sea to summit trail then sky pilot valley trail. The glacier was dry and I just crampon'd across. Pink slabs were not trivial, but not too difficult neither. There's a bit more route-finding on the upper mountain. The Copilot was harder, but since I brought my shoes up I used them. Solo'd it no problem and on the descent I did 4 rappels from station to station (3 of them are bolted). Managed to catch up the Gondola ride down so save my knees.

Saturday, Sept. 12:
Full TR:
http://stevensong.com/castle-towers-mountain

A day trip up Castle Towers from Rubble Creek?! Yes that's it... I followed pretty much Simon's route, up the hidden drainage behind Cinder Cone, then up to Panorama/Gentian broad ridge, cross the Helm Glacier up high, then down to Gentian Pass. The down-climb from west summit to the col I chose the ramp route which involved one strenuous move. Then up the true summit I skirted around on the N. Face side. The views were killer. On the descent I took my time a little bit and my round trip was 16 hours.

Steven Song on the west coast? Look out SimonC there's a new peak-bagger in town! ;)

When it comes to numbers I don't think Simon has anything to worry about.

Steven..

Fine set of beautiful photos, and all of a lot of the premier hikes of our area.

K

Good choice in mountains. Sneak in as many as you can with these weather windows.

I can't believe they bolted co-pilot.

I can't believe they found enough solid rock that they could place bolts on Co-pilot.
In 1990 CJB and I carried a 50 m 11 mm rope to the top with us, and then back down again because we couldn't find anything solid enough to rappel off :D
Sad thing is that it's only 3rd class, albeit steep and loose 3rd class.

Actually I just randomly looked at one of my pictures. I might remember wrong but the top anchor (first rappel) was likely on bolts too. It was very close to a tree, but they bolted it as well right beside the old anchor. So all 4 stations are 2-bolt stations. Some has 2 rappel rings.

Give it a couple of years :)

Seriously, think something should be said about level of energy required for something like this. Hike up from sea level, then both Sky Pilot and Co-pilot: more than enough for next day (or week) on the couch. Instead -- Castle Towers for which many also require multi-day trip.

When Steven does Bivouac Mountain and Mount Jukes as a bike/hike day trip - I'll start to get worried :)

I ready your Castle Towers report - I like your website.
I remember Polemonium Ridge the same way you described it...I actually found it the hardest part of my trip to CT.