Columnar in Garibaldi Park

Starting Elevation: 970m
Highest Elevation:1795m
Ascent Time: 4 hrs 30mins
Distance: 12km

Total Distance: 22.3km
Total Elevation Gain: 1397m
Total Trip Time: 8hrs 18mins

Columnar peak is one of my favourite place for backcountry touring in Squamish. It is far from the trailhead, and I do not get to ski much… So I do not go there often, but I like to spend a time and enjoy hiking as much as skiing. If you are looking for more skiing, this trip is not for you.

We started skinning up from the trailhead at 8:54. The trail was well traveled. You could almost walk with your hiking boots. It was hard packed! Usually, it always is.

We made it to Red Heather in an hour and continued to Columnar without any side trips. Then, we were on south-most peak of Columnar by 14:00. Fun time began from this point. We rode east face. Some areas had breakable crust, and skiing was great.

It was an awesome grey-bird day. We had about 550m vertical descent. 550m actually skiing out of 1397m ascent does not sound a good deal, but spending a time with friends in mountains is the best part of any trip for sure.