Chossaneering in the Bugaboos
October 8-11, 2022
Choss (noun): rock that is unsuitable for rock climbing, e.g. because it is too soft, unstable, or overgrown.
In late September I reluctantly headed down from the Yukon to explore the Canadian Rockies and Purcell Mountains for about six weeks, photographing the transition from fall to winter. My favorite area was the Bugaboos, where I spent about four days. I don’t know of another alpine landscape that is both more powerful and more accessible. Going in the middle of the week near the very end of the season meant I had the place mostly to myself too.
Hound's Tooth
Snowpatch Spire in moonlight
Mount Conrad & Vowell Glacier
Pigeon Spire
Bugaboo Spire accompanied by Snowpatch & Pigeon Spires
Porcupine fortification
Chossaneering
Home for the night
One of the best views anywhere probably
Watching triangular mountain faces glow orange at sunrise = happy Abraham. Bonus points for lakes and glaciers beneath said mountain faces. My favorite photos tend to be when I can use ridgelines and/or glaciers as compositional leading lines in these types of landscapes.
Sat up here for a couple hours after sunrise watching the landscape until a storm was approaching
Scree skiing
Ice shards and Bugaboo Spire
Had the Conrad Kain hut all to myself