QUA PEAK 2330m 7644’
Situated 2.2 km southeast of Ymir Mountain at 929-740. From the summit of Ymir the ridges appear sharp and rugged. Like most peaks in this area, it is also a skiing objective. Note that Qua Peak is not the highest point of this ridge, but is north of the highest point which is on the south end of the ridge UN2360.
1. Northwest Ridge. Approach as for Ymir Mountain, west ridge. Gain the easternmost col (next to Hummingbird Peak, nearest Ymir Mtn.) in the west ridge (steep snow, described under Ymir).
Climb part way up the west ridge of Ymir Mountain and then traverse across its south face to the ridge leading to Qua Peak. Proceed southeast along the ridge to a high point (or avoid the high point) and then along the summit ridge to the top. There is some exposure in the section between the two summits. The rope is not needed here, and most of the route is walking.
The round trip is about 9 hours. (III,3,s).
FRA David Adams, Kim Kratky, Howie Ridge, May 31, 1992. See Ymir Mountain, southeast ridge.
2. Southwest Ridge. See Un. 2360m (below). From the Qua-Un. 2360m col, climb the southwest ridge (on snow this time of year) of Qua Peak in 45 minutes from Un. 2360m. Return by Route 1. Eight hours round trip from the lodge under Ymir (III,3,s).
FRA Kim Kratky, 4/6/1995.
UNNAMED 2360m
This peak appears to be the highest, and is the southernmost point on the ridge containing Qua Peak. It is 1.6 km south of Qua Peak, at 926-728.
There was trail up Qua Creek, from Clearwater Creek to Qua Creek to Qua Lake, southwest of Un. 2360m, but it is now overgrown and useless.
1. Northeast Face. Approach as for Qua Peak, but traverse south below the west side of Qua Peak (and the high point before it) to the southwest ridge of Qua Peak (dwarf timber, unpleasant) and the northeast face.
Climb the northeast face to the top (on skis this time of year). (III,3,s).
FRA David Adams, Howie Ridge, May 14, 1995. (PC: HR, Kim Kratky) See Qua Peak, Route 2.
UNNAMED 2240m
Located 2.5 km south of Un. 2360m, a sharp ridge trending north- south.
1. Southeast Face. Class 3 by the southeast face (also ski).
Approach by the Clearwater Creek road (probably rough). Clearwater Creek is 1.1 km south of Apex Creek (the creek itself; the road goes to the Whitewater Ski area) on Highway 6.
PEAKS AT THE HEAD OF QUA CREEK
These peaks are almost always accessed from the Whitewater ski lodge (5450′), located 9.8 km. up and at the end of the Apex Creek road (2WD). Turn E. off Hwy #6 at the Whitewater Ski Area sign, 13.6 km. south of Nelson.
“Qua Peak” u/n 2223 m. (7,293′) 2.5 km. SE of Ymir Mtn.
From the lodge, ascend SE toward Ymir’s west ridge to the col at 905-756 (6,950′; 1 1/4 hrs.). Traverse the mostly open west and south sides of Ymir Mtn. to the ridge connecting to “Qua Pk.,” pass over or around the minor point at 920-748 (7350′) and continue along the easy NW and N ridge to the objective (4 hrs. up). Class 3. Done on May 31, 1992 with Howie Ridge and Dave Adams. On return we traversed Ymir Mtn. (2398 m. 7,867′) via SE ridge/N ridge/W face couloir), thus making it an 8 1/2 hr. day, including an hour on the summit of “Qua.” Almost all travel was on snow.
u/n 2241 m. (7,352′) 3 km SE of Ymir Mtn. (926-728)
Approach as for Ymir W. ridge, again traversing round Ymir Mtn. This time I traversed below the point at 920-748 on the W and S (better to go right over the top). After traversing below “Qua Pk.” on the W. side, I diagonaled up on snow to gain its SW ridge, which I followed (unpleasant because of dwarf timber) to the NE snow face of the objective. Thence to the summit without incident (4 hrs. from the lodge). Done solo on June 4, 1995. Class 3, almost all on snow. Howie and Dave had made a ski ascent of this peak exactly three weeks before; I could still see their tracks. This peak looks a little like Devil’s Couch.
On return I traversed “Qua Peak,” descending my up-tracks to the connecting ridge, then working up snow and rock on the S. side to the summit in 45 min. I descended “Qua’s” N. ridge as per my 1992 ascent (take care on exposed class 3 rock), went over u/n 7350′ (920-748), and re-joined my tracks back to the col on Ymir’s W. ridge. 7.5 hrs. round-trip for the two peaks. Good snow conditions. Both these peaks are best done in May and June to take advantage of easy travel on snow. Class 3 for the traverse. Can’t remember if there were cairns on these, but they were undoubtedly climbed years ago.
I have also climbed u/n 2239 m. (925-701), located 2.5 km. S of u/n 2241 m.
Access was via Clearwater Creek.