This small group of summits is clustered about the Macbeth Snowfield, a high neve rising about 6 mi E of the N end of Duncan Lake and N of Glacier Creek. The neve proper is about 3 mi in length, with an average width of roughly 1 mi. It discharges by 2 principal glaciers, one at the N end, the other at the S, as well as several smaller tongues on the E and W. Primary drainage is to Glacier Creek, whose N terminal fork encircles the group on the E, and to Little Glacier Creek on the N and W. The nearly level snowfield is at an average elevation of some 8500′, the surrounding summits rising 1000′ or less above it.
Though they lie at the western end of the Purcells, these peaks were originally reached by the much longer approach from the E by A. Maki and R. C. West in 1960. From the valley of Horsethief Creek, this party ascended Starbird Glacier to Starbird Pass (8000), contoured around the head of the N terminal fork of Glacier Creek and reached the snowfield at its NE end. In the course of their 4-day foray, they climbed Mt Macbeth, the highest peak in the group (CAJ 44- 37).
Nowadays, since the construction of a logging road up Glacier Creek from Duncan Lake, the approach from the E has been totally superseded. From the Glacier Creek road, two routes of approach to the Macbeth Snowfield have been used in recent years. The first leaves the road at approx 5½ mi (2900) and goes NE up the valley of the first large N tributary to Glacier Creek. 1½ days of rough travel to cover about 3 mi and place a camp at 7000′ below the tongue of S outlet glacier. The second route leaves the road at approx 9 mi (3700) and follows the creek draining directly S from Mt Macbeth (“Dunsinane Creek”). A few hours to reach the tree line. It would appear that, although the “Dunsinane Creek” route is considerably shorter, access to the snowfield itself may be much less problematical from the N tributary.
Maps: 82K/7W, 82K/7E.
MT MacDUFF 2990m 9810′
On NE margin of Macbeth Snowfield.
From the neve, ascend snow and easy broken rock of SW slopes to summit in one hr. (FA party gained the neve in 3 hr from camp at the lake in N terminal fork of Glacier Creek via glacier just N of objective and a short headwall, an approach rendered obsolete by the Glacier Creek road.
FA A. Maki, R. C. West, 8/1960
MT MacBETH 3033m 9950′
At S end of Macbeth Snowfield.
From the neve, ascend steep snow of N face to rocks of the first forepeak. Scramble easily over 2 more forepeaks to a deep notch, from which more difficult climbing brings one to the summit. 2 hr from neve. An enjoyable route.
FA A. Maki, R. C. West, 8/1960
MT LADY MacBETH 2880m 9450′
Sharp rock peak one mi SE of Mt Macbeth.
From camp at 5500′ on Dunsinane Creek, ascend to the upper valley and climb snowfields and a snow-filled couloir to the notch (8500) on the ridge be tween objective and Mt Macbeth (4½ hr). Climb firm rock of NW ridge (up to F4) to summit, the Emost point (2½ hr). Ascent 7 hr; descent 4½ hr.
FA C. & G. Wagner, 8/1972
MT FLEANCE 2911m 9550′
2½ mi NW of Mt Macbeth, forming the W retaining wall of Macbeth Snowfield.
FA D. Phelps & friends, on skis. Via N ridge from snowfield, 4/1969
MT BANQUO 3002m 9850′
Prominent peak, second highest of the group, at W edge of Macbeth Snowfield; ¾ mi W of Mt Fleance.
From camp at 7000′ in the valley of the first large N tributary of Glacier Creek, ascend S slopes of the objective to gain the main ridge which is followed W to the summit. Descent via scree of SW slopes.
FA, R. Anderson, R. Askew, D. Cameron, L. Gansner, J Steed, J. Street, 1969
BETWEEN GLACIER AND HAMILL CREEKS
About 5 mi W of Mts Truce and Cauldron and the uplift centred on the Truce Neve, rises a small, isolated cluster of peaks crowned at 10350′ by Archduke Mt. These peaks have been approached along streams draining N to Glacier Creek and by way of tributaries feeding S into Hamill Creek. There are no trails in these brushy side valleys.
Map: 82K/7W Duncan Lake
ARCHDUKE MT 3155m 10350′
Major peak in the area; double summit.
From camp at 3200′ near the confluence of Nine-Mile Creek with Hamill Creek (almost directly S of objective), bushwhack up SW ridge of Peak 8700 to cliffs at 6700′ (4 hr). Contour N across alps into the high basin below S ridge of mtn (2 hr, bivouac at 8000′ on FA). Climb directly to the crest of a ridge, following it over pinnacles to twin summits in 3½ hr. Descend (after traverse to Emperor Peak, which see) via E ridge to snow finger above E glacier, which is then descended to regain route of ascent in high basin (3 hr). RT from Hamill Creek, including ascent of Emperor Peak, 18 hr.
FA B. Beck, C. Wagner, 1967
EMPEROR PEAK 3124m 10250′
W summit of Archduke massif.
Easy traverse from Archduke Mtn in¾ hr. FA unknown.
B FLAT PEAK 2911m 9550′
One mi NW of Archduke massif.
Approach from Glacier Creek into valley W of the group. From W cirque gain N ridge via a gully, thence along ridge to top. 3 hr from camp in W cirque.
FA B. Beck, 1963
FINGERBOARD PEAKS 2880m 9450′
A short ridge of pinnacles one mi SW of Archduke Mt
CIRQUE PEAK 2637m 8650′
W outlier of the group; 2½ mi SW of Archduke Mt.
From camp near the head of McLeod Creek, scramble over the minor peak to SW (Jean’s Peak, 8450) and climb the firm rock of SW ridge; 2½ hr.
FA B. & P. Beck, 1963