Climb the Gmoser Highway to the Hind Hut

So you've decided to head up to the Hind Hut! Nice!!! First, make a stop at the Assiniboine Lodge to check availability and book your spot at the Hind Hut. This is also your chance to get an update on weather and climbing conditions: there is no cell phone reception nor network connectivity anywhere else in the Park.

Proceed onto the Lake Magog trail and walk passed the campsite all the way to the end of the trail: beware of grizzly bears! As you approach the cliff, you will pass a caution sign advising you of the serious nature of the Gmoser Highway (and beyond): first, all routes leading to the Hind Hut are mountaineering routes. Second, trails are not marked nor maintained by BC Parks. Then, it is recommended that you do not go solo. Last, of course, "only experienced and properly roped and equipped mountaineers should attempt mountain climbing or venture onto snow fields or glaciers".

I tend to agree with every part of wisdom shared above. Yes: there are no easy way up to the Hind Hut. The Gmoser Highway consists mainly of class III/IV scrambling with a significant amount of exposure throughout, especially on the traverse. Of course, it is a lot easier to go up than to come down: keep this in mind!

Looking at the headwall from the lake, the Hut is located on the black slab at the base of Mount Assiniboine. The trail, although not designated, is well established and marked by cairns along the way. You will start the approach from climber's right, ascending a fair amount of scree before you start scrambling. About halfway up the cliff you will traverse to climber's left for quite a while with not much room for error and a lot of loose rocks. Keep paying attention to the cairns and stay on the (narrow) beaten path.

The end of the traverse transitions to a boulder field from which you can clearly see the giant inuksuks marking the black slab onto which the Hind Hut is located. In total, the ascend to the Hind Hut takes between 2.5 to 4 hours.

The Hind Hut is very basic, with a propane stove where you can cook and boil water you get from the Mount Strom snow field. It accommodates 12-15 people on two levels. No need to bring a sleeping pad: there are clean and comfortable mattresses provided. Pack in, pack out.There are also a couple of wood platforms outside of the Hut for bivvies, along with a well designed and neat looking outhouse. Bring your toilet paper. Bring some reading material. 

What to do from here? well.... you have a few mountaineering objectives at your doorstep, some technical, some not so much; all absolutely gorgeous, above 3000m and done in a day. Mount Wedgewood, Mount Strom, Mount Sturdee, and of course the Big A are separate adventures in themselves and also well documented. Have fun and enjoy the views! Don't forget to sign the registry...