Slesse Mountain is a dominant peak not far from the British Columbia and U.S. border. The B.C. town of Chilliwack is the nearest large community.

This mountain entered the news in 1956 when a passenger aircraft crashed on it's flank and killed all 62 people on board. The remnants of this debris are still present on and below the mountain. These artifacts are to be preserved in their current place and removal is illegal. There is now a memorial site dedicated to those that lost their lives on that fatal crash.

The peak was first climbed in 1927 from the southwest (Slesse Creek). The immense north side was finally tackled by Fred Beckey, Steve Marts and Eric Bjornstadt in 1963 via the classic Northeast Buttress.

Although not a high elevation summit this mountain's relief is spectacular when viewed from the valley below. It is flanked on the north by treacherous pocket glaciers spitting out ice below and steep walls of rock.

Summit views into the North Cascade Range (subrange of Northern Pickets and other peaks) are unique and wild. Some of the climbs are longer than 20 pitches on rock with small pocket glacier's to cross.

Getting There

For the northern routes drive south from Chilliwack to the Nesakwatch Creek road (Approx 30 KM). Take the right fork for 5.4 km to a y and take the right there. Another half mile and you can park near the trailhead. Camping is feasable here as well.

The Slesse Memorial Trail is taken to the first memorial site and plaque. Continue up the trail and look for cairns. Find a climber's path or bust through bushes to your intended route.

For southern routes take the Slesse Creek Road (dirt as well) to it's end of driving capability (8km?). Find the climber's path to the southern routes.

When To Climb

The peak is best climbed in June - Septmember months. Climbing this peak in winter would be very difficult as snow and bad weather systems plague the area and would cover the rock in rain, snow or ice.

Camping

Bivy ledges can be found on the northern routes.

Mountain Conditions

http://www.bivouac.com has photos and route descriptoins.

External Links

50 crowded climbs
George Bell's web page description.
North American Classics
Link to N.A. Classic climbs page.
Some guy's photo links :-)
Nice photos of climb!

Images



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