Date: May 16, 2026 to May 18, 2026
Time: All Day
Category: Mountaineering
Title: Septimius X Gully May 16-18
Trip Leader/ contact: John McMechan <>
Details:
Hoping the weather will cooperate and we can squeeze out a 36 hour attempt on Mt Septimius via the XGully. Pick the best 2 days for forecast and make a 1 night attempt on Septimius via the Xgully. If the forecast is just bad then we will skip.
Meet in Campbell River. Carpool to Bedwell Lake trailhead. If some participants are coming from Victoria or Nanaimo a possible carpool from there could be organized.
A potential schedule could look like: Meet in early morning at CR, carpool to trailhead and hike up to Cream lake and area. Camp near the base of the route. Alpine start on the XGully. Return to camp and then hike and out
Difficulty: PD+ with 50 degree snow & ice and up to 4th class. Potential bergschrund
VI ACC Difficultly: C4
Approx: 10km /900m to cream lake. Another 3-5km and 700m vert to the summit
Participants: 2-4
Reference Mt Septimius in Phil Stone alpine select.
Required:
AST 1
15+ days of back country experience
Experience with mountaineering and glacier travel including basic crevasse rescue skills (i.e. can build a 3:1 haul)
Experience with climbing steep snow up to 50 degrees
Physical fitness to handle the rigours of mountain travel
Full avalanche kit – Modern digital transceiver, probe, shovel, HELMET
Mountaineering kit – Ice Axe x2, crampons, lightweight harness, Crevasse rescue kit. Exact specs to be discussed with team members. Snow Pickets x1-2 per person ( I have 3)
Winter camping kit
A favorable forecast and decent weather. If the weather forecast is not fairly positive and or conditions unsafe we don’t need to go. The mountain will still be there. We can discuss shorter alternatives if group is interested pending forecast
Fun attitude. Be Safe. Make Friends. Have Fun.
If you are interested and we haven’t climbed together with please send me a short introduction to my email at including:
– ACC member number (so I can confirm membership – waivers later in the process),
– your relevant experience related to mountaineering
– your fitness level with detailing recent trips, fitness endeavors
– Any relevant medical conditions
Risks:
Avalanche
What are the Risks
- Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain
- Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.
Communication and Rescue
What are the Risks
- Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available
- Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field
- If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow
Terrain
What are the Risks
- Cornices
- Crevasses
- Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
- Cliffs
- Creeks
- Rocks and Boulders
- Holes and depressions below the snow surface
- Variable and difficult snow conditions
- Snowcat roads and road ranks
- Fences and other man-made structures
- Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects
- Encounters with domestic or wild animals
- Loss of balance or control
- Becoming lost or separated from the group
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Bergschrund crossing
General Hazards
What are the Risks
- Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
- Equipment failure.
- Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
- Negligence of other persons, including other guests.
- Negligent first aid.