Garibaldi Park Whistler A to ZBergschrund or abbreviated schrund: a crevasse that forms from the separation of moving glacier ice from the stagnant ice above. Characterized by a deep cut, horizontal, along a steep slope. Often extending extremely deep, over 100 metres down to bedrock. Extremely dangerous as they are filled in winter by avalanches and gradually open in the summer.  The Wedgemount Glacier at Wedgemount Lake is a great way to view bergschrund up close in Whistler. 

Whistler & Garibaldi Park

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At the far end of Wedgemount Lake, the impressive glacier window can be seen with water flowing down into the lake.  From the scree field below the glacier you can see the crumbling chunks of glacier separate and fall away into the turquoise pool of water.  Up on the glacier you see crevasses extending all the way to Wedge Mountain.  Many are just a few centimetres wide, and others more than a metre.  Most are several metres deep, though peering into them you can only see eerie darkness.  The left side of Wedgemount Glacier is the route hikers take to reach Mount Weart, the Wedge-Weart Col and Wedge Mountain.  All glacier travel is dangerous, the left side is relatively safe as compared to the extremely dangerous, crevasse packed, middle and right side of the glacier.  Novice hikers venturing up the glacier are advised to keep far to the left, or only at the safe, lower edges near the glacier window.  The most impressive bergschrund on the Wedgemount Glacier are found near Wedge Mountain.  There you will find massive schrund peeling away from the steep, north face of Wedge.

Bergschrund Wedgemount Glacier

Bergschrund Wedgemount Glacier

Bergschrund Wedgemount Glacier

Bergschrund Wedgemount Glacier

Bergschrund Wedge-Weart Col

Bergschrund in Whistler: Overlord Glacier

Another place in Whistler to see impressive bergschrund is at Russet Lake in Garibaldi Park.  Massive and menacing, the Overlord Glacier enters the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in the valley below Russet Lake.  These images are from Russet Lake in Garibaldi Park.  Russet Lake is a fantastic alpine lake that lays at the base of The Fissile.  The Fissile is the strikingly bronze coloured mountain so visible from Whistler Village.  From The Village look into the distance at the Peak 2 Peak hanging between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain and you will see The Fissile.  Its pyramid shape in the distance perfectly separates the two mountains.  Though Russet Lake is not terribly impressive in terms of size or colour, the valley around it is remarkably beautiful.  The colours change from moment to moment in and extraordinary way.  The distinctive colour of The Fissile and the stark grey of the mountains around contrast amazingly with the blue of the lake and green grass in the valley.  So many different factors fill the place with colour.

Schrund on Overlord Glacier

Bergschrund on Overlord Glacier from Blackcomb

Russet Lake Map v20

Bergschrund in Whistler: Wedgemount Glacier

At a fast hiking pace you can reach Wedgemount Lake from the trailhead in just an hour and a half but at a leisurely or backpack laden pace you will likely take over two hours.  The trail is well marked and well used.  The steepness of the trail doesn't require any technical skill, however that last kilometre before the lake you will be scrambling on all fours quite a bit.  Extending from Wedge Mountain to Wedgemount Lake, the Wedgemount Glacier flows down the valley.  Extensively lined with schrund, the Wedgemount Glacier is a great place to see bergschrund up close in Whistler.

Wedge Mountain and Wedgemount Glacier

The sheltered valley, beautiful turquoise lake, wonderfully huge glacier across the valley and brutally jagged mountains all around all contribute to making Wedgemount Lake something special.  It's challenging and exhausting to hike to and an absolute paradise to relax in.  Down by the lakeside you can actually find two recliner chairs, built out of the rocks by the lake.  Such a perfect way to enjoy the sun rising over the not-so-distant glacier across the lake.

Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Park

Wedgemount Lake Garibaldi Park

Wedgemount Lake Trail Map v16

Bergschrund in Garibaldi Park: Panorama Ridge

Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park is best known for its brilliantly vibrant view of Garibaldi Lake surrounded by mountains.  What is less appreciated, however, is the amazing array of glaciers flowing down the mountains.  Garibaldi Lake's bright blue colour catches you attention first, but the stunning detail of the glaciers is hypnotizing.  Thousands of crevasses zig-zag the glaciers and brutal looking bergscrund are easily visible along the steepest sections of the glaciers.

Bergschrund from Panorama Ridge

Bergschrund from Panorama Ridge

Bergschrund from Panorama Ridge

Panorama Ridge Map v13

More Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking A to Z!

The Garibaldi Ranges are a subdivision of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains.  Deriving its name from Mount Garibaldi, the Garibaldi Ranges cover ...
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Mills Winram was a very active mountaineer from Vancouver with some very notable ascents in the 1920's and 1930's.  He, along with Fred Parkes and Stan ...
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Hidden in the tangle of forest along Green Lake where the old Parkhurst Sawmill once operated, is the bizarre and beautiful Parkhurst Plow Tree.  A very ...
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Aiguille: a tall, narrow, characteristically distinct spire of rock. From the French word for "needle". Used extensively as part of the names for many ...
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Arête: a thin ridge of rock formed by two glaciers parallel to each other. Sometimes formed from two cirques meeting. From the French for edge or ridge.  Around ...
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Alec Dalgleish (1 August 1907 - 26 June 1934) was a highly respected mountaineer and climber out of Vancouver in the 1920's and 1930's.  His enthusiasm and ...
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Glacier Window: the cave-like opening at the mouth of a glacier where meltwater runs out.  Glacier windows are often extraordinarily beautiful.  A blue glow ...
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Crevasse: is a split or crack in the glacier surface, often with near vertical walls.  Crevasses form out of the constant movement of a glacier over ...
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Amazing Hiking Trails in Whistler

The Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking Trails!

Cheakamus River is a beautiful, crashing, turquoise coloured river that flows from Cheakamus Lake, through Whistler Interpretive Forest, then down past Brandywine Falls to Daisy Lake, then all the way to ...
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The Sea to Sky Trail is a 180 kilometre multi-use trail that runs from Squamish to D'Arcy. The trail is still under construction in many parts, however, the amazing route through Whistler is finally in ...
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Ancient Cedars is a nice, easy/moderate 2.5 kilometre (1.6 mile) hiking trail on the far side of Cougar Mountain, just 13.1 kilometres north of Whistler Village. A small, untouched grove of huge western ...
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Hiking and biking trails are so abundant in Whistler that many go unnoticed, neglected or taken for granted.  The Flank Trail is one of these.  Most people in Whistler don't even know about it, but the ones ...
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Whistler & Garibaldi Park Best Hiking by Month!

In the(usually) deep March snow of Whistler you have an amazing array of snowshoeing options.  If you have not been to the Whistler Train Wreck, you have ...
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April in Whistler is a wonderful time of year.  The winter deep freeze ends and T-shirt weather erupts.  The village comes alive with overflowing patios and ...
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May is an extraordinarily beautiful time of year in Whistler.  The days are longer and warmer and a great lull in between seasons happens.  Whistler is fairly ...
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June is a pretty amazing month to hike in Whistler and Garibaldi Park.  The average low and high temperatures in Whistler range from 9c to 21c(48f/70f).  ...
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Free Camping Gear Delivery to Garibaldi Park

Explore BC Hiking Destinations!

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