Distance

23.8 km to summit

51.9 km total

Elevation

1,732 m start

2,997 m max

Vertical

1,882 m gain

Time

23 hr 51 min to summit

16 hr 50 min total

Incredibly scenic, a nice approach mostly on trail. Some route finding to navigate cliffs, ponds and streams (which were WAY higher on the way back). Gained the glacier without issue and it was mostly cruisy from there thanks to the bare ice. Some crevasses to go around, a few were massive. Once we got to the col, it was a scree battle to get up the peak but still not technical. This is a fantastic outing with minimal hands on and mostly decent travel. Bring some sandals for the crossings and crampons for the ice (glacier kit if snowy). Loved every minute of it. Took longer than expected from Petain Creek, looks close on a map but further in reality. I'd recommend a high bivy, TONS of fantastic flat spots close to streams. The traverse to McCauaig is totally out of season with high rockfall hazard, I'd say that'll add 800m gain to the day. The SW summit is a least a few meters higher than the NE summit, not sure why the cairn on the NE peak, I suspect some folks who went up the N ridge didn't actually summit the peak, there's a sketchy knife edged ridge separating the two. A rarely ascended peak, super cool!

Route name

Mount Castelnau 51.8 km route

out-and-back
Obstacles

routefinding, stream crossing, crevasse danger

Key gear

crampons, bike, trekking poles

yuri

Nicely done! The perspective of the East face of Joffre is great.