Approach to Robson: Patterson Spur
Patterson Spur approach - Headwall
Authors Note: A very direct line can now be taken to the Resplendent-Robson col/ridge where you avoid the imfamous Robson Glacier, thus making this approach one, if not the safest you can take. The trail was found in 2013 and built in 2014. Numerous parties have used it since and it's getting better. Not as scenic (not by a long shot), and the bushwacking terrible at times - but it gets you there.
GOOGLE EARTH FILE - download and load up in Google Earth. Make sure your My Places is active and select the Robson REsplendent Col folder
Trailhead to Kinney Lake - 5km
As for the Berg Lake trail, follow it almost to Kinney Lake. After the first bridge is crossed, you'll find yourself on a few switchbacks before contouring around the lake. Look for a viewpoint trail that branches off to the left here. 20 meters after it, on the right is where you enter the forest. It's not an overly obvious entry, but look for blue flagging and stripped bark off a tree exposing a yellow trunk that will mark the way.
The Woods to the Flats - ~2km
Once you enter the woods, follow a pretty good trail with flagging every 20ft or so (there's tons of it). The trail is steep and somewhat relentless for a few hundred vertical meters before contouring the slopes where the trail flattens out. Cross a very deep gully where it seems obvious high water cut through it, and make your way down to the flats below, following a good trail to it.
Flats to the Headwall - ~2km
The headwall will appear ahead of you, sporting a waterfall on it's left side. You'll notice a band of trees dead centre of it - where you'll be ascending. The first small creek you reach is your first water break since leaving Kinney Lake. Cross it, and continue on unmarked terrain aiming down and right. There is a river/creek bed that should be aimed for (semi-dry in June) where orange flagging will be spotted. Follow this riverbed until the terrain starts leading you up to the headwall itself. 2 Creek crossings must be done aiming for their right side shores - do so wherever possible. Small cairns can be spotted where others have crossed. May or may not be possible for you based on water levels on your day. Aim your way up and right, looking at the trees above , knowing that you're aiming to be in them shortly. Not overly visible is a gash around a buttress where ascent is made easily into the trees. Cairns can be followed (2016) around the buttress, and a single piece of Yellow flagging tape can be spotted dead centre of the upper gully in the trees.
Buchwack slog - ~200 vertical meters
As you gain that piece of flagging tape, a trail (if we can call it that) will be followed along with yellow and orange flagging tape through the trees. It's steep, loose, thick and terrible. Good luck. :)
Trees to Bench
Once you've left the terrible bush just know that the trees are now mostly gone for the rest of your trip. Follow what can only be described as a line of least resistance, with the occasional cairn and yellow flagging tape. You'll be traversing left and right over the multiple rock benches that lay ahead, through gashes in buttresses, over a creek or 2, and eventually up on moraines. The Google Earth file should help somewhat, but it's difficult to explain. Use your mountain sense and you'll be good to go :). We went up with no description on us and found our way, it wasn't overly difficult.
Bench to base of Tower
Above you to the NW (climbers left) lies a large tower of sorts. Oddly at the same elevation as the Extinguisher Tower on the complete opposite side of the mountain, and looking very similar... weird. Your path now leads you far around left of that tower. Scarmble over a few moraines that lead to a beautiful grassy bench area (great place for a bivy if you wanted to split up the day) before angling up using breaks in the rock bands above. Further left of the tower, you'll notice a rock buttress that should be turned on it's left side, giving way to a good gully to ascend. This will lead you to the upper base of the tower at a flat area before ascending the ridge proper.
Tower to Ridge
The terrain here is terribly loose at times, and mostly 4th class scrambling although not terribly exposed, it is steep and a fall on the steeper sections could be serious. Wear a helmet to protect from rockfall. Follow the path of least resistance again up the ridge. You'll spot very few cairns and one or two pieces of flagging tape indicating you're on route but for the most part, use your mountain sense. If it gets more then 4th class, you're off route. Continue up this ridge until you can go no further, and you find yourself at 3,000m elevation on the Robson-Resplendent Col. Camp where possible.
GOOGLE EARTH FILE - download and load up in Google Earth. Make sure your My Places is active and select the Robson REsplendent Col folder
Trailhead to Kinney Lake - 5km
As for the Berg Lake trail, follow it almost to Kinney Lake. After the first bridge is crossed, you'll find yourself on a few switchbacks before contouring around the lake. Look for a viewpoint trail that branches off to the left here. 20 meters after it, on the right is where you enter the forest. It's not an overly obvious entry, but look for blue flagging and stripped bark off a tree exposing a yellow trunk that will mark the way.
The Woods to the Flats - ~2km
Once you enter the woods, follow a pretty good trail with flagging every 20ft or so (there's tons of it). The trail is steep and somewhat relentless for a few hundred vertical meters before contouring the slopes where the trail flattens out. Cross a very deep gully where it seems obvious high water cut through it, and make your way down to the flats below, following a good trail to it.
Flats to the Headwall - ~2km
The headwall will appear ahead of you, sporting a waterfall on it's left side. You'll notice a band of trees dead centre of it - where you'll be ascending. The first small creek you reach is your first water break since leaving Kinney Lake. Cross it, and continue on unmarked terrain aiming down and right. There is a river/creek bed that should be aimed for (semi-dry in June) where orange flagging will be spotted. Follow this riverbed until the terrain starts leading you up to the headwall itself. 2 Creek crossings must be done aiming for their right side shores - do so wherever possible. Small cairns can be spotted where others have crossed. May or may not be possible for you based on water levels on your day. Aim your way up and right, looking at the trees above , knowing that you're aiming to be in them shortly. Not overly visible is a gash around a buttress where ascent is made easily into the trees. Cairns can be followed (2016) around the buttress, and a single piece of Yellow flagging tape can be spotted dead centre of the upper gully in the trees.
Buchwack slog - ~200 vertical meters
As you gain that piece of flagging tape, a trail (if we can call it that) will be followed along with yellow and orange flagging tape through the trees. It's steep, loose, thick and terrible. Good luck. :)
Trees to Bench
Once you've left the terrible bush just know that the trees are now mostly gone for the rest of your trip. Follow what can only be described as a line of least resistance, with the occasional cairn and yellow flagging tape. You'll be traversing left and right over the multiple rock benches that lay ahead, through gashes in buttresses, over a creek or 2, and eventually up on moraines. The Google Earth file should help somewhat, but it's difficult to explain. Use your mountain sense and you'll be good to go :). We went up with no description on us and found our way, it wasn't overly difficult.
Bench to base of Tower
Above you to the NW (climbers left) lies a large tower of sorts. Oddly at the same elevation as the Extinguisher Tower on the complete opposite side of the mountain, and looking very similar... weird. Your path now leads you far around left of that tower. Scarmble over a few moraines that lead to a beautiful grassy bench area (great place for a bivy if you wanted to split up the day) before angling up using breaks in the rock bands above. Further left of the tower, you'll notice a rock buttress that should be turned on it's left side, giving way to a good gully to ascend. This will lead you to the upper base of the tower at a flat area before ascending the ridge proper.
Tower to Ridge
The terrain here is terribly loose at times, and mostly 4th class scrambling although not terribly exposed, it is steep and a fall on the steeper sections could be serious. Wear a helmet to protect from rockfall. Follow the path of least resistance again up the ridge. You'll spot very few cairns and one or two pieces of flagging tape indicating you're on route but for the most part, use your mountain sense. If it gets more then 4th class, you're off route. Continue up this ridge until you can go no further, and you find yourself at 3,000m elevation on the Robson-Resplendent Col. Camp where possible.
