Mt. BROADWOOD

Introduction

Mt. Broadwood is clearly visible when traveling to Cranbook along Highway #3. I am sure climbers heading off to Stone Hill or Skaha have thought what a pity it is that all the good rock on the mounatin was located right at the peak, in an apparently inaccesible location. Luckily, there is a logging road to the backside of the mountain, and cliffs that extend down to lower elevations. I have scoped things out from the Wigwam river, and by binoculares along the Wigwam Road. Things look stellar. The cliffs look very steep, clean, are not broken up by ledges, and look to be about 2 pitches in length. Also the approach is up an open grassy hillside! The only problem is the road closures on the last half of the approach road in the spring. Things open up later on in the summer (a few weeks later than when the snow typically dissapears).

Getting There

To get there, travel to Fernie, and continue south along highway #3, past the turnoff to the Ski Hill, to the Morrisey river road (takes off on the left or east side of the road). Cross the bridge and turn right. In about a kilometer, you will encounter a fork in the road. Take the right fork (not on the map). Head along the main road. To your right a road takes off and heads down to the Elk River. You don't want this road. Go straight until you get to another major fork. There should be a sign here that indicates that the lodepole road goes to the left. Take the left fork to go to the Lodepole outcroppings, take the right fork (Wigwam road) to head towards Mt. Broadwood.