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Williams Peak Day Trip (Backup: Sun Oct 4)

Oct 3, 2026 - 5:30 AM
Oct 3, 2026 - 8:30 PM

Organizer Info

Peiyu
Peiyu Cui

Meeting Point

Cineplex Langley, main entrance

Trip Details

Grade:
C3
Category:
Scrambling
Requirements:
  • Screening
  • Members Only
Max Participants:10

Trip Description

Route Reference & Stats:
  • AllTrails: Williams Peak via Williams Ridge Trail
  • Main Objective (Williams Peak, 2,123 m): ~15–18 km, ~1,650–1,950 m elevation gain (sources and GPS tracks vary)
  • Terrain: A relentlessly steep forest climb to Williams Ridge, then a long boulder-field traverse, then a steep, loose gully scramble to the summit. No water sources anywhere on the route.
  • Total Estimated Duration: 10–11 hours
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Logistics & Timeline:
  • 5:30 AM: Meetup and carpool organization at the main entrance of Cineplex Langley (there is only one entrance). Drive time is approximately 1 hour.
  • 6:30 AM: Group convergence at the Williams Ridge Trailhead (Chilliwack Lake Road, small free lot).
  • 6:40 AM: Feet on trail with headlamps (sunrise 7:09 AM). We will keep a steady, moderate pace on the steep forest section to save energy for the boulder field and summit gully.
  • 1:30 PM: Hard turnaround time. We turn around at 1:30 PM whether or not we have reached the summit.
  • ~5:30 PM: Target time back at the cars. Sunset is 6:41 PM and it is dark by about 7:15 PM. If the descent runs late, we will finish by headlamp.
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Weather & Conditions Cancellation Policy:
Final go/no-go decision: Thursday, Oct 1, 8:00 PM, sent by Broadcast Email.
The trip moves to the backup date (Sun Oct 4) if ANY ONE of the following applies to Oct 3:
  1. Forecast precipitation on the trip day is more than 2 mm.
  2. Forecast daytime freezing level is below 2,300 m.
  3. New snow falls on the summit / upper gully in the 2 days before the trip.
The same criteria apply to Oct 4. If Oct 4 also fails, the trip is cancelled. The organizer may also cancel for other safety reasons (e.g. high winds, poor visibility), including after the Thursday call if the forecast deteriorates.
Why: the summit gully is steep (~50%) loose rock and heather. When it is wet or snow-covered, it becomes a real slip hazard for a group.
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Gear (Fall Scramble Packing List): This is a long, steep alpine day with loose rock in the final gully. You will bring:
  • The 10 Essentials
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries (mandatory: we start before sunrise and may finish after dark)
  • Helmet (strongly recommended: loose rock in the gully, and several people moving above one another)
  • 3–4 L of water/electrolytes. There is no water on the route, so a filter is not needed.
  • Warm layers: insulated jacket, toque, gloves, and waterproof shell (near-freezing temperatures are possible at the summit in October)
  • Trekking poles (the descent is long and hard on the knees)
  • Sturdy hiking boots or approach shoes with aggressive tread
  • Epinephrine if you have a bee/wasp allergy (a ground wasp nest was reported on the trail this summer)

Trip Photos

Participant List

3 / 10
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