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About Barrier Knob and the camp on its ridge
The Difficulty Rating: ★★★★☆
Barrier Knob, a peak 469 meters higher than Gertrude Saddle, stands on the prominent ridge to the saddle’s eastern side.
Since I have hiked to the Gertrude Saddle twice, after reaching the Traverse Pass and camping around the saddle for two nights, an idea of camping on the ridge of Barrier Knob popped up in my mind. During that period of time I knew that some experienced hikers traversed to Lake Adelaide from Gertrude Saddle and some climbers reached Barrier Peak by following the ridge from Barrier Knob. I also read a trip report mentioning they camped on that ridge.
As a slow and careful hiker, climbing is not my thing but taking good photos is my destiny. I was pretty sure the ridge, overlooking valleys on both sides, definitely was a great location to photograph.
From my observation at Traverse Pass, the slope up to Barrier Knob appeared not very steep because it was able to hold plenty of snow year round although topo map did not label it as a perennial snow field. The ridge was not intimidatingly rugged until it getting closer to Barrier Peak, where I would not approach anyway. The only thing not certain was the exact location to camp. But I assumed there should be space for just one tent.
In January 2018, I walked into Gertrude Valley for the third time. Unlike my first visit one year ago, the route already had more poles marked the way. The chance that people go missing seemed low unless the weather was extremely poor or someone was totally inexperienced.
When I arrived Gertrude Saddle, there had been a few hikers about to leave, some of them camped there last night. The sky was overcast and foggy which made me a bit hesitated to go up further. Although it was just at midday I started thinking about if I needed to stay at the saddle for one night and carry on my plan on the next day.
While I look around, people coming and leaving, I would feel embarrassed if I need to pitch a tent within their sight. However, the real pressure which pushed me to proceed the climb was the sandfly. I did not realize they were so rampant at this altitude. They were the last thing I want to camp together. I was hoping they were gone 400 meters above.
There was a small trail to lead me beyond the saddle until entering a rocky section where suddenly I heard strange but scary noise coming from somewhere above; I stopped and raised my head wondering. It was the sound of rockfall!
Not long after the rocky area, I walked into the snowy slope. The gradient was not too steep as I expected unless I attempted to take the shortest route to the ridge. After the uphill hike I reached the ridge somewhere between the summit of Barrier Knob and the Pt 1796 m. Then I walked along the narrow rocky ridge in the direction away from Barrier Knob. I think it was my instinct to prioritize the task, looking for a campsite was more urgent.
The moment I reached the ridge was exhilarating and the view from the other side was a “wow!” Seeing through the cloud the gorgeous Lake Adelaide lying down the sheer cliff and more mountains which held glaciers feeding waterfalls beyond was like another world.
But my relief did not last long as I walked on the ridge for a while. Where can I camp? I even worried that maybe I had to sleep in a gap between the ridge and snow. Eventually I found a spot, just enough for one tent, in between the Pt 1796 m and Pt 1894 m (if my memory is correct). In fact there was a sign suggesting that someone like me had camped at the same place before. It was at a special leeward location, but very convenient to overlook both sides from the ridge.
I was very satisfied with my tiny site, not even thinking about going somewhere else. I descended to the car park via exactly the same way on the following day. Therefore I have not been on the top of Barrier Knob even I was pretty close to it. But that was alright! I have seen what I wanted!
Quite a few years have passed since my last hike in that magic place. I am grateful to be there once before and get the reward of some lovely photos. You can find more photos from my post, Gertrude Saddle Route. If you wish to hike on Gertrude Saddle Route, please read through all the information from DOC for your own safety.
Any locations beyond Gertrude Saddle are not marked and are subject to more risks. Please be aware that you have to be experienced to hike on snow if you intend to climb toward Barrier Knob or Traverse Pass.
