We embarked on a 4-day adventure to explore Darwin Canyon on July 18, 2020, and the scenery did not disappoint! The Lamarck Col offered breathtaking views, making the sunset wait totally worth it. Mount Goethe was another highlight, with its stunning vistas – definitely worth a visit.
We summited Mount Lamarck via the col, opting for the eastern ridge route, which quickly turned into a Class 3 challenge with massive boulders. It was grueling and hazardous. On the way back, we took the south slope, which was a breeze – we made it to the col in under an hour, where we caught the sunset. We camped at a tarn below the col, which was a great spot to unwind.
When descending from the col to Darwin Canyon, be aware there's no clear trail – keep an eye out for cairns and steer clear of big boulders. If you navigate it right, it's Class 1 terrain; otherwise, you might end up in talus (not fun with a heavy pack).
Crossing from the east side of Darwin Canyon to the west side was tougher than expected, with some boulder-hopping required. If you're planning to tackle Mount Goethe, camp near it for easier access.
Sunset at Larmarck Col
Panarama view on top of Mount Lamarck
Darwin Canyan Looking West at Sunset
Reflection at Lakes below Mount Goethe
Darwin Canyan Looking West with Clouds