And so March has come and gone, and it wasn't without its fair share of excitement. Well, kinda. If we were being outdoors today, I would lament our continued quiet start to the hiking year. The crummy weekend weather and spiking avalanche danger meant we spent another month without touching our snowshoes. However, we did … Continue reading Being Outdoors, April 2024
Being Outdoors, March 2024
Well, we survived a damp and dreary February. The mountains received some snow but saw considerably more rain that put us off getting outside as much as usual. But that's not to say we didn't find time for some fun adventures! If we were being outdoors today, I would comment on our continued quiet start … Continue reading Being Outdoors, March 2024
Being Outdoors, February 2024
Welcome to 2024! How was your first month of this new year? Good, yeah? That's great to hear. Ours? Oh, yeah, it was fine thanks. Well, apart from the bone-chilling cold snap where condensation froze on the inside of our window frames and the curtains of rain that wiped clean our memories of sunshine for … Continue reading Being Outdoors, February 2024
2023 in review
And so another year has passed and I find myself looking back at where we went and what we saw during the past 12 months. I mentioned last year that I didn't think we should even try to go further or higher this year, and without that (self-imposed) pressure, we took a more leisurely approach … Continue reading 2023 in review
Buntzen Lake, 16 Dec 2023
Opinion: To be honest, this is one of our hikes of last resort. It's not the most interesting trail - at least, to us - but it is decent, easy hiking with enough up and down to make it a workout, plus some of the forest is really quite nice. The worst part about this … Continue reading Buntzen Lake, 16 Dec 2023
Vignette: Boundary Bay, 13 Jan 2024
The last couple of days have been frigid in Vancouver as an Arctic Outflow event has had overnight temperatures dipping to -12 C or below, with wind chill approaching -20 C. During the day, it's been no higher than about -6 C, but at least it's been sunny! With a couple of hours to fill, … Continue reading Vignette: Boundary Bay, 13 Jan 2024
Being Outdoors, January 2024
It's hard to believe that another month has passed already and with it, the turning of another year. The longest night has come and gone and we're looking forward to the lengthening days as we head in 2024. But that's for the future: this post is about the past! If we were being outdoors today, … Continue reading Being Outdoors, January 2024
Four Lakes Trail, 18 Nov 2023
Opinion: Maybe I'm getting old, but I've come to really value the simpler hikes where I don't have to work too hard, especially this circuit that takes in four small lakes. They're not particularly exciting bodies of water - being surrounded by trees - but the trail that links them is enjoyable and passes through … Continue reading Four Lakes Trail, 18 Nov 2023
Being Outdoors, December 2023
Do I really have to remark on how fast time seems to be passing? I'm writing this mid-way through the month having spent the last couple of weeks thinking, oh I'll get to this tomorrow. Or the day after. Or the day after that... And yet here we are. The last month of the year … Continue reading Being Outdoors, December 2023
Downton Creek, 4-5 Jun 2016
Opinion: Some quiet time in a beautiful area that's yet to be discovered by social media - and I hope it stays that way. Perhaps the fact that it's beyond Joffre Lakes and up a 14-km dirt road will mean it remains out of tourist reach. We can but hope. The relatively mellow terrain in … Continue reading Downton Creek, 4-5 Jun 2016