And now one-third of the year has passed. I used to mark all sorts of numeric milestones during the year when I was doing my photo-a-day project a decade ago, and it surprised me how many times I could make something of them. I wouldn't do another photo-a-day project, but I did really enjoy writing … Continue reading Being Outdoors, May 2023
Opinion: A very short hike - more of a walk really - mostly on old roads to the most delightful viewpoint where a Garry oak meadows reaches the sea. I'd be hard pushed to say this is a great hike, but it's not hard and the viewpoint at Daffodil Point is a wonderful spot to … Continue reading Daffodil Point, 24 Apr 2023
Opinion: Let's face it: the forested trails on the North Shore are generally crappy to hike with tedious surroundings that largely fail to inspire. This one is largely no different, but today was a pleasant reminder of how there are pockets of scenery with serious Wow factor. The waterfalls and canyon of Cypress Creek are … Continue reading Cypress Falls and the TCT, 15 Apr 2023
And just like that, a quarter of the year has passed. We have our lighter evenings and longer days back and it feels so good! Okay, so it's not feeling any warmer yet but hopefully that will come soon enough. If we were being outdoors today, I'd say how I surprised myself by admitting I … Continue reading Being Outdoors, April 2023
Opinion: Normally I find this trail to be quite easy and enjoyable but some days your body lets you know just how many switchbacks there are between the trailhead and the first place with a view. (The answer is too many!) It's definitely a trail that requires perseverance, especially in the snow. But seeing everything … Continue reading Garibaldi Lake, 22 Jan 2023
I've been cycling in to the office for one or two days a week more or less continuously since October 2021, with just a couple of breaks. That means, whatever the weather, I set out on the local roads and head up the hill to UBC. Ah yes, the hill... Or perhaps, more ominously, The … Continue reading Vignette: A winter commute
It's that time of year when the days are lengthening, it's no longer dark at 5 pm, and there's a sense that spring is just around the corner. Or maybe the next corner, or the one after that, depending on whether a marmot's cousin claims to have seen its shadow. And then it goes and … Continue reading Being Outdoors, March 2023
Opinion: A classic hike for exceptional wildflower displays and eye-popping views, Elk Mountain is well worth the stiff climb. The best turnaround spot is the cairn with a panoramic view over the Chilliwack River valley, there's really little point continuing to the viewless summit of Mount Thurston - unless, like me, you are keen to … Continue reading Elk-Thurston, 2 Jul 2022
Opinion: A thoroughly enjoyable area to explore, albeit one not to be underestimated. The trail to Valentine Lake was really quite lovely, though I worry about the route through the meadows becoming a mucky mess. The lake was pretty and best appreciated from higher ground. Cassiope Mountain was a moderately challenging scramble on account of … Continue reading Valentine Lake, 3-5 Sep 2022
Opinion: A great destination when short of time, Hollyburn is ideal for a quick workout and I think it has some of the nicest trees on the North Shore when they're covered in snow. Heading up later in the day avoids the crowds too. Fact We had no issues parking along the road leading to … Continue reading Hollyburn Mountain, 18 Feb 2023
Being. Outdoors. 