Opinion: Do not do this trail right now as the snow is a slushy mess, and microspikes don't help. The BCMC was better than expected thanks to recent upgrades that have significantly improved the first quarter of the ascent. However, having said all that, the views were pretty darn nice and almost made us forget … Continue reading Dam Mountain and Thunderbird Ridge (via BCMC Trail), 17 Apr 2021
This multi-day backpacking trip was outstanding. So much so that it kick-started my blogging habit! That first blog was called "The Intertidal Flush" with a sub-heading of Pity the fish, inspired by our first experience of hiking somewhere where there were no toilet facilities. According to the guide book (Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver … Continue reading Nootka Trail, 25-30 Aug 2006
We awoke at dawn. At least, that's what the alarm clock said. Inside the cave it was still quite dark. A really good night's sleep too! Even though the sea was quite loud in the cave, it provided a soothing white-noise background which made it easy to sleep, and not worry about little scurrying sounds … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 6, 30 Aug 2006
All good things must come to an end I suppose and we were back to our early starts. Another beautiful calm and clear morning greeted us as we sat around the remains of last night's camp fire eating breakfast. We hit the pebbles around 8 am again, walking past the cabins, the wilderness retreat and … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 5, 29 Aug 2006
Something woke me up. Listen. Nope – must have been imagining things. Take a look outside to be sure. I unzipped the tent as quietly as I could and looked out. You know, words just can't convey the bit fat WOW I felt when I found myself staring into a beautiful starry sky. I almost … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 4, 28 Aug 2006
Aaaah - what a relaxing night's sleep! The sound of the waterfall was soothing and the gravel remarkably comfortable. I opened my eyes a few minutes before the alarm went off and hauled myself out of my sleeping bag. I rolled and packed my bedding to get moving and warm up a little. Another clear … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 3, 27 Aug 2006
Off went the alarm at 6 am and I dragged myself out of my sleeping bag. It had been a restless first night – was this the start of a pattern? Scurrying noises had kept me awake and there were plenty of tiny footprints all around our tent. But thankfully no big ones. A beautiful … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 2, 26 Aug 2006
Setting the trend for the next few days, the alarm went off at 6 am. We packed our tents, piled our stuff into the car, and headed for Gold River. We reached the town within half an hour and before we knew it, we were out the other side, heading for the Air Nootka dock. … Continue reading Nootka Trail Day 1, 25 Aug 2006
Opinion: Another sunny morning, another early dash up Hollyburn to feel alive. We didn't even mind the extra walk from the backcountry parking lot, although it turned out to be unnecessary. Fact: Let's start by clarifying the parking situation. Parking is free along the Cypress Bowl Road, where there is just enough space to pull … Continue reading Hollyburn Mountain, 7 Feb 2021
Yesterday was definitely the better day weather-wise, today having a formidable forecast of wind and thunderstorms, but a gap in the showers evident on the radar plot compelled us to get outside again, so we headed to Stanley Park for a quick walk before lunch. Well, so much for that rain-free gap as big, solid … Continue reading Vignette: Stanley Park, 7 Mar 2021
