September 7, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
After some late cancelation, we had 2 Ramblers and 1 guest. I learned from this hike you don’t want a whole lot of people as it takes time to go down the ropes without rocks flying on the person below.


September 7, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
After some late cancelation, we had 2 Ramblers and 1 guest. I learned from this hike you don’t want a whole lot of people as it takes time to go down the ropes without rocks flying on the person below.
July 8, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Boston Ridge returning by way of Mt. Becher was an awesome day. I have never done it before and my co-leader Leslie was there in full support whatever I needed.
June 17, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I led (with Ray Billings help) a hike for 8 Island Mountain Ramblers that took us 9 hours and 15 minutes. 1100m elevation gain and 22km. This hike was a Ridge Rambler hike. The weather was good, the wind kept us cool.
I led a hike from the trailhead of Mt. Holmes to Fork Lake, on the Gowlland Todd Provincial Park. It was 20km and 750m elevation gain. Hiked included the whole ridge, which gave outstanding views. We stopped at Jocelyn Hill, Squally Reach, and Mt. Work for longer breaks.
Well it was to be the Sooke Hills with 10 people plus 3 others from Cowichan. The day of the hike it was Mt. Richards with 2 Ramblers and 3 other friends. I don’t blame anyone for canceling in the wet forecasted weather report for sure, I myself do not like hiking in rain. I must say 50 emails later of either people canceling or adding their name is a bit of a comedy. I changed it to Mt. Richards as Duncan was mid way between Victoria and Nanaimo. I want to thank Danial for braving the weather and coming out from Nanaimo. As it turned out we got no rain, and we had a wonderful hike. I did a different route from what Danial did before and he was very pleased.
Mary Hof
April 5, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I love this hike as that is where it all started for me 30 years ago.
February 4th and 5th, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I am writing this blog for both hikes to Mt. Richards for Feb 4th and 5th. I offered the same hikes for both days, because at the beginning I saw so many people on the wait list, and I saw many were first timer, and I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. In the end 7 hiked on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Saying all that, I am happy I kept the two days of hiking on Mt. Richards and that I was able to lead for many that have not been there before.
The weather was dreary both days, but we got some views both days also. Lots of history on Mt. Richards with the Lenora railway and we got to walk in history where the track once was. We saw beaver lodges and freshly cut trees cut by beavers.
The Saturday group got to do some off trail hiking lol, which everyone enjoyed, but wasn’t planned. But what is a hike if no bushwalking is involved right?
Thanks Ramblers for a great two days of leading hikes.
November 5th, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
It was a beautiful day for a hike today (Saturday) that I led for Island Mountain Ramblers on Maple Mountain. For the hikers that showed up, we had an awesome day.
May 14 & 15, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
10 Summit Challenge Accomplished!
May 14 & 15 saw Island Mountain Ramblers and Outdoor Club of Victoria members hike 40km and 1900m elevation gain. These two days were in preparation for our one day 7 summit hike.
Even though many members signed up, I had lots of cancelations right up to the last minute. Car shuttles were made in advance which complicated things but happy to say it all worked out. Some who were planning to hike the two days, were done after the first day. Good to know people are aware of their limits.
Continue reading “10 Summit Challenge”April 27, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
A day up Mt. Prevost to see how the Glacier lilies were doing didn’t disappoint. (Well, there was some disappointment, which I will explain further down this report).