Category: Hiking

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Wesley Ridge Traverse including Mt Wesley/Mt Horne 

–submitted by Dean Beaulac
📍 Wesley Ridge Traverse Loop
~Mt Wesley
~Mt Horne
~Echo Mtn
Had an awesome day leading my first hike with the Ramblers yesterday. Waking up with it being dark and 2 degrees, I spent way too much time trying to dress myself haha. An equal mix of being ready for the cold start, and the hot day I knew would show up once we started. I’d hoped for a bigger group, but in the end..the 3 joined was perfect. Much easier to surprise only 3 people with cheesecake haha:p

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Forbidden Plateau – Ball Lake

October 8th, 2022

~ submitted by John Robertson

A group of 5 people gathered at the Paradise Meadows trailhead. Paper maps were pulled out (guess our median age!) and possible routes were discussed. We sketched out a plan, and headed up past Battleship Lake. The air was cool, but we shed layers of clothing fairly soon, as the hike warmed us. The fall colours glowed in the sun.

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Mount Pogo

October 2nd, 2022

~submitted by Dean Beaulac

Often looked at, but much more overlooked is the infamous Pogo Mtn. After many years of looking at it, and being smart enough to not head up there solo without tracks….I lucked out and joined an Island Mountain Ramblers hosted trip on October 2! 

One of the first things that needs to be addressed, is that Pogo falls within the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. The group had addressed this with an online donation to the Trail Guardians, and I will suggest the same.

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Mt. Cokely via CPR Trail (Lifetime Objective)

—submitted by Joseph Mckenna

On a not so typical Wednesday, (August 24, 2022)  four Ramblers trusted me enough to lead an inaugural trip.  The selection was a lifetime objective, Mt. Cokely via the CPR trail. We were blessed with fine weather (although a little warm) and no smoke of any significance. We had a very experienced crew and exchanged some safety information, introductions and started our walk.

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Buffalo Hump and Whiskey Jack Creek

–submitted by John Robertson

The weather was perfect for a day’s hiking. We made swift work if the 5 kms on roads to the base of Buffalo Hump mountain. A slightly novel approach at the start led to heavier-than-expected bushwhacking, some extemporized scrambling, and a bit of profanity. After a steep climb and a bit more scrambling, the sub-alpine was reached, and the going was much easier. Views were viewed, and lunch was eaten. The descent was done quickly. From that point, the second objective was the falls on Whiskey Jack creek. Falls were easily found. We assessed the possibility of descent into the ravine and plunge pool, but decided that, despite the temptation of the creek below, there was no safe means of reaching it at that point. We had our creek time at a more accessible point upstream from the falls, and then, refreshed, headed back to the cars.

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East Sooke Trail return inland route (Lifetime Hiking Objective)

February 12, 2022

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

On Saturday, February 12, 2022, four of us hit the trail on what turned out to be one of the finest February days we could have hoped for. 

The East Sooke Coast trail is one of the club’s lifetime hiking objectives. Along with its incredible west coast character, it has a lot of ups and downs. My first time on the trail was in my first year with the club, 2011. At the time I was surprised about the elevation gain on the trail. I remember being amazed at how remote the hike felt. 

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Rambling Along Nootka Island–May 19-25, 2022

–submitted by John Young, originally posted on his blog

The western shore of Nootka Island has been designated as a Sensitive Area since 2003, with the area providing non-exclusive recreational use of the trail area. It is under the jurisdiction of The Ministry of Forests, Campbell River Forest District. The Ministry does have plans to install outhouses (A.K.A. “Green Thrones”), in dire need during the busier summer months.

Untitled photo

Most people take a float plane into Louie Lagoon at the north end of the island, but we opted to start at Yuquot at the other end.

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10 Summit Challenge

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.

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Springer Peak

April 30, 2022

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington, photos by Jes Garceau

What a day in the mountains! The Prince of Wales range never ceases to offer top-notch hikes and scrambles! 

This was my third trip to the summit. I hosted it because members tell us that they are interested in learning mountaineering skills. This peak offers some great opportunities to practice various skills while providing relative safety. 

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