On this Thanksgiving Day with so much to be thankful for, and remembering the memories of my dad’s death on this day, I decided to lead a hike to Kamma, Minna and Pea Ridge. These ridges are out Port Alberni way out near Mt. Moriarty. I organized this hike for the Island Mountain Ramblers. My dad never thought much about my hiking but that is ok, today along the hike I thought of him often.
Three eager hikers, two I have never met, joined me for a 10km hike on Maple Mountain. Starting from the trailhead of Southview Terrace we went up a route I used to do 20 years ago. None of the others had been on that route before until we reached one of the bike trails.
The forecast for our Monday to Thursday Augerpoint Traverse was superb, and this time the mountain forecast was right on. We had decided to do the traditional Raven Lodge to Buttle Lake direction, with the standard first day to Circlet Lake, 2nd day over Albert Edward and on to Ruth Masters Lake, with a third day to the tarns at the base of Jack’s Fell with side trips to be determined; both Augerpoint and Sid Watts were on the table. A leisurely 4th day from the tarns down to the lake to pick up the vehicle left for the return trip to Raven Lodge.
Most folks will agree that it’s more enjoyable to hike under clear skies than cloudy, but sometimes it rains. Let me make a case for the dreary day adventure. Though the views from the top of a mountain may be vast on sunny days, those sunbathed landscapes lack the drama and character that appear –like fitful apparitions– when the clouds descend. The wind ripping through the trees goes unseen unless clouds and fog come with it. And the sea of hills blends into each other unless cloud pours through the valleys, billowing around features allowing only the top of the peak to emerge from the top. And even in a whiteout, one must marvel at our own insignificance in the scope of the situation.
all by herself
On September 26, we all had a chance to witness these unique –but otherwise dreary– characteristics on our short hike to the marked summit at Mount Apps.
Jane and I set out about 8:30 from Raven Lodge, with just a few other cars in the parking lot, and made our way through Paradise Meadows, treading cautiously on the slippery boardwalk.
When I posted Marmot Mountain to the club schedule, I enticed members with the promise, “Participants should be willing to participate in moderate bushwhacking to get through the lower areas of this route, and a few of the upper areas… and why not some more in the middle too?”. The trip lived up to my promise.
some of the ol’ cut block standards. There are three people in this photo
We left Nanaimo at 7 am for Crest Mountain. Driving between the Beauforts and Bowser, the clouds and rain increased and we were doubting our choice. Approaching Campbell River the skies cleared and we were much happier with our decision.
We were a group of four, including Hemingway (now 8 years old), who braved the misty forest and cloud-drenched slopes of Mount Moriarty on September 18th. It’s been seven years since my last trip up these familiar slopes and along the rolling ridge. In that time, the route has become more defined, easier to follow.
This is probably my favourite fall hike and this year didn’t disappoint! With light rain misting the foliage, the colours popped. So vibrant! And it sure made the kilometers (all 27.3 of them) melt away, and even after 9 hours the colours of Paradise Meadows slowed my mind when I looked at them.
I was glad, too, that we had two groups, with Bil’s group starting from Raven Lodge and our group starting at the old Forbidden ski area, thus eliminating the dreadful shuttle.
After about an hour, we were through the old ski resort and entered Strathcona Park