December 3, 2022
~ submitted by Brian Fleming
First winter hike of the year!
A group of seven Island Mountain Ramblers made our way up to one of the ridges in the Nanaimo First and Second Lake area.
Blackjack Ridge (Ridge Ramblers Challenge)
Maple Mountain Ramble
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.
Crest Mountain Sunday Stroll
October 23, 2022
~ submitted by Ken Warren
As we approached the trailhead on Sunday the temperature dropped, frost formed in the slash, and wearing shorts was obviously a mistake – but onward and upward. With only four we kept a good pace up to the first tarn which was still liquid, although frost was forming around the edge.
Forbidden Plateau Traverse
September 17th, 2022
~ Submitted by Julianna Wells
After much participant-list shuffling, in the few days before the trip we went from 8 participants and 12 on the waitlist to a new trip leader and only 4 other participants arriving for the hike.
The group met at the old Forbidden Plateau ski hill parking area, switched into one vehicle, and made the drive together to the Raven Lodge parking lot where we started off at a good pace for our long hike across the park.
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
Continue reading “Wesley Ridge Traverse including Mt Wesley/Mt Horne ”
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.
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!Â
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.
Continue reading “Mount Pogo”Mount Arrowsmith The Nose and Bumps
—submitted by Greg Deabler
In spite of an excellent forecast, we were once again reminded of the vagaries of mountain weather (August 18, 2022). The gate at the Cameron Connector was opened at 8:00 am and we were heading up the trail toward the Arrowsmith Cokely saddle by 8:45. The morning fog/cloud persisted, and finally settled in to a dense layer with little visibility by the time we gained the bumps. There was still enough snow on the steeps to the first bump to warrant our ice-axes, but once the top was attained, we put away the axes and proceeded in close to zero visibility to the base of the Nose. We got a bit off route on the forth bump, and instead of bypassing the bump summit on the right we ended up on top of the bump. We couldn’t see the Nose nor col in the grey void, and even though we were within meters of our gpx track, everything looked different with no background landmarks to orient to.
We backed up on our route until we were able to correct our direction. On the col, we stopped to put on harnesses and made the decision to drag the rope up both pitches since it was a first ascent for Graham and Geoff and would give them the option to follow using the rope. Although the first pitch is 4th class, there are a couple of exposed moves near the top of the pitch. It is a nice clean route with solid holds and we arrived at the end of the technical section in one piece and enjoyed a quiet summit, though we weren’t the first for the day on the summit. A mature marmot was enjoying the day on the far side of the helicopter pad! A few pics, a bit of lunch and we headed back to the top of the nose to rapel down.
We had just finished our rapels when the heavy cloud cover let loose with a fine rain which lasted across the bumps and most of the way down the saddle trail. A fine day in spite of a lack of views made better by the fine company. Thanks to Geoff and Graham for driving up from Victoria and joining me for this timeless classic!
Augerpoint Mountain Daytrip (Lifetime Hiking Objective)
On August 20, 2022, five Ramblers made the herculean effort to complete one of the club’s Lifetime Hiking Objects as a Daytrip. Though Augeropint Mountain is usually summited on the thru-hike to Mount Washington, we planned to do it in a day!
Continue reading “Augerpoint Mountain Daytrip (Lifetime Hiking Objective)”
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.
Continue reading “Mt. Cokely via CPR Trail (Lifetime Objective)”