Alberni Inlet Stage 1–March 26, 2022
Congratulations Mary on your 20 Hikes Achievement!
Congratulations to Mary Hof who has just claimed her 20 hikes achievement!
Mary offered these words:
I guess like others, I don’t look at the website too often to see the different awards and challenges the Ramblers put on. But I guess my favourite 20 hikes that I have led or participated in are: Mt. Prevost, Mt Richards, Marys Peak, Mt Horne/ Westley Ridge Traverse, Maple Mountain, Mt. Moriarty, Mt Arrowsmith, Crest Mountain, Gowland Ramble, Three Bears Sooke Hills, Mt. Tzouhalem, Empress Mountain, Minnas/Pea Ridge, Mt. Cokely, Mt. Elma, Mt. Benson, Green Mountain, Bald Mountain, Cowichan River, Mt Quimper and Ragged Mountain.
As many of you know I lead for other clubs as well, and if I can, I encourage you all to lead a hike; it’s only by doing so that our club becomes stronger. You only have to look at social media on the hiking sites to see how many want to hike. I keep telling them to join a club, but that is only good if we have leaders to lead. No hike is too short or boring. Thanks to those leaders that have shown me the way on hikes. Your dedication is appreciated.
Mary Hof
If you’d like more info on leading trips, the IMR has this information for leaders.
Jaime completes the 20-Hikes Club Objective!
Mount Richards Grand Tour
–submitted by Mary Hof
Saturday Feb 26th was another wonderful day out for a hike. Rain was forecasted but we were very lucky and prepared. I had 8 people join in on my Mt Richard grand tour 15km 732m elevation. We stopped by Crofton Lake and Breen Lake and got to lots of view points, and to the summit of Mt Richards, where we had lunch.
Mount Manuel Quimper, Thunderbird Mountain, Ragged Mountain return on the flowline
On January 29, 2022, we finally caught a break. After what seemed like weeks of rain, it relented for a Saturday of hiking through the Sooke bumps. I relied heavily on the beta provided by a friend who frequents the area in planning the trip. I trusted he would provide us with some good routes to highlight some of the best features. He didn’t disappoint!
Goldstream Park Trail
–submitted by Mary Hof
The November 1, 2021 hike was wonderful, lots of waterfalls, leaves were beautiful, and even had a beautiful view of Mt Finlayson from Lookout Rock.
Maple Mountain
—submitted by Mary Hof
Seven of us hiked from Chico Rd, Saturday, Feb. 5th. We started on the Blue, then yellow, then went up the cliffs to the Old Blue trail. We then headed Mary’s way (come follow me) and had lunch at Rainsford Lake. from there we headed back to the car, 11km and 700m elevation gain.
The Hordelski – Mt Benson
–submitted by Ken Warren
The forecast was quite grim for New Year’s Day. It called for overnight snow, light snow in the morning, and wind increasing throughout the day. Well there was no overnight snow which made access to the trailhead possible, it wasn’t snowing when we set out, and the wind and temperature were reasonable.
Mount Allan Brooks Snowshoe
–submitted by Matthew Lettington
–Additional Photography by Jes Garceau
On January 15th, 2022, while Nanaimo lay under the oppressive dark typical of our Vancouver Island Winters, six members pierced through the cloud for an adventure in the sunshine!
Gowlland Todd: A Ridge Ramble
—submitted by Mary Hof
January 23rd, I led 6 Island Mountain Ramblers, and 6 Outdoor Club of Victoria members, (I am a member of both); to a hike in the Gowlland Range.
The Gowlland Range is just east of Saanich Inlet and south of Brentwood Bay. I started at the Emma Dickson trailhead. We started in fog and even had some hail dropping on us, at times we got some sun. We were above the cloud, which made for beautiful views. I usually don’t take this many people, but I knew that on some of the trails I would take, we would not see anyone on them. It all worked out well.