Category: Club

Posted on

The Golden Hinde(less) Traverse – July 18-24, 2020

Why the Hinde(less) you ask? Because we didn’t summit the Golden Hinde, which, for most people, would be the primary objective of this trek. For me, and for most of my group, it wasn’t a big disappointment, because for us it was about the journey, not just about bagging the highest peak on Vancouver Island.

 

We were two groups of four, with the other group canoeing over Buttle Lake before traversing across Marble Meadows and then to the Hinde, attempting it on the 21st. Aftrer coming within 200 meters of the top, they turned back due to hazardous snow conditions. My group hiked up the Elk River Trail to Elk Pass and then across to the Golden Hinde, making it to the South Tarn at the base of the mountain on July 21. Our hopes of a summit attempt on the 22nd, however, were dashed when we heard from the other group (via our inReach satellite communication) of their aborted attempt. To be honest, though, I’m not disappointed. I was tired, and climbing the mountain (which I had bagged in 1998) and then having an arduous 3-day hike to Buttle Lake before the short canoe back to my truck wasn’t appealing. And frankly, I don’t have the confidence on steep pitches, especially snow, that I once had.

Continue reading “The Golden Hinde(less) Traverse – July 18-24, 2020”

Posted on

What a blast on the Augerpoint Traverse!

–SUBMITTED BY JOHN YOUNG; ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JOHN’S BLOG

What a difference a year makes! Last year when we hiked this trail, we saw nary a soul past Mount Albert Edward, but this year we met more than 20 others. One big group of about 20, a group of 3, a solo man and his dog, and two runners completing it in a day. The trail is also much better defined than it was just last year – a well-worn tread with many cairns leads the way. Although it is popular and pleasant, it’s far from a “walk in the park,” as over it’s 30 km it gains 2150 m and loses 3000 m. Lots of ups and downs! Since we started from Mt. Washington’s Raven Lodge with an elevation of 1100 m., we had an overall elevation loss of 850 m.

We started off with a stroll through Paradise Meadows

Continue reading “What a blast on the Augerpoint Traverse!”

Posted on

Golden Hinde Traverse

–submitted by Bill Jackson

In the fall I posted a July trip to the Hinde.  Greg Deabler offered to co-lead, which made the thing possible.  Even with that much lead time, and even if Covid hadn’t interrupted hiking, I’d have trouble preparing to lead that serious a trip.  Later a suggestion was made to change the plan to a traverse.  John Young would lead a traverse from Elk River to Buttle Lake, ascending the Hinde along the way, and our group would do the same in the other direction.  We conferred with those who were down for the trip that was originally planned and the decision was a “go”.
As it turned out, we didn’t complete our objectives but it was a great time in the mountains.

Continue reading “Golden Hinde Traverse”

Posted on

Hansen Lagoon Bust

–submitted by John Young; originally published on his blog

Four years ago, I went on an Island Mountain Ramblers’ trip to Lowrie Bay, and caught the bug–the bug of venturing (at low tide) along the shore and over headlands to the end of Hansen Bay. So when our trip to Nootka Island was cancelled due to COVID restrictions, I decided to return to Cape Scott, with the hope of forging our way along the lagoon to Nels Bight.

  • June 7 – camped at San Josef Bay (#3 on the map)
  • June 8 – over Mt. St. Patick to Lowrie Bay (10k; 6 hours 20 minutes)
  • June 9 – attempted to get to Rasmus Creek, but fallen trees forced us back and we camped just south of the point leading into Hansen Bay (a 10-hour day!)
  • June 10 – back to Lowrie Bay
  • June 11 – home sweet home

June 7 – a short 2.5k walk to our campsite

San Jo–arguably the nicest beach on Vancouver Island!

We managed to squeeze all 6 of our tents into this spot in the trees

Our beach-side kitchen, dining and living room

June 8 – up and over Mt. St. Patrick (416 m.) to Lowrie Bay

A rough trail, but oh! the view from the summit!

Bill with some fancy footwork crossing Russell Creek

Lowrie Bay

June 9—some beautiful and challenging seaside hiking

And the bushiest whacking I’ve ever experienced, especially with an overnight pack!

But fabulous flora along the way

Our camp in a small cove on June 9

Michael caching food for the night

June 10 – return to Lowrie Bay

Eli with a sea lion skull

Thankfully, the bear appears to be well fed!

Luckily, the weather cleared up and we relaxed back at Lowrie Bay

I had fun with this Japanese light bulb that I found, intact!

June 11 – back up Mt. St. Pat

And along San Jo Bay and back to the trailhead

Yes, my hands took a beating, but it was worth it!

Continue reading “Hansen Lagoon Bust”

Posted on

Mount Becher: ONE DAY INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE

—SUBMITTED BY MICK BAILeY; ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON BCTREEHUNTER

It was late January. I’d been signed up for a winter snowshoe ascent of Mt Becher with the Island Mountain Ramblers for a while, but the weather had not been easy to predict of late. In the end, it had to be postponed for a week, but with a forecast of light snow and afternoon clearing, the trip was a go for Groundhog Day. Well, I’m no meteorologist, but that sounded good to me. I’ve only seen that movie about twelve times by now!

bill-murray-relives-groundhog-day-e1502289744771-700x333
It’s Ground Hog Day! To get the real flavour of this film, naturally, you have to watch it more than once!

As our trip leader John was later heard to say “In Saskatoon, you know, we never really worried about the groundhog seeing his shadow. Six more weeks of winter didn’t sound too bad at all!” But I digress, despite the torrential rains of the previous Friday, it was time for us to gear up and head for the hills!

image
Our route to the summit of Mt Becher

There were seven of us altogether: Fearless leader John, Mo, Karen, Sylvie, Goody, and I left Nanaimo at 730 am. We met Kristy on the mountain a little later on. As we drove up Highway 19, the sun and skies put on a bit of show, once we got north of Qualicum. I remember musing that it might just be the best light of the day, and that there had to be a storm behind it. Sure enough, when we reached the turnoff to Piercy Road, it had begun to snow lightly, and by the time we’d parked near the site of the old Forbidden Lodge, it was snowing harder and the wind had picked up considerably.

Continue reading “Mount Becher: ONE DAY INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE”

Posted on

Mook Peak, Or What Happens When You Go Biking With Phil

–submitted by Matthew Lettington, originally published on explorington.com

We did it! We finally summited Mook Peak! Sure, it may have taken seven scheduled attempts, but we only set foot on the mountain twice. So often it appeared on the schedule, that it became a running joke between my hiking buddies and I. However, it was on the second attempt that we reached the summit.

Looking back on the summit of Mook Peak from the central bump

Continue reading “Mook Peak, Or What Happens When You Go Biking With Phil”

Posted on

Westwood Ridges Before the Club Meeting

October 27, 2019

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

It was a horrible day for a club meeting. The sun was shining, birds singing, and a light breeze chilled the air to keep us from overheating.

Our group of seven spent a little over three hours exploring the first two ridges. By the time we arrived back at the parking lot, we had completed a 10.5 km loop with just about 400 meters elevation gain. 


It was a perfect pre-meeting hike!