November 8, 2025
~ submitted by Brian Cross
Great afternoon, cloudy but decent temp and no wind.
The trail was wet, muddy, and slippery. We took a mini tour of Bamfield after.
Keeha Bay Hike
Mount Joan, Squarehead Mountain, Mount Curran Loop
June 29, 2025
~ submitted by Evan Martin
I was a little disappointed when I failed to bag Mount Joan this winter. My first attempt was in March this year. We turned around after 5 hours prior to making the ridge. I was expecting this to be a big day, and was waiting for an opportunity to give it another attempt. So when a free weekend came up early this summer, it became an obvious objective.
I posted the trip with little expectations. Although not officially a long weekend, I figured many people would be taking the Monday off and taking summer trips. However, I ended up with two Ramblers joining me.
Continue reading “Mount Joan, Squarehead Mountain, Mount Curran Loop”Windswept and Wild: An Easter Adventure at Cape Beale and Keeha Beach
April 19, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Tapaltos, Keeha, and Cape Beale are three of my favourite coastal spots on Vancouver Island. I’ve visited them in every month of the year — even camping once in January! Although they weren’t the original plan for our Easter weekend, they made an excellent consolation choice. With one caveat: the wind!
It blew fiercely for our three-night stay, with gusts reaching up to 50 km/h. Luckily, we were able to move our tents far enough back on the beach to shelter from the worst of it. From our camp, we could see a few other tents that hadn’t escaped the wind — I can only imagine how much they must have flapped and slapped all night long.
Continue reading “Windswept and Wild: An Easter Adventure at Cape Beale and Keeha Beach”Lost and Found: A Return to Nahmint’s East Ridge
May 2, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
After the disappointing loss of my axe in early April, I vowed to return and reclaim it. Having been up the east ridge twice in the past six months, and feeling confident about where I had dropped the axe, I was sure we’d find it! Familiar with the terrain, I invited a larger group of club members to join the adventure.
Continue reading “Lost and Found: A Return to Nahmint’s East Ridge”Beating the Bush: A Spring Ramble Up Nahmint’s East Ridge
April 5, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We came prepared for the worst: snowshoes, crampons, mountaineering axes, and full avalanche kits! The east ridge is likely the least bushy and quickest route to Nahmint’s summit, but it’s not an easy hike by any means.
Continue reading “Beating the Bush: A Spring Ramble Up Nahmint’s East Ridge”Mount Arrowsmith via Lost Gully
April 27, 2025
~ submitted by Evan Martin
The group met in Nanaimo before driving to the Cameron Main gate. The drive gave us a chance to get to know each other, review group safety gear, and align expectations before hitting the trailhead. We arrived at the gate at 8:20 a.m. and found two other cars waiting. From a past trip, I knew the gate is “unlocked” rather than “opened” at 8:00, so we pulled around and Evan hopped out to open it — earning some surprised looks from the other drivers.
Continue reading “Mount Arrowsmith via Lost Gully”Mount Cokely Winter Mountaineering
March 15, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Well, at the very least, we can say it was a day in the mountains.
One common issue when planning a day of learning is that the weather doesn’t really care about your plans. While we had hoped for a multiday steep-angle adventure, the forecast had us adjusting our expectations, turning the trip into a single-day learning experience.
Continue reading “Mount Cokely Winter Mountaineering”Mount Arrowsmith – Main Gully
March 2, 2025
~ submitted by Pete Hrkac
Four of us headed up the Main Gully of Mt Arrowsmith on March 2, 2025. Conditions were quite good. The snow was relatively firm and compact after a few days of drier and warmer temperatures.
Wesley Ridge Traverse
February 16, 2025
~ submitted by Erin O’Hagen
Great trip! It was slower going then we thought. As we passed the benches (overlooking Cameron Lake) a collection of snow on the trail started to accumulate.
CPR Trail Loop (West to East)
February 1, 2025
~ submitted by Mike Brouard
Our group of four met across from the Cameron Lake picnic area at 0900 and started the hike at 0915. There had been a dusting of snow the night before so we opted to bring our snowshoes, not knowing with certainty how much snow (or how soft of snow) we would encounter toward the top.
