Category: Regional Districts

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Unnamed Peak in the Genesis Range

-submitted by Matthew Lettington, Read the report on his blog

On September 11th I joined three friends on an unsuccessful attempt at Mount Sarai, a peak in the Genesis Range. We were hastened by fine weather, and though we didn’t make our primary objective, we eventually summited an unnamed bump and enjoyed stellar views.

The clock ticked past 8:00 am as we turned off the Island Highway and onto the logging road. It was another 45 minutes of easy driving before we were forced to stop the Jeep, not far from the end of the road. A huge old-growth log crossed the entire road; it must have slid from high up on the steep slope. It’s here that we prepared for our adventure and proceeded on foot.

hiking and Mountaineering on Vancouver Island
hiking route and GPS track

 

Total Distance: 4.4 km
Starting Elevation: 770 m
Maximum Elevation: 1482 m
Total Elevation Gain: 716 m
Total Time: 3h 45m

 

 

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Rodger’s Ridge

–submitted by Michael Paskevicius from his blog.

Along with the Island Mountain Ramblers hiking club we explored Rodger’s Ridge on the north east edge of  Strathcona Provincial Park.  This was a great hike and a beautiful day!  As we do not do much alpine hiking this was a great opportunity to climb up on a ridge and see what alpine has to offer. I loved the wide open vistas, views, and alpine ecology.

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Night Hike up Arrowsmith to watch the Persied Meteors

–Submitted by Beth Avis

4 of us set out Friday afternoon on our quest to watch the meteors from the summit of Mt. Arrowsmith. 2 other fellow ramblers were also planning to rally at the top with via the West Ridge. We chose the Judges Route.
After leaving a little later than expected, we decided to stop on the mountainside, about 3/4 of the way up on a good rock ledge. That became our camp for the night. I was able to connect with Clarke and co, who were coming up the other side, and they too decided not to summit as well. But all in all we got to see lots of meteors, a beautiful sunset and had a blast doing it!
We were back down by 830am for breakfast. It was a fun trip and look forward to next years shower!

awesome summer hiking aug 2016 117

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Rodgers Ridge: An Easy Alpine Ramble

Rodgers Ridge summit shot

The post Rodgers Ridge: An Easy Alpine Ramble appeared first on Explorington.

Rodgers Ridge is among my favourite easy alpine hiking routes. It’s a non-technical route with a lightly booted trail that ambles through the light alpine bush, past a secret hut, and along rolling slab rock. Once high on the ridge you can see views of Buttle Lake and many of the peaks in Strathcona Park. I’ve posted numerous reports from the area but my favourite is the time my car stuck on the logging road— 37 kilometres up the Argonaught and Granite Mainlines! I added it to the schedule and as one of the objectives for the Island Mountain Ramblers Ridge Rambler Challenge because this region is among my favourite ridge hikes.

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Peak 5769: Day Three in The Bonanza Range

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

This report is one chapter in a longer series that chronicles a multiday car-camping and mountaineering expedition, done in the summer of 2016. This report is for Day Three, July 17th. We hiked Peak 5769 and several other numbered bumps (read Day 1, Day 2). I came to call this day The day that couldn’t make up its mind — we had blazing sun, heavy rain, wind, more sun, low cloud, sun again, hard rain, lightning, and finally sun as we descended back to the car.

hiking in the Bonanza Range to Peak 5769
some weather rolling in again.

Every summer, I plan multiday adventures on Vancouver Island. I often find myself trekking along the coasts, mountaineering through the backcountry, or paddling the rugged west coast. These trips become the focus of my summer, around which everything else is planned. Arranging for our group members to have the same days off is usually one of the biggest planning issues. So, when we finally get our schedules coordinated, these days become sacrosanct.

This summer, we planned a trip through Strathcona Park along the Wolfe/Cervus Divide — but Mother Nature had other plans. As our planned trip approached, the forecast turned to three days of lightning and rain. We reconnoitred and decided to travel beyond the weather, finding adventure in the Bonanza Range.

Total Distance: 13 km
Starting Elevation:906 m
Maximum Elevation: 1682 m
Total Elevation Gain: 1549 m
Total Time: 9 hours 30 minutes

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A lovely overnigher on 5040

–submitted by Lisa Hanlon

Ladies hike! We had a lovely time. When we reached our camp spot at Cobalt lake, there was a mist over the mountains. However, when we woke in the morning to hike we had lovely views as the clouds moved amongst the mountains. Amazing views of Triple Peak! There was a bit of snow to traverse, a bit of scrambling to make it fun and challenging. Overall, a lovely hike!

5040 Vancouver Island and Island Mountain Ramblers

5040 Vancouver Island and Island Mountain Ramblers

 

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Whiltilla Mountain, Day two in the Bonanza Range

–submitted by Matthew Lettington, Read the report on his blog

This report is a chapter in a longer series of reports from a multi-day car camping and mountaineering expedition done in the summer of 2016. In this section, day 2 July 17th, we climb Whiltilla Mountain.

Every summer I look forward to one of two long trips trekking and mountaineering in Vancouver Island’s backcountry. They become the focus of the summer because it’s difficult to get 7 days where I can head into the backcountry with friends so these days are sacrosanct. This summer we planned a trip through Strathcona Park along the Wolfe/Cervus Divide. Mother nature had other plans. As the day of departure came, the forecast called for three days of lighting. We changed our plan and traveled farther north, and used the days to do some climbing in the Bonanza Range.

Whiltilla Mountain, Bonanza Range, hiking on Vancouver Island
Whiltilla Mountain Map and GPS Route

 

Total Distance: 7.8 km
Starting Elevation: 948 m
Maximum Elevation: 1698 m
Total Elevation Gain: 782 m
Total Time: 5 h 20 m

 

 

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