Tag: Mary Hof

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Sooke Hills – Mary’s Peak

July 10th, 2021

~ submitted by Mary Hof

It was a hot day to hike 16km, 850m elevation gain in the Sooke Hills Saturday, July 10th. Lead the hike for Island Mountain Ramblers and the Outdoor Club of Victoria.

We hiked from Charters River fish hatchery up Monument Mountain, had a well-deserved snack, and then headed to Grassy Lake, where the lilies were a spectacular sight. A quick break here and off to Mary’s Peak, 3 hours from when we started. A well-deserved lunch and I told them how I got a name on the map. I told them many years ago there was not much of a trail there, and at a difficult time in my life, I found peace there never seeing anyone there. After few times of going there, I mentioned to a few people how I just felt so good here, and the next thing I knew Mary’s Peak was on Open Street Map.

I have led many groups up here, and each time I am here a feeling of happiness comes to me, and I think everyone on the hike shared that happiness with me today.

After some pictures, we hiked back to Grassy Lake and heading down the Grassy Lake Trail back to our vehicle. It took us 6 hours.

It was good to share the day with so many that have never hiked here before, some that came from quite the distance. I have been leading hikes for over 25 years and I am always thankful to show people the beauty in every hike I lead.

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Mt Richards

June 7, 2020

~ submitted by Mary Hof

Having said I would lead an official hike under the new normal for the Island Ramblers I kind of felt a bit apprehensive. I knew 5 of the 6 people (4 were members, and 2 were guests and no other member emailed) but for some reason I had this feeling that I never had in the 24 years I have been leading hikes.

I arrived at the Mt Richards trailhead early and with clipboard in hand I made sure I had everyone’s emergency contacts cell numbers. Usually I just pass the clipboard around but with COVID, I held on to it and took the information myself. I then carry that paper with me in case it’s needed. It always amazes me (not this hike) but some hikes that people don’t have a emergency contact they can give me, once I even had someone gave me their lawyer I mentioned their office was closed how would I reach him Lol. 

Today, once we made a circle and everyone introduced themselves, I felt good to go. It was a beautiful hike using my new trails on Mt Richards, hitting many few points and so many beautiful flowers, ferns, lake, and pine trees. We even had a photo shoot with some beautiful foxgloves flowers.

The hike was 11.5km and took 4.5 hours and the company was awesome. I love where we live and hike.

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Mount Richards

~ submitted by Mary Hof

December 14, 2019

It was a week of cancelations and additions – I always say organizing the hike is much harder than leading the hike. Really I didn’t know the exact number till I headed off Lol.

At 9:30 I had 11, and my cell phone wasn’t ringing so we left. It said a small amount of rain in the forecast but we got none, in fact we had sun for a little while.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the hike, with the scenery, lush greenery, mushrooms, forest, and a wonderful group. There is new logging which because I reccee it on Wednesday I was able to lead the group around some of it. We finished 4.5 hours later.

Thanks group for your pictures you shared with me.

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Mt. Prevost

~ submitted by Mary Hof

March 23, 2019

Leading a hike is the easy part. Answering all the emails for weeks before, keeping track of the cancelations and additions, figuring out car-pooling, waivers forms, etc… are the hard things lol.

Fifteen hikers came out to the Mt Prevost Hike on March 23. We had 8 members and quite a few potential members. For me it is always a delight to lead, I enjoy meeting new people, and share our mountains with new people.

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