Matthew Lettington Archives - Island Mountain Ramblers

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

Sutton Peak via Harrison Lake: A Long Day Done Right

April 11, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

It had been a long time since a 3 a.m. alarm dictated the start of my day. There’s something nostalgic about that kind of alpine start—the quiet house, the groggy coffee, the slow realization that you’re about to commit to something big. It felt good to be back in that rhythm.

Our objective was Sutton Peak, this time opting for the Harrison Lake approach rather than the long ridge. It’s a trade-off: less ridge travel, but a nearly five-hour drive each way. The kind of day where the effort begins well before you lace up your boots.

The logging road in was mostly cooperative, though one small washout forced us to stop, fill it in, and coax the vehicle through. We parked at around 800 metres and continued on foot, quickly encountering the first patches of snow near the end of the road. With a big day ahead, we didn’t waste time. As soon as we were sinking more than about eight inches, the snowshoes went on.

That decision came with some entertainment value—most notably a short, awkward scramble down with snowshoes still attached. Not graceful, but effective.

April 29, 2026April 28, 2026

Crampon Self Arrest Workshop

April 12, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

This workshop was one that refused to sit still on the calendar. With spring weather and snowpack in constant negotiation, we shifted dates a few times before finally landing on a window that looked promising—and in the end, it paid off.

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Mount Adder – A Different Kind of Winter Day

March 22, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

It’s been a strange winter. Every time I plan a day out, the weather seems to turn, and my hopes for skiing have been repeatedly dashed. I’ll admit, there’s also a growing unease about what this lack of snow might mean for the summer ahead.

But if there’s a silver lining, it’s this: the poor snowshoe and ski conditions have opened the door to some incredible early spring travel—conditions we usually don’t see until much later in the season.

Our recent trip to Mount Adder was a perfect example. We left the snowshoes at home.

March 8, 2026March 7, 2026

Holy Snap! Winter Camping at Helen Mackenzie

February 14, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

Every winter, our family makes an effort to go snow camping in Strathcona Park. It’s become something of a tradition — one that isn’t always easy to schedule, but is always worth the effort.

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026

Winter kilometres on Mount Benson now, coastal kilometres later

February 15, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

Getting the family outdoors can be a real challenge. Between busy schedules and competing priorities, it’s often a matter of simply deciding to make it happen. This summer we have big ambitions: hiking the North Coast Trail together as a family. After my experience hiking the West Coast Trail with my son last year, I learned that success comes from putting in the hours ahead of time. Time on our feet matters. That’s what inspired this recent trip up Mount Benson.

March 7, 2026March 6, 2026

Mount Tzouhalem from Genoa Bay

February 22, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

It seems challenging to get people out on hikes these days! As part of our ongoing effort to improve the family’s general fitness for an upcoming summer backpacking trip, I posted a trip to Mount Tzouhalem on the schedule. While the weather forecast was uncertain, perhaps the kids’ presence deterred some people.

February 14, 2026February 12, 2026

East Sooke Trail — A Fine Consolation

January 31, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

While we originally had a grand plan to camp overnight and summit Adder Mountain, a terrible forecast forced a change. Then more rain caused another adjustment… and when snow entered the forecast, it was time for a complete rethink. In the end, the ambitious alpine objective gave way to something far less epic — but still well worth doing.

February 14, 2026February 12, 2026

5040 Winter Waiting to Happen

January 25, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

If I could describe a perfect day in the mountains, it would look a lot like the club’s recent trip to 5040 Peak. It was the kind of day that begins with a light chill but never truly feels cold; snow that’s firm underfoot and never collapses beneath your boots; blazing sunshine that warms without scorching; and, of course, good friends to keep you moving upward.

January 16, 2026February 12, 2026

Early-Season Snowshoeing at Battleship Lake

December 28, 2025

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

We had nearly a full group out for this early-season snowshoe trip, thanks in part to a recent snowfall that piled up just enough snow to make snowshoes worthwhile. In many spots, the snow was only about five inches deep—shallow enough that the picnic benches were still visible. If we’d wanted to, we could have stopped for a proper sit-down break!

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

A Very Wet Snowshoe to Mount Elma

January 3, 2026

~ submitted by Matthew Lettington

“Wet” pretty much sums it up.

How wet was it? Wet enough that two people took one look at the trailhead and decided they’d had enough adventure for the day. When we arrived, rain was absolutely hammering down, pooling across the parking lot in what could only be described as a proper deluge.