Living the best adventure life, since 1958
April 22, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
The Sooke hills trip was a real day to soak up the west coast sunshine. The winding route took us up and over Larkspur, Rick Peak, Marys Peak, Puzzle and Screen Hill.
Continue reading “Larkspur to Empress Ridge Ramble”
April 2, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
What a perfect day on the trail! When I scheduled the trip, I had high hopes for great weather. But, as the day approached, the forecast took a turn for the worst. We all expected a cold, drizzly day, with wet brush and slippery rock. We were in for a treat!
Seven club members met at Alyard Farm for a car shuffle that allowed some participants the luxury of doing the coast trail without the commitment of following the inland route back to the cars. We started our hike shortly after 8 AM. In the dim light of the morning and in the tall trees, we had no idea what would await us when we got to the coast.
Continue reading “East Sooke Park – Coast Trail, return inland route (Lifetime Hiking Objective)”
March 18, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On March 18th, I led 7 Island Mountain Ramblers on a club trip to El Capitan Mountain. The weather more than cooperated, giving us crisp cool air, blue skies and so much sun!
Continue reading “El Capitan Winter Ascent”
February 11th, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We called this hike after the name of the feature and what we hoped we would find: an endless plateau of fun! Well, maps lie. I suppose it’s not that they lie as much as contour lines can hide a lot of terrain.
Continue reading “Mount Menzies Endless Plateau of Fun!”
January 21st, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We had a bleak forecast but I hoped the day would still be enjoyable. With the turnover to the new year, I’ve sought trips with a “good” amount of elevation and distance to get in shape for the spring and summer. I scoffed at the forecast – snow?!
Continue reading “Finlayson to Jocelyn and return (Ridge Ramble)”
December 3, 2022
~ submitted by Brian Fleming
First winter hike of the year!
A group of seven Island Mountain Ramblers made our way up to one of the ridges in the Nanaimo First and Second Lake area.
October 2nd, 2022
~submitted by Dean Beaulac
Often looked at, but much more overlooked is the infamous Pogo Mtn. After many years of looking at it, and being smart enough to not head up there solo without tracks….I lucked out and joined an Island Mountain Ramblers hosted trip on October 2!
One of the first things that needs to be addressed, is that Pogo falls within the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. The group had addressed this with an online donation to the Trail Guardians, and I will suggest the same.
Continue reading “Mount Pogo”
Continue reading “Augerpoint Mountain Daytrip (Lifetime Hiking Objective)”
February 12, 2022
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On Saturday, February 12, 2022, four of us hit the trail on what turned out to be one of the finest February days we could have hoped for.
The East Sooke Coast trail is one of the club’s lifetime hiking objectives. Along with its incredible west coast character, it has a lot of ups and downs. My first time on the trail was in my first year with the club, 2011. At the time I was surprised about the elevation gain on the trail. I remember being amazed at how remote the hike felt.
Continue reading “East Sooke Trail return inland route (Lifetime Hiking Objective)”
What a day. This one kicked my butt a bit. I went on this trip with the Island Mountain Ramblers. A few of the people from my first club trip were here again, so it was nice to have some familiar faces.
Continue reading “Beaufort Range Snowshoe trip to Mount Irwin over Mount Hal”