Tag: Trip Report

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Mt Hooper

— Submitted by Matthew Lettington

November 15th, I joined up with Rod Szasz and a few other hikers, many from the Island Mountain Ramblers for a trip up a rarely summited peak in the Nanaimo Lakes Region/Cowichan Lake Region. Mt Hooper tops out around 1490 metres. For me, an most interesting aspect of the hike is that the weekend before I climbed the peak immediately across the valley. Folks who follow my blog will note that summit is Sadie Peak.

GPS Route with Photographs

Total Horizontal Distance: 9.8 km
Starting Elevation: 795 m
Max Elevation: 1490 m
Total Elevation Gain: 865 m

We met at Rod’s place at 6 am, the thermometer on the car read -5 Celsius, the sun was not yet breaking on the horizon. 5 hikers piled into the truck and we picked up a 6th on at nearby elementary school . The six of us drove south turning off to meet the final group of hikers at the Youbou Firehall at 8:25.

From HWY 1 we drove about 80km reaching 800 m of elevation, before we started walking. After leaving Youbou we continued west to north shore road, which eventually turns into Nitinat River Main FSR. We continued well past Cowichan Lake, following the Nitinat River and ultimately turned up an old logging spur. The road along the entire spur was excellent, very few deep dips. The bigger issue is the encroaching alder. The farther up the road we moved the narrower the road becomes. Before long, the trees were scratching and clawing at Rod’s vehicle. Eventually we parked the vehicle and carried on, on foot.

Read the full report on his blog….

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Majestic Mt. Wesley, November 8th, 2014

–submitted by Dean Williams

Seven of Island Mountain Ramblers met at the Cathedral grove parking area, and we were on our way by 9:30, a short walk through the park leading us to the gravel roadway that leads to the cabins along the lake shore and the trail head.

We were met at the Mt. Horne/Wesley junction by John, who had come up from the Horne lake side, and we again set off towards our objective. We had blue skies and some nice views down to Cameron lake, and then over to Horne lake and Georgia strait, which was getting cloud covered by then. We reached the majestic summit about 12:15, signed the register, and walked a bit farther along to a fine viewpoint where we had lunch, and were treated to a cup of hot chocolate that Bill kindly cooked up for us, replete with marshmallows! Thanks again for that Bill!

After a leisurely lunch we made our way back, and were down to the cars by 3:00. It was another great day in the outdoors on Vancouver island with a really nice group of people. Thanks to all who came along.

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Early Fall Ramble to Mt. Moriarty

Looking south from the first Moriarty bump

The summer is petering out, the signs are in the air and hanging off the branches of trees. Everywhere I go, I am reminded that time is marching on and the days of excellent whether, warm air and dry forests are numbered.

We met at the Whisky Creek Co-op on the Alberni Highway (HWY 4) at 8 AM, on Saturday September 27th.  The group of 12 was composed of members from the Alpine Club of Canada  and the Island Mountain Ramblers. We were quick to organize and on the road. We turned off the highway onto the Cameron Mainline, often used to access Mt Arrowsmith, Cokely and other locations beyond.

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Total Horizontal Distance: 7.4 km
Starting Elevation: 900 m
Maximum Elevation: 1607 m
Total Elevation Gain: 900 m

Read the full report on Matthew’s Blog

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Cruikshank Canyon, a fall feast of colour for the eyes…

A view of the mountains as you look out from the view point

Early fall is often the nicest time for hiking. I often joke with my hiking companions about those who don’t take advantage of the outdoors, they find winter too cold, spring too wet, and summer too hot. There are three ideal weeks in our Vancouver Island year that are perfect for heading outdoors, when spring is converting to summer and summer converting to fall, there are about 9 days at each change that are perfect for hiking! This past weekend must have been that weekend!

Total Horizontal Distance: 21.3 km
Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 873 m
Starting Elevation: 1060 m
Max Elevation: 1269 m

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Scimitar Peak, Sabre Peak and the Mitla’s.

Mitla Spire from Centre Peak.

Day 1

Rod Szasz, Val Wootton and myself arrived at E&B’s helicopter base in Gold River at noon on September 5 (Friday) and within half an hour we were in the air. First we flew over Matchlee Mountain where earlier in the day the pilot had flown in 8 people as part of Island Alpine Guides (IAG) mountaineering course. After heading across the Burman River we next got a call on the radio from a friend who had flown in 2 days earlier and said he was on the summit of Hygro Peak. A quick fly-by to snap a couple of photos and then we continued south past The Scissors and Scimitar Peak to a small lake we had seen last year from the summit of Splendor Mountain. Fifteen minutes after
taking off from Gold River we were dropped in the middle of nowhere.
A satirical novel published in 1872 by Samuel Butler came to mind called Erewhon. Erewhon being an anagram of “nowhere” even though the letters “h” and “w” are transposed. It is the name of a fictional utopian country, however, we weren’t in a fictional country but it sure felt utopian. We set up our tents and then decided to climb a small peak immediately to the south of Scimitar Peak and about half a kilometre east of us. An hour and a quarter later, we were on the summit and decided to call it Centre Peak (1401m) because it was in the centre of all the peaks we wanted to climb over the next 5-6 days. There was not a cloud in the sky and a whole array of peaks surrounded us some of which had only been climbed once before while a few, as far as I could gather, were unclimbed. This area isn’t easy to reach with no logging roads nearby for access. That evening a beautiful alpenglow flashed its reds and oranges across the rock faces on The Scissors and Scimitar Peak.

Day 2

Another cloudless day! Although Scimitar Peak is the highest in the area we decided to head west to a chain of unclimbed/unnamed peaks. A short burst through some old growth trees and we were soon on open ridges where travel was easy. The route we chose to the peaks was easy and after 2 hours we were at the base of the final wall. A few manky bushes to crawl under then a final gully put us on the summit with just a 2 metre block to climb to the highest point. We chose the name Sabre Peak in keeping with The Scissors and Scimitar Peak. We pulled the GPS and noted the elevation – 1455m. With 3 more distinct summits along the ridge we headed west to Sabre 2 (1423m). Here we deeked off the ridge to the scree below and angled across to the final summit. We turned it from the west and had one small nasty gully to cross before we found an easy scramble to the summit of Sabre 4 (1451m). An easy scramble off the summit and down to a col before heather benches took us up to the summit of Sabre 3 (1432m). Satisfied with the day, we returned to camp for a swim.

Mitla Peak (left) and Mitla Spire from Scimitar Peak. Lone Wolf Mountain in the right background. Abco Mountain in the distance behind Mitla Peak.

Day 3

Today we chose to climb Scimitar Peak. It was first climbed back in 1993 by Sandy Briggs and one other and since then has only received one other ascent by Darren Wilman and Alana Theoret a few years ago. They had come in from Lone Wolf Mountain to the south and climbed Scimitar’s South Ridge. It was this ridge we could see from our camp that we wanted to climb. From camp we angled up and around Centre Peak and an hour later we were on the saddle below the ridge. Although it didn’t look difficult we could see some gnarly bushes on the route and some loose scree gullies to negotiate. Two hours later we were on the summit taking in the view of all the mountains that I was familiar with, and there are a few. On the descent we decided to make a number of rappels as this would be quicker than down climbing the loose sections one at a time. There were always trees to use as anchors and by 3 p.m. we were back down on the saddle and an hour later back at camp. That evening we went up onto the ridge and watched a beautiful moon rise behind the ridge on Mitla Spire.

Day 4

There was a lot more cloud in the sky today but the forecast wasn’t predicting anything disruptive so we chose to have an easy day and climb a peak we dubbed Sabretooth Peak which was to the north of Sabre Peak but on the same connecting ridge system. We scrambled through the trees and up onto the open ridge again. An easy walk brought us to the final scramble up onto the summit – 1404m. We enjoyed an hour on the summit and then dropped down to a beautiful little basin with large gravel flats and a small stream meandering down the middle. Another hour and a half relaxing in the sun and eating lunch in this utopian country! By 3 p.m. we were back in camp, lounging around some more. There were 2 more peaks that we wanted to climb and they would be on the agenda for tomorrow.

Day 5

This morning we were up earlier and moving by 7:45. I knew that both Mitla Peak and Mitla Spire had been climbed but only once by Darren and Alana. I had talked to Darren a couple of years ago and received the climbing beta so I knew that they were both doable. Again we angled up and around Centre Peak only this time we went around the south side to another saddle below Mitla Spire. We scrambled up some beautiful rock which put us on the North Ridge of the Spire, however, we decided to head across to the Mitla Peak first. Some scrambling over scree slopes put us on a col between the Mitla Peak and the Spire. This climb looked a more challenging so we decided to leave what we didn’t need at the base, however, we found that we completed the climb without the need to use the rope. On the summit (Mitla Peak 1544m) we found a cairn and inside it was a canister left by Darren and Alana but unfortunately it was wet and full of water. We didn’t have anything with us to leave so we just enjoyed the view. On the descent we did 2 rappels but could have easily down climbed the route. Back at our packs we moved over to a small pond and had lunch while we looked at the route Darren and Alana had done on Mitla Spire. It looked doable but it didn’t look pleasant. Rod decided to sit this climb out so Val and I headed over to the base of the route on the east flank. It still didn’t look very nice so we made the call to check out the North Ridge which we had initially approached the two mountains by. At the base of the final ridge we put our harnesses and helmets on and I slung the rope and climbing gear over my shoulder. Although the route was steeper we found the rock to be perfect and we were able to reach the summit in 15 minutes (Mitla Spire 1522m). This was the most enjoyable climb on the trip. We called down to Rod to come up but he was happy chillin’ out below. After 20 minutes we tore ourselves away and headed back down the ridge to Rod. A feeling of contentment came over us as we walked back to camp. We had climbed everything on our agenda and could now fly out tomorrow morning satisfied, however, I had seen a lot more to climb on future trips both to the south of where we were and out to the west on the Pierce Range.

Day 6

We packed up and then before the helicopter arrived we filled up a few canisters with wild blueberries. Flying out I couldn’t stop looking at the peaks that I knew I had to come back to climb next year.

Sabre Peaks: the highest summit is on the right (1455m) then Sabre 2, Sabre 3 and Sabre 4 to the left (1451m). Pierce Range behind.

The Scissors (left) and Scimitar Peak.
Rod Szasz approaching the summit of Scimitar Peak.

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Beaufort Range Traverse — submitted by Matthew Lettington

Earlier this year I made late spring trip into the Beaufort Range to visit Mt. Joan. On that trip we ended up making a winter ascent to the summit of Mt. Joan, where we were promptly socked in. Saturday, August 30th the Island Mountain Ramblers made an attempt to traverse the three peaks in this small range of mountains: Mt. Curran, Mt Squarehead and Mt. Joan.  The forecast called for 2 mm of rain and light winds. Although the conditions looked a little miserable on our approach, it made for excellent hiking conditions.

Taken from Squarehead, looking back on Mt. Curran and the ridge we ascended (right in photo)
GPS Route with Photographic Annotaion

Starting Elevation:  594 m
Max Elevatyion: 1562 m
Total Elevation Gain: 1347 m
Horizontal Distance: 13.8 km
Total Time: 8.5 hours

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Curran-Squarehead-Joan Traverse – August 30, 2014 – by John Young

After making our way up the rough logging road,
the 10 of us started hiking at 9:48, under not bad looking skies. Mt. Joan’s
summit looked to be covered in cloud, but other than that it looked like a good
day. We headed up the Curran trail, which Ken Rodonets has done such a fine job
of maintaining, and by noon we were heading over the Curran-Squarehead col.
The group enjoyed the nice rock on Curran, and
views of Georgia Strait. We omitted the “true” summit of Curran, as
we figured it was going to be a long enough day, and the summit isn’t much
anyway.
The col to Squarehead was a bit bushy in places,
and going up to Squarehead was a bit of a rock scramble that raised the heart
rate of a few people. We finally lunched on Squarehead, about 1:30, and it
started to rain as we headed over to Joan. The rain was brief, though, and at
the Squarehead-Joan col I gave people the option of skipping out the Joan
summit, shortening the trip by an hour total, but the group voted to bag it.
And we were glad we did! Yes, the view was somewhat obscured by cloud, but that
made it even more spectacular, as we could see Port Alberni poking out from
beneath the clouds.
We then began our descent, and it showered some
on the way down, but didn’t really begin raining until we reached the vehicles
just after 6 p.m. Another fine day in the mountains with an enthusiastic bunch.
Especially nice to have 3 guests along and 3 fairly new members.
Participants: Matt Lettington, Dean Williams,
Christine Rivers, John Proc, Fran Proc, Tyler Proc, Mary O’Shea, Mo Goreyan,
Alana Stott, John Young
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Heart Lake

Here are some pictures from Mike’s trip up to Heart Lake and the Holland Creek loops which ran on July 9th.  Look carefully at the lake and you will see three very refreshed hikers.  It was a great day.  Thanks to Mike and looking forward to the next one.  Present:  Mike H. leader, Nicki, Hazel and Janice.

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Upper Cowichan River

Nickis’ hike last weekend on the upper Cowichan river was great in spite of the rain and wet bush. The trail is becoming somewhat faint in spots and non existent in others but it was still a lovely outing. Thanks to everyone who came along for your perseverance.

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Excerpts from Timberline Tales Number 2 January 1966 — King’s Peak 6774′ May 22-24 [1965]

— Originally published January 2, 1966   
A note about the transcription: Careful attention has been given to the original text. Though difficult to read at times, I have preserved the original text, including any evident typos. 

Read Original Document

King’s Peak 6774′
May 22-24 [1965]

After days of wet and unsettled weather, the weekend opened clear and cloudless. This prevailed during our whole trip. We gathered at Courtenay and stepped on the GOld RIver road to eat lunch at Tlools Creek. We turned left just beyond the Elk River bridge at the base of the upper Elk RIver Valley trail, just beyond Mile 39. Here we parked and set up camp. In the afternoon we walked a mile to the narrows of Drum Lakes, croarod a long to the north side and took the trail to the left which leads up to Crest mountain. While some of us sunned on the lower slopes, others swam in the icy Elk River. Two of the boys were quite successful trout fishing.
At 6:20 a.m. we were on our way to King’s Peak, entering the bush at Mile 39, continuing east a hundred yards or so before turning south to start the ascent through the bush. This was really the frustrating part of the trip, for it took us 2 1/2 hours of bushwacking before we eventually started to climb on rock which eventually led up above the tree line, then over two steep snowfields up to a 60[degree] angle before we eventually sat down on a sunny south ridge for dinner, six hours after leaving camp.
When things were tough this scribe was encouraged by pithy remarks, “is this your last diary entry?”, and to a novice climber on a steep pitch, ‘Think of all your happy childhood!”
After diner 20 persons headed for the peak, two left behind at the lunch stop and two were dropped behind at the north peak. Eighteen made the summit, a very creditable showing, reflecting great credit to our leader, Syd. Watts.
To the south-east lay Rambler Peak (6900′). ON the far side of the Elk Valley, there is a long ridge called Puzzle Mountain (5997′). In the far distance southward was Mt. Donner 5947′ and Mt. Machlee 6033′ to the west just outside the park.
Leaving the lunch spot at 5:00 p.m., we made a quick descent through soft snow until we hit the bush line, veering eastward to avoid precipitous rock faces which we had met on the ascent. We were not entirely successful in circumventing them and had a retrace our steps at one point, but finally reached the Elk River at dusk, then bushwhacked through heavy timer for a quarter of a mile along the south bank before we finally came to the road and on to the camp— 15 1/2 hours in all. This was considered to be one of the more arduous hikes of the Ramblers, the chief difficulty being to find a good, direct route through the bush to the timberline. The rope was used five times during the climb.
Those on the hike included Syd Watts, John and Doreen Cowlin, Herb Warren, Elizabeth and Pat Guilbride, John Ramsay, Carl Stevenson, Lorne Lanyon, Chris Calverley, Eve Howden of the Island MOuntain Ramblers, together with Hans Rufiger, Elsa Potentier, Lois Huber, Mark and Marion Brown, Bob Ball, Jee and Irene Truswell with sons, Gordon and Roy, and one guest Peter Busch, all of the Outdoor Club of Victoria.