April 9, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Wow, just wow, what a day for a hike today. Joint trip with Island Mountain Ramblers and the OCV. We did 21.3km, 1103m, in the Sooke Hills.
Mount Empress
Mount Benson West Ridge
April 2, 2022
~ submitted by Greg Deabler
I always enjoy the west ridge of Benson. Even on a busy Saturday we didn’t see another soul until the summit.
We made excellent time, and were on the summit in 2.75 hours by 11:15 am for a quick snack and great views before heading down, taking a leisurely hour getting back down.
Except for the descent off the summit block there was very little snow left, even in the hollows and drainages on the way up.
An excellent day with excellent company.
Mount Wesley and Mount Horne
April 7, 2022
~ submitted by Greg Deabler
Trip was posted as both an IMR hike and AVOC hike.
Snow level was approx 800m, with about 10-15 cm on Wesley Summit, less on Horne. Excellent weather and a good pace.
2.5 hrs to Wesley Summit. 1 hr back to Saddle. 1 hr. to Horne summit, 1.5 hrs back to cars. 6 hrs. travel time. 1050m, 11.2 km
Bald Mountain
March 30, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
5 of us enjoyed a wonderful day hiking Bald Mountain. 11km, 650m elevation gain.
We started off hiking near the lake shore above the new housing on Marble Bay Rd. Oh, man – the scotch broom is 6 feet high and covers the whole trail for a section. I believe this part might be on private property, the only way to get around it would be by boat.
Continue reading “Bald Mountain”Mount Benson North Ridge route
March 28, 2022
~ submitted by Ken Warren
When I posted this hike the forecast said sun … unfortunately that was not the case. However the rain was light and didn’t last too long.
The trail was mostly clear and we didn’t spike up until near the summit. The wind and fog kept us from lingering too long at the top.
We saw only five other people on the mountain making it the quietest day on Benson I’ve had in many years.
It was a good hike with good company and my first hike with Ravi. Welcome to the club and I hope to see more of you.
Three Lakes
March 27, 2022
~ submitted by John Robertson
Only 2 braved the gloomy weather for this trip, but in fact, rain was virtually nil.
Alberni Inlet Stage 1–March 26, 2022
Congratulations Mary on your 20 Hikes Achievement!
Congratulations to Mary Hof who has just claimed her 20 hikes achievement!
Mary offered these words:
I guess like others, I don’t look at the website too often to see the different awards and challenges the Ramblers put on. But I guess my favourite 20 hikes that I have led or participated in are: Mt. Prevost, Mt Richards, Marys Peak, Mt Horne/ Westley Ridge Traverse, Maple Mountain, Mt. Moriarty, Mt Arrowsmith, Crest Mountain, Gowland Ramble, Three Bears Sooke Hills, Mt. Tzouhalem, Empress Mountain, Minnas/Pea Ridge, Mt. Cokely, Mt. Elma, Mt. Benson, Green Mountain, Bald Mountain, Cowichan River, Mt Quimper and Ragged Mountain.
As many of you know I lead for other clubs as well, and if I can, I encourage you all to lead a hike; it’s only by doing so that our club becomes stronger. You only have to look at social media on the hiking sites to see how many want to hike. I keep telling them to join a club, but that is only good if we have leaders to lead. No hike is too short or boring. Thanks to those leaders that have shown me the way on hikes. Your dedication is appreciated.
Mary Hof
If you’d like more info on leading trips, the IMR has this information for leaders.
Jaime completes the 20-Hikes Club Objective!
Strata Mountain Snowshoe
February 26, 2022
~ submitted by Brian Flemming, photos by Brian Flemming and Matthew Lettington
I joined the Island Mountain Ramblers recently to branch out a bit, meet some new people, learn some new things and participate in some safe group activities and hopefully summit a few mountains I wouldn’t be able to do alone.
Today’s snowshoe was a good example of a hike that I wouldn’t have done alone because of the weather.
Continue reading “Strata Mountain Snowshoe”