November 1, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
The hike today was wonderful. Lots of waterfalls, leaves were beautiful, and we even had a beautiful view of Mt Finlayson from Lookout Rock.
Continue reading “Goldstream Park Trails”Goldstream Park Trails
Arrowsmith Saddle, Mt Cokely
October, 2021
~ submitted by Ken Warren
Unusually for this October, the clear skies demanded sunglasses and not raincoats. Nine of us set off from Pass Main for the Arrowsmith saddle on the snow dusted trail.
Continue reading “Arrowsmith Saddle, Mt Cokely”Minna and Kamma Ridges
October 23rd, 2021
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Plan A was Mount Hooper, likely a solid B3/4 bushwhack up steep terrain to the ridge. The forecast called for an atmospheric river to fall. We headed the caution and picked a better option, Minna and Kamma Ridges.
Continue reading “Minna and Kamma Ridges”Minna Ridge
October 23, 2021
~ submitted by Bil Derby
After cancelling the trip scheduled for 16 October and, thanks to John Young agreeing to co-lead, inviting those folks to join in on the trip scheduled for the 23rd it was but seven of us that assembled at the trailhead and braved the wet windy alpine.
Three Bears, Peden Ridge & Peden Lake (Sooke Hills)
October 23, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Our Saturday Oct 23 hike to the 3 Bears, Peden Ridge and Peden Lake was great. The forecast was for rain, but a few days before I asked the group of 10 did they want to hike in rain and they all said yes. Oh my goodness, I think people know me, I like nice weather lol, but as a leader I thought I will not cancel.
Kamma, Minna, and Pea Ridge
October 11, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
On this Thanksgiving Day with so much to be thankful for, and remembering the memories of my dad’s death on this day, I decided to lead a hike to Kamma, Minna and Pea Ridge. These ridges are out Port Alberni way out near Mt. Moriarty. I organized this hike for the Island Mountain Ramblers. My dad never thought much about my hiking but that is ok, today along the hike I thought of him often.
Maple Mountain Ramble
October 4, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Three eager hikers, two I have never met, joined me for a 10km hike on Maple Mountain. Starting from the trailhead of Southview Terrace we went up a route I used to do 20 years ago. None of the others had been on that route before until we reached one of the bike trails.
Cragging at Darkside
August 22, 2021
~ submitted by Quinn Park
Quick trip cragging, 5 of us playing on some of the classic routes at Darkside, and trying some new ones!
It was fun to get out and play on the ropes. Even in the hot August weather, it was good conditions thanks to the shade and being so close to the river.
Photos by Jes Garceau
Augerpoint Traverse
July 26 – 29, 2021
~ submitted by Greg Deabler
The forecast for our Monday to Thursday Augerpoint Traverse was superb, and this time the mountain forecast was right on. We had decided to do the traditional Raven Lodge to Buttle Lake direction, with the standard first day to Circlet Lake, 2nd day over Albert Edward and on to Ruth Masters Lake, with a third day to the tarns at the base of Jack’s Fell with side trips to be determined; both Augerpoint and Sid Watts were on the table. A leisurely 4th day from the tarns down to the lake to pick up the vehicle left for the return trip to Raven Lodge.
Continue reading “Augerpoint Traverse”Mount Apps
–submitted by Matthew Lettington; originally posted on explorington.com
Most folks will agree that it’s more enjoyable to hike under clear skies than cloudy, but sometimes it rains. Let me make a case for the dreary day adventure. Though the views from the top of a mountain may be vast on sunny days, those sunbathed landscapes lack the drama and character that appear –like fitful apparitions– when the clouds descend. The wind ripping through the trees goes unseen unless clouds and fog come with it. And the sea of hills blends into each other unless cloud pours through the valleys, billowing around features allowing only the top of the peak to emerge from the top. And even in a whiteout, one must marvel at our own insignificance in the scope of the situation.
On September 26, we all had a chance to witness these unique –but otherwise dreary– characteristics on our short hike to the marked summit at Mount Apps.