Snowflakes glide down, cloaking the fir and mountain hemlocks in a brilliant robe. The forest stills for winter. Bears in their den. Snowshoe hare prints decorate the glades. Raven waits for the sun's return.

Incoming President's Message

As of November 8, 2022, I am your new president. I am eager and excited to work with our core of volunteers and with all of you to plan and enjoy outdoor activities.

December Trip Schedule

Celebrate the Season

Join us on Tuesday, December 20th, for our annual winter party.
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. @ Sunrise Community Hall. If you have ideas for activities at the party, please contact Cristina.

Trip Report

Hat Mountain via the north ridge

by Alastair Ferries

The only area with a reasonable forecast was Vancouver, so I switched Midian Pk (ne of Pemberton) to Hat Mtn via its ‘tricky’ north ridge.  From the Wettin/Hat col the ridge was steep, but the snow was bomber, and there was a good run out.

About 45m below the summit, the route traverses east on a ledge system.  It was only exposed in one short section (an excellent firm tree to hold onto).  Then it was a bit exposed getting up to the summit plateau, but the snow remained firm and great for kicking steps into.

The route is marked, and it wouldn’t be that difficult in summer.

Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry Access Updates

Visit the Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry page for updates on the 2022-2023 winter season.

Reduction in the Backcountry Lift Pass

• For members of the public that prefer lift access to Garibaldi Park, Whistler Blackcomb has reduced the backcountry lift pass from $62 to $45

Improvements to the lower mountain route (Blackcomb Bench Climb)

• Whistler Blackcomb has re-routed a portion of the lower mountain trail to improve the user experience.  This re-route will allow for all-weather access to a juncture point where guests can then choose one of two route options to Garibaldi Park (North or South).
• The Blackcomb Bench Climb also connects to the Excelerator chairlift via the Excelerator Connector for those guests that have a lift pass, would like to get a bit of exercise and avoid the lineup in the base area.
• The Blackcomb Bench Climb also provides the public with an uphill exercise route within the Controlled Recreation Area throughout the day.

Interim Access Route (Blackcomb South Route)

• Whistler Blackcomb would like to provide the opportunity to utilize the Blackcomb South Route again this year and has extended the access to 9:30 am from 9:00am to allow more time for users to travel up to the bottom of Seventh Heaven.

New Blackcomb North Route

• Whistler Blackcomb will pilot a new winter access route that travels north through the Controlled Recreation Area into Garibaldi Park to the Phalanx area.
• Based on conversations with stakeholders in 2021, this route could be a very nice route for day trips – fairly easy route for backcountry access, good terrain, gentle climb, beautiful backcountry ski opportunities.   The northern aspect will keep snow for a longer period and extend the use of the trail for winter use.
• The potential use of this route is unknown; therefore, providing a breadcrumb trail for the 2022/23 season with the opportunity for feedback will be valuable.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Trails. 

2022 Photo contest winner: Scenery anytime, anywhere

 

The Raven - Summer 2022

Ah summertime, summertime. The forest is storing up energy for winter. Sunny skies, turquoise lakes, melting snowfields, the alpine in bloom and bugs aplenty. There's just no better way to beat the heat than to head up into the forest, or strip off and jump in an alpine lake. Is there?

New Club Logo

We have updated our logo! The meaning has not changed "Exploring together in the outdoors" but the look and feel is more modern. You will start seeing the new logo on our website and in other communications.

August Trip Schedule

Want to join in on a trip? If you are a member, you can click here to find out more. Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?  Contact membership@northshorehikers.org

Presenters Wanted - Cycling Theme

Our social nights are created by you! The next theme is "Cycling" Did you go on a cycle tour? a bikepacking trip? find some gravel trails? Our social convener is looking for people to share their photos and experience for 15 minutes at the next social, on September 13th. Please contact Cristina.

Photo Contest 

Don't forget about our photo contest! North Shore Hikers members can submit one photo for each category until October 31, 2022. For more information and how to submit >>

Garibaldi Lake campground closed due to flooding

Lynn Headwaters Lease Expires

Home to the 4th largest girth tree in Canada, Lynn Headwaters park is on land leased from the province for 30 years. That term is up and conservationist and lawyer Paul Hundal, who lives in West Vancouver, is using the opportunity to petition for permanent park status that would protect the area in perpetuity. In his view, a short-term lease is designed to give the province the option of logging the area in the future if it chooses then to do so.
Learn More >>

Thanks for reading, Happy Summer Trails

The Raven - June 2022

Wow. May was wet. Really wet. But we got some great trips in anyways. Our club is waterproof! Even so, I am sure we are all hoping for a better June.

June Trip Schedule

Want to join in on a trip? If you are a member, you can click here to find out more. Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?  Contact membership@northshorehikers.org

Why Carpool?

If at all possible, please try to carpool to trailheads. We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the requirement for electrical power by sharing. Some members do not have vehicles and would appreciate a ride. In addition, the pressure for parking in neighbourhoods close to trailheads can be problematic. To compensate drivers for fuel and maintenance, we suggest a $7.00 fee which should be paid at the end of each adventure. Thanks for taking care of the environment and helping each other out.

Next Social Features Adventure Smart Presentation

Join us on Monday, June 27th at our next social evening to learn more about outdoor preparedness. Discover best practices and more. All are welcome - members and guests.

• Trip Planning - making a plan and leaving a trip plan.
• Training - physical, certification-based, mentorship, mental strength, decision making.
• Taking the Essentials - basic safety items, plus adding season and sport-specific gear.
• What to do in an emergency - who to call for help, when to call for help, how to call for help, no charge for rescue, the S.T.O.P. analogy and signalling S.O.S.

Featured Trip: Al's Habrich Ridge

by Anita Leonard

The day dawned cold and cloudy, in keeping with the general temperament of this miserable spring. Showers were forecast for later in the day, precluding any hope of a brighter afternoon. But despite the uninspiring weather, an even dozen of intrepid souls showed up for the hike from the base of the Chief to the top of the Sea to Sky gondola and beyond. Like me, I’m sure everyone else had given up on waiting for better weather, since better weather was clearly not on its way any time soon.

The Sea to Summit trail is often described as the Sea to Summit Grind, but it’s really not much of a grind at all. While it has an elevation gain of 850m, it’s spread out over 8km. Moreover, the Sea to Summit trail is really very lovely, offering close-up views of Olesen and Shannon Creeks, dramatic outcroppings of Squamish granite, and of course the always wonderful, drippingly-lush forest.

The extremely good company provided by all the participants made the hike fly by. We ran into a bit of snow just before the gondola base-station, but overall, there was less snow on this portion than expected.

We settled down for a well-deserved lunch with some not-so-bad views of Howe Sound and miscellaneous mountains peeking out briefly from behind the clouds. The predicted showers had abated and the station was buzzing with tourist gamely making the best of things. Here we left a few of our party behind since their hiking appetites were already sated. But eight of us were still hungry for a little bit more and so we ventured on to Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail.

By now, the snow-cover was pretty constant. Snowshoes were good at first, but then the terrain became a bit more challenging and the snow more slippery. Soon we were all back to microspikes, which had the benefit of not acting like toboggans when you least expected it, but had the disadvantage of not preventing you, even a little bit, from sinking deeply into the soft snow with some regularity.

As we slowly progressed, our attrition rate began to go up until at last we were all ready to call it a day. A few peak-a-boo mountain views later, we were swooping back down on the gondola over the terrain that had taken us hours to hike up. All in all, it was a great day and a great hike.

Thanks for reading and Happy Trails