The Raven – Sep 2023

Club news, General news

Photo: Ye Chu

Trip Report: Rainbow, Gin & Tonic Lakes

by Ye Chu

This was a five-star hiking trip to where no one goes: Gin and Tonic Lakes up at Whistler. There are no trails, just wonderful meandering in alpine and subalpine meadows.  A real treat for the eyes as we could see Black Tusk and Overlord glacier ( Russet Lake) in the same view! We wandered amid fragrant flowers for hours, crossing creeks, boulder fields and swampy meadows. Pure panacea. We should make this into an official trail with markers. Thank you, Brent (Erhl)  for introducing me to a new hike. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I hope it becomes an annual trip. Next time, we should bring some flagging tape and reinstate Alan Banwell’s trail.

Stats:
Duration: 9+ hours ( we finished at different times as some hikers got slower), elevation gain: 1100+ m, distance: 24.5+ km. Air temperature: 30+C ( three litres of water min. and bring water filter ).

photo: Ye Chu

photo: Ye Chu

Trailhead Closures

Lions Bay

Lions Bay has closed the trailheads to Tunnel Bluffs and the Howe Sound Trail. Their web site says they will consider the closures at the Tuesday council meeting after the long weekend. They have now decided to maintain the closure until Sept 19th.

Joffre Lakes

Access to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park closed again on Tuesday, September 5th as negotiations between the provincial government and the Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua First Nations continue, the B.C. government says. According to the government, Líl̓wat and B.C. Parks have been working on park and visitor-use management since 2018 due to a growing number of park visitors and developed a “collaborative relationship” with the government to develop the Joffre Lakes Park 2019 visitor-use management plan. No re-opening date has been set, although the original date was September 30th.

Upcoming Trips

September 2023

Sun 10 Sep, 2023
10:00 am - 3:00 pm		 A Hike

Moderate

 Brohm Lake ramble- Squamish Cristina Jacob
cristina.jacob03@gmail.comY		 Firm
Wed 13 Sep, 2023
9:00 am		 A Hike
A2b - Relaxed		 Burnaby Mountain Blair Ballard
blair@creativehome.ca778-318-3309		 Contact Leader

October 2023

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT LEADER STATUS
Wed 4 Oct, 2023
8:30 am		 B Hike
B2b - Moderate		 St. Mark's Summit Blair Ballard
blair@creativehome.ca7783183309		 Contact Leader
Sat 7 Oct, 2023
8:00 am - 4:00 pm		 C Hike
C3C - Relaxed		 Cinder cone in Garibaldi Park Ye Chu
markye@telus.net		 Cancelled if wet

Anyone Who Leads Can Win!

Don't forget that anyone who leads a trip gets their name automatically included in a draw for a $50 gift card at the club AGM. Those who lead two or more trips get their names automatically submitted in a second draw.  Five or more trips, a third draw.  Ten or more trips (wow), a fourth draw.

Thanks for reading, and happy trails

The Raven – July 2023

Club news, General news,

Trip Report: Deeks Lake

Seven hikers assembled at the Porteau Rd parking lot and walked about 100m south to the trail entrance. We proceeded up the logging road after a while, taking a left turn to arrive at the Howe Sound viewpoint eventually. We saw a commemoration plaque for  Mary Tainish and spent a little while remembering her.  We then proceeded upwards to the lake past the magnificent waterfalls. It is fair to say many of us were happy to be done with the gruelling last few hundred meters to arrive at the beautiful snow-surrounded lake. We found a lovely lakefront spot to have lunch and soak up the rays. We were back at the cars after taking some pics for a total time of just under seven hours.

Thanks to all for a great day, Maurice.

Wilderness First Aid Course 50/50

The club is offering to subsidize the 2-day ‘Intro to Wilderness First Aid’ course from Canada West Mountain School (https://themountainschool.com/program/intro-wilderness-first-aid-2021/) for trip leaders. To qualify, one must lead two (2) club trips, of any type or level, between July 1-December 30, 2023. You must pay for the course yourself ($295+tax), and after you have led two trips, the club will reimburse you 50% of the total cost of the course. For more information, contact Ramona at ramona_muljar@hotmail.com’

July Trips

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT
Tue 4 Jul, 2023 - Wed 5 Jul, 2023 B2b - Relaxed Poland Lake - Manning Camping
Sat 8 Jul, 2023

8:30 am

 A/B3a - Relaxed A/B3a Kennedy Falls
Sun 9 Jul, 2023

7:45 am - 4:15 pm

 C Hike

C - Relaxed

 South Mount Nutt via East Canyon Trail
Sun 9 Jul, 2023

9:00 am

 12-14 Km/ h Avg - Relaxed Iona-Terra Nova- Gary Point.
Sat 15 Jul, 2023 C Hike

C3c - Moderate

 Mt Frosty Manning Park
Sun 16 Jul, 2023 A1a - Relaxed Fort Langley to Golden Ears Loop
Mon 17 Jul, 2023

9:30 am

 Cycling

- Relaxed

 Spanish Banks - Low tide - bike/walk/swim
Sun 23 Jul, 2023

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

 Cycling

- Relaxed

 BIke to UBC from Richmond

Patagonia is Calling

January 16- 21, 2024 --Torres Del Paine - W Trek 6 days $2500. includes food and tenting accommodation with guide. We are looking for a few others to join us. We are Susan A, Dana D, Lori W

In 2020, North Shore Hikers were going to Patagonia on a club-organized trip. And then the pandemic cancelled international travel, affecting both Patagonia and the North Cascades summer camp.  As you already know, Diane Whiteley has revived the North Cascades summer camp. Susan Allen is reviving the Patagonia trip. Contact her for more details susan.allen881@gmail.com.

Have a  Hikes Bucket List?

Maybe we can help. Let us know which hikes you would like to join in on.
Here's a list that might spark your imagination:

B trips (5-7 hours at a moderate pace)
  • Runner Pk (behind Mt Seymour)
  • Forks Pk (behind Goat Mtn – N Shore)
  • Mt Liddell - Gambier Island
  • Tricouni Pk (past Squamish)
  • Garibaldi Lake (Garibaldi Park)
  • Lookout Ridge, Elk/Thurston/Mercer crossover (south of Chilliwack)
  • The Needle (Coquihalla)
  • Yak Pk (Coquihalla)
  • Llama Pk (Coquihalla)
  • Mt Frosty (larches in fall) (Manning Park)
  • Skyline Trail (Manning Park)
  • Mt Baker (Artists Point) (USA)
  • Goat Mtn (USA)
C trips (> 7 hours at a moderate pace)
  • The Needles (North Vancouver)
  • West Lion (Howe Sound)
  • Mt Hanover (Howe Sound)
  • Anvil Island – Leading Pk (Howe Sound)
  • Skypilot (Howe Sound)
  • Tetrahedron (Sechelt)
  • Black Tusk (Garibaldi Park)
  • Panorama Ridge (Garibaldi Park)
  • Mt Price (Garibaldi Park)
  • Mt Marriot (Duffey Lake Road)
  • International Ridge (south of Chilliwack)
  • Illusion Pks, South (Chilliwack River)
  • Williams Pk (Chilliwack River)
  • Goat Pk (Chilliwack Lk)
  • Mt Daly (Chilliwack Lk)
  • Macdonald Pk (Chilliwack Lk)
  • Grant Pk (Silverhope Creek/Skagit Road)
  • Mt Rideout (Silverhope Creek/Skagit Road)
  • Coquihalla Mtn (Coquihalla)
  • Tomyhoi (USA)
D trips
D hikes tend to be more challenging in some way than a straightforward > 7- hour hike. There could be a fair amount of bushwhacking, exposed scrambling or mixed mountaineering.
  • Lake Lovely Water area (Alpha, Niobe, Omega)
  • Little Ring Mtn (upper Squamish River)  loose class 3
  • Abandoned Pk  (Elaho River)
  • Castle Towers (Garibaldi Park) loose class 3
  • Tigger Pk  (Duffey Lk road)
  • Nraiteskel  (Duffey Lk road)
  • Mt Sloan (ne ridge) low class 4
  • Canadian Border Pk  (Chilliwack River)  low class 4
  • American Border Pk  (Chilliwack River)  low class 4
  • Devil’s Tongue  (Ross Lake)  class 3

Lead a C Hike and Get Into Some Free Gear 

The club received a generous donation of used (but good) mountaineering gear that we will give to the first people to lead C hikes that want an item. The main items are:

  • Two ice axes
  • A down sleeping bag good to about -25c
  • A 40L backpack

The main reason to lead a C hike is that it is fun, of course. That said, this is good gear.  Please get in touch with Ramona about any C hike you wish to lead. First come, first served.

Anyone Who Leads Can Win!

Don't forget that anyone who leads a trip gets their name automatically included in a draw for a $50 gift card at the club AGM. Those who lead two or more trips get their names automatically submitted in a second draw.  Five or more trips, a third draw.  Ten or more trips (wow), a fourth draw.

Help Stop Invasives from Spreading:

The  Sea to Sky Invasives Council is advising outdoor users to clean all mud, seeds, and plant fragments from themselves and gear before moving to new areas to prevent the spread of invasive species. This is particularly important for hikers, climbers and trail runners in the Sea to Sky since many of us travel between different trail networks within and beyond the region. Often without realizing it, seeds, burs, and plant parts can get caught in clothing, hiking boots and trail shoes and transported from one trailhead to the next. This ‘hitchhiking’ is a major cause of invasive species spread, causing harm to the biodiversity of the habitat they are introduced to. Find out more at ‘Play, Clean, Go’

Did you know that Bull Thistle is invasive species? Check out this list of more invasives: 

photo by R. Mueller

 

The Raven – June 2023

Club news, General news,

Cascades Summer Camp Returns!

After a three-year pause due to the pandemic, our annual summer camp is back.  The camp will take place in the cascades from August 15th to 21st.  
Save the dates! In a few days, we will send more information about this year’s summer camp including the camp dates, a list of daily hikes, recommended accommodations and registration details.
Gain the freedom to post your own trips

Post Your Own Trips!

Experienced leaders can now post a trip directly to the schedule without obtaining approval. To qualify, you must have been a member for at least one year, and have led at least six trips. To add yourself to the list of people who can post directly, please get in touch with the planner for the trip class (A, B, C, D, Ski or Bike planner) you are most likely to lead. They will make sure you qualify and get you set up.
Eagle Bluffs Exploration

Trip Report: Eagle Bluffs Exploratory

By Katy Poon

This is a special spring snowshoe trip in the forest, making our own trails. There were no designated snowshoe trails… but it is very safe as we ensured everyone was comfortable at their own pace. The spring snow conditions make going up and down more challenging but we all had a lot of fun pushing our own limits…. a big thank you to our encouraging leader, Martin.

The return trip (car to car) just took over 4 hours with “many” stop ’n go… no one needed a real break until we arrived at the top of Hollyburn Mountain.   We then had a well deserved long and leisure lunch break bathing in the sunshine.   We had the entire peak to ourselves except a few whisky jack trying to “share” our lunches….

I learned from my last Eagle Bluffs hike that I need to guard my food  ALL THE TIMES…. I lost my plastic box of trail mix when a crow scooped it out of my backpack as soon as I walked away from it. Both this Cypress scramble and the Eagle Bluffs exploratory hikes are safe, fun and out-of-the-ordinary trails.

Our booth at the recent ‘Wilderness at your doorstep’ in Lynn Headwaters regional park. Members participated in this event to promote the club - hopefully we’ll see some interested new members join!

June 2023

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT
Sat 3 Jun, 2023 B Hike
B2c - Moderate		 Deeks Lake
Sat 3 Jun, 2023 - Mon 12 Jun, 2023 A Hike
A/B - Relaxed		 Hiking in the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Sat 10 Jun, 2023
10:00 am - 5:00 pm		 Moderate - Moderate Squamish bike and hike
Sun 11 Jun, 2023
8:00 am - 2:00 pm		 B Hike
B - Moderate		 Erin Moore Trail, Lions Bay
Tue 13 Jun, 2023 - Wed 14 Jun, 2023 Cycling
Easy pace - Relaxed		 Saltspring Island bike camp
Sat 17 Jun, 2023
10:00 am - 3:00 pm		 A Hike
Moderate - Moderate		 Squamish hike
Sun 25 Jun, 2023
9:00 am		 A Hike
A2b - Relaxed		 Fishermans’ Trail in Seymour Demonstration Forest
Get to terminals early enough to find parking, or you will miss your boat!

Early Birds Don't Miss the Boat!

Summer is here, and the ferries are busy. Our advice? Get up early!
Please get to ferry terminals early enough to figure out parking. Too often leaders get texts at the last minute saying "can't find parking." Make sure you get to your meeting place on time, by considering this extra step. Better yet, instead of driving, take a bus to Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen and forgeddaboutit (the parking that is). Also, beware that BC Ferries are cancelling ferries due to lack of staff - so be prepared to take a water taxi or to make a reservation -- even as a foot passenger.

Thanks for Reading and Happy Trails

Mt. Underhill

 

 

 

The Raven – May 2023

Club news, General news,

No One Wants to get Long-Lined

Thud, thud, thud - the ominous sound of a North Shore Rescue Talon heli booms off the mountains. Don't you always look up when you hear them and wonder "Uh-oh, I wonder what's going down up there" ?

Photo: Alexa Smith
Saturday, May 13th
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Ecole Argyle

On Saturday, May 13, North Vancouver School District is hosting its second annual Outdoor Safety and Emergency Preparedness Open House at École Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver. The event features first responders and local emergency management experts, who will showcase their expertise. Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, North Shore Emergency Management, North Vancouver RCMP, and both North Vancouver fire departments will be there along with North Shore Rescue, BC AdventureSmart, and the BC Earthquake Alliance. All are welcome. This is a family-friendly event. You might even get to board a Talon : )

North Shore Hikers will be attending this event with a display

Come see our display and learn about the trails, history, flora and fauna in Lynn Headwaters park.

May 2023

Date/Time Category Event
Sat 13 May, 2023
9:00 am		 B Hike
B2b - Relaxed		 B2b Dias Vista loop trail Buntzen Lake
Sat 13 May, 2023
9:15 am		 A Hike
A2a - Relaxed		 Old Buck Trail to Quarry Rock
Sat 13 May, 2023
10:00 am - 4:00 pm		 Cycling
B - Relaxed		 Lionsgate bridge to second narrow's bridge via the historic green necklace bike in north vancouver
Sat 20 May, 2023 B2c - Moderate Mount Gardner / Bowen Island
Sat 20 May, 2023
10:00 am - 5:00 pm		 Cycling
B/C - Relaxed		 bike ride down arbutus ridge to steveston via crabapple ridge

June 2023

Date/Time Category Event
Sat 3 Jun, 2023 - Mon 12 Jun, 2023 A Hike
A/B - Relaxed		 Hiking in the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Hiking in the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Tue 13 Jun, 2023 - Wed 14 Jun, 2023 Cycling
Easy pace - Relaxed		 Saltspring Island bike camp
Saltspring Island bike camp

NEW! Post Your Trip Directly to the Schedule

Experienced leaders can now post a trip directly to the schedule without obtaining approval. To qualify, you must have been a member for at least one year, and have led at least six trips. To add yourself to the list of people who can post directly, please contact the planner for the trip class (A, B, C, D, Ski or Bike planner) you are most likely to lead. They will make sure you qualify and get you set up.

Random Spring Encounter

I can has blackberry shoots?

Your Club Needs You: Trip Mentors

If we all agreed to lead just one hike per year, we’d have a lively program full of choices in no time.  Most of us don’t just hike with our club, but also with other groups and personal friends. We invite you to share some of the hikes you’ve learned about and enjoyed, by proposing them on the schedule and leading them. We really need more A, B and C trip leaders. Worried about how to lead? We can pair you with a "trip mentor" - someone with experience that will help you figure it all out and join you on the trip. Please contact  Ramona to learn more.

Whoa, Fuel  Costs are Ridonculous, Right?

If you carpool, remember to reimburse the driver for carpooling costs at the end of the day. We suggest that drivers be compensated .30 per kilometre divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver.  For example, if it was a 100km round trip and there was one passenger, the passenger would get charged 100 x .30 = $30 divided by 2 = $15. If there were three passengers, each would be charged: $30 divided by 4 = $7.50. This is just rough guidance, and it's up to the driver to ask for what they think is reasonable.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

One of our beautiful new display boards. Thanks to Ye Chu for creating them.

The Raven – April 2023

Club news, General news, Parks and trails,

March can be undecided. Is it warm? Or will it snow? New snow on the mountains means an extended ski and snowshoe season. Get up there in the snow while you still can, the crocuses are in bloom!

This Weekend is Social!

Join us on a multi-day activity-filled weekend, including  a social get-together at Cristina’s house in Squamish starting Saturday at 6 pm. Members are invited to spend Saturday and Sunday nights at her house and participate in downhill, cross-country and snowshoeing activities Sat, Sun, and Mon. Saturday night social is a potluck style party featuring your best power bar among other yummy food and drinks you decide to share with your fellow hikers. Contact Cristina for more details and to register

There is plenty of snow up here.

Photo from Scutt peak hike

April Trip Schedule

Check the trip schedule during the month. We add new trips regularly. Want to join in on a trip? Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT
Sat 1 Apr - Mon
 3 Apr		 Social
Intermediate		 Club Social Event: Goodbye Winter party
Sat 1 Apr
10:00 am - 4 pm		 Moderate Callaghan cross country ski and snowshoe
Sat 1 Apr
10:00 - 4:00 pm		 A Hike
A2b		 Sea to Summit Trail
Sun 2 Apr
10:00  - 3:00 pm		 Moderate A hike Brohm Lake hike in Squamish
Mon 3 Apr
10:00  - 4:00 pm		 Moderate Downhill Whistler
Tue 4 Apr Back-country Ski
B2b		 Diamond Head
Sat 8 Apr
9:45 am - 4:45 pm		 Cycling

B/C

 Bike ride to Victoria in a day trip or a long 3 day weekend trip to Sooke for biking and hiking.
Sun 9 Apr
9:00 am - 3:00 pm		 Cycling leisurely moderate Training rides - 70 km loop
Tue 11 Apr Back-country Ski
A2a		 Hollyburn Mtn
Sat 15 Apr
10:00 am - 3:30 pm		 Cycling - B Bike ride around Belcarra and Sasamat Lake
Sun 16 Apr
9:00 am - 3:00 pm		 Cycling
leisurely moderate		 Training rides - 70 km loop
Tue 18 Apr Back-country Ski Mt Baker
Sat 22 Apr A Hike
A2a		 Lakeview Trail/Buntzen Lake Loop and around the Lake
Sat 22 Apr
10:00 am - 3:00pm		 Cycling - B David's loop from Coquitlam, Bert Flinn Park and around Port Moody's waterfront all on bike trails
Sun 23 Apr

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

 Cycling
leisurely moderate		 Training rides - 70 km loop
Sat 29 Apr
10:00 - 4:30 pm		 Cycling b/c colony farm, poco trail and minnekada bike trails
Sun 30 Apr
9:00 am - 3:00 pm		 Cycling
leisurely moderate		 Training rides - 70 km loop

 Attend Patrick Brown's Celebration of Life

 

Mount Seymour Park - Join a Virtual Workshop

As the number of visitors to Mount Seymour Provincial Park continues to rise, there is growing pressure on the park’s facilities and resources. BC Parks is working to identify what facilities and services are needed to:

  • Provide a range of enjoyable, high-quality and safe outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors, and
  • Help manage the increasing number of visitors to protect the environmental and cultural integrity of the park.

We invite your organization to participate in a multi-stakeholder virtual workshop to discuss the project. We will talk about Mount Seymour Provincial Park’s strengths and challenges, and your suggestions for objectives and ideas to consider in the Recreation Facility Plan. To register for the workshop, please visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/590753358197

For more information on the project, please visit https://helpshapebc.gov.bc.ca/mount-seymour-provincial-park-recreation-facility-plan.

Trip Report: Mt. Galiano

by Carol Kautz

Eleven hikers decided to take on the Bluffs and Mt. Galiano Loop hike on a beautiful, sunny Saturday. And guess what? Every single one of them made it to the finish line, despite the fact they were huffing a puffing like a steam engine.

Special thanks to Dave, who led some of the hikers on a five-minute detour to the old Galiano cemetery. Because you know, nothing SCREAMS “fun Hike” like a quick trip to the graveyard.  But hey, at least they got to pay their respects to some long-gone Galiano residents.

Up on top of Galiano, everyone was treated to some stunning views of the surrounding scenery.  And what better way to enjoy the view than by discussing the local ant and beetle population?  Riveting conversations, folks, and riveting stuff.

The Galiano Soap Works Store continues to make a killing selling Epson and Bath Salts to some of the North Shore Hikers. I guess sore muscles are the price you pay for a day of hiking and bug talk. All in all it was a great time with great company.

Some of the hikers, in case you were wondering, were Galiano newbies, but they handled the challenge like pros.  Thanks to everyone that joined in on the fun!

PS.  When the conversation came up about the roses and thorns of the day.  It was concluded that it was a day of gorgeous roses, with few thorns!

Thanks for reading! Happy trails to all. 
View from Galiano

The Raven – March 2023

Club news, General news, Parks and trails,

Trip Report: Scutt Peak

by Alistair Ferries

On Jan 28 nine of us attempted Scutt Pk (also known as Scuff Pk), 2238m, immediately north west of D’arcy. The 1600m bushwack was occasionally thrashy, and it took nearly seven hours to reach alpine at 2,000m, where three participants stayed. The somewhat imposing summit was easier than it looked. Except it wasn’t the summit. The true summit was a bit higher and a bit beyond. And the final 5 metres of it took almost 2hrs. As we first tried to find a safe way up powder snow on icy granite slabs; and then once a route was found; took turns going up and back. By the time we all summited, one member was too frozen to be able to remove his crampons. Fortunately, we had extra clothes, and once lower and out of the wind, he warmed up.

False summit - Whaaa?
Summit - Scutt Peak

March Trip Schedule

Check the trip schedule during the month. We add new trips regularly. Want to join in on a trip? Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT
Sat 4 Mar D Hike
D2c		 Spider Pk
Tue 7 Mar Back-country Ski
A2a		 Hollyburn Mtn
Sat 11 Mar
6:00 am - 6:00 pm		 C Hike Rainbow Lake Trail Snowshoe
Tue 14 Mar Back-country Ski
A2a		 Callaghan
Sat 18 Mar Back-country Ski
C3b		 Hollyburn / Strachan / Christmas Gully
Sat 18 Mar Hike
B2b/ B1a		 Mt. Galiano/Bluffs
Tue 21 Mar Back-country Ski
A2a		 TBA
Sat 25 Mar D Hike
D3c		 Niche Pk
Tue 28 Mar Back-country Ski
A2a		 Mt Seymour

2023 Social Events 

Our Social Convener, Donna Nyberg and friends have devised a preliminary schedule for our club socials for this year. You may already know that we are not using the Sunrise Community hall anymore, as their rental rates have quadrupled over the past two years( $40/night in 2021, $90/night in 2022 and $150/night in 2023).

Our new socials will add a fun/twist. If you have additional ideas, contact Donna. She'll add it to the preliminary schedule. All club socials will be posted on our Schedule as the dates are firmed up. Here's what we have so far:

April  “Goodbye Winter“ SOCIAL - Date TBA

One night in Squamish at Cristina’s place: potluck dinner featuring your favourite power bar! Two days of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Callaghan - if snow conditions are not good, there will be two hikes in Squamish.

 May  “ Hello Spring” SOCIAL - Date TBA

Cycling and hiking trip in Victoria
Two nights in Victoria at a resort or hotel/motel of your choice
Galloping Goose cycle
East Sook Regional Park hike
Potluck dinner featuring your favourite drink!

Summer Social Sunday, July 16th

Derby Reach Regional Park -Serene park offers riverfront trails, picnic areas, camping & picturesque mountain & forest views. Folks can walk or cycle into Fort Langley, stopping along the way at the Heritage Museum, enjoying the small village's unique favourite or even kayak from Fort Langley down to Derby Reach.  There is something for everyone to enjoy and if the picnic tables are all taken, we can pull a lawn chair from our car, sit along the Fraser River banks, and enjoy the potluck.

Cycling/hiking trail from Derby Reach Regional Park to Fort Langley

FALL SOCIAL - Harvest Festival - last week of September - exact dates TBA

Cycle San Juan, Lopez and maybe Orcas Island - kayak out of Friday Harbour, day hike Mount Constitution in Moran State Park and enjoy all that the San Juan Island have to offer.  We will drive down to Anacortes and take the ferry to Friday Harbour - a fun boat ride to enjoy even before the fun starts.

North Shore Hikers supports BCMC proposal for  Blackwall backcountry access in Manning Park

January 30, 2023

RE: Blackwall Backcountry Access Corridor Proposal

Dear Paul,

Thank you for circulating your proposal for a new backcountry access to Blackwall Peak
in Manning Park to our club. We are fully supportive of your proposal. The new access trail will serve the backcountry community and will create a new winter snowshoe opportunity in Manning Provincial Park, providing simple-moderate terrain to the alpine. The route will not interfere with the cross-country trails and will not traverse a high-value wilderness area.

We welcome your club’s efforts in expanding the trail system in our Province.

Cristina Jacob,
North Shore Hikers Society President

Thanks for reading and happy trails

A Log Lies On It - Deep cove

 

 

 

 

 

Raven – February 2023

Club news, General news

The explanation behind February’s full Moon name is straightforward: it’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. On average, February is Vancouver's snowiest month. Bring on those flakes! February 5th is the full moon for those of you who like to plan an evening snowshoe.

February Trip Schedule

Check the trip schedule during the month. We add new trips regularly. Want to join in on a trip? Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?

DATE/TIME CATEGORY EVENT
Sat 4 Feb
8:00 am		 Cycling
B/C		 bike ride to victoria for lunch
Sun 5 Feb
9:30 am - 1:30 pm		 A Hike
A2b		 Bridle Trail/ Baden Powell loop trail from Berkley Rd to Mount Seymour
Tue 7 Feb Back-country Ski B2b Diamond Head
Sat 11 Feb A Hike A1a Minnehkada Park
Thu 16 Feb Back-country Ski A2a Mt Seymour
Tue 21 Feb Back-country Ski A2a Hollyburn Mtn
Sat 25 Feb A Hike A1a Killarney Lake/Bowen Ramble
Sat 25 Feb D Hike D2c Spider Pk
Tue 28 Feb Back-country Ski A2a Mt Seymour

Needed: Volunteer Webmaster

We need someone to help out with the website. It's super important because that's how we all get to become members, post hikes and learn which hikes are available. There are currently two volunteers who work on the front end to add or change content. We really need someone with back-end skills to help keep our site healthy overall. The site is in WordPress. Typical tasks: scheduling back-ups, managing WordPress updates, keeping plug-ins up to date, database updates, email lists and more. Please let cristina.jacob03@gmail.com know if you are interested.

Re-thinking Club Social Events

by Donna Nyberg

I have taken on the position of the Social Committee, and although over my 40 years of membership, I have helped out many times throughout those years, I would like to take a different approach and see how it works.  For a very long time we have had slide shows etc. at the Sunrise Community Hall, however, I think the time has come to say goodbye for a while to Sunrise Slide Shows and try more exciting events.

North Shore Hikers is an outdoor club, and I would not want anyone to think it was going to become strictly a social club as that is definitely not the intent.  I would like to develop a team of creative minds who want to plan and organize fun social events. It can be interesting and fun to get to know others not strictly in our hiking boots, on bikes or skis.

Some ideas I have in mind would be a weekend trip to Chatterbox falls, a theatre night, going to the Spaghetti House or a favourite restaurant to try new food. As well, there could be a summer party, picnic and hike at Buntzen Lake or a trip to the Britannia Mine Museum along with a short hike in the area.

It would be wonderful and fun to learn about some other areas of the Lower Mainland - there is a Farm Cycle Tour out in the valley, a Lavender Farm and the Tulip Festival as well as many flower shows.
I would like to know how people feel about this idea and would anyone like to take on organizing or helping to organize an event.  If there is enough interest, we could have a meeting and come up with a few exciting adventures around the Lower Mainland.
Let HappyCyclist@shaw.ca know if there is any interest in this idea, any comments or suggestions would be most welcome.  Looking forward to some fun times!

Urban hike: New Brighton Park to the Fraser River

by Mariken Van Nimwegen

What I enjoy most from guiding this sort of walk, is that I can show people areas they didn’t know existed in the city because usually, we drive right by. While on foot we can see everything so much better and explore in detail. A completely sunny, blue-sky day in between all the rain was an added bonus!

Thinking About Organizing a Multi-Day Trip?

Always wanted to hike Patagonia's Torres del Paines? Or discover lesser-travelled backpacking trails in the Kootenays? Travel the Annapurna circuit? Whatever your dream multi-day trip, you can organize it with other North Shore Hikers. Below is a description of a trip to Italy that Ye Chu has organized for this year. You can organize one too! Just submit your idea to our multi-day trip coordinator, Diane Whitely, diane_whitely@telus.net for advice and approval in principle to advertise the trip on the NSH website.

Spring in Italy

by Ye Chu

A new year and new dreams of travelling abroad, now that the pandemic restrictions have subsided. May 24  to June 16, will be the first NSH self-guided bike and hike tour in Italy. I lived in Italy in the 80s and 90s studying art and architecture in Venice and Florence with excursions to the south of Italy, including Sicily. For me, Italy is the most wonderful country to visit as the people, the history, the sunny Mediterranean climate, and the food are to die for.

Vieste in Puglia

This adventure was advertised on our website back in May 2022 and we had 26 interested parties. We had monthly information meetings and when it came time to pay our deposits in September, we had 10 for the bike trip and 11 for the hiking trip.

Since finalizing our numbers, I have been hosting monthly meetings. It has been great fun getting to know everyone better, and I think we have a wonderful group of like-minded people.

The 8-day, self-guided bike trip is in the heel of Italy in a region called Puglia. It is steeped in a rich history of Syrian, Turkish, Greek and Spanish invasions, leaving behind the most unique white architecture and acropolis-style town planning. Several of the towns we will be visiting are UNESCO world heritage sites. We will be biking along the Gulf of Taranto, the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. I have been YouTubing this area, and some YouTubers have said the seas are equal in beauty to the Maldives. And in this region of Puglia, there are very few tourists, so we will have the towns and beaches to ourselves!

Between our bike and hike trips, we will have a relaxing three-day break in the town of Matera. The last James Bond movie “NO TIME TO DIE” opening motorcycle scene is filmed in this most picturesque town. This 9000-year-old UNESCO world heritage site is world renowned for its continual inhabitation of familial caves called Sassi. We have booked a thermal spa experience underneath our cave hotel, which promises to be a special trip highlight, according to Trip Advisor.

The 8-day self-guided hiking trip will start in Amalfi and end in Positano with day visits to the Isle of Capri, Sorento, Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. The longest hiking trail will be the Path of the Gods.  We understand there will be lots and lots of stairs involved to get to our hotels and on the cliffside trails. We have discussed bringing only carry-on backpacks and no roller suitcases. Which may mean we have to hike and sleep in our bike clothes!

In the next few months, I will be offering training bike rides (with some pizza eating) to get us all ready for our Italian trip. However, everyone is welcome to join us. Ciao!

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Canada Jay on Dog Mountain - This is the "official" bird of Canada

Raven – January 2023

Club news, General news,

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.

Crown Mountain peaks through the trees on the Dam Mt. trail

Incoming President's Message

Dear Members,

Cristina Jacob

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.

My vision for the future aligns with the directions taken by Carol, our president for the past two years, and includes diversification of types of hikes( we added family and dog-friendly hikes) and sustained efforts in promoting the club and increasing membership. Numbers mean strength, diversity, and more choices.
I plan to give a prominent place to international trips and encourage all members to put forward proposals for such trips. We have experienced members that can help. In 2019 the club did the Haute Route from France to Switzerland and this year we have an exciting cycle and hike trip in Italy. In 2020 the club had an all-planned and paid trip to Patagonia, which was cancelled by the world pandemic. We intend to bring that trip back to our members together with other international destinations.
Who am I?
I am a retired professional engineer and ex-adjunct professor at UBC. My hiking career developed for over a decade in Europe and restarted in my fifties when my children left home to pursue their education and careers. I do pro bono professional consulting and volunteer for several organizations- North Shore Hikers being one of them. I am also a competitive paddler.
I hope to meet many of you on future club activities. And remember to challenge yourself every day, contribute to the club with your time and talents, and enjoy life.
President, Cristina Jacob

December Trip Schedule

Check the trip schedule during the month. We add new trips regularly. Want to join in on a trip? You can click here to find out more if you are a member. Not a member? Then come along as a guest. But, hey why not just join?  Contact membership@northshorehikers.org 

DATE/TIME

 CATEGORY EVENT
Sat 3 Dec A Hike
A2b		 A2b, Dog Mountain, Mount Seymour Area
Tue 6 Dec
8:00 am		 Back-country Ski Cypress Back Country Ski Trip
Sun 11 Dec
10:00 am		 DOG HIKE
A1a		 A1a, Dog Hike, Mosquito Creek, Hikers without dogs also welcome
Tue 13 Dec
8:00 am		 Back-country Ski Diamond Head Back Country Ski
Sat 17 Dec
9:00 am		 A Hike
A1a		 A1a, Pacific Spirit Park Hike, slow relaxed pace

Tue 20 Dec
8:00 am

 Back-country Ski Hollyburn Ski
Tue 20 Dec
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm		 Sunrise Community Center Christmas Party
Mon 26 Dec
11:00 am - 3:00 pm		 Walk Vancouver Christmas lights walk
Tue 27 Dec
8:00 am		 Back-country Ski Callaghan Cross Country Ski
Sat 31 Dec A Hike
A2b		 Lakeview Trail/Buntzen Lake

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 objective from below on the descent route

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

Photo by Lesley Bohm - Mt Baker area