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

 

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

Spring Renewal

It is certainly feeling like spring out there. But up in the alpine, plenty of snow will still greet you (snowshoes or spikes? the eternal question).  April is a time of renewal and regeneration. Everything feels fresh again. Lots of new things are happening in your club. This is the "New" edition of The Raven. After all, that's what news should be.

New - Waivers

The Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC has updated their waivers and that means we get new ones as well. If you are signed in and go to the schedule page, you will be automatically asked to sign a new waiver. This is legit, so please do it.

New - Trip Guidelines for Leaders

Wondering how to lead a trip? There's a guideline for that. Our new guidelines for trip leaders are abbreviated in a single document for both hike and bike trips. We tried to streamline them to make it easy. Remember too that you can always ask any seasoned leaders for help. We are a friendly bunch. On that note: "seasoned leaders"  we have changed the email to send in your signup sheets from tripreports@northshorehikers.org to signupsheets@northshorehikers.org to make it super-duper obvious where to send them. Yes, duper.

New  - Carpooling Fees

Well, nobody likes fee increases, but here we are. We've raised the suggested amount for driver reimbursement.  As the costs of maintaining and fuelling vehicles go up due to inflation, we suggest $7.00 per person/hour of driving time on paved roads and $12.00 /hour on rough logging roads, and in adverse conditions. Inflation sucks! Buy Bitcoin.

New - April 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

12 Secrets to Successful Multi-day Trip Planning

1. Decide on the destination
2. Research the destination including but not limited to: best time to go, potential itinerary, potential accommodations, travel arrangements, potential guiding professionals
3. Contact the  multi-day coordinator, currently Diane Whiteley, for advice and approval in principle to advertise the trip on the NSH website
4. Issue a formal request for expressions of interest from members
5. Maintain a list of interested parties and communicate with the people on that list
6. Hold a face-to-face meeting  to start defining the details ( time of the year, duration, proposed itinerary)
7. Continue to  refine the details  with committed people
8. Suggestions of approaches to coordinate the trip: have a co-leader; commit only to provide relevant information on flights/transportation /guiding companies/accommodations and leave actual arrangements and payments to the individual participants; provide a detailed list of daily activities and exact dates for the trip; choose a meeting point/time/date to start and end the trip
9. If there are any costs to be shared, charge people early in the process. That can eliminate people who are not committed
10. There are instances when accommodations can be arranged by the organizer for all participants, such as renting a camping group site or an entire hostel. In these situations, a full deposit is required from participants. The organizer or the club pays the charge and recovers the costs from the deposits.
11. In case of cancellations, the organizer and the cancelling party work together to find a replacement. At no time, is the organizer responsible for covering the cost of the cancellation.
12. AFTER your trip: Write a wonderful trip report and make a presentation at one of our club socials.

What Happened? in 1976/78

Okay, not new. But still cool. Here's a snippet from our past.

In 1976 the membership fee doubled from $1.00 to $2.00. Whoa! Highway robbery. An introductory fee was also considered as a way of reducing the annual turnover of 250 people/year, but this was rejected. In 1978, the average number of people out each Sunday was 70. That's huge!!

Happy Trails and thanks for reading

March Comes in Like a Lion

Up above in the mountains, the latest "weather event" is creating a massive avalanche no-go zone. Bummer. On the brighter side, this gives your executive some time to sit in front of computers, talk to each other and decide "things." One of those things is a new forum to help us all benefit from each other's knowledge and surplus gear.

Let's hope that March goes out like a lamb.

New "Gear" Forum

Maybe that Patagonia puffy jacket doesn't fit exactly right? Want to learn which In-Reach is right for you? There's a forum for that.  Sell some gear and/or ask for gear advice. Post your questions and items for sale (or for free) here. (p.s. This is a Member's Only forum - yet another reason why you should join)

March Trips

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

DATE/TIME	CATEGORY	EVENT	NOTES
Sat 5 Mar 9:00 am - 12:00 pm	A Hike A2a	Capilano Pacific Detour	Medium pace
Tue 8 Mar	Back-country Ski	Hollyburn Mtn
Sat 12 Mar	D Hike D3d	Four Brothers Mtn	Medium fast pace
Sat 12 Mar	Back-country Ski	Hanging Lake
Sat 12 Mar 9:00 am - 12:00 pm	A Hike A2a	Whyte Lake via Old Helipad
Sat 19 Mar	Back-country Ski C2c	Alpen Mtn	Snowshoers welcome
Sat 19 Mar	A Hike A2b	Burnaby Mtn	Limit of 7 hikers
Sat 19 Mar	Snow Hike B2b	Elfin Lakes	Relaxed pace Vehicles require snow tires and chains
Sat 26 Mar	B Hike B2b	Mt. Galiano	Medium pace
Sat 26 Mar	D Hike D3c	Scutt Pk (Anderson Lk)	long tough day, optional car camping Friday night
Sat 26 Mar 8:00 a.m.	A Hike A2a	Mystery Hike TBA	Medium pace
Tue 29 Mar	Back-country Ski	Leader’s choice

 

February's Feature Trip Report

DePencier Bluffs from Deep Cove Outlook
Led by Karen Peters

Seven of us met at Deep Cove Lookout, put on our spikes, loaded up our snowshoes and started up the Perimeter Trail. Trail conditions at the beginning were a mix of bare ground and frozen snow patches. We passed the Goldie Lake area and the first lookout without incident – meaning we did not encounter the usual caution tape, “No Trespassing” signs and Seymour Resort’s patrols trying to turn back unpaid-up hikers. Nor was there any sign of the usual groomed snowshoe trails in this particular area... read on >>

BC Parks Day Pass System Survey

Do you love or hate the day pass system? The 2020 BC Parks survey about the day pass system did not collect information about those people unsuccessful in obtaining a day pass nor those who chose not to obtain a day pass. The Friends of Garibaldi Park Society is seeking deeper insight from day pass park users. Take the survey here. It's super short and easy.

 

Canada Helps Restore Trans-Bhutan Trail

 The Bhutan Canada Foundation, in partnership with the Tourism Council of Bhutan and others, is working to restore and reconnect a 16th-century trail. The Trans-Bhutan Project will rejuvenate 403km (250 miles) of trail from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east. The trail connected regional fortresses, known as dzongs, and came to be symbolically important as part of the establishment of Bhutan as a nation. 

The Bhutan Canada Foundation provided stimulus funding and accelerated the building of the Trail by hiring more than 900 unemployed workers in the villages along the route. The King will open the trail this month. 

Thanks for reading! Tailwinds to all.