I’m using Island Alpine as a benchmark of mountaineering achievement, a checklist of mountains to summit. It mostly leads me to exciting adventures which I approach with anticipation, but every so often I find a hike where my expectations are low. Setting out to hike Mount Phillips in Strathcona Park …
Hiking Queen Peak in the Sutton Range
View PostH’Kusam Mountain via the Stowe Creek Trail
I’m the classic weekend warrior. I only have one day a week to get out and make mountaineering magic happen. Though there is a ridiculous number of opportunities on Vancouver Island for outdoor adventure, Phil and I are exhausting the climbs that are possible to do as day hikes. Phil …
Mackenzie Peak
Highway 14 features some of the bushiest alpine routes on Vancouver Island. Phil Stone even mentions the region in his list of the Island’s best bushwhacks, though this particular route doesn’t make the list. Because the area is not protected by any special status, most of it has been logged. …
Hiking Mount Regan via The Lower Route
Vancouver Island, home to forest giants and cold oceans is often overlooked for its alpine opportunities. A favourite feature of the high alpine is the chance to strap on crampons and walk the many pocket glaciers and snow fields. However, the changing environment means that glacier walking on Vancouver Island …
Hiking to an unnamed peak in the Alberni Valley
It isn’t often that I am able to take time to go camping in the middle of the week. I made a smart decision and took time off work to join in on adventure, a trip up a never-before-summitted mountain. June 8, 9 and 10th, I joined four other hikers. …
Hiking to Comox Glacier’ following the First-Ascent route, over Mount Kookjai and Black Cat Mountain
View from below Black Cat Mountain looking East to Capes Ridge Comox Glacier has taunted since before I knew its name. Driving up Island past Comox and Courtenay it looms on the western horizon. When Phil approached me about doing a two day trip up to the glacier I jumped …
Beaufort Range Traverse — Summer 2014
Earlier this year I made late spring trip into the Beaufort Range to visit Mt. Joan. On that trip we ended up making a winter ascent to the summit of Mt. Joan, where we were promptly socked in. Saturday, August 30th the Island Mountain Ramblers made an attempt to traverse …
North Coast Trail – Summer 2014
I just hiked the North Coast Trail… the North Coast Trail, let that sink in a little while. It feels good to say that, finally. I have had my eye on doing this trail since it opened in 2008. Earlier in 2014, I made a resolution to stop talking about …
Mount Joan in the Beaufort Ranges
Saturday May 12th GPS Route Seven people joined the Ramblers’ trip to the Beaufort Range’s Mt Joan . Ken was kind enough to meet us at the Cook Street turn off and provide an additional 4×4 to reach the trail head for Mount Joan. The forecast called for …