December 21st marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter in the northern hemisphere, how should I cerebrate this day? I set out on another early morning adventure, this time with Phil Jackson and Jaime Curcil. Our destination, Limestone Mountain, located between …
December Ascent of Mt Clifton
I’m not sure why this looks so amazing but who cares! 2014 has seen late onset of winter conditions for Vancouver Island’s alpine. Though the Island isn’t exactly known to be a winter wonderland, there is usually an excellent buildup of snow at elevations exceeding 1300 m. This year, it …
Thistle Mine via Camus Ridge with a Christie Falls Waypoint!
The morning started at a very relaxed pace. The morning’s late departure time that afforded me the luxury of sleeping in and being able to make breakfast before heading to the rendezvous point at Southgate Tim Horton’s for 9 a.m. Sunday December 7th, our plan was to hike along Camus …
The East Sooke Park Coastal Route, Done in the Blazing November Sun!
Oh the west coast of Vancouver Island. Why are so unpredictable! They say, if you don’t like the weather just wait five minutes….. How true they are! November on the west coast is not known for is ample sun, warm days, and gorgeous sunny views. Rather it is common to find oneself …
Mt Tzouhalem from Genoa Bay
If you are hoping to do a hike with great views of are not interested in driving logging roads and would rather instead a drive through idyllic bucolic landscapes, consider hiking Mt Tzouhalem. The hike is an easy one, with a max elevation somewhere around 475 metres it gives amazing …
Mt Hooper from Lake Cowican
November 15th, I joined up with Rod Szasz and a few other hikers, many from the Island Mountain Ramblers for a trip up a rarely summited peak in the Nanaimo Lakes Region/Cowichan Lake Region. Mt Hooper tops out around 1490 metres. For me, an most interesting aspect of the hike …
November Ascent up Mt. Moriarty — Done An Alternate Hike for the Day
Great days don’t always finish the way they are planned. Sunday November 9th, I met some new hiking friends at Chapters at 6:30am. Our plan was to do the Beaufort Lake Loop, approaching the range from the Port Alberni side. As you can discern from the title … we didn’t …
The Obscure Sadie Peak
View from the summit of Sadie Peak, looking North Many of those who read my blog will know that I live in Nanaimo BC and that most of my hiking trips take me to the mid and north island. If you know your geography at all, you will also know …
A Windy Day up Mt. Cokely
Not every hike goes as planned. Sunday, October 19th, the Island Mountain Ramblers head out on the scheduled Mt. Cokely trip We planned to ascend the Saddle Route and intended a a descent along the Rousseau Trail. I have wanted to do Cokely’s summit again for quite some time, this trip …
Mt Albert Edward as a Fall Day-Hike? Why not….
Saturday October 4th 2014 saw Dean and I making a early morning attempt at one of the most visited peak in Strathcona Park. No, an extra early start. I was in the Subaru and on the road by 5 am. Dean and I were heading up to Raven Lodge, embarking …