After our first visit to Gambier Island in 2011, I thought I would never go back. In 2012, I was somehow duped into a water taxi ride there to bag Artaban after a trip to Anvil Island. This past Sunday here we are (Dave, me, Craig and Neil) waiting for the water taxi to pick us up in Horseshoe Bay for another trip to Gambier Island. Never say never! The purpose of Sunday's trip was to complete some peaks that have been added to the Bagger Challenge in the last two years. A trip to Gambier is an experience in itself with a water taxi ride in the early morning hours across Horseshoe Bay. It makes one truly appreciate the land and sea of South West British Columbia and all its natural splendor.
Dave and I all fresh and ready to take on the day.
Nice view from Burt's Bluff. It gave us a good perspective of the island.
Neil enjoying the views and capturing the perfect photo!
Happy Anniversary! Sunday was our 23rd wedding anniversary. I bet not a lot of others get a trip to Gambier Island for their wedding anniversary. We were talking it up calling it a cruise to a Howe Sound Island with an exciting excursion to the high point(s) of the island! Lucky ME! ;-)
On our way to Burt's Peak - now that's an island adventure to remember with your husband!
At the cairn on Burt's Peak.
On the descent from Burt's Peak we came across some animal bones - Neil identified the species - a deer. We lost the trail coming off Burt's Peak. However, Dave did a great job of leading us through a steep and nasty bush whack to finally find the trail once again.
Neil on the trail that goes across the island. The packs were loaded for the day. Well, at least the guys packs were loaded for the day! ;-)
This is the climb up Mt. Liddell. It's nasty! Full of many generations of blow down and rotting wood. Thank-you to those who marked the route with pink ribbon - it gave us some sort of direction to follow.
More of the same.
Plenty of decaying deadfall to travel under, over and through. I found the return down hill much worse than the climb up. I think I was getting tired from all the obstacle courses.
There was plenty of slimy moss on Gambier - very slippery! Best to just go down and slide over it.
Craig and I trying to find the way through the trees.
Wow - finally at Gambier Lake!
The puddles are full of Salamanders. We even saw a snake at the top of Gambier Peak.
Finally an opportunity to run the last 7km's. The water taxi was meeting us at 9 pm. Yes that was a long day...8 am pick up in Horseshoe Bay and 9 pm pick up in New Brighton Bay on Gambier. 13 hours!
Meeting the water taxi.
This is the inside of the water taxi (aka...cruise ship!)
Tired Dave and Craig - the seat felt very good! Same water taxi driver we had at 8am! A long day for all but a job well done! We have completed all the peaks on the island that are in the Bagger Challenge - compleatists of Gambier we are! Well done Dave, Craig and Neil.
Now I can't sign off without mentioning that this was our last regular outing with Craig. Craig is moving to Kamloops. He has found a special person there and employment in his area of expertise. We are very happy for Craig. However, Team Dodgy is getting thin we may have to send out an offer for new members. ;-) We will miss you Craig - for many reasons! I will really miss him as the guy who makes sure I get off the mountain trail. We have had a mutual helping trail buddy relationship. I help him with the up and he helps me get down! I think his job has been harder than mine. All the best Craig! We wish you well.
In the ups and down of trail running you guys have all been there for me, thank you. It was great to revisit the Gambier Island Masochistic Ubermensch Challenge and live to tell about it. But ... we're not done yet! We've got some tough peaks to reach and I will be not far away. I'll be training hard for the next one. Keep the trails clear for me ;)
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