Back in Action

I've been a bit out of action with the effects of a virus that not only attacks you when you are young but re-visits you in adult life. There is now a vaccine to prevent it in adults, I would highly recommend it! 

Saturday Neil, Dave and I went back to our local favourite climb up Mt. Seymour. I let the guys go ahead as I really didn't know how I would fair up in the heat. I haven't done any climbing in three weeks. Although I am proud that I managed to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps every day. I really like my new FitBit to measure my daily activity. It gave me something else to focus on these past few weeks. 

Here's me in my new bug jacket - a gift from Dave and Helen. It's a good one that even has a zipper on the hood so you can open it to eat and drink. Something that will come in very handy on our local mountains in the summer months. Although, this year with the hot dry summer there is no moisture therefore minimal bugs! 

Neil and I enjoyed a bike ride on the seawall after our climb up Mt. Seymour. There are clouds of smoke behind us. The winds are blowing the smoke from the serious forest fires in Washington State. There was an air quality advisory warning for the Fraser Valley. 

Here's Neil, Dave and I on the journey up Mt. Seymour. 20,000 plus steps yesterday - nice! 

BC Day Long Weekend - Evans Peak

What a great outing to do on the BC Day long weekend. It doesn't get any more of a "Coastal BC hike" than this one!  "Very Difficult" the sign says on the route to Evans Peak in Golden Ears Park. I have lived in the area most of my life but have never been up this challenging route in the majestic Golden Ears area. So glad Chad and Marla invited us to join them on this local gem of a hike. We started at the West Canyon Parking lot and followed the signs. The trail was very well marked and well maintained. However, it did provide a very steep work out which took us 2.5 hours straight up to the top. 

   Here's Chad - leading the way with a steady pace. 

  Marla and I both took a pole and I was glad I did. It really helped coming back down the steep slope. 

   Once up top of Evans Peak the views were spectacular. This photo is looking down to Alouette Lake. That's North Beach below which was full of people enjoying the hot weather. 

   Here we are at the top. I must remember to take my buff off for photos! I needed the buff to capture      the sweat going up. It was 33 degrees C! 

   We enjoyed lunch at the top and tried to identify all the peaks surrounding us with 360 degree views. We did good - local knowledge! 

  There were a couple of sections with rope closer to the top which always add to the fun factor.    Here's Marla and I on the way down. 

 Height: 3,714 feet. (1,132 meters)

 Elevation Gain: 3,117 feet (950 meters) 

 Time: 4.75 hours (including all stops) 

 Round trip: 12.1 Km's 

This hike starts out very tame and as you climb higher it really kicks up in all aspects. It is never too dodgy though and is a well marked trail the entire way. This was my first day using my new "Fit Bit". I did aprox 23,000 steps. Near the top on a steep section my heart rate was 150. (I was walking!) Thanks Chad and Marla for a great day out on the trails! 

Today I did 18,000 steps with a 1 hour run, 40 minute bike ride, and other household chores. My goal is at least 10,000 steps every day which is the daily recommendation. I can exceed that on non work days but will need to be creative to get my steps in on work days. I think I am going to like my new little purple wrist band that gives me the time, number of steps, heart rate, calories burned, Km's, and number of flights of stairs. I'm not much of a gadget person but this seems to be just what I need for those working days. Happy Stepping!