Mount Brunswick

Saturday we climbed Mt. Brunswick. This mountain is a summit in the Britannia Range of the North Shore Mountains on the Howe Sound Crest Trail. It is the highest peak on this range at 1,788 m,

5,866 feet. Another peak for the 2014 Bagger Challenge!

We picked Chris up at 6:45 and planned to meet Kirsty and Glyn at 8:00am at the trail head. However, by the time we drove up to the trail head to find no parking available and drove back down to the overflow parking at the school and then a walk back up the road...it was an 8:15 start! Unfortunately the weather was very misty with low clouds but we all agreed to proceed knowing that views may come at a premium on this outing.

  It has to be said that, on a good day, the views are magnificent from Brunswick but sadly, not on this trip! But it was a good workout with good trail companions so the day was well spent. 

 

It's a steep climb up to 5, 866 feet. Here's Kirsty!

Glyn

Chris

Chris, Glyn and Neil

Kirsty, myself and Chris

OK - must share the photos from the last trip up Mount Brunswick on a clear day. This is Craig and I holding each other up!

The views on the climb up make up for the effort required.

That's the Sea to Sky Highway and Howe Sound below us.

 

Despite the weather the trail still provided us with a good physical challenge and good trail companions. Happy Trails!

 



More Summertime Activities!

On the Grouse Grind - Neil bought me the shirt at the beginning of the season. It's amazing how many people on the trail think I work for the Grouse Grind, or think they will be given a shirt when they are done. Nope - I tell them they can buy them at the top. The Grouse Grind is a 2.9 kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain. The elevation gain is 2,800 feet (853 meters) with a total number of stairs to now be 2,830.  We've climbed the trails up Grouse Mtn in the last few weeks. They all have the same elevation gain of 853 meters! The BCMC and the Flint and Feather both have less traffic than the Grouse Grind. I think my favourite for the "work-out" is the Grind, my favourite for the steepness and more technical terrain is the Flint and Feather. The BCMC is a great one to avoid the crowds on the Grind at popular times. They are all very good for us!!

 

I've been enjoying doing at least 2 activities per day this summer. That may include a combination of many things. For example, a Spin Class and a Run or a bike ride and a hike up the Grouse Grind. Some days have had 3 or 4 activities. A Spin Class, Run, Grouse Grind and a TRX Class - now that is the best Summertime Day!

This week Neil and I also did a climb up the Flint and Feather Trail on Grouse with Dave, Chris and Kendall. This is Chris and myself climbing up the Flint and Feather Trail.

The Flint and Feather trail offers a wee bit of rock scrambling near the top which is fun. Here's Chris!

I'm loving my new Rack Attack Bike Rack on my car. From the farm, I can now head out for spontaneous bike rides on my own. The condo has bikes for easy access to the seawall and trails. It's a good summer!

 

Hope you are enjoying your summertime too!



Summertime!

It's summertime and wow what a summer it has been! The weather has been fantastic here in the Vancouver area. To make it even better, I have taken the summer off. It's been a great summer...

 

Plenty of chair time

It's been hot for our canine friends too!

The most consumed fruit of the summer - so refreshing!

I've been tending to the flowers in the garden - looking good! 

Plenty of Barbecues with family and friends.

Keep Calm and Enjoy Summer time!

 

And I have been training quite well. I've been Spinning, Running, Grouse Grinding, Bagging Peaks, TRX weekly, Riding my bike...all in spectacular summer weather.

Keep Calm and Enjoy Your Summer Time.  

 

Grouse Mountain, Goat Mountain, Little Goat Mountian and Dam Mountain

 

Saturday morning Neil, Chris, Kendall and I hit the Grouse Mountain Peaks. I always appreciate how close these peaks are to each other. It was a morning outing with lunch at the Chalet.

This is Neil and Chris on Goat - the first Peak of the day.

 

 On our way to Goat Mountain.

 It has some nice technical sections.

Go Kendall !

My turn! 

Kendall!

Chris, Kendall and I - Neil is up ahead waiting for us for the final climb up Grouse Mountain. The weather here in the Vancouver area has been spectacular. Very warm! Not so great for our canine friends who must keep cool. Happy Bagging! 

A Great Day on the Howe Sound Crest Trail - Thomas, David, James and Harvey.

Saturday morning the plan was in place. Pick Chris up at 5:30 AM, Dave at 6:00 AM, Craig at 6:30 and on the trail by 7:00 AM. But like all good plans they are made to be broken. Dave emailed early - he was out and when we arrived to pick up Craig he was no where to be seen at the designated pick up spot. After waiting 30 minutes and sending countless messages and phone calls we decided to carry on to the trail head. Just when we started we heard that Craig was on his way - he thought his pick up time was 7:00 AM -oops!

 

We waited for Craig to appear before we set off with the start time now being 8AM. We were pleased that Craig caught up with us as he is the one seeking the completest list this year in the Bagger Challenge. Neil, Dave and I finished last year. Our new member of Team Dodgy who was keen to try a few bags is our Aussie relative Chris who has recently moved back to Vancouver from Maryland, USA. This was a good welcome back to Vancouver Chris outing!

 

We started at the Binkert Trail which starts as a fire access road and soon turns into the woods for a steady climb up. Once up and in the open we could hear music, we came upon a female who was playing a Joni Mitchell song on her guitar. What a nice greeting as we broke out of the forest. Only in BC!

 

Chris and I celebrating the first peak of the day, Thomas Peak - 1430 meters.  Craig's on his phone - he's got cell reception!

 

For a few moments clouds appeared over the Lions but thankfully they went away as quickly as they appeared.

Another Peak! James Peak, 1466 meters. Craig, myself and Chris.

Neil, Craig and myself James Peak.

 

 

Almost on top of David Peak,1496 meters. The stone is a bit red in colour.

Incredible views.

 

 The top of Mt. Harvey, 1650 meters. Pointing out our next bagging outing route!

 

 

 

Beautiful views of Howe Sound from the top of Mt. Harvey.

Chris on Mt. Harvey - taking it all in!

 Way to go Craig for getting 3 peaks closer to becoming a completest in the Bagger Challenge. Congratulations to Chris for completing his first 3 peaks in the Bagger Challenge. Great day out team...despite the unscheduled start early in the morning. Looking forward to the next bagging outing. I'm sure our quads will take the next one a little better.



Cateran 110, Scotland, Norway and London Catch up!

Wow - it's been a busy fun filled couple of months! Finally, a chance to reflect on our adventures. In my last blog I mentioned we were on our way to Scotland for the Cateran 110 mile run and to celebrate with family Neil's 50th Birthday. Neil had a great run at the Cateran 110. 3 weeks after the trip to Scotland we returned to Europe to explore Norway and enjoy 4 nights in London. Between European vacations we participated in the Vancouver 100km event. I will highlight the adventures and Neil plans to do a race report of the Cateran - so stay tuned...his report hopefully will be coming soon!

At the start of the Cateran 110 The Spittal of Glenshee (which is also the finish). Neil is ready to go!

The crew (Graeme and I) stopped for some refreshments once Neil was well on his way. It's important the crew take care of themselves too!

Graeme and I stayed awake for the entire journey. We were fueled with several mugs of coffee throughout the night and day. Graeme was the official water boiler/coffee maker.

Neil at the finish of the 110 miles. He looks fresh as a daisy! Speaking with George one of the RD's.

 

The day after the run we met up with our niece Kendall and her husband Chris who were visiting Scotland for a week from Maryland, USA. We spent the week travelling around Scotland and celebrating Neil's 50th birthday. We are at Dunnottar Castle in this photo, a colleague of mine is having her wedding there next year - it's a spectacular place!

 

Once we were home we participated in the Vancouver 100 event. We did almost 50 km travelling from Cypress to Deep Cove. Our intentions were to meet up with our friend Craig who was planning on doing more than 150km on this route but he called it at 100km. I think that's plenty of km's on that course. It's one of my favourite events!

 

Mid June we returned to Europe where Neil was attending a conference in Norway. We seized the opportunity to explore Norway where my mother's side of the family is from.

 

 

 
 This photo was taken from a restaurant patio in Oslo, Norway at 11pm at night. It never got dark!

We travelled to northern Norway to the city of Tromso which is 350 kilometers north of the Artic Circle. While there we participated in the Midnight Sun Marathon (Half Marathon).

 

 We rented a car and explored the Northern coastline. It was spectacular with many quaint fishing villages. The weather was cool as you can tell by my beach wear!

  

 

We then travelled south to Stavanger where the conference was taking place. It was a colourful city with many waterfront restaurants. Stavanger is referred to as the Oil Capital of Norway. The city is often listed as among one of the most expensive cities in the world by various indexes. I enjoyed the window shopping!

 

The conference arranged a ferry ride/bus journey to hike Pulpit Rock. Neil and I joined in on this evening excursion. Pulpit Rock consists of a steep cliff which rises 1,982 feet above the fiord. The hike was more strenuous than I thought it was going to be for a bus load of people to undertake. Everyone made it back - Neil and I were one of the first which allowed us time for some refreshments before the bus/ferry return to Stavanger.

 

After Stavanger we had 4 nights in London which we always enjoy. Hyde Park is such a great place to run which we did every morning. We enjoyed a night out at the theatre with our nephew who lives there now. 

 

 We have had brilliant summer weather since we returned back to Vancouver. BC. The weather is  calling us to get back into some peak bagging. Bagger Challenge...here we go!

 

 

 

Cateran Taper - Cleveland Dam to Hollyburn return.

We are on our way to Scotland for the Cateran 110 mile trail event. Scotland's first official event of this distance. We have both completed the West Highland Way which is 95 miles (Neil 3x's and myself 2x's) but this will be the first official event over the 100 mile distance. Last year we both completed the Cateran 55 mile event together. This year the double loop was added - Happy Birthday Neil!  I will be crewing for Neil with his brother Graeme. I hear we will be crewing in a new BMW X3 so we will be crewing in style! ;-) I really enjoy crewing for long distance ultra events. It is such a magical journey for both the runner and the crew. The event starts at 6 pm which is a nice start time. There is a 28 hour cut off time - I think Neil will complete it around in 22-24 hours. It's so hard to guess when there are so many factors involved when travelling for an event.

Saturday we started at Cleveland Dam and climbed up to the top of the Hollyburn Chute on the Baden Powell trail. This is the route of the V100 which I hope to complete early June. Wow is it "up" in this section. It was an 1hr and 45 minutes of climbing on some rough terrain. It was good to familiarize myself with this section - I forgot how isolated and spooky it gets deep into the woods.

There must have been a horrendous noise when this tree snapped!

First snow patch we came upon - if we carried on we would have met plenty of snow which I think I will use my Kathoolas on race day to get through the snow sections.

 

Looking forward to our trip to catch up with family, friends and to participate in the Cateran 110 Event.  Kendall and Chris will be joining us from Baltimore after the run. We will be celebrating a special birthday for Neil that week. My gift to him was the Cateran 110 mile event. What a great gift! ;-)