Seattle

So my extended birthday celebrations continued last weekend with a trip to Seattle.

We rented a car from Friday and headed down straight after work hoping to miss the worst of the rush hour and border rush but getting out of work late and then skytrain delays meant that we didn't leave Vancouver until nearly 5pm. Once on the road it was a simple enough drive down to the border. We had address's, passports, ESTA's completed etc to try to keep things smooth but we knew that a previous trip to the USA for Lisa resulted in some paperwork being left in her passport and she was warned that next time it could be tough getting in as it look's like she's never left. We got to the border and we sent over to the main building to complete I94 visa waiver forms. The queue was the best part of 30 minutes before we got to speak to someone and fill out the forms. We got the usual USA customs grilling and explaining a BC address, an Alberta rental car and a British and Australian passport caused less grief than we expected so it was straight forward. We had to leave the car keys with a guard outside and assumed that he was checking the car so when we heard people around is being asked if the had any fruit, veg , alcohol or tabacco with them we freaked a little as we had food the weekend and my secret birthday cake was lying on the back seat of the car. However when we got back to the car the keys were lying on the windscreen and it looked like no one had even glanced inside. The cake was safe!

We were staying with a friend of a friend and with the TomTom only showing the first 50km over the border we had to partly wing the last section and partly rely on the googlemaps print out which was pants. We made it to Brian's in good time though and had a chat before setting up on yet another couch but we were very grateful to be hosted by generous strangers yet again.

We set about a big day exploring on Saturday and got a decent start and worked out the bus routes. First stop was REI's flagship store (outdoor kit and clothes). An hour later we left with a few new goodies in the bag and headed down to the Chocolate festival that was on at the Seattle Centre. We stayed for a good hour or so sampling chocolates and listening to an ex NASA scientist turned choco-guru tell his tale of chocolate experiments in order to create the best chocolate and he seems to be pretty close with awards and big orders.

Later we cruised around the downtown area and also to the Pike Street Markets which are well known for the huge assortment of food stalls, crafts and bric-a-brack.

Seattle weather seemed to be pretty much like Vancouver so we didn't escape the rains but the BC brolley served us well until we got home. We headed out for dinner with Brian and Andrea and went for a crab feast up by Lake Union. They had a 5lbs of crab special so we got one of those and then 2 a la carte orders. The crab was amazing basically 2 fully dressed crabs and about 12 big legs full of meat. A real seafood feast. A few drinks later and a beer in a bar entertained lightly by some band with the same 3 songs going round and round saw us getting home at a decent hour after a good feed and fun night out.

Sunday we decided to get out to a few of the little suburbs and headed out to Fremont and Ballard Markets and a stroll up to Volunteer Park. We headed back mid afternoon and cruised through border control this time apart from the standard trip up questions.

Another fun weekend and definately worth going again for a summer time stroll and play on Mt Baker.

Stadium Glacier of Sky Pilot - A big day out

We had been suggested to join another group called meetup, to meet people in our area keen on hiking and climbing etc. So on Friday morning I did just that and in a big flurry of emails and decisions we were leaving early the next morning to tackle a long day hike to a glacier.

The track starts close to Squamish so we were lucky to get a lift with Brian, that made our team of four, Brian, Francois, Lee and I. We didn't have a four wheel drive unfortunately so that meant about 9km of road walking, groan! Being a forestry road, they've now dug large trenches out of the road, even a 4wd would struggle now I think. So it took us 2 1/2 hours to reach a smaller path, directed by a large arrow of stones pointing us off a way that didn't look right. Still making a mistake and going with someone who didn't have a full scale map, yet a print out route description only was a mistake (if I'd have known I would have got a map last minute)

Here the path became really narrow, bordered by shrubs trying to scratch you to bits and streams trying to seep water into your boots. As we got higher the views of Sky Pilot and Co Pilot were great. We were indeed still quite a way from them though, as we criss crossed the stream and entered into boulder fields, the ice became thicker. We were sliding all over the place, attempting not to end up at the bottom of the sheer cliff, having our poles with us would have been a sensible option (next time she says). Still, the ever changing walking surface kept things interesting.

Finally we made it to the bottom of the steep boulder field, where the guide book notes pretty much ended and we just had to pick a route and go up. Up continued steeply for what felt like an age, it was slippery on the ice and just full of boulders and scree, not a great mix, hands and scrambling a must here.

After 4 1/2 hours we made it to the glacier, time for a rest. We took photos had some lunch and soaked up the sunshine, we'd finally made it. After exploring a bit on the glacier (which was such a solid block of ice, crampons were needed, we wondered how it was people got up the top of these mountains in just one day. Perhaps its an earlier start than we had, longer daylight (in the height of summer) and not the slower progress we had with the heavy frost and ice over every surface. Whatever reason it was, we weren't going for any summits today and besides, we had no map or description to get to the top disappointing as it was.

So the long long trek back down inevitabley came. First the steep reverse down the icy boulder and scree field, back through the thick forest and undergrowth, crossing back and forth over the rushing stream and we finally made it to the arrow turn off point. With 2 1/2 hours as an up time we knew we still had close to that to go. This is sometimes when things can get a bit boring on the hike, covering a path you already know and it turning into a logging road, never fun, but gives you time to chat and continue to get to know each other and also just enjoy giving your own thoughts some time to surface.

Finally back to the car just as the sun had set, a quick change and we were heading back to Vancouver. A great long day out 20km of hard hiking, with perfect weather, fun company and a story to tell......
Oh and never assume when someone says they have a map they actually do! Get your own.....

A Kayak Weekend in Indian Arm - Canada

2nd-3rd October
As we live less than 5km from a beautiful area called Deep Cove, we both knew we wanted to get out on the water and explore the Indian Arm.

It was to be Lee's Birthday present, ever looming (24th October), but as I finally wasn't working on the Saturday and the week had been one full of sunshine, where this time of year is known for its heavy rainfall, we made a last minute decision to hire the kayak and go for a paddle. So Lee's birthday weekend came early.

A short bus ride, some paperwork, a few dry bags and we were packed ready to paddle in our double kayak. As I haven't had much experience kayaking, Lee took to the backseat, driving and we paddled out in low cloud.

Initially we had to pass quite a few small fishing boats and personal motor boats to get out past the marina. I quickly spotted a large log with 2 seals basking in the sun, we paddled closer to them and eventually they slid into the water. Wow seals what a great start, smiles all round. Then hugging the shore we marveled at all the million dollar houses lining the shore, still very accessible to Vancouver yet surrounded by such beauty. The further we got, the less houses there were and the sunnier the weather became. Pristine, the sun sparkled off the water as we silently glided our way through. After reading a recommendation on a website we made sure to stop at Silver Falls, a really high fast flowing waterfall, where we could paddle up close to it, quite spectacular. As we sat there bobbing we could clearly see hundreds of jelly fish floating just below the water surface, quite a sight and definetly not a place to fall into the water!

As the weather was so nice, there wasn't any wind and the current was slightly going with us upstream, we continued on. We went past the old Buntzen power station, a beautiful old building now in disrepair, where just around the corner is a new hydro power station with a massive torrent of water dispersing every second into the river.

We decided to pull up on shore for lunch, at a free campsite space, we shared the area with 2 fishermen and their dog, sitting in the sun drying out from the drips of paddling all morning. Just as we decided to head back to paddling, I was sitting in my seat, tucking my spray deck in when a huge wave from the wake of a far away motor boat washed over us, I was covered in freezing water causing a shock of a few half breaths and Lee's area became flooded. Thanks to the pump we soon fixed that and learnt a valuable lesson.

Our last part of the paddle saw us paddle past Croker island and land into Granite Falls with the free campsite literally beside it. This is quite a popular site as it's as almost as far as you can go up the Indian Arm and it's such a large waterfall, a nice tranquil place for the night. We set up our tent and went exploring a bit further in the kayak to the end. It's here it becomes more and more eerie, big logs floating in the water, everything quiet and shaded by the nearby mountains, motorised boats can't quite get this far. On the way back we paddled right past the Royal Vancouver Sailing club, a very prestigious looking sailing club only accessible by boat!!!! So we didn't stop for dinner ;-0 but headed back as light was setting behind the mountains, not yet dry from our previous soaking, we put as much dry warm gear as we could on and cooked our meal. Lee had a little bouldering session around the waterfall area and I just relaxed and soaked everything up, smiling inwardly.

The next day we were up earlyish just because we were. So we ate breakfast, packed up the tent and decided to hit the water. This was the most amazing part of the trip, no motorised boats, in fact no one else on the water as far as we could see most of the time, just us silently gliding through the water, passing by loads of seals curious to see us as much as were to stare silently at them. A magical time. The weather today was overcast, yet the rain held off. We didn't rush back just took it steady perhaps a little more tired than the previous day, slightly against the current with a high wind. We had lunch on the second half of Twin Island, all to ourselves, then headed back to the marina. Just to finish it off we glided past 3 seals happily lying on a long pipe drying off, not the least scared to move off. A great way to end a fabulous weekend. We had paddled 19km each way!

Happy Birthday Lee
I Love you

Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge Hike

21-23^rd September

The apartment we are staying in North Vancouver was set up thanks to a friend, Greg. Lucky for us, his cousin was getting married and moved in with his soon to be wife and hence his place was currently vacant, as the whole building is having building improvements done, he’s unable to rent or sell it and that’s where we come in. A great bargain, to have a whole apartment to ourselves, a bit out of downtown, but we are appreciating every second of it.

So Greg was over for the wedding and had a few spare days at the end. Keen to do some local hiking and as I still hadn’t managed to find a job, getting away seemed like the perfect idea. Unfortunately Lee had to start work on the Wednesday so couldn’t come along.

After I went for an interview in the morning to work as a barista (I got the job) we were then on our way. We arrived at the parking lot after lunchtime knowing we only had about 9km walk into Garibaldi Lake. Its apparently not that cheap to “backcountry camp” 2 nights cost $20, still that wasn’t going to stop us. We had thought going mid week (Tue/Wed) would be quieter than the weekend of tourists, boy were we wrong.

The path is really accessible, wide and winds its way up past a few smaller glacier blue lakes before finally descending down to Garibaldi Lake. It had been a bit cloudy but the rain stayed away. The noise level erupted into screeches and screams from a rather large group of girls. It was here we met Chris, the physical education teacher for an all girls school, totalling 44 as he said. He tried to make the peace with us and just warn us about his large school group, as it turns out another group further down the campsite were there too. So in good time but it was getting really cold, we set up the tent at a vacant spot and went to get warm.

This dedicated campsite even has shelters and a drop toilet so as we cooked inside the shelter we were much warmer inside than outside, we met a really nice Japanese couple, an Australian couple and a Canadian couple over from Vancouver Island. Before too long, darkness fell so we went back to the tent, it wasn’t the most restfull of nights, every now and then you’d hear a girl scream, and it was so cold I just couldn’t get that warm.

As I ended up sleeping in until 7:45, Greg had already been up for the sunrise and taken photos. I was one of the last people ready (besides the schools groups of course), how unusual. Still the very thick layer of frost that had fallen, showed just how cold a night we had really had.

The weather was beautiful, clear blue skies and the sun trying to warm us up. The plan for the day was to hike to the top of black Tusk. Its an awesome volcanic mountain, sticking out on its own. The last section in the chimney is supposed to be an easy rockclimb or hard scamble, though we hadn’t taken helmets upon reflection we should have. As we got higher and higher the views became more magnificent. Able to see all the snow capped mountain ridges around and notice just how low the snow level really was. Fresh snow has fallen for the season already! As we continued to hike up the loose scree with lots of snow, it became apparent the summit was probably out. We watched loose rock falling from the summit as the snow started to melt, making crossing the traverse and the climb a risky one without helmets or at the very least a confidence rope. So instead of the summit, we enjoyed the surrounding views and headed lower out of the icy wind for some lunch.

The girls group arrived not long after, to enjoy their lunch in the sunshine and as the aussie couple went past they asked us if we’d like a beer they had brought up. Sure we said and though I didn’t like it, Greg enjoyed a beer in the mountains. With so much time left, such great weather we decided to descend to where the paths divide and see how we felt. Both with energy in reserve we couldn’t miss out on doing Panorama Ridge. Another uphill slog, then snow crossings and a bit of scambling and we were up the top. Both excited by our efforts and the reward of such a beautiful vista. Garibaldi lake sparkling below us and snow capped mountains as far as the eye could see.

We had had such a great day, it was starting to get late so descended back to camp happy and a bit tired. About 18km were walked in that day. As we relaxed in the shelter keen for a cup of tea, a new teacher arrived saying we would be better changing shelters as she had just bought up her school group today and they would be eating in there. We stood our ground as we didn’t really have anywhere else to go and shared with 26 young boys and girls from a nearby squamish school. I must admit I felt slightly old cursing as these kids took over, but it was funny watching the interaction of the boys with the girls, the boys running into the icy water for a ‘swim’ and this school groups behaviour as apposed the all girls school. Pocket knives were being used to cut their names into the table and lighters were being used when they shouldn’t have been, all being witnessed by the teachers and yet nothing was being said.

So as the night was dry yet cold, we cooked then ate outside. As I hadn’t got all my stuff ready again since arriving in Canada, I had overlooked we didn’t have any tea bags or hot chocolate, oh no! We were speaking to the teachers from the private school and mentioned we didn’t have any and she came back with a pile of earl grey tea and a hot chocolate packet for us. How could we be cross anymore, they had saved us from drinking just another cup of hot water.

We ended the night early as the shelter wasn’t warm with the kids leaving the door open and headed to the tent. At 8:30pm this is rather early but that’s camping for you. We listened to Gregs ipod and then fell asleep. Waking to the rain falling heavily through the night. One never enjoys packing up in the rain.

When it seemed like it had at least slowed, we decided we may as well get up and get things ready as we only had the walk out today. We were lucky though the tent was wet that we had long enough to pack our bags, get the tent down and start cooking breakfast before it started again. With wet weather gear on we then did the walk out.

Why does it always feel so much longer to walk out and down than it did on the way in. Still at 10:30am we were back at the car, to meet yet another school group standing in the rain ready to walk in. We filled them in on the number of school groups already there and they thanked us.

Dry clothes on, something to eat and we headed home. Stopping off in Squamish to the second hand shop so I could buy some new, secondhand clothes for my first shift tomorrow (Friday). We had fajitas ready for Lee when he got home from work and relaxed the rest of the night.

Thanks Greg, it was a fun few days out hiking in BC and for the great photos :-)

The black tusk summit still awaits in summer time……..