A Vancouver Weekend

Killaine & I had a fun weekend. On Saturday, we headed up to Squamish to do some mountain biking (Killaine was keen to try out her new mountain bike).

We did a somewhat "traditional" loop that I really like - the first 1/3 or so of the Test of Metal Course with the Alice Lake loop added in. Great mix of single track, lots of climbing, some logging roads, and a few steep descents. Much fun.


On Sunday, I took my kayak out for possibly the last paddle of the year.

I paddled over to Stanley Park from Kits Beach, around Siwash Rock and back straight across English Bay.

The wind picked up while I was out there (a little quicker and stronger than I liked!), but I got across and toodled back to Kits beach. A fun paddle on the fringe of the kayaking season.

I never win anything ... until last night

Killaine & I went to the annual Arcteryx factory sale and slide show last night. Chad Sayers put on a good slideshow of various photos from around the world - very well done.

At the end of the slideshow, there was a draw for an Arcteryx Acrux 65 pack - a very cool (and very, very expensive) waterproof pack. And ... I won it! I was shocked and surprised! It'll make a great rescue pack - pretty tough and "deluge proof"!

Deserts & Mountains

Killaine and I headed down to south-east California for a week of hiking and wandering through Joshua Tree, Mojave and Death Valley National Parks, and finished up with a 3 day hike into the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

Rather than a long, drawn out story, I've uploaded selected photos to Picasa. You can take a look at 'em here!

New Personal Grouse Grind Patrol Record!

I'm so excited ... I set a new personal record for sweeping the Grouse Grind!

One of the (many) things that we do in North Shore Rescue is to sweep the "Grouse Grind" each night to ensure that there aren't any wayward hikers wandering around in the dark. I sweep it about once a week.

I shot up it in 48 minutes and 35 seconds last night - while still managing to distribute three lightsticks (accompanied with short, but stern lectures on the perils of not carrying a flashlight!), and carrying my (light) 6 1/2 kg pack!

Comment on the Weekend Sea Kayaking Tragedy

As you might have heard in extensive national coverage, there was a tragic sea kayaking accident on Sunday. Eight"experienced" adventure racers encountered very bad weather conditions, resulting in two kayaks capsizing - resulting in two of them dying, likely from hypothermia.

Here's a good report from the CBC on what transpired:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/08/kayak-death.html

Although I wasn't there and thus cannot comment fully on their capabilities, I can glean enough from the extensive news reports to make some recommendations as to what sea kayakers should be doing as a matter of course:

• Check the weather forecast beforehand - if the forecast calls (as it did on sunday) for heavy rain and strong winds, reconsider your plans;
• Know the area you're paddling through - some areas are particularly well known for channeling and intensifying winds (in particular, the channel between Anvil Island and the mainland);
• Dress for the water (i.e. if you ended up in the water, how would you stay warm?). A wetsuit is necessary for most times of the year on the coast - dry suits are needed in the winter;
• Carry a waterproof marine radio and, in intense conditions, ensure it is clipped to your life jacket.

In addition, carrying flares is a good idea. Unfortunately, the group does not appear to have followed any of these recommendations.

The trip that these guys attempted is an excellent trip in good conditions. I did it on my own earlier this year.

New Skis! (well, soon ...)

Yay! I just ordered my new skis!

I've ordered a pair of Black Diamond Voodoos. It took me a while to decide what kind of new ski to get ... I decided on the Voodoos 'cause they seem to optimize light weight & touring performance with width for flotation in powder, while still having some stiffness for busting through the crud.

Anyway, that's all very theoretical until I actually get the skis and get to try 'em out.

The other skis that I considered were the Black Diamond Stigmas, and also the Baron and Reverend from G3. The Stigmas seemed a little too sidecut and seemed to be a little soft (as per reviews from Telemarkski.com), while the Baron seemed a tad narrow, and the Reverend was too wide and heavy. Hence, the Voodoo seemed to fit right in the middle.

I've ordered 'em through North Shore Rescue, so they'll take a little while to get here ...

Winter Is Here

The Thanksgiving weekend out here was pretty wet and rainy. In advance of the big storm forecast for Sunday, Killaine & I decided to get out for a quick hike up to the first peak on Mt. Seymour to see the new snow ...







The snow started not too far above the parking lot.












It was decidedly wintery up at the peak.













Snow dusting on the summit.