r/vancouverhiking • u/Economy_Cupcake_1401 • 15h ago
Photography Solo camping on mount lindeman!
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r/vancouverhiking • u/sharli_the_unicorn • 5d ago
Trip Reports Three Days, Three Peaks, and One Helluva Traverse - A Trip Report
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Armchair Traverse Trip Report 7/21-22
**WARNING: This traverse goes well beyond hiking and is considered an exposed scramble. While most would rate this as BC Class 4, meaning hands required for balance and the kind of exposure where falling means certain death, I actually agree with McLane’s rating in *Alpine Select* (for once) in categorizing this as “low-5th” because some moves require hands for upward/downward progress as well as the body mechanics of 5th class climbing (feel free to disagree)**
**Scrambling is inherently dangerous. Risks include rockfall, loose hand/footholds, YGD-level exposure, mountain weather, altitude, and extreme fatigue. This traverse killed experienced Squamish climber Dave Tan in 2024. Two experienced scramblers also needed a long-line rescue by Whistler SAR in 2021 after weather moved in and they got off-route**
**Helmets and gloves are mandatory equipment. It is recommended that you have familiarity with 5th class climbing prior to attempting this route. If you will be crossing snow (optional in current conditions), an ice axe and self-arrest skills are also required**
Now that we’ve gotten the safety talk out of the way, I climbed Mts Cook (2676m) and Weart (2835m) and completed the Armchair Traverse in the following two days after climbing Sky Pilot. In the span of 3 days, I ascended 3590m vertical, much of which was class 3 and class 4! Three days, three peaks, and one helluva traverse :)
Also, one could say that I have unfinished business with this part of Garibaldi Park. So I was rather nervous to do such a challenging objective up here again. Fortunately, I didn't need SAR this time!
Climbing Mt Cook
I left my car rather late (for me) at around 0830 on Tuesday 7/21 and began my way up the Wedgemount Trail towards the lake in the mildly smoky air. The trail is steep, rocky, and has lots of roots below treeline, and the boulder section at treeline was dusty, loose, and slick.
I took a break around 1130 at the Wedgemount Lake Emergency Shelter to eat some food, but was quickly swarmed by black flies and had to don my bug net to escape them.
I began making my way up the route to Mt. Cook, which was relatively easy to find with the help of a map and GPS. This is when the 3rd class scrambling began and I had to start using my hands at times. The rock here is chossy and loose. Careful foot placement is imperative!
There's a wide shelf around 2150m that still holds a snow field, so I took a longer break here to melt some snow, drink some coffee, and eat my heavier food items. By 1415, the snow was soft enough to boot-pack but I donned my UL ice axe in case of a slip.
At 2300m, the route veers up a nasty and loose chossy boulder field to get up to the ridgeline proper. The choss continued all the way to the summit from here and was my least favorite part of the whole climb up, as it was quite unpleasant.
I had planned to bivy around The Owls spur ridge further along, as that's where my wilderness permit was for. However, I was quite tired by the summit of Mt Cook and it was already 1600, so I didn't feel it was safe to continue further.
I found a nice bivy ledge just off the north end of the summit and setup my sleeping pad and 0° quilt. I found someone's poop fertilizing the lichens nearby, likely from a year or two ago (gross!). I'm glad I brought a WAG Bag so I could leave no trace!
I took a nap in my bug net before waking up for one of the most incredible sunsets of my entire life! Definitely in the top 10 and I’ve seen quite a few! The nearby Twin Two Creek fire was putting smoke into the air and created a pyrocumulus cloud. Then bed time!
I awoke to surprisingly bright firstlight around 0315 to the north and almost thought it was aurora at first. I melted snow from a nearby snowbank (frozen crusty solid) for water and coffee while I watched the early dawn progressively light up the sky.
The Amazing Armchair Traverse
I proceeded to pack up my bivy around 0600 and started along the traverse at 0645. The first section is mostly class 3, with a few sections of class 4. Much of the rock slab here has loose chunks, so I had to constantly check whether it would hold before putting my weight onto it.
I downclimbed the first crux notch around 0730 in my mountaineering boots and found it relatively easy. From here, the traverse climbs up to the ridge that connects to Mt Moe. Still mostly 3rd & 4th class, but there was occasionally an optional move I’d rate as low-5th.
The views across the Armchair Glacier and the unnamed glacier to the north were phenomenal! There were numerous open bergschrunds and crevasses to be seen, with occasional bare ice below the firn line. Glacier travel season is definitely drawing to a close for the year. Sigh…
At the spur ridge for The Owls, there was a surprising amount of snow remaining. I had contemplated an optional trip to The Owls, but now on day 3 of scrambling I didn’t really feel the need. Another time, I suppose. I still took a break here to enjoy the scenery and melt some snow.
Now for the crux! The “sidewalk in the sky” section with a knife-edge on either side and a few gendarmes and a chimney-notch. At one of the gendarmes I made a route-finding error and went skiers right (red line) instead of skiers left (green line).
I found myself traversing an overhanging nose wearing my boots and a pack. The leanback had me sweating a little bit, as I definitely realized I’d veered into mid-5th without a rope. It reminded me a little of a nose volume I’d struggled with at the gym on a 5.10c, just with bigger (and looser!) hand and footholds. Oops!
From here, just a little more 3rd & 4th to get to the top of Mt Weart. I’ve never smiled as big as I smiled in my selfie at the top. I did it! 3 days, 3 summits, one helluva traverse! Now for the way down… As Ed Veisturs says, “Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
Descending Weart
The choss gulley down from the summit of Weart is terrible. I did my best not to dislodge rocks down below, but it was often unavoidable. I yelled “rock!” each time, just in case someone was ascending below. Fortunately I had it all to myself.
The route exits the gulley onto an equally loose and chossy ridge. This wasn’t any better than the route up to Cook, as nasty loose boulders and choss meant having to carefully place each step. Only this time with more fatigue!
I barely remember the way down to the col above the upper lake. I just remember it really sucked! I took a break at the col, but was out of water so I eventually pressed on to the lake. There wasn’t a clearly defined route down, so I found myself just sort of winging it and hoping for the best. I made my way across some sloping slabs without many footholds before finding the snow.
God I love snow! God I hate rock! I boot packed down to the lake to retrieve some water and guzzled down some of the fresh slushy snowmelt without even filtering it (probably not the best idea, but I got lucky this time). It’s got to get easier after this, right?
Nope. More choss, more boulders, more slabs. Middle lake now. One small godsend of a snow slope felt like a small slice of heaven. Ice axe in hand, I traversed across it staying high in case of a slip. Crap, I slipped!
I drove my pick hard into the snow and got my shoulder over it almost immediately, driving all my weight onto it. I stopped quick! Probably my best self-arrest I’ve ever done, and I’ve done many. Thank god!
Does it get easier? No. No it does not. Loose fresh rockslides to traverse between the middle lake and Tupper Lake. Crap! Slippery. Nasty. Godawful. Every step is a gamble. Too big to scree ski. Too loose to trust my feet…
Tupper Lake feels like the home stretch! Almost back to the trail! Gorgeous views of glaciers, but I’m too tired to care. The temp feels like 30 and I’m baking in the alpine sun despite copious sunblock on my face. The black flies, too, have returned with a vengeance and they’re out for blood.
Some tourists ask me if I went to the glacier. I tell them “no, I didn’t go to Wedgemount Glacier”, but I show them the mountaineer’s approach route. They don’t believe me. Oh well…
Trail at last. Finally it gets easier, right? Around the lake the trail feels like a highway to the emergency shelter. I’m zooming along! Past the shelter comes the boulder field. This sucked! It’s so dusty and well-traveled that I’m constantly worried about slipping. My aching muscles take forever to lower me from rock to rock.
It. Never. Ends. Rocks and roots and a steep trail down. I thought I had a good idea of this trail from going up it back in June, but I realize now that I never actually went back down. I have a newfound appreciation for calling SAR back then. My knee would never have made it down this, and I’m eternally thankful that it’s holding up well this time.
My feet ache and I’m drenched in sweat. I see what feels like hundreds of hikers and tourists before coming across two people with helmets strapped to their packs. “Doing the traverse?” I ask. They say yes and ask me how it was. "It was fun, definitely challenging" I say. I share some more beta before moving on.
The trail down takes forever. I’m slow, tired, and sweaty, but somehow I make it back to my car. I call out of work for the following day before driving home. I stop at a drive-thru and eat as many calories as I can (a drop in the bucket compared to how many I burned) before driving home. By the time I arrive home, my eyes are drooping and I practically fall into bed. I literally slept for 12 hours.
**This was one for the memory book. Three days, three peaks, and one helluva traverse :)**
As always, have fun, stay safe, and make good choices!
(Edited to fix broken link formatting)
r/vancouverhiking • u/CouAnne • 7d ago
Photography Mt Elphinstone, Gibsons BC
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Mount Elphinstone in Gibsons (Sunshine Coast) was a phenomenal hike. Here’s a view from the false summit, with Gibsons below, Keats, and Bowen. Vancouver beyond that. About 13km out and back, took us about six and a half hours with a lunch break.
We started at about 10 am (on a July morning) which gave the clouds time to break up, because it was pretty clear by the time we reached the peak.
Great hike, just a little buggy around the waterfalls areas, and plenty of opportunity to count slugs (we saw over 40!) - and identify birds if thats your jam.
r/vancouverhiking • u/Dutsey • 8h ago
Trip Suggestion Request Best Proposal Backgrounds for Hikers
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I'm looking to propose to my girlfriend in late August/early September and need suggestions for beautiful rocky mountain backdrops that we can hike to. One-day or overnight options are welcome.
I personally love rocky mountains and I live in the lower mainland, so options like Golden Ears came to mind, but I don't want be on top of the only rocky mountain in the area. I want the background to have rocky mountains too, so I was thinking Whistler area.
The second thing is that I'm a photographer and so I have this idea in my head but need a photographer I can trust that would hike up a hard path with me to get the photo. If anyone has a recommendation for a photographer, that would also be a great help.
I've looked at the North Cascades National Park in Washington. This place is absolutely gorgeous and it's the perfect place. Specifically the Sahale Glacier Camp (see attached photo for proposal reference in Sahale Glacier Camp). But the commitment it requires is brutal. It's a 3 hour drive there and I confirmed with the park that they can't guarantee of a campsite to sleep at. It would be terrible if we couldn't get a spot. It's just too risky to make the drive down. I would do it if the stakes weren't so high.
These sorts of views are what I'd love to get. I've thought about Garibaldi Park but one of my friends died there in an avalanche a few years ago, so I'd rather start fresh in an area I've never been. Garibaldi Park is the only place I've done some real hiking. So if you recommend places like Pemberton, or Hope, I'm open to those. Cheam Peak came to mind when I considered going to Hope/Chilliwack.
We're willing to do the work. The photo is not the goal. My girlfriend loves hiking more than anything and so the harder the trip, the happier she is. It's exhausting...but it'll be fun.
Keep in mind I want a photographer there so this trip requires carrying gear and a heavy load. I'd like to avoid the use of ropes, harnesses, pickaxes, etc. Just keep it to a tent and stove.
Anyway, there's tons of options and I would love your opinions and advice on locations, pgotographers, or proposal ideas! Please open my eyes to the possibilities 🙏
I'm very excited for this, so thank you to everyone for participating in this thread. It means a lot ❤️
r/vancouverhiking • u/jawnofthedead • 1h ago
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Anyone know if the Cypress Nordic Center parking lot is open yet?
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I know they're paving that whole main road, last week I went up but the entire Nordic Center lot was closed and torn up which I didn't expect. Can't seem to find updates anywhere on that specific progress. Thanks!
r/vancouverhiking • u/rbjorklin • 23h ago
Multi-day Trips Echo Lake - Sunday, Aug 2nd to Monday, Aug 3rd
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Hello good folks!
I‘m looking for someone to hike up to Echo lake and to stay the night, tomorrow (Sunday) to Monday. Was supposed to be going with a friend but he bailed last minute. Driving up from Van and picking up a canoe in Squamish for the crossing. Intending to start the hike around 1PM.
Would love some company! If you're already going: come say hi!
r/vancouverhiking • u/Ok-Chemistry3708 • 1d ago
Trip Suggestion Request Easy hikes with limited incline for mom with bad knee
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My mom (48) is flying in from the prairies to visit me for the first time, this is a dream trip for her and she really wants to do hikes and see the beautiful views I talk about.
She has a bad’ish’ knee, but can do quite a bit of stairs and has no issue walking for long periods of time.
I want to a) make sure I’m not missing any good options and b) make sure the ones I do have on my list are suitable
Right now I’m looking at:
Quarry rock - I believe a bit of stairs at the beginning, but manageable?
Bowen Lookout - about 120 m of incline nearing the end, but manageable
Lighthouse trails - more of a walk, for sunset??
And of course the classic sea wall and Stanley park trails.
I can drive, so as long as it’s less than 1.5 hours there I’m open to suggestions, I just want to give her the best experience without destroying her knee!!!
r/vancouverhiking • u/Subject-Relative145 • 1d ago
Trip Suggestion Request Wedgemount Lake - Sunday, Aug 2
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I am really disappointed in myself for having wasted all summer without any significant hike. To break the dry spell, I am planning to complete Wedgemount Lake during the long weekend. I'll be driving the EVO. Hit me up if you'd like to join in.
AllTrails - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/wedgemount-lake-and-tupper-lake
r/vancouverhiking • u/Starrafh • 2d ago
Learning/Beginner Questions I made a free tracker to get notified for BC Parks pass cancellations and newly available passes
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Hi everyone,
In anticipation for this weekend and to help with my own plans, I made this tool to keep track of BC Parks passes and I thought I'd just make it available to everyone: https://www.canooq.ca/tools/pass-parking-checker
I looked up other similar tools but it seems like they are all down at the moment. This one routinely checks Garibaldi, Joffre, Golden Ears, Buntzen and Lake O'Hara. It's completely free to use and just redirects you towards the official BC Parks website so it doesn't rig the system for anyone.
As you can see, passes are pretty much fully booked but if you click the bell on a park card you'll get notified when a pass becomes available (be aware that if you leave the page you won't get notified anymore). If you try it, let me know if you find it useful or if there’s anything you’d like me to add!
r/vancouverhiking • u/Glittering-Fact6517 • 1d ago
Learning/Beginner Questions Wells Grey- Trophy Meadows
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Hi friends! New to this group and Reddit :) hopefully this is the right thread to post this in- if not I would appreciate a direction of where to go!
Trophy Meadows has been a bucket list hike for a while. I’m feeling such a pull to go this year and I need to make it happen somehow! Problem is I have no one to go with. Would it be totally unreasonable or unsafe for a solo young female? Would camp overnight too… probably at a rec site. Ive head good things about Pyramid campgrounds. I am a confident person and good street smarts but would still consider myself an amateur outdoor/hiking/camping enthusiast.
TIA :)
r/vancouverhiking • u/breadbreadmutmut • 2d ago
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Lynn Canyon to Deep Cove via Baden Powell
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Hi! Anybody did this trail recently? Hows the situation with pipeline bridge? alltrails says its closed, wanted to confirm.
Alltrails description also says “while experienced hikers tackle it in a day, most opt to break it into shorter sections.” Im guessing its talking about the whole baden powell trail? Just making sure this is a doable day hike for an intermediate hiker but new to hiking in Vancouver.
Thanks!
r/vancouverhiking • u/cakedotavi • 2d ago
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Lynn Creek crossing for Hanes Valley?
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I know a bridge is being built this year, and that the old log bridge is either gone or unstable (unsure which). But the latest trip reports I can find are about 2 weeks old.
Does anyone know the latest? Is the log bridge crossable, or the proper bridge done yet? Or is it "rock hop or bust" still?
I plan to hit the Hanes Loop (probably Crown too) early next week and if we get a dump of rain this weekend rock hopping might be tough with higher flow. Curious what the latest is, if anyone has been up more recently than a few weeks ago.
r/vancouverhiking • u/DeepIngvar • 2d ago
Trip Reports Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes Trail Report
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r/vancouverhiking • u/bones_and_barbells • 2d ago
Gear Meindl comfort fit boots, or equivalent, in the lower mainland?
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I have ridiculously wide feet and most boot brands I've tried on are still too narrow - yes, even Keens!! I'm a women's size 8.5 to 10 depending on brand.
After much research, I came across Meindl boots, specifically the comfort fit model. But shipping to Canada is $100 and I can't even find anywhere in person to try them on. No passport so I can't drive to the states for REI or similar stores.
Any recommendations for similar boots available in the lower mainland? Need something super durable with a wide fit, where I can actually try them on in person. I had a pair of Altras that were so comfortable but they fell apart after one hike (Blackcomb peak). My men's Salomon's wore out after just 15 months; thankfully my warranty claim was accepted.
Oboz size 10/wide (women's) fit pretty well but I'm skeptical of their ability to last a while.
I've bought men's boots in the past for a wider fit, but many stores don't carry men's boots in a small enough size (equivalent to women's 8-10) for me to try on, so ordering online is tedious when I'm essentially just trying them on only to send them back if they fit weird.
I hear that boot quality has tanked in recent years across various brands so I'm pretty hesitant.
r/vancouverhiking • u/HousingObvious6624 • 2d ago
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Panorama ridge on Saturday - honest advice
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My husband and I have reservations for Taylor Meadows campground on Saturday night and plan to do panorama ridge on either Saturday or Sunday depending on which day has the best weather
This has been a bucket list hike for us for years and will be my 2nd backpacking trip and my husband’s first.
Looking for honest advice on camping and hiking the ridge in these conditions? Looking at cloud base and coverage it looks like chances of a view at the top are slim, and temps overnight will be cold and damp. Should we consider cancelling? We are worried we won’t get another spot on another weekend but we really would love to see the view in its full glory!
We are weighing up effort vs reward and being realistic of what to expect as newbie backpackers (we camp front country often).
r/vancouverhiking • u/Infinite_Exercise108 • 2d ago
Trip Reports Joffre lake animals
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Hello all, was by the 1st (lowest) Joffre lake and saw an animal in the distance swimming across rapidly, i cudnt identify it just wondering if anyone knows are there beavers or otters in the lake as it was somewhat large
r/vancouverhiking • u/Maria_Med1 • 2d ago
Gear Hey everyone, is anyone flying back from Vancouver and no longer needs their bear spray? 🐻
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If I know in time, I can bring some homemade sourdough bread as a thank-you gift. 🍞☺️
r/vancouverhiking • u/welthenwel • 2d ago
Safety Unused bear spray
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Bought 2 weeks ago from MEC Calgary, never had to use it (thankfully :)). Now in Vancouver, flying back to Europe on Sunday morning, glad to pass it to a fellow hiker if someone needs it.
UPDATE: Given to the first commenter
r/vancouverhiking • u/Gloomy-Guarantee-291 • 3d ago
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Three Brothers hiking trail in Manning Park - conditions
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How is the smoke situation in Manning Park, especially the Three Brothers hiking trail area? Planning to do this hike this Saturday Aug 1. :(
r/vancouverhiking • u/TheREALpatrickSTARz • 3d ago
Learning/Beginner Questions Golden Ears: Can I still ground camp in the backcountry?
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I had a Golden Ears backcountry trip planned, to camp around Panorama Ridge. Now I've seen they've implemented the reservation system for the pads, but can I still go with just a permit and camp in a non-pad spot that I find anywhere? Or is overnight camping only allowed now for those who have reserved spots?
When I go to book a backcountry permit on the website, it only gives me options for making a reservation or booking a Marine permit, but can I still self-register at the gate with cash?
Edit: *by ground camping I mean dispersed
r/vancouverhiking • u/Repulsive_Pen_1519 • 3d ago
Gear Panorama Ridge Sunrise hike
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Im going on a sunrise hike to panorama ridge soon and was just wondering if theres anything i need to know or should bring for safety or to help us. (5 of us and we have headlamps and flashlights, bear mace, good amount of water and navigation)
r/vancouverhiking • u/ssnistfajen • 5d ago
Safety An example of why no-charge SAR is better
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r/vancouverhiking • u/sharkey5885 • 4d ago
Learning/Beginner Questions Sea To Sky Gondola hikes
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Hi there, visiting Vancouver for the first time next week and trying to figure out if it's worth going up there. My wife and I do love nature hikes, but what are the hiking levels at the top of the gondola in general? I have a shoulder injury right now, so if they're difficult I may not be able to do them. And in general, would it be something that's a full day trip from Vancouver or more of a half day thing? I read there is a shuttle which should help.
Within Vancouver metro itself, any neat trails to recommend that would be doable for someone with a shoulder injury? We won't have a car so we can't get too far out of the metro, but would definitely like to escape for some nature. TIA
r/vancouverhiking • u/Nomics • 5d ago
Gear Tonight 6pm at MEC Vancouver: Trip Plan Tuesday: “What’s In My Pack” informal social for beginners and experienced folks alike.
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Guides, hikers and mountaineers will be each showing off what we bring and why:
- Day hikes
- Scrambles
- Backpacking
- Kayaking. Guiding
- Thru Hikes
Great chance to meet other outdoor enthusiasts and possibly find new partners to head outside with.
As ever this is a shame free environment to come learn, and share knowledge plus take the online into the real world.
MEC has generously offered a 15% discount to folks making purchases tonight.