Backgrounder - Spaghetti Trees

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Why this run?

This run was started in 2010 by 2 new-ish CFAers who wanted to share their new-ish discovery of how gorgeous East Sooke Park is with other CFAers. At the time they both lived in Victoria and wanted to show of the beautiful trails they get to train on. In the meantime, teagirl (Katie) has moved to North Van and temporary delegated hosting to Vancouver Island original, Carlos Castillo.

Routes

Both routes start & end together, both have LOTS of up & down and both follow the fantastic Coast Trail for part of the route. The Coast Trail in this park is a continuation of the world-famous West Coast Trail. The maximum elevation for both is only about 200m, but have lots of ascent & descent in between! Both routes go past hundred-year-old coppermine entrances, which you can explore if you want to!

The short route has 500m total ascent in 12.5km.

The long route has nearly 900m ascent in 16km, follows a longer portion of the Coast Trail, and goes past a crazy old fishing cabin that teagirl finds a bit eerie.

The Differences

This event follows the guidelines provided by Club Fat Ass for safe and successful, informal endurance sports "parties":
It is free for Club members
It is hosted by a Club member
It is small and informal. Guests should come prepared for the weather and the terrain and not expect aid or course marking. They should expect to follow detailed written course instructions
It is environmentally friendly. We aim to leave our route in better shape than it was before we passed though.
It is as much about the camaraderie as the competition.

Guests at the event download from the Internet directions based on natural and physical landmarks. As with orienteering, those who aren't familiar with the course will pause frequently to consult the written directions, giving a slight competitive advantage to those who have trained on it. Course directions are available year 'round on the agenda page of this website and we encourage everyone to enjoy the route as often as they please throughout the year.

Past Participants and Results