2010 - Squamish Scrambler - Year 6

6 February 2010 - 17 Starters

Event Report:  The 2010 Squamish Scrambler saw fantastic weather conditions.  Lots of sun and just enough clouds that we didn't get burned to a crisp.  This let us enjoy the fantastic views with warm weather and no rain.  The snow was crusty and hard packed on the trail below but conditions were great once we got into the area of Red Heather cabin.

Unfortunately some tight tendons in my calves and ankles forced me to turn back at the last switchback before Red Heather cabin to get some street shoes.  Snow shoeing was just not happening for me.

Darip passed me first, but then John blew past ahead of him and they would be the lead runners to Elfin Lakes.  There was about a fifty fifty mix when we asked everybody at the start which course they planned to run. 

Having turned around allowed me to see everyone on the way back and everyone was in good spirits as they passed. 

After returning to my car and ditching my snowshoes I headed up back to Red Heather, and I was suprised to see only Christina hiking down with some friends with their kids just before I reached the hut.  Apparently nobody could resist the fantastic day and headed up at least as far as the lookout. 

As I neared Paul Ridge I started to see some people descending.  First John who said Darius had pulled away and was running strong, I must have missed him when I went into the hut to see if anyone was there or at one of the sidetrails around the hut.  Soon Eric who was belting out some Iron Maiden or something at the top of his lungs and then everyone else scattered about in small groups. 

I started to traverse the ridge when I decided that maybe I had missed Jackson and others and not wanting to have everyone waiting for the only guy who wasn't even snowshoeing I decided to turn back when Elfin Lakes hut started to appear in the distance.  As I started heading back I realised just how much fun descending a slippery slope in Pumas with absolutely no grips except little 1/2 mm rubber nubs.

Every step I could keep my back leg up and slide up to a metre.  Once I got below Red Heather the real fun began.  It was like running down an icy water slide and at the switchbacks I had to cross my legs like a skater to keep them underneath me.  No brakes and very limited control, it was good balance exercise at least.  I started to catch up with people and made it back in perfect time.  Turns out there were some still up at Elfin Lakes.

Dario had been the first back in his first ever snowshoe run, followed by John who is in the midst of a comeback from injury.  Next was Eric and then groups of people started trickling in.

Once we figured out who was still up there and that they had transportation we headed off to the Howe Sound Brew Pub.  We were lucky to stumble (quite literally) into the product launch of Triple Medal Beaver Ale.  After some eats we were treated to a tasting of a special keg of it for free.  I couldn't have planned a more perfect end to the day as that!  Also thanks to Betty for the fantastic chocolate brownies.

For those of you who made it out thanks for coming and enjoying such a beautiful day, to those who didn't make sure you save this day on your calendar next year.  This is one event you can enjoy whether your out for a lung searing cardio workout or just a leisurely hike.

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Results:

* Garbage Collection
** Event Host