Submitted by Ean Jackson on 17 October, 2010 - 10:00.
Thank you David, Julia, Harry and Pippa for a wonderful evening of camaraderie and celebration!
For many, the Baggers Banquet has come to be the social and cultural highlight of the year. Great food. Great friends. Great stories. Awards for accomplishment and awards for misdeeds. Goodness, what a selection of fine Scotch single malts, too!
Ah, but it's a mixed bag of emotions I felt when I left for home after such a wonderful party. Now that the Bagger Challenge is over for 2010, what will I do on the first day of the rest of my life?
In times of personal stress at the end of a relationship (e.g. the end of the 2010 Bagger Challenge), they say it helps to find closure by writing down and sharing high and low points. Here are mine:
High Points
getting to the peaks of Capilano, Coburg and Cathedral... a few I'd wanted to knock off a personal list of ToDos
many fine, fine days in the mountains with old friends and new
going back to Brokeback Mountain... on our anniversary, no less!
not having to make the call (and not having anyone else make the call for me)
blueberries and mushrooms
getting to the peak
having shins that look like they went through a meat grinder
pulling pine needles out of my hair during business meetings
sharing the love and knowledge of obscure routes with new baggers
sending peak photos to the rest of the world on sunny weekdays
your costumes
reading the trip reports and seeing the photos from bagger buddies
seeing kids and newbies in the summit shots
bushwhacking
those little shots of adrenaline one gets when one ponders the consequences of a bit of bad luck on a cliffish route
finding a partially-empty bottle of sambuca in a cairn... taking a sip and feeling confident that it was not laced with pee
starting in the dark, finishing in the dark
taking silly photos
learning the history about the mountains and the routes taken by those who preceded us
picking up trash, clearing and/or marking a trail with tape
the cool beer that I could look forward to at the end of a bagging expedition
knowing that the worst injury suffered by a bagger in the 2010 Bagger Challenge was not all that bad
Low Points
not bagging Hanover for the second year in a row
the cracking noise and ensuing woeful moan followed by four hours of non-stop expletives when Neil went over on his ankle
the heinous four hours of cold, darkness, rain, mud, slippery rock, bushwhacking, seemingly endless ropes and nasty bits followed by a cold and wet bike ride during our exit from Vicar Lakes
having shins that look like they went through a meat grinder
bushwhacking
getting to the peak and not finding a view
bagging in the fog or rain
seeing black grunge in the inside bottom of the bag in my hydration pack as I fill it 5 minutes before rushing off... and knowing I'll be drinking that scum for the next 12-24 hours
while bagging in the rain, getting a cold shower when I as much as touch a blueberry bush or small pine next to the trail. (I hate cold showers!)
Goodness, I'm sure I'll have more to add to this list by the end of the day. I invite other baggers to share their thoughts on the year here, as well.
Thanks again for all you did to organize and manage the 2010 Bagger Challenge!
Submitted by Killaine on 19 October, 2010 - 17:31.
Thank you David and Julia for the wonderful celebration. It was incredibly generous of you, and it was a pleasure to get to meet and talk with so many baggers who I only knew by names on the scoreboard. What a great event this one is, (the bagging and the party) and I hope it endures!
My absolute highlight of the bagging season was discovering the fabulous Shopping Bag. I know I should lie and pretend my highlight was actually "overcoming adversity" or "pushing beyond my limits" or something about discovering the amazing landscape we live in, but no, it was discovering the Shopping Bag!
I would never have previously ascended Grouse via gondola (followed by a short jaunt to the peak). I would have felt incredibly guilty (about the gondola part). But Ean let me know that the Shopping Bag was a valid means of bagging in this challenge, and so I used it frequently. I rode the tram up Grouse to bag Grouse, again for Fromme, again for the Crown/Hanes Valley trip, and then for the rest of the Grouse peaks - four times in total, making my pass worthwhile, picking up some new sports gear on the way, and keeping Starbucks in business! I am also excited about the prospect of heli-bagging (as Ean and David have done), and hope to take advantage of a free heli ride down at some point in the future!
On a more serious note, my favourite bag was probably Liddell. It was different and it was a challenge. I liked the route finding and the incredible and almost ancient groundcover (aka deadfall) on the way up the gully. We headed to Gambier twice to bag Liddell. The first time we totally underestimated the time it would take so we had to go back again - and we liked it enough to go back! So while I know Liddell is not popular with Craig, it is bags like this that make the Baggers Challenge a challenge.
What I didn't like was that I didn't get to reach my goal of taking a shot at all the bags on the list. Next year.
HEY, when did the date for the end of Baggery change.....? I bagged Hollyburn today! Jackson graciously said I can bag Monday (as the weather was supposed to be better...and bagged two peaks yesterday)...Maybe a bag was put over my head??? Mercy, please
BTW, I dutifuly collected all the garbage off the mountain (two granola bar wrappers) and rescued a group of 4 Burnabynites from certain death...I deserve my point! Especially after claiming 0 for a chickenbag last week end. Arumph!
Ok, I didn't totally lose it. This is what I found on the bagger page at: http://www.clubfatass.com/events/BaggerChallenge/NorthShore and I hereby officially change the date on the calendar to reflect this (since I know, I wasn't the only one out for last minute bagging today! DATES: Mainland peaks: June 22, 2010 to October 11, 2010
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 11 October, 2010 - 09:40.
Carolyn, Neil, Craig and I had a great 6-hour adventure above Deeks Lake yesterday. Detailed accounts from Craig and me with photos to follow shortly. Please chalk up DEE and WIN for us. Thx!
'Looking forward to celebrating many good times at the Baggers Banquet. See you on Friday!
Submitted by reaganwhite on 10 October, 2010 - 22:59.
With 11am sunny weather overhead and an enthusiastic 4-year-old son at my side, the encouragement from my wife to disappear until dinner was all I needed to head straight to North Van for some impromptu baggery.
We left the house with all the right provisions but without a specific distination, I'd figure that out on the drive there.
Three weeks ago Isaac and I failed in our bid to bag the Bluffs of De Pencier, bailing just before the last ascent as we both ran out of steam. We took the single track trail Jackson described a few blog posts ago, and eating blueberries and admiring Mystery Lake were among the highlights. Bagging the bluffs that day would've made it a little sweeter but I guess you can't get too greedy.
Today I thought maybe we could bag Lynn (I recalled that having a "K" next to it on the peak list indicating kid-friendliness) but I wouldn't have bet on our success for a few reasons - mostly as I had never been to the peak before (only to the first lookout) and certainly not with one of my young sons.
Today was different though. I was prepared to try a few different strategies to make it work.
Isaac only needed to be carried on three steep and rocky bits en route to Lynn Peak. 2 1/2 hours from car to peak.
My son also seemed to get excited and engergized by the three viewpoints we stopped at en route to the peak. I'm sure our frequent rest stops and chocolate snack breaks helped.
The peak was better than either of us imagined. If you recall, Isaac's other bagged peak was a cloudbag of Grouse. Today's sunny and clear view south took our collective breath away. So, please add LYN to mine and Isaac's tally for the 2010 Bagger Challenge!
I carried the sleepy lad atop my shoulders most of the way back to the car, getting a grueling workout in the process -- of my laughing muscles. Isaac succeeded twice in grabbing overhead leaves and sticking them in my nose, which made him howl and me sneeze. I retaliated by walking close to low hanging leafy branches that tickeled him.
Finally, as we got back to the connector trail with the big LSCR trail signage, Isaac said something that only a kid would say. Over the past year he's become great at reading the signage and pointed out trails where bike or dog access is limited. Today he saw the no horseback riding sign for the first time and looked at me and said, "Dad, no bikes, no dogs, and no cowboys!"
Submitted by Killaine on 10 October, 2010 - 18:23.
Congrats on what seems to have been an awesome last bagging day, and some great results by many. We are down in Chicago where I just ran a super hot marathon (peaking at 29 degrees). Definitely no hills on this course so no baggage to report. See you all on Friday.
Submitted by Craig Moore on 10 October, 2010 - 17:16.
If you were lucky enough to be out on the mountains today (Sunday, October 10) then you managed to snag what could be the very last incredibly gorgeous day for Bagging in the whole 2010 competition. And I was lucky enough to join Carolyn, Neil and Ean for my first Bagging expedition to Deeks Lake and beyond.
There was a lot of humming and hawwing about which peaks we would do but in the end we decided to "encourage" Ean with a necessary trip to Deeks Peak. We were lucky enough to have Neil drive us part way up the gravel road in his high-clearance vehicle, which saved us probably at least an hour to 1-1/2 hours of extra workout when combining the up and down trips.
The rain was light when we started the drive to the trailhead from Ean's place at about 7:00 a.m. but by the time we reached Deeks Lake it was clearing up. To keep it short, we used Ean's vast knowledge of the area and quickly cut on to the trail up to Deeks Peak. We kept on route very well even though the flagging is a bit spotty and the trail winds around in all kinds of places. I'll save the glory for Ean to espouse but I will say it was a privilege to be with him to mark this as his 48th peak of the 2010 Bagger Challenge. And we threw in a bit of extra lovin' to mark the event by way of a craggy chimney that required some heavy duty rock hugging to climb safely in both directions. Many hands made light work too as we all pitched in to place each others hands and feet and other body parts for quick passage.
Snacks, drinks and emerging blue sky gave us the energy to zip back down to the col from Deeks Peak and over to Windsor. This one's bark is much bigger than it's bite (when we initially viewed it on the way up it looked nasty) but we made it up and down the scree and through the high alpine bushes in very little time. We were serioiusly considering heading over to Gotha for a full-on Deeks Lake 3-Bag but time was short with turkeys baking and friends and family waiting. So a final decision was made to call it a day and start for the car with only a few minutes extra added on to a tight schedule by that point.
The weather kept getting better and better all day but the trail was very fresh and wet after the big rains on Saturday. We kept the spirit of the day lively and headed down steadily, reflecting on another fantastic year of mountain running and scenery snagging.
I know there are many pictures of this trip but they will need to come from cameras other than mine since I didn't take any this time, so you will see those elsewhere.
And I'm glad, of course, that no serious injuries occured but I did have a high risk manouver in one or two places. In particular, on the descent, Neil found himself standing above me on a steep trail bit as I was slipping on the soggy ground. Unfortunately though, he was close enough to block my arm swinging around as I was trying to catch my balance, thus, christening the latest addition to the Bagging dictionary, the Ball-Bag. Oops, sorry Neil. Better luck next time if you dare go with me again.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 8 October, 2010 - 08:34.
The Needles are a ridge of 3 peaks that tower above the Lynn and Seymour valleys in North Vancouver. The South Needle (SNE) is a KidBag that offers magnificent views and great mushroom-picking opportunities at this time of the year. Word on the street is that the Middle and North Needles are a bit more burly.
Anyone interested in a cold and wet baggage expedition this coming Turkey Day weekend to check out MNE and NNE? It would likely involve a bike ride along the LSCR trail, a pleasant Grouse Grind-like hike up the Hydraulic Creek trail, and some bushwhacking, cliff-hanging and other shenanigans for 4-6 hours.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 7 October, 2010 - 21:08.
It was Wednesday 6 October and it was a perfect "summer" day on the south coast of British Columbia. Please don't tell anyone, but Crerar and Jackson took the opportunity to sneak in a little 4-Bagger (Paton-PAT, Coliseum-COL, Burwell-BUR and Cathedral-CAT.) It was an epic, bike, speed-bag that may well have set a world record.
Submitted by David Crerar on 7 October, 2010 - 20:23.
At 47 peaks, Bagger Leader Ean Jackson has now set a new Bagger Challenge record, and potentially a world record, for most North Shore peaks bagged in a single year. Huzzah!
The only ones he still needs this year to complete a sweep: PER, HAN, DEE, NNE, MNE.
Can he bag them all? Surely, with a little encouragement. Cheer him on!
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 8 October, 2010 - 08:22.
For the record, at 45 peaks, David Crerar has the opportunity to pull a Legg and snatch the world record. (Historical note: In the final hours of the 2009 Bagger Challenge, Ken Legg overcame a 3-way tie by bagging the easiest peak of them all with his kids, after work, in the dark and rain!)
The only peaks Crerar still needs this year to complete a sweep: CAP, DEE, HAN, BRU, LIO, WET, STR
Note that BRU, WET and DEE can be swept by a man with Crerar's speed and ability in about 6 hours... and that STR is a KidBag.
It ain't over 'till it's over! Shall we call the final hours of the 2010 Bagger Challenge a "cliffhanger"?
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 7 October, 2010 - 21:12.
You knew I wanted to stay out a bit later last night and bag those 2 Needles, didn't you? I felt guilty asking for a little indulgence given it would put time between you and that Peanut-Buster Parfait!
Submitted by Craig Moore on 7 October, 2010 - 20:34.
so what you're saying is that you think we should give some encouragement to Mr. Jackson, correct? Isn't that a bit like giving one of those really big, long burning sparkly sparklers to a four year old? Not that I'm saying he is like a four year old that is. But yes, good luck to everyone, especially Mr. Jackson.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 11 October, 2010 - 09:45.
There she was: the beautiful Hanover, all sun-drenched and seductive-looking yesterday. Her siren-song was ringing in my ears all day... especially from my perch at the top of Windsor Peak. Goodness, it was tempting...
Submitted by David Crerar on 3 October, 2010 - 13:22.
At the Baggers' Banquet we'll reprise the rolling slideshow of Bagger Photos.
Load 'em up to flickr! Add to the CFA Flickr Pool (instructions here. It's easy!), tag your photos: ClubFatAss ClubFatAssEvents ClubFatAssEvents2010 BaggerChallenge2010 BaggerChallenge (with a space separating each tag on the flickr template)
A little fussy at first, but then it gets easy.
We'll also take nominations for Most Awkward Bagging Photo.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 2 October, 2010 - 20:06.
Looking to bag Coliseum (COL), Burwell (BUR) and Paton (PAT) rather than do yard work. Leave around 8:30 and be home in time for din-din. Start with a warmup bike ride to 9K on LSCR then bushwhack up to bagger heaven. 604-904-6554 if interested.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 26 September, 2010 - 09:06.
Details and photos will follow, but for those who care about such things, we had an epic bag experience yesterday! Please note our baggage claim for: DIC, PRE, DEA, BIS
Submitted by reaganwhite on 19 September, 2010 - 21:46.
Please add GRO to my tally, and start a tally for Carter White, 8, and Isaac White, 4.
The three of us spontaneously cloudbagged Grouse this afternoon. I figured it would be fun, no matter the weather or visibility. I was right.
Among the highlights:
- Isaac's first tram ride
- Isaac and Carter seeing the caged Grizzly bear (Grinder?), active and up close.
- Isaac and Carter completing the winding fireroad trek to the peak with a cookie break half-way up, and both shouting with awe in a Blade Runner-like moment when the faint outline of the wind turbine became faintly visible looming overhead through the fog.
- All three of us enjoying an unexpected a chair ride down from the peak and seeing a huge buck just below us, and the kids hooting and hollering at hikers in the mist.
- Enjoyed a nice dinner and beer with the boys at the restaurant to celebrate the bag (the first ever peak bag of their young lives).
- With the mountain in a cloud and visibility quite low the entire time, the experience was novel and memorable. Carter was amazed at the contrast with his experience a month ago during a summer camp when it was scorching hot on the mountain.
Submitted by Sibylle on 20 September, 2010 - 07:19.
Congratulations to Carter and Isaac for their first bag - a cloudbag at that - and to Reagan for getting his kids gently introduced to the Bagger Challenge and more importantly to the great outdoors.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 15 September, 2010 - 21:20.
It's Wednesday evening. Ambrose and Jackson are basking in the afterglow of having bagged Capilano Mountain. Yes... to those of you who working in downtown Vancouver who looked up around 1:00 today, that was us waving down at you!
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 13 September, 2010 - 13:04.
I have been a good boy this year. Have more-or-less blended-into the background. I will bring the twisted quaich so it might be awarded to (s)he that deserves it more than I.
Submitted by Killaine on 13 September, 2010 - 14:26.
perhaps our dear Twisted Craig deserves consideration this year, if not for the obvious folly recently reported in the NSN, perhaps less obviously but more frighteningly for the phone call to Sibylle early in the bagging season asking what mountain he was on! :)
Comments
Baggers Banquet and Parting Shots for 2010
For many, the Baggers Banquet has come to be the social and cultural highlight of the year. Great food. Great friends. Great stories. Awards for accomplishment and awards for misdeeds. Goodness, what a selection of fine Scotch single malts, too!
Ah, but it's a mixed bag of emotions I felt when I left for home after such a wonderful party. Now that the Bagger Challenge is over for 2010, what will I do on the first day of the rest of my life?
In times of personal stress at the end of a relationship (e.g. the end of the 2010 Bagger Challenge), they say it helps to find closure by writing down and sharing high and low points. Here are mine:
Low Points
Thanks again for all you did to organize and manage the 2010 Bagger Challenge!
THANK YOU
Thank you David and Julia for the wonderful celebration. It was incredibly generous of you, and it was a pleasure to get to meet and talk with so many baggers who I only knew by names on the scoreboard. What a great event this one is, (the bagging and the party) and I hope it endures!
My absolute highlight of the bagging season was discovering the fabulous Shopping Bag. I know I should lie and pretend my highlight was actually "overcoming adversity" or "pushing beyond my limits" or something about discovering the amazing landscape we live in, but no, it was discovering the Shopping Bag!
I would never have previously ascended Grouse via gondola (followed by a short jaunt to the peak). I would have felt incredibly guilty (about the gondola part). But Ean let me know that the Shopping Bag was a valid means of bagging in this challenge, and so I used it frequently. I rode the tram up Grouse to bag Grouse, again for Fromme, again for the Crown/Hanes Valley trip, and then for the rest of the Grouse peaks - four times in total, making my pass worthwhile, picking up some new sports gear on the way, and keeping Starbucks in business! I am also excited about the prospect of heli-bagging (as Ean and David have done), and hope to take advantage of a free heli ride down at some point in the future!
On a more serious note, my favourite bag was probably Liddell. It was different and it was a challenge. I liked the route finding and the incredible and almost ancient groundcover (aka deadfall) on the way up the gully. We headed to Gambier twice to bag Liddell. The first time we totally underestimated the time it would take so we had to go back again - and we liked it enough to go back! So while I know Liddell is not popular with Craig, it is bags like this that make the Baggers Challenge a challenge.
What I didn't like was that I didn't get to reach my goal of taking a shot at all the bags on the list. Next year.
we'll watch our backs next year!
Glad that you and Guy had so much fun, and made the contest so much more fun with your enthusiasm!
The final bag, and the first snow
A wistful final bag for the 2010 Bagger Challenge: Mt Strachan (the third year straight family expedition, to celebrate Thanksgiving).
Gloriously, triumphantly, symbollically, and poignantly, it started snowing while we were on the summit.
HEY, when did the date for
HEY, when did the date for the end of Baggery change.....? I bagged Hollyburn today! Jackson graciously said I can bag Monday (as the weather was supposed to be better...and bagged two peaks yesterday)...Maybe a bag was put over my head??? Mercy, please
BTW, I dutifuly collected all
BTW, I dutifuly collected all the garbage off the mountain (two granola bar wrappers) and rescued a group of 4 Burnabynites from certain death...I deserve my point! Especially after claiming 0 for a chickenbag last week end. Arumph!
Ok, I didn't totally lose
Ok, I didn't totally lose it. This is what I found on the bagger page at: http://www.clubfatass.com/events/BaggerChallenge/NorthShore and I hereby officially change the date on the calendar to reflect this (since I know, I wasn't the only one out for last minute bagging today!
DATES: Mainland peaks: June 22, 2010 to October 11, 2010
After the responsible pulling back of the deadline...
....to Thanksgiving weekend, it seemed most unfun to deprive those who wished to work off the turkey on Monday will a final bag. Huzzah!
Geez, what a relief
Geez, what a relief
Deeks Double-Bag
Carolyn, Neil, Craig and I had a great 6-hour adventure above Deeks Lake yesterday. Detailed accounts from Craig and me with photos to follow shortly. Please chalk up DEE and WIN for us. Thx!
'Looking forward to celebrating many good times at the Baggers Banquet. See you on Friday!
Kidbag with son on 10-10-10 -- Memorable day, no cowboys!
With 11am sunny weather overhead and an enthusiastic 4-year-old son at my side, the encouragement from my wife to disappear until dinner was all I needed to head straight to North Van for some impromptu baggery.
We left the house with all the right provisions but without a specific distination, I'd figure that out on the drive there.
Three weeks ago Isaac and I failed in our bid to bag the Bluffs of De Pencier, bailing just before the last ascent as we both ran out of steam. We took the single track trail Jackson described a few blog posts ago, and eating blueberries and admiring Mystery Lake were among the highlights. Bagging the bluffs that day would've made it a little sweeter but I guess you can't get too greedy.
Today I thought maybe we could bag Lynn (I recalled that having a "K" next to it on the peak list indicating kid-friendliness) but I wouldn't have bet on our success for a few reasons - mostly as I had never been to the peak before (only to the first lookout) and certainly not with one of my young sons.
Today was different though. I was prepared to try a few different strategies to make it work.
Isaac only needed to be carried on three steep and rocky bits en route to Lynn Peak. 2 1/2 hours from car to peak.
My son also seemed to get excited and engergized by the three viewpoints we stopped at en route to the peak. I'm sure our frequent rest stops and chocolate snack breaks helped.
The peak was better than either of us imagined. If you recall, Isaac's other bagged peak was a cloudbag of Grouse. Today's sunny and clear view south took our collective breath away. So, please add LYN to mine and Isaac's tally for the 2010 Bagger Challenge!
I carried the sleepy lad atop my shoulders most of the way back to the car, getting a grueling workout in the process -- of my laughing muscles. Isaac succeeded twice in grabbing overhead leaves and sticking them in my nose, which made him howl and me sneeze. I retaliated by walking close to low hanging leafy branches that tickeled him.
Finally, as we got back to the connector trail with the big LSCR trail signage, Isaac said something that only a kid would say. Over the past year he's become great at reading the signage and pointed out trails where bike or dog access is limited. Today he saw the no horseback riding sign for the first time and looked at me and said, "Dad, no bikes, no dogs, and no cowboys!"
Hah, hah, no cowboys from
Hah, hah, no cowboys from Texas, huh?
Finale
Congrats on what seems to have been an awesome last bagging day, and some great results by many. We are down in Chicago where I just ran a super hot marathon (peaking at 29 degrees). Definitely no hills on this course so no baggage to report. See you all on Friday.
Great Weather, The Rock of Love, and a Ball-Bag
If you were lucky enough to be out on the mountains today (Sunday, October 10) then you managed to snag what could be the very last incredibly gorgeous day for Bagging in the whole 2010 competition. And I was lucky enough to join Carolyn, Neil and Ean for my first Bagging expedition to Deeks Lake and beyond.
There was a lot of humming and hawwing about which peaks we would do but in the end we decided to "encourage" Ean with a necessary trip to Deeks Peak. We were lucky enough to have Neil drive us part way up the gravel road in his high-clearance vehicle, which saved us probably at least an hour to 1-1/2 hours of extra workout when combining the up and down trips.
The rain was light when we started the drive to the trailhead from Ean's place at about 7:00 a.m. but by the time we reached Deeks Lake it was clearing up. To keep it short, we used Ean's vast knowledge of the area and quickly cut on to the trail up to Deeks Peak. We kept on route very well even though the flagging is a bit spotty and the trail winds around in all kinds of places. I'll save the glory for Ean to espouse but I will say it was a privilege to be with him to mark this as his 48th peak of the 2010 Bagger Challenge. And we threw in a bit of extra lovin' to mark the event by way of a craggy chimney that required some heavy duty rock hugging to climb safely in both directions. Many hands made light work too as we all pitched in to place each others hands and feet and other body parts for quick passage.
Snacks, drinks and emerging blue sky gave us the energy to zip back down to the col from Deeks Peak and over to Windsor. This one's bark is much bigger than it's bite (when we initially viewed it on the way up it looked nasty) but we made it up and down the scree and through the high alpine bushes in very little time. We were serioiusly considering heading over to Gotha for a full-on Deeks Lake 3-Bag but time was short with turkeys baking and friends and family waiting. So a final decision was made to call it a day and start for the car with only a few minutes extra added on to a tight schedule by that point.
The weather kept getting better and better all day but the trail was very fresh and wet after the big rains on Saturday. We kept the spirit of the day lively and headed down steadily, reflecting on another fantastic year of mountain running and scenery snagging.
I know there are many pictures of this trip but they will need to come from cameras other than mine since I didn't take any this time, so you will see those elsewhere.
And I'm glad, of course, that no serious injuries occured but I did have a high risk manouver in one or two places. In particular, on the descent, Neil found himself standing above me on a steep trail bit as I was slipping on the soggy ground. Unfortunately though, he was close enough to block my arm swinging around as I was trying to catch my balance, thus, christening the latest addition to the Bagging dictionary, the Ball-Bag. Oops, sorry Neil. Better luck next time if you dare go with me again.
NeedleBag Anyone?
The Needles are a ridge of 3 peaks that tower above the Lynn and Seymour valleys in North Vancouver. The South Needle (SNE) is a KidBag that offers magnificent views and great mushroom-picking opportunities at this time of the year. Word on the street is that the Middle and North Needles are a bit more burly.
Anyone interested in a cold and wet baggage expedition this coming Turkey Day weekend to check out MNE and NNE? It would likely involve a bike ride along the LSCR trail, a pleasant Grouse Grind-like hike up the Hydraulic Creek trail, and some bushwhacking, cliff-hanging and other shenanigans for 4-6 hours.
Cathedral Hooky 4-Bagger
It was Wednesday 6 October and it was a perfect "summer" day on the south coast of British Columbia. Please don't tell anyone, but Crerar and Jackson took the opportunity to sneak in a little 4-Bagger (Paton-PAT, Coliseum-COL, Burwell-BUR and Cathedral-CAT.) It was an epic, bike, speed-bag that may well have set a world record.
Jackson Bagger Record
At 47 peaks, Bagger Leader Ean Jackson has now set a new Bagger Challenge record, and potentially a world record, for most North Shore peaks bagged in a single year. Huzzah!
The only ones he still needs this year to complete a sweep: PER, HAN, DEE, NNE, MNE.
Can he bag them all? Surely, with a little encouragement. Cheer him on!
Sandbagger?
For the record, at 45 peaks, David Crerar has the opportunity to pull a Legg and snatch the world record. (Historical note: In the final hours of the 2009 Bagger Challenge, Ken Legg overcame a 3-way tie by bagging the easiest peak of them all with his kids, after work, in the dark and rain!)
The only peaks Crerar still needs this year to complete a sweep: CAP, DEE, HAN, BRU, LIO, WET, STR
Note that BRU, WET and DEE can be swept by a man with Crerar's speed and ability in about 6 hours... and that STR is a KidBag.
It ain't over 'till it's over! Shall we call the final hours of the 2010 Bagger Challenge a "cliffhanger"?
Bad Man
You knew I wanted to stay out a bit later last night and bag those 2 Needles, didn't you? I felt guilty asking for a little indulgence given it would put time between you and that Peanut-Buster Parfait!
Rain No Train Jackson
Tonight
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
so what you're saying ...
so what you're saying is that you think we should give some encouragement to Mr. Jackson, correct? Isn't that a bit like giving one of those really big, long burning sparkly sparklers to a four year old? Not that I'm saying he is like a four year old that is. But yes, good luck to everyone, especially Mr. Jackson.
What harm could a sparkler possibly cause?
it's a great toy! Go, Jackson, go!
Got any plans for the weekend?
See NeedleBag!
Bareback
There she was: the beautiful Hanover, all sun-drenched and seductive-looking yesterday. Her siren-song was ringing in my ears all day... especially from my perch at the top of Windsor Peak. Goodness, it was tempting...
as we wind down to the final stretch...
....check your bag lists and totals: bagging is easy, but math is hard.
Bagger photos
At the Baggers' Banquet we'll reprise the rolling slideshow of Bagger Photos.
Load 'em up to flickr! Add to the CFA Flickr Pool (instructions here. It's easy!), tag your photos: ClubFatAss ClubFatAssEvents ClubFatAssEvents2010 BaggerChallenge2010 BaggerChallenge (with a space separating each tag on the flickr template)
A little fussy at first, but then it gets easy.
We'll also take nominations for Most Awkward Bagging Photo.
Anyone for a fun little 3-Bagger on Sunday?
Looking to bag Coliseum (COL), Burwell (BUR) and Paton (PAT) rather than do yard work. Leave around 8:30 and be home in time for din-din. Start with a warmup bike ride to 9K on LSCR then bushwhack up to bagger heaven. 604-904-6554 if interested.
2-Bagger Only
Dho! Could not see a thing. Managed to bag PAT and COL by braile but figure BUR is for later in the week when we let the CAT out of the bag. Who's in?
Yeah, a few of us doing the
Yeah, a few of us doing the Mutha's event looked north and figured there would be some cloudbags today.
And skip Cathedral ?
And skip Cathedral ?
CAT
Unfortunately, the CAT is out of the bag. Maybe Friday?
Six-Bagger on Choirboy Circuit
Crerar, Cowell and Jackson on fire: Play a little hokey and set a new world record. Yah, mon... See you at the Baggers Banquet.
end-of-season Three Bag!
me and Craig for Hollyburn, Strachan, and Black! wooooot! we even did the Ean Jackson style 1, 2, 3 with the fingers in all of our pictures...
Didn't happen if there ain't no pictures
Show us your goodies!
Baggers' Banquet: changed to the Friday
- RSVP jeldac "at" shaw "dot" ca
(I don't have email addresses for all baggers: please pass this on to anyone missed).1 bag for Seymour for Karen
1 bag for Seymour for Karen Shalansk and a 3/4 chicken bag for me...;-((((
How come no baggage claim for Tinsel?
Come clean with your bagger-buddies!
4-Bagger in Fannin Range for Ambrose, Crerar and Jackson
Details and photos will follow, but for those who care about such things, we had an epic bag experience yesterday! Please note our baggage claim for: DIC, PRE, DEA, BIS
I care, I care...
bring on the dets! That was some serious rain last night for a sunshine only runner!
The dets
Dickens Detour. Yes, the rain was indeed heinous.
Karen Shalansk and Sibylle
Write-up and more photos here: http://www.clubfatass.com/baggerchallenge/DePencier_Bluffs
GRO Cloudbag with Carter and Isaac
Please add GRO to my tally, and start a tally for Carter White, 8, and Isaac White, 4.
The three of us spontaneously cloudbagged Grouse this afternoon. I figured it would be fun, no matter the weather or visibility. I was right.
Among the highlights:
- Isaac's first tram ride
- Isaac and Carter seeing the caged Grizzly bear (Grinder?), active and up close.
- Isaac and Carter completing the winding fireroad trek to the peak with a cookie break half-way up, and both shouting with awe in a Blade Runner-like moment when the faint outline of the wind turbine became faintly visible looming overhead through the fog.
- All three of us enjoying an unexpected a chair ride down from the peak and seeing a huge buck just below us, and the kids hooting and hollering at hikers in the mist.
- Enjoyed a nice dinner and beer with the boys at the restaurant to celebrate the bag (the first ever peak bag of their young lives).
- With the mountain in a cloud and visibility quite low the entire time, the experience was novel and memorable. Carter was amazed at the contrast with his experience a month ago during a summer camp when it was scorching hot on the mountain.
Pics added to the flickr pool. Cheers.
Congratulations to Carter
Congratulations to Carter and Isaac for their first bag - a cloudbag at that - and to Reagan for getting his kids gently introduced to the Bagger Challenge and more importantly to the great outdoors.
"Cloudbagged"
Love it!! A very useful new word!
Duely Noted
in the Lexicon of Bagging Terms
CAP
It's Wednesday evening. Ambrose and Jackson are basking in the afterglow of having bagged Capilano Mountain. Yes... to those of you who working in downtown Vancouver who looked up around 1:00 today, that was us waving down at you!
Trip report and glorious photos to follow.
Baggers' Banquet
Ummm, Sushi!
I have been a good boy this year. Have more-or-less blended-into the background. I will bring the twisted quaich so it might be awarded to (s)he that deserves it more than I.
Twisted Thinking
perhaps our dear Twisted Craig deserves consideration this year, if not for the obvious folly recently reported in the NSN, perhaps less obviously but more frighteningly for the phone call to Sibylle early in the bagging season asking what mountain he was on! :)
Craig, Killaine is on to
Craig, Killaine is on to you... Any other contenders for the Twisted Quaich award, please come forward!