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Flash - Cresting the Howe Sound

28 Sep 2008 07:00
28 Sep 2008 15:00
Location: 
North Vancouver (Meet at Cypress Parking Lot)
Weather permitting, it would appear there is some interest in doing the Howe Sound Crest Trail Sunday September 28th. Hopefully the skies will be as clear as they have been which would make it spectacular as opposed to grey with visibility of nine feet.

Starting from Cypress Bowl ski area, over/around Mount Unnecessary to the West Lion to Magnesia Meadows, past Brunswick Mountain and down the Deeks Lake Trail to finish near Porteau Cove.

The trail is approximately 37km and has the full range of the North Shore Mountains, alpine meadows, climbs, descents, scree ... a little scrambling here and there (I am shamelessly cribbing the description from Berglind here as I have not actually done the trail!)

Safety and camaraderie suggests a group run with carpooling needs to be determined a little closer to the start. I was just checking over the posts regarding this run from last year, so please check them out as they have many valid points regarding gear and other preparations. Generally speaking, nutritional needs for an 8-9 hour span (could be quicker, but you never know and the bears are disgruntled when you pinch their berries!) Headlamp and some extra clothing.

Updates to follow and comments from anyone interested are more than welcome - Dave

Entry: There is no fee and you don't need to be a member of Club Fat Ass to participate in a Flash event, however whining is not allowed. You are responsible for your own well being and safety and should be self sufficient.

No registration is required but please indicate your participation via the comment form below (don't show up without touching base with your EH, as plans might change last minute and if your EH does not know to expect you, he will not be able to notify you of changes. 

Please read the Release of All Claims. By participating in this event you agree to the terms of the Release of All Claims.

Comments

Short YouTube vid from the run

Pictures are now available on Flikr

All pictures uploaded to the FA pool. Enjoy! Cheers, Adventure Mike
Sibylle's picture

Mike's photos can be viewed

Mike's photos can be viewed as a slideshow at
http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/show/?q=crestingthehowesound&m=pool&w=91654961%40N00  If you want to add your photos to this slideshow, please upload to Flickr, tag with CrestingTheHoweSound and add to our Flickr group.

HSCT & Lions pictures

Here is a link to the photos of the day. http://fulltiltlife.shutterfly.com/10

Here are many of the shots I took from the day. Not sure who to send them to exactly, but there are some good ones there. Don't have email for people who made it or any CFA folks who keep track of such things.

It was a treat for me to get together with such a quality group of people. It was a memorable first event for me. How rare to hook up with a group capable of taking the day to hammer a trail in such a fashion. Not many out there who could have stayed the course, but everyone in the group was more than prepared. 

 

Sibylle's picture

That would be me ;-)

Hi Kerry, 

That would be me...keeping track of things that is!  Actually, you can upload photos yourself to Flickr.com following the instructions here: http://www.clubfatass.com/help/image But I see you are using Photo Bucket, so if you are not inclined to upload to another program as well (and sign up for Flickr), you can send them to me: CFA_info (at)cfasports dot) com and I will upload them to the CFA Flickr account.Once they are added to the CFA flickr group, they will automatically be added to the photos on the right.  As a non member, you do not have access to member profiles (that's why you can't get in touch), but members can contact you and you can also get in touch with them via these comments.

Glad all went well.  What a perfect day you guys had.

Sibylle

ceegee's picture

HSCT

Excellent trip!! Like the others, I don't think it can be accurately called a run, but that's what was so great about it. Needless to say, I didn't go for a run today...too busy eating.
Ean Jackson's picture

So, How Was It?

I was looking up at the profile of the mountains over Howe Sound and thinking about you characters all day. Couldn't have picked a more perfect day, eh? Photos... photos... I want photos!
Daver's picture

Fantastic!!!

It was great! Perfect is a pretty question begging term to apply to West Coast weather, but if it wasn't perfect, it was as close as I'm going to see.

Ryan is quite right in that "run" is a misnomer. More of a hike/climb/jog/slog/boulderhop/jog/run, but that just adds to the fun. The trail is pretty runnable after Hat Pass coming down to Deeks and then all the way out.

For me,  the highlights (though there were many) was standing on top of the West Lion and later sitting on the shore of Brunswick Lake thinking how lucky I am to live here.

Still waiting for pictures to get posted as they are most definitely worth it.

 Thanks to all who came out and made it a great day!

Ean, you were missed and we expect you next time!

 

 

 

Ryan Conroy's picture

It was awesome

Warm and sunny, barely a cloud in the sky and 360 degree views. It's definitely a tough trail and in many spots was more of a hike. Some parts were a lot more groomed and runable than I would have expected though. The part near the second lake was quite rough and grown in. It took us a while to get through there and even with a few people on board who were intimately familiar with the trail we had to split up for a while and 'trail hunt'. There were lots of pictures taken, I didn't bring my camera though but I should have. The guys who did said they would post them. We climbed up the West Lion on the way past and the views were simply stunning from up there, although there were many spots like that. There were wild blueberries everywhere, it was kind of an unending blueberry aid station. A few of us jumped into a beautiful turqoise lake which was pretty fresh, although it was as warm as any lake of that colour I've ever seen. Too bad we missed you, probably a good idea for the calf though, it was along day out there. It took us a round 9 hours, with several pitstops and waiting to regroup. I'm pretty sore today. Ryan
Daver's picture

Good to go

Have talked to everyone with regards to transport and everyone's taken care of

Weather report looks excellent, so will see you all there. Looks like there will be 9 of us. Really looking forward to it  

ceegee's picture

Carpooling

Um...just realized that the two of us will need a ride back from Porteau Cove post-run. Does anyone have two extra spots for the trip back? Thanks, Carolyn
ceegee's picture

I'm In...

See you there--very excited!! I've hiked this area, never run it... Carolyn
Daver's picture

Sorry to hear that

Hope it heals up so I see Action Jackson disappearing ahead of me again. Take care of yourself and you'll be missed.Ryan is in and I will be bringing water treatment (Pristine) if anyone needs it.Mike, the five minute rule is suspended and we will wait for your arrival. My phone number if anyone needs it is 604.830.2415.See you all tomorrowDave
Ean Jackson's picture

Jam Tart #1

I have been looking forward to doing this run ever since Daver proposed it. Looks like a truly first-class group of friends and it looks like perfect weather.

For the benefit of the group, however, I'm not going to join you.

It would be a no-brainer to say I injured myself this week, but my long-standing calf tear hasn't been a problem for 3 weeks and about 8 runs of up to about 2 hours. I did this run years ago and loved it and was really looking forward to it, but I don't want to risk ruining it for everyone else. It's not that hard, but it's long and the trail fairly remote... not a great place to have an injury reoccur. I *am* injured, so best I face the music and make sure it is behind me or I'll end up being a miserable pool runner for the rest of my sorry days.

Thank you for the ride offers.  If I can help by driving or otherwise, pls let me know.  I'm in for that for sure. 

Have a great day, guys. I'm with you in spirit if not in body, and from the positive perspective, you don't have to put up with my constant chatter. Enjoy the day and the camaraderie.  Take lots of pictures so we can all run this with you vicariously!

Into-it-but-out-of-action-jackson

Sorry to hear you won't be there Ean.

Another car pool happening...

Rob and I are picking up Kerry in North Van at Lonsdale Quay at 5:45am. We will drop a car at Deeks lake parking lot and drive up to Cypress to be there before 7am. If anyone else needs a ride email me and I'll send you my phone number. Gents, Please wait for us at the top if we're a few minutes behind. Cheers, Adventure Mike

I might join the new car pool

Kerry Ward here. As I posted below, I'm in N. Van and would like to head out on this run, too. It would be good to jump in a car pool, too. Could help with the car shuttling. call me at the 604 number 767 17 17 if that might work for you guys.

Rob and I would like to join you guys.

Rob McDonald and I would like to join you guys for the HSCT. I've done it twice, and both times 'running it' it took between 8:30 to 9 hrs. If you include the West Lion it's about 10:30. Bring gear for any weather and a headlamp as mentioned. I seem to recall there is some water available but it may have to be treated. If there are no more open 'carpooling' spots Rob and I can arrange to drop one of our vehicles at the end and drive our selves to Cypress. Anyone else in need of a ride or have room for 2? Let me know. Cheers, Mike Wardas
Daver's picture

Ramblings

Right .... I'm good to get up to Cypress so I'll meet JP and Ean there. I've messaged Ryan to see if he's still in and am waiting to hear from Gord. That appears to be it so far so if anyone knows of anyone else joining us, let me know See you there!
Daver's picture

Transport

I have negotiated with my lovely wife to pick me up at the end of the tour and can offer two seats coming back from Porteau Cove should anyone need them
Sibylle's picture

Ean is out right now and

Ean is out right now and won't be back until late. I'll take the liberty to speak for him and snatch the remaining car pool spot from Porteau Cove back. 
Maybe I can drop him off somewhere were it is convenient for JP to pick him up in the morning en route to Cypress?  Suggestions JP?

Jackson pick-up

I don't mind picking him up at home.

Poach a Ride

I'll take you up on that offer. Also, I can drive to Cypress and pick you up so your wife can sleep in. Have room for up to 4 passengers in total. I will be coming from Kits. Who else is joining us?
Daver's picture

If I were a betting man

.. which I am, I think the odds are not bad. Long range weather forecast is promising. Though it's going to be pretty cold as it apparently snowed in Whistler this morning.

Jackson's woolies

Maybe it'll be a chance to see Jackson in his red running woolies - you know, the ones with the drop seat.
Daver's picture

Note to Self

... try to stay AHEAD of Jackson in case of seat dropping
Ean Jackson's picture

Dropping Drawers

My drop-door drawers are flourescent orange, not red!  Cool

BTW, here's a link to the latest weather forecast.  It looks like Sunday is the day.

A Crestor

I'm in! Have been wanting to do this one ever since backpacking it a few years ago. Now for some good weather to hold.... JP

I would like to jump in, too.

Amazingly, I have been trying to organize a run from Lions Bay up to the Lions and then down to Cypress on the same day. Being a A to B run, I've needed more people.

 This run seems to cover the same ground, so I would certainly be up for it. I'm in North Van and could drive one way or car pool as well.

my number is 604 767 1717 

 Kerry Ward

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