Saturday was a great day: I got in my longest run in over a year (somewhere around 40K), I explored some previously unknown terrain with a couple of buddies, bagged a peak... and I believe I contributed toward saving a guy's life!
Saturday was the inaugural Squamish Scrambler. I was really keen to do this because for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to climb the magnificent Diamond Head (Attwell Peak) that towers above Squamish, BC. This would be a run to the neighboring Little Diamond Head.
Weather is always an issue in the high alpine and even more of an issue with me 'cause I don't like to run in the rain. According to Environment Canada, weather promised to be sunny with cloudy periods. Since this CFA event offers a family-friendly distance, Sibylle and the kids joined me in the car at 7:00 am.
For the record, it's about 55K and an hours drive from the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver to the Tim Horton's in Squamish. Runners trickled in over the next 1/2 hour. The kids and I went for the maple glazed. (Remember, I'm new to blogging, so tell me to shut up if this is too much detail!)
Host of the Scrambler, Gary Robbins, arranged a car pool to the Diamond Head parking lot. I didn't recall it being so far, but bank on just over 1/2 hour to get there from Tim's.
It was cold and spitting slightly as we took the traditional starter photo. On the topic of spitting, this and the blowing of noses were to be a common theme throughout the run today as Gary, Dommer and I all had head colds. Though billed as a "scramble" it sure started off as a run. We arrived at the Read Heather cabin in just over 1/2 hour and the Elfin Lakes cabin in just over an hour.
Dommer and Jim Mandelli opted to run back down to meet the girls while Gary, Geoff Palmer and I continued up into the clouds toward the Gargoyles and Little Diamond Head. While we intended to take a look at the Gargoyles, we ended up getting there first after missing the direct trail to our destination. Before we knew it, we were on razor ridge of loose sand. "I think it's time we turn around", said Gary. Geoff and I were glad he said it first!
As we made our way back to the "saddle", we paused to enjoy the view of the cloud-shrouded Gargoyles. Gary starts hollering "Hello! Is anybody there?" as if to horse around as, after all, we're in a cloud near the roof of this part of the world.
A faint voice answers back. "Holy shit!" we exclaimed simultaneously, as our expressions turned serious. Someone was definitely in a bad way. Worse, we could barely hear him and, after learning that he'd fallen, we lost contact with him.
I had a cell phone and we managed to get in a 911 call. It was too foggy for a helicopter rescue. We had no ropes and at a good run clip, the nearest help was at the ranger station an hour away. There was no way we could get down to the person and no chance he could get to us, so we decided to try to get below him.
About 30 minutes later, we were able to regain voice contact with the person. Gary tried to get closer across a steep scree slope. With each step, he created a small avalanche of loose rock and we could hear the other guy doing the same as he made his way toward our voices.
Amazingly enough, the guy (Noel), got out. We figure he used up 9/9 lives that morning. He claims he was looking for the trail and slipped near the razor ridge where we turned around. 'Fell ass-over-teakettle 100m, but managed to wedge himself spread-eagle in a chute. 'Didn't get hurt in the process. 'Spent several hours wondering what to do before he heard our voices. 'Managed to climb out on his own. The frigging guy was a cool and composed as a cuke when we hooked up, but had the clarity of mind to opt out of joining us en route to Attwell Peak. We continued on our run, making sure to relay a message to Squamish Search and Rescue as soon as we got a cellular signal.
Arriving at our destination, Little Diamond Head, was almost anti-climatic after the Noel thing. Despite tempting us with a few patches of blue, the trail Gods would not allow us the view we'd hoped for on this day. We were, however, treated to sighting of a marmot and some rock ptarmigans and had the opportunity to get in some sliding on a patch of snow as we made our way down from the rocky summit area.
As we made our way back to the Elfin Lakes cabin in the late afternoon, the clouds went away. All in all, a fantastic, exciting day on the trails!
PS Read Gary's event report for his perspective and some more photos
