Normally, riding up chairlifts is what it’s all about – but that’s in wintertime. In the summer, its better to ride down chairlifts because of the view. Above is a time lapse from Blackcomb Mountain – from the top of 7th Heaven to Blackcomb Base. Recorded July 15, 2009 when it was nice and dry. This summer might be a different story as the top portion of the mountain is still under a layer of snow – more than 2 metres in some places!
Terri stealing a bite of my cookie at Jericho Beach in Vancouver
Canadian Thanksgiving weekend marks the end of summer in most of Canada. The summer has been filled with hiking, XC biking, downhill biking (ouch!), golf, barbecues, trips to the beach and travel. Although, it was a fun summer – I’m definitely ready for winter!
Image below: one of many images from my flickr set, 100 days on the mountain in 2008/09. I’m not sure what I’ll do this season but I’ll think of something because one has to have goals.
After a lightning strike last Thursday, a fire started on the Crystal Ridge area of Blackcomb Mountain. It was mostly contained within the first day as I’m sure workers were pulled off the 100 or so other fires burning in the province. I imagine fires in Whistler are given some sort of priority over other fires given the high profile nature of the location.
For the many firemen in town for the World Police and Fire Games, I wonder if it was a treat or a horror show for them to watch the mountain burning.
As of yesterday, four days after the original fire another fire started on Ruby Bowl, an area with very steep terrain. Blackcomb mountain was closed to tourists and hikers for a few days after the original fire, but remains open after the new fire on Ruby Bowl yesterday. Whistler mountain and the Peak 2 Peak are open with the exception of the backcountry trails which the province has issued a voluntary ban on hiking due to the fire risk. It’s been an eventful week.
As I know all of you like watching stuff burn, here are my photos from the fire. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one. If you’re on a mobile device, click here to view the images.
I always find it funny when I see bags of potato chips in a town that is at a high elevation. Whistler isn’t that high at 670 m/2,198 ft but when the chips are packed at near sea level and then brought to a higher elevation, it’s a bit puffed up – enough to be used as a pillow in a pinch. But I wouldn’t take my food to bed with me.
It’s simple science and great entertainment as explained by this science teacher in Mussoorie, India (elevation 1,826 m/5,991 ft). I wonder how puffed up the bag would be if I took it to the top of Blackcomb Mountain (elevation 2240 m/7349 ft). Maybe this has to be done.
My main meals today were smoothies, a chocolate one for breakfast, blueberry for lunch and a green (kale) smoothie for dinner. In addition, I had some bananas, oranges, a nectarine and some trail mix. This is probably the best I’ve eaten in quite a while. Nutritious, but not as many calories as I probably need considering I went on six-hour hike today. I may supplement my diet with some potato chips (only half kidding).
It is true, there is more to do here in the summer than in the winter. I’ve only hiked a handful of times, but if I hiked one trail per day in the summer, it would take me several summers.
Today I did the Cheakamus Lake hike. It was a short 2.5 hour hike from the parking lot beyond the garbage dump and the Athlete’s Village. It’s a relatively short and flat hike on a wide and well marked trail. It can be done by most in a morning or afternoon.
From this area, there are several hikes that can take you to Black Tusk, Garibaldi Lake and several other places. If one skis off the backside of Whistler Mountain on Oboe, Flute or Piccolo summits, or if one loses their way on Khyber (an unmarked off-piste tree run) they would end up here. I’m hoping there is a trail to Singing Pass which can take us to Whistler Mountain and to the Village.
More information about the Cheakamus Lake Area can be found at the BC Parks Website.
Here are the images from the day. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
Are you reading this on your iPhone? If so, there’s more photos if you click here.
I haven’t posted in a while, but that’s because I’ve been busy with a few other things. While I’ve been busy, I haven’t been on the mountains. However, it’s summer now and I finally went on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains yesterday and today. Even without snow (somewhat) it’s still an awesome place. My time away has been fun, but I’m glad to be back.
Here’s a winter/summer comparison of Whistler peak…
My images from the last two days on the mountain are below. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
Banner Image, Environment, Hiking, Photography, Skiing, Video | Garry June 30, 2010 | 
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