Lost and Found

Lost and found

The original goal was to hike/climb 7th Heaven on Blackcomb mountain – which we did. However, on the way up we started collecting garbage. We found the usual objects including water bottles, beer bottles, cans, goggles, clothing, skis, ski poles, two-way radios and the best of all, $125 (US) and a money clip. Maybe that was some good karma for picking up garbage and lost objects.

During the winter season, similar objects are found every day – especially cell phones and wallets. Whistler is a fairly good place to lose thing and have them returned. I recently left my credit card in a restaurant. I didn’t discover it missing until a few days later. When I did realise where I left it, I called and they did indeed have it. I retrieved it shortly after that without any hassle of getting it replaced.

I normally don’t carry cash with me – maybe for fear of losing it? However, banking is different that what it used to be. With ATMs and credit cards, cash is almost unnecessary in large cities and popular resorts. I can’t think of any place in Whistler that does not accept credit cards; and I think every merchant does because Visa is a worldwide sponsor of the Olympics. Even my lift pass is connected to my credit card so I don’t even need to carry a credit card with me when I’m on the mountain. Replacing a lift pass is easier than replacing a credit card or wallet. I’m not sure why people still carry cash.

The set from the day is below; click on the larger image to advance to the next one. If you’re on your iPhone or can’t see it, click here.

Cheakamus

Cheakamus Lake

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.

Awesome

In the clouds

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.