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 Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2147 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 06:19 AM
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The Plan: Meet up in Hope at 8:00 am, head to Frosty, bag that mofo, go to camp, stuff our faces, sleep, head home.
The participants:
Darren aka darren (a real creative genius that one)
Hana aka Butterfly79
Paula and Bernia aka PiB
Margaret aka margaretkoren
Lisa aka Kermit
Adrianna aka pheonix
Doug aka DougF
After a few mishaps, in which Darren started heading towards the #1 instead of the #3, Hana tried her luck with the tire gauge, and the make-work construction crews held us up for no other reason than they were on the clock and making weekend pay, we were on the trail around 9:00-ish. The trail was the standard ol’ switchback for about 7 kilometers, at which time we came upon Camp Whiskeyjack and were treated to the wonderous fun times of those delightful birds stealing food out of our hands while trying to enjoy some day old dollar pizza from Uncle Fatih’s on Broadway, which if I might add is a wonderful pick-me-up halfway to the summit of any mountain in any continent. Customs regulations would probably prohibit taking dollar pizza across the border or into international airways, but that’s neither here nor there.
After a quick snack (at which time we also learned the mountain was infested with botany students from Martha Piper’s Pit), a few CT members (who will go unnamed) were determined to get HOT! LEGS! FAST!, so they skirted through the meadows, scrambled their way too far right of the trail, and reached the summit with about 20 giggling university girls who’s constant drone of ‘take a picture of me here’, ‘just one more here’, and ‘smile’ were enough to send Darren scrambling for volunteers to hit up the West summit. However, it wasn’t meant to be as no one wished to make the descent and ascent to the west summit. After a while, the whole CT crew made it to the top and the university giggling having made their way back down to the big yellow bus they had hired; we took a few summit shots, ate a few apples, signed our names in the log book, and headed back to camp. Oh, and darren planned a trip to Tricouni next weekend if anyone's interested.
Hana and I took a rest in the meadows at which time I promptly started snoring and soon we were joined by Paula, Bernie, and Adrianna.
I have no idea how much time passed before we made our way back into camp (could have been 3 days for all I know), but we finally made our way back to set up shop for the night. By this time, as you can see, the cold weather gear was out with a vengeance. Soups were cooked, lasagna was made, veggies were shared around and we were rocking a nice communal kick while Adrianna surveyed the fire pit with the eyes of a true firestarter! Before we knew it, Adrianna had the fire roarin’ like we were having Christmas in grandpa’s living room in Northern Saskatchewan.
The remainder of the night was spent talking about the West Coast trail, the fate of Europe as an economic powerhouse, the Bolshevik revolution, the Peruvian constitution of 1873, and of course, gas prices.
Somehow through out the night, Lisa managed to pull her head away from the inferno that Adrianna had going and noticed that ‘by golly, there’s stars in the sky!’ This only meant one thing: Night! Hike! Suckas! We donned the appropriate headlamps, said goodbye to Adrianna (who just couldn’t pull herself away from the fire!) and Doug and made our way to the trail.
Myself, Hana, Lisa, Margaret, Paula and Bernie headed back to the meadows to watch the satellites collect secret information about Clubtread, point out constellations and discuss how successful our Hot! Legs! Fast! campaign was. I secretly decided the campaign was a success, but Hana disagreed vehemently.
Returning to camp, the fire was still roaring away and having spent more hours hiking than usual that day, I settled into my thankfully borrowed tent and sleeping bag (thanks Susan). What happened to the rest of the CT members after I went to bed is a mystery that will live on forever!
DAY TWO
To say I slept well would be somewhat of an understatement. I rose from my green machine at 10:15 (yes, I said 10:15). By this time, everyone was packing up all their gear (teeth were done chattering after a cold night that thankfully wasn’t as cold as the night before!) and I had to quickly borrow Lisa’s stove to brew some tea before heading out.
At this point, everyone sort of said goodbye and we split up. Hana and I left first, Lisa and Doug followed soon after, and the rest of the crew of CT Alumni finished up their packing.
The trip ended wonderfully with a few hours on the shores of Lightning Lakes trying to figure out why people use pine cones to fill in gopher holes and if perhaps the work crews would be collecting double-time-and-a-half on Sundays.
There's more pictures, but hopefully the others can post some of their pictures as well?
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the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware - henry miller
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Edited by - darren on 06/06/2006 3:11 PM
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Mallorca
508 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 10:58 AM
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Some whiskeyjacks are here waiting for you to write that report Darren!! |
Edited by - PiB on 09/26/2005 11:00 AM |
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 Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5904 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 11:26 AM
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quote:
enormous bonfires
Are the Larches still left  
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"What happens in the forest,stays in the forest".
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
27 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 12:03 PM
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Okay, I may have gone a bit overboard in taking a few too many Larch pictures, but they are just so darn beautiful. Did you know they are the only tree to thrive above 2000m?(that's what the sign said) Pictures to be posted soon. This was my first CT trip so I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making me feel welcome. Special thanks to Phoenix for the toasty campfire and to Doug for putting up the innovative rope and pulley system to keep our food away from the bears. Thanks Shadee for organizing it. We all wished you could have been there too!  |
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adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 12:46 PM
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| Looking forward to the report! I was thinking about you guys when passing through Manning on Saturday morning on the way to Hedley. |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1078 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 1:37 PM
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I went up to Frosty on the 24th as well, and rather than do a new thread on it, I'll just post some pictures here. There was some UBC botany class up there this year, I ran into them last year when I did Frosty as well. I checked the date on my camera pictures, and it turns out it was one year to the day since I was up there last year.
Here's grouse we ran into... literally... it came sauntering out onto the trail about 2 metres in front of us. He flew into a nearby tree.
This guy wasn't camera shy at all.
Here's a shot of Lightning Lake on the right and Flash Lake on the left.
Here are some of the larches.
  
 
Was this lightning? If it was, it's good thing it didn't start a forest fire. It would be a shame to lose such a nice piece of nature.
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Edited by - Matt on 09/26/2005 1:42 PM |
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
21 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 2:29 PM
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Darren is exagerating a bit with the "enormous bonfires", we just had a little campfire to keep us warm for few hours before we've got into our sleeping bags. The larches are still there, intact and in their prime.
It was a great trip and my first with CT, I've enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks everyone for making it this way. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 4:40 PM
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You picked a great area and timed it right on with the autumn colours shown off by the Larch. This is one of my favourite times of year. I think right now elevation 4500 to 5500 feet here is experiencing autumn climax, which will move down the slopes with the coming days and weeks.
Regards, |
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
21 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 9:30 PM
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| Great report, Darren. |
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Mallorca
508 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 9:58 PM
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Very entertaining TR, thanks Darren.
We had a fab time up there, nice meeting you guys. Special thanks to Shadee (the organizer), Adriana (the fire specialist), Doug (the Food keeper), Lisa (the food provider) and Helios (god of the sun)
Some pictures to add:
 the protagonists,  Hana on her way up to the summit,  WARNING! (It wasn't that bad )
some ct'ers at 2408 m:
 
 Adriana coming back from Frosty,
 Darren and Hana,
 frantic activity at the camping site (check out Darren warming up his hands on the fire...helloo what fire?)
Wildlife encounters on our way back:
 Chip without Dale,
  a family of curious and cute deer
Adriana, Berni and I crowned the day having lunch at the Manning lodge while Margaret sunbathed
Great trip!
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Edited by - PiB on 09/26/2005 11:11 PM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1012 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 10:54 PM
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EXCELLENT report Darren , thanks for capturing a great outing! Love the pix so far, and can't wait to see Kermit's too!
It was a pleasure to join all of you on this trip; a special thanks to Phoenix for sharing her tent and lending me a sleeping bag, and Kermit for sharing her stove - MUCH appreciated!
I highly recommend this hike, it's not too hard, the uphill with the backpack took my slowwww legs 2 1/2 hours, I thought it would take me all day!! The views are outstanding (this year I made it to the very top of Frosty ), and I could have hung out in the larch meadow forever basquing in the sun - thanks Kermit for waiting for me on Day 1, and PiB and Phoenix for waiting for me on Day 2!  . The thing I remember the most right now (it must be getting late!) is Hana's alien-spaceship alert on our night hike to the meadow . Thanks Shadee for organizing a fun trip!
Margaret
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Edited by - margaret on 09/26/2005 10:55 PM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2005 : 11:07 PM
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It was a fabulous trip...and the weather was perfect...I even loved the cold...however if it wasnt for my down jacket I most likely would have been complaining...
My favourite part of the hike was once we got above the tree line and started walking through the meadows...higher and higher to the summit...I love the openess, the height....and how one can look into the distance from all directions.
The STAR night was also most memorable....I have to say there was a point where I felt the sky was luring me in...there were so many stars....I just wanted to scream because I was so so so happy...so I tried to get everyone to scream with me, but Darren seemed to be the only one who was willing and actually did it with me after the count of three.....
That was a fabulous idea LISA :-)
Darren....I love your report, I just couldnt stop laughing after reading it...you made a few extremely funny comments....we will have to talk...
I also wanted to mention the great talks I had with a lot of you as we hiked to our destination (Paula & Bernie...Darren), as we rested and ofcourse by the fire....Thanks for the advice Adrianne and Doug :-)
Margaret I am still curious where you disappeared on Sunday morning? I thought I was a wanderer :-)
Lisa it sounds like I will be seeing you on another hike in the near future....thanks for being so generous with all your things....hot tea was most appreciated.
This was the second trip with Club Tread for me and I am 100% hooked. I cant wait for more trips to come.
Thanks everyone...see you again soon...
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Let your Journey be your Joy :-) |
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 | Q
Senior Member
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chocolate lovin, Bailey's slurpin, cold feet hatin', veggie eatin', true Cancerian water lovin', CT smilin', boulder dodgin', nosummitosis survivor
1594 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 12:05 AM
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Sounds like a great group and nice trip. I loved this trail and would have loved to do it again. My re-sprained ankle is healing nicely and it turns out that I wouldn't have been able to get the time off as no one would have worked for me. All my co-workers were under strict orders not to take my shift as I had a surprise party planned for me. (belated birthday) A pretty good trade off I guess.
When we were a the Forsty summit last year it was snowing a bit. Cool.
Cold. |
Edited by - Q on 09/27/2005 12:05 AM |
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adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 08:03 AM
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Heal quickly, Q! Belated happy birthday too
Fantastic and entertaining reports, everyone! Great stories and pictures |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
27 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 6:03 PM
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About 1km from the campsite the trail opens up into a forest of Larch. Here's Doug taking a photo of Adrianna and Margaret.
And my first Larch photo!
I am enjoying the sights of the beautiful Larch trees and I look up at the horizon. Nice mountain ahead! Then I realize, oh, I think I have to go up that!  Mt. Frosty is just to the right of the ridge, out of the picture. Hmmm, I thought this was a hike, not a mountaineering trip!
Here's Adrianna, Margaret and Doug. They are checking out some of the nice views along the way to Mt. Frosty.
  
Here is a picture of Mt. Frosty. You have to ascend the rocky ridgeline shown in the previous picture and traverse right across to the summit. Paula, Bernie, Doug, Hana, Darren, Margaret and Adrianna are all scattered along the route. I can see a few people on the ridge. I wonder if it's anyone I know? 
I've run out of time to post the rest of the photos, so more later, Part 2, the ascent of Mt. Frosty.
Kermit
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Langley, BC
Canada
1691 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 6:11 PM
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heehee..nice TR.
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Chaos, Panic & Disorder----my work here is done. |
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10 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 7:18 PM
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Wow, brings back memories. When I worked there myself and a good friend slept on top of Frosty in just our Bivy sacs, the neat thing was it was during a Lunar eclipse.
So there we sat, eating supper, having a nice shot of Liquer and waiting for the eclipse to start, the moon was so bright we thought we had the date wrong, then all of a sudden the true moon started to peek around the shadow, it was so bright you could have read a book up there all night. Typical high mountain weather, the wind kicked up and just about blew us off the top, making for an earlier morning departure down the Windy Joe Trail.
Maritimer
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
27 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 11:20 PM
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Part 2
This is a photo part way up the ridge. When you get to the top of the ridge you can go left to the Windy Joe trail, or right towards Mt. Frosty. The trail up was very rocky.
DANGER SIGN - use extreme caution as ridge can be crowded. If you look closely you can see the CT gang, 35 UBC students, plus a few others....a very busy peak!!
 
A successful CT hike. All 7 of us made it to the top!
  
Oh....here's another Larch photo!
At this point I ran out of film...
This was my first CT trip and I had a great time, thanks everyone!
Kermit |
Edited by - Kermit on 09/27/2005 11:36 PM |
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Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2147 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2005 : 11:31 PM
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quote:
If you look close enough, you can see Matt and I discussing the West summit. Next time!!
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the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware - henry miller |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3996 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2005 : 12:35 AM
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Darren, you have a way with words. A good read indeed.
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I don't like to beat around the bush. I go through it. |
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Telkwa
1176 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2006 : 3:35 PM
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| Wow, looks like alot of fun - botany too. |
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Frosty Mtn - Sept 24/25th
