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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 11:16 PM
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And I gotta say I loved my parking spot. Loved it, loved it ...
I had been planning a quick overnighter somewhere along Needle Ridge or FlatIron and when I saw a basically identical trip organied via Wanderung I gave a shout out to the orgainzer (Burnabyhiker) to let him know I'd be headed the same way and a little behind the group.
They said they'd be camping on the ridge...
By the time I'd left the Wack I was at least an hour behind his group. I figured I'd run into them eventually.
  
 
This was about where I spotted Chris' group; human "ants" on Needle ridge proper.
Oh that part of the ridge. I say to myself. Well for that, I'm a wee bit overpacked. I have some doubts about how comfortable I'd be with a big pack on that little crux in the first scramble but I thought I'd head up and at least say hello.
As I reach the col I notice my original plan for a camp location is completely shaded now and looking a wee bit cold and uninviting. But there is a flat and snow free perch just above the descent to the col. I could make that my spot in a pinch.
I start to make my way up to the ridge proper shouldering my pack Also considering that just maybe I can make that scamble anyway. Thinking of the things I might stash just below where things get interesting.
It doesn't take long before I'm at the base of the route. As I take off my pack contemplating unpacking and repacking, I look up at the route before me and start to think maybe I'll give it a shot without the pack first, seeing as I am solo. At least that way I'll refresh the memory of what to expect in that little challenge and once I'm up there I can say hello to the group.
 
I pause to take two photos and then head on up. The scramble is fun without a big pack but I was starting to wonder whether bringing mine up was going to be in the cards.
Saying hello and taking a quick rest break.
I discovered I was in luck. Apparently Glen just LOVES carrying BIG HEAVY packs over scrambly bits and he would be delighted to help me out.  And in payment I just happened to have a pretty decent beer along I'd promised to share with him. A deal was struck. So we went back, I did some unpacking and stashing and packed my little collapsable daypack with a few items to lighten the load from the overnight bag and up we went. Thanks Glen.
It was good to be able to join them. The spot was pretty skookum and we all had a grand time, chasing marmots, climbing boulders and watching the sunset. (oh and taking photos)
            
And eventually everyone settled in with a few shared bevvies and some chatter till the moon came up.
 
Oh and in case I wasn't clear, I really liked my sleeping spot.
The next day we were to scramble the rest of the way up to summit then pack up and head down. Of course first I wandered around and took some pre-coffee photos.
      
And eventually the cobwebs cleared and we were off.
       
      
It was a really good time out. Totally needed that.
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Chilliwack
1271 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 11:38 PM
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| So glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself, meet up with others and take these awesome photos! |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1089 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 06:10 AM
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| Now you're making me jealous. Some really beautiful shots in this TR, and you got to see the moon. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13061 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 06:53 AM
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| Good times! |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 07:28 AM
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What!? No snow!
I never thought I'd see the day this year. |
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Langley
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 08:23 AM
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Nice TR, I think I saw you guys coming down as I was going up. Great day to be out there. I saw 5 other groups but I lucked out and had the summit to myself for a whole hour.
quote:
Originally posted by jd22
What!? No snow!
I never thought I'd see the day this year.
Snow starts right at the trailhead and is continuous before you reach the top of the ridge. The ridge east to Needle, however, is almost 100% snow free. |
Edited by - another jeff on 07/08/2012 08:25 AM |
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Kamloops, BC
Canada
159 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 08:36 AM
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I cant believe you guys didn't go swimming in that pool! It's a pretty refreshing pit stop to make before the scramble.
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 08:53 AM
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| A most excellent adventure. Good going Jenn! I really liked your sleeping spot toooooooooo! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 09:12 AM
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No bugs?
Great spot for an overnighter. |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2041 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 09:57 AM
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Jenn made a good choice to join us. 
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Edited by - burnabyhiker on 07/08/2012 10:05 AM |
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362 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 10:37 AM
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| Great spot to camp! I need to do more overnighters in the Coquihalla this summer. |
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Langley, British Columbia
Canada
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 12:02 PM
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| How was parking? Did you park near the sand shed or on the other side of the Coquihalla Hwy where the little road side canteen was located? I had heard parking was difficult there now because of road work? |
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 | LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2507 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 12:05 PM
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| what light! |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 3:31 PM
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Thanks Janice, Tim and Mick.
Jeff were you solo or in a small group?
Salt, we weren't there in the middle of the heat of the day, though a few of us did consider it..
It was pretty sweet Lynn.
Just a smattering of bug Cody.
Nice shots Chris.
You totally should Ben, it's one of my favourite quick getaway spots close to home.
Coast we parked on the dirt road just under the sand shed.
Absolutely Lee.
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6793 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 4:47 PM
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I see you had the same sort of haze on saturday that we had at Brandywine.
1/2 beer to sherpa some stuff up is a bargain!  |
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 5:22 PM
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| What a great place to pitch a tent. Perfect spot to catch sunset. I sure miss that area. |
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Kamloops, BC
Canada
159 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 5:55 PM
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- Pride Rock! Great shot!
I'm brining my cat up to Needle next time and holding him up like Rafiki from the lion king. |
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Langley
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 6:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by exscape
Jeff were you solo or in a small group?
I was hiking solo, I don't think there were any other solo hikers that day. |
Edited by - another jeff on 07/08/2012 6:26 PM |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
4001 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 7:26 PM
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I agree - great shot. Doesn't hurt having the area's namesake peak as a backdrop.
Nice trip Jen and co. |
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Kamloops, BC
Canada
159 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 7:30 PM
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| @Jeff - I saw you on the summit as we were swimming then passed you on the way up! You were just chillin :D |
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Langley
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 08:04 AM
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SF I recognize you from the video you posted. When I looked back you guys were paused before the crux section, I wasn't sure if you going to make it to the top.
Was there anyone on the peak that day who wasn't from CT? |
Edited by - another jeff on 07/09/2012 08:06 AM |
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Party of 4 parked near a Needle.
