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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
13059 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:20 PM
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For a while now we'd been kicking around the idea of hiking up to camp on the shoulder of Black Tusk one evening and then doing some exploring and peak bagging the next day. So it was that, finally, this Thursday, Doug and I headed up to Rubble Creek with overnight packs, starting out on the switchbacks of the Garibaldi Lake Trail at about 6pm. The trail, by the way, is absolutely snow free in August, so no microspikes needed. It was a balmy 22 degrees, perhaps cooled by a bit of a breeze, or perhaps we were just caught in the draft of a fast packing UBishops -he's mighty quick, you know, faster than a falling serac, but I digress. Click for the captions amigos!
Shots here also...http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickrange/sets/72157631024627900/
The trailhead shot of Rubble Creek, before the switchback fun...
The trip up went very well; we covered the roughly 1400m in elevation gain and 15 or so km in about 3 1/2 hours and set up camp not far from the end of the maintained trail, as they call it. We'd brought relatively light sleeping gear and a Siltarp bivy shelter and soon we settled in to stargaze. The Perseid meteor showers were in their beginnings and it was amazing to be in a place so very quiet only hours from civilization. Garibaldi Lake loomed silently below, and a panorama from Helm Peak all the way around to the Tantalus Range stretched out before us. Next thing we knew, though, an insidious breeze began drifting down from the col above, starting out harmlessly, but after a while it was as though we'd been tossed into a walk in freezer. We'd forgotten to pack an extra layer or three, and pretty soon we reconfigured the shelter into a double bivy to try to cut down on the draft somewhat. To give you an idea of how cold we were, I wasn't even ticked I'd forgotten to pack beers up, so of course we were obviously at the limits of hypothermic tolerance, I'm sure. The hours ticked ebbed away at a snail's pace, the way they always do when your teeth are chattering. We knew it was to be sunny and 25 degrees Friday but the night hung on endlessly-never were we so glad to see the glow of sunrise nudging the ridge beside Helm Peak at 5 am or so. I don't know how cold it was at Helm but I'm sure there was plenty of rock falling there just as there was on the slopes of Black Tusk above us. Sleeping directly below the Tusk is kind of like being at poolside with a bunch of big kids behind you- you never know if they're gonna push you in, or not. After a while I had it figured most of those rocks were smallish jing anyway so what the hey!
Some more from the Night of the Frozen Nads, as it has become infamously known 
       
After a night like that we didn't expect much but as it turned out the coffee and cheerios we put down had us on the way to points higher at about 7 am, after we'd defrosted somewhat. The general idea was to trek all the subpeaks of Black Tusk and scope out the many different geologic features. We also walked the approach to Black Tusk summit to have a look at the chimney, but as we did not bring our helmets we didn't choose to climb it on this trip. As well, it would have cut down the time we had to explore the rest of the area. Most folks who hike up only bother with the route up the Tusk, and, while some walk the other ridges, you usually have the outliers to yourself, which I liked a lot. Next time up I think I'd camp above the col on one of the subsummits; the views are unparalleled!
Still more from cavorting around the summit block, still here today, see it while you can!
            
Some rambling from all the sub summits...
      
Despite the rough night, I felt as good as I have in the mountains as I have in years. My last year was spent in a Spartan, six-seven day a week training program designed to rebuild me and get rid of a number of nagging injuries I've been traipsing around with for better part of the last decade, and it has really paid dividends. The money I'm saving on Tylenol alone might be enough to buy me a brand new shirt and helmet just like Harry's or barring that maybe a set of vintage Ted Oliver cookware. Anyway, I'm rambling again…
And a few more from the trip back down through the meadows...
     
The Tour de Black Tusk went well, though a haze hung over the more distant views, and we were headed back to break camp by 1130 am, headed for the parking lot and the beers in the cooler below. We met dozens of people on the way up. Garibaldi is a popular place, and I had never seen it on a Friday in summer before. All manner of folk, all shapes, sizes and ages, with widely ranging gear. The slog down the switchbacks had us out by 230 pm, where we enjoyed some cold ones and some free cheese from some hikers from Washington. Random acts of cheeseness, what more can you ask for ?
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Edited by - mick range on 08/19/2012 7:33 PM
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Van, BC
Canada
2793 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:40 PM
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Great to hear about the injuries resolving themselves!
-Ryan
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Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
5048 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:43 PM
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Good job retreads. Funny about the cold night, or maybe not so much :)
Good to hear your starting to get rid of some those nagging issues too. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1114 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:46 PM
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| Nice pix! |
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| piika
Intermediate Member
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
735 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:53 PM
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Lovely  |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 8:09 PM
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LOL!!
quote:
Originally posted by mick range
Random acts of cheeseness, what more can you ask for ?
Honestly, of the hundreds of Tusk pictures I've seen on CT over the years, your pics truly depict the area as a very photogenic place. Great shots Mick. Best I've seen yet.  |
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Powell River, bc
Canada
2540 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 8:11 PM
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Yay,your back!! :) That's such a cool area,and I love all the different angles in your shots :) Too bad about "The night of the Frozen Nads",but whatever doesn't kill you right!
Good to see you traipsing around again :) :) :) |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 8:12 PM
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| Fun report. Yes training works! |
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North Vancouver
Canada
745 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 8:57 PM
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Great TR as always Mick. Here's a couple more pictures from our trip:
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Edited by - NS Explorer on 08/19/2012 9:05 PM |
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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
13059 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 9:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by NS Explorer
Great TR as always Mick. Here's a couple more pictures from our trip:
Haha, nice shot of my pack (aka pillow) full of all that Black Tusk dirt, Doug. The other shot is even better, the best shot of the trip, I'd say.
I forgot to mention in the TR that I did scramble up the chimney about 25 feet up to scout it because I couldn't resist a look see. It's actually a fairly easy line and there is not much exposure as it's somewhat protected. Wished we'd brought our helmets though as the rockfall can really be an issue.
Thanks all for looking in on the TR! I was surprised any of the pics turned out as I somehow toasted the screen on my Canon G-9 and was really more or less shooting blind, as the rest of the camera worked. It was a hazy day and conditions were difficult for pics but it goes to show just how photogenic the area is-just point at whatever and shoot I guess!
Trailrunner, training does work but how I did it was a departure from the usual for me. It even includes yoga, which I'd never done before. Warrior 3 is a bitch!  |
Edited by - mick range on 08/20/2012 08:34 AM |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 11:19 PM
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Great looking trip.
You seem to have covered a lot of BC this summer.....
One of these days we will have to get out. |
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463 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 11:51 PM
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| Way to get out there, Mickster. The photos are sublime. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 07:02 AM
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The Tusk's sure gorgeous in the morning light - makes the dark rock glow.
Those subsummits hold snow late - makes for some real fun butt-sliding.
Real beautiful shots - thanks for the TR! |
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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
13059 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 08:41 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by tu
The Tusk's sure gorgeous in the morning light - makes the dark rock glow.
Those subsummits hold snow late - makes for some real fun butt-sliding.
Real beautiful shots - thanks for the TR!
That was definitely most interesting, Tu, the way that the rock changes colour with different lighting is very noticeable at Black Tusk-more than anywhere else I have been.
I have also to thank Simon for starting and Doug for fueling my growing addiction for Garibaldi Park; it's popular for good reason |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 09:33 AM
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Hey - I wanted to ask - did you see any marmots?
The few times I've been up there this year and last, I haven't seen any marmots around there.
Usually you'd see them if not on the Tusk trail itself, on the subsummits. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 12:44 PM
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| Yes the training into the new sphere. That is the key isn't it? I am in the middle of it myself. Massive swim flutter kick sessions & leg strength training while increasing the run portion itself. And new kind of shoulder-elbow stretch. May be I will want to try the yoga even. |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
4000 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 2:46 PM
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| Nice trip there Mick and Doug. Wedgemount Lake area next or back to near Fissile to continue your Garibaldi Park high ground sleepovers? |
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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
13059 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 5:29 PM
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Saw but one marmot, Tu
Might be Overlord, Simon, I still have to tag that sucka, or Weart |
Edited by - mick range on 08/20/2012 5:30 PM |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 11:58 PM
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Looks like it was well worth the night of the frozen nads.
That's a good reserve for the old memory banks. |
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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
13059 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 07:47 AM
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It was a good lesson in making sure you pack carefully, Jenn. I had never underestimated the cold before so now I know what happens when you do. Adding a few more items to my pack would not have added much time to the trip but being warm is so not overrated  |
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357 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 08:55 AM
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It's never fun to be caught out in the cold, time does drag by like you said. But last weekend we were hiking in temps that were too hot and we all got dehydrated and I can't decide which one is worse.
Lovely set of pics! Garibaldi Park is such a beautiful place. |
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Tour de Black Tusk August 9-10
