Labour Day Weekend in Vancouver and Whistler

For Labor Day (or Labour Day, as it is called in Canada), we took a second annual trip north to Vancouver, British Columbia to check out the famous ski area, Whistler, and the alpine summer hiking that can be accessed from the resort chair lifts. Taking the gondola from the base ski area, it saved our legs the ~4000 feet ascent, putting us at treeline for the start of the hike. We thought it would be a flat-lined and easy hike from here, but we were in for a humbling surprise. The remaining 16 miles were a near constant roller coaster of elevation and emotions as we trudged up and over mountain flanks to see a tiny scribble of the trail proceeding up and over the next distant peak. Each time, I thought to myself that the connecting trail we could see must be a mountaineering path that splintered off to reach the mountain summit. I was sadly mistaken as an hour later I found myself looking back to the former location from the once distance neighboring mountain flank.

The trails, dubbed maliciously as a combination of "The Musical Bumps" and "High Note," were rated as some of the most scenic in the Western British Columbia region. However, 2016 was the year summer forgot the Pacific Northwest, leaving us shrouded in a low cloud layer and inconsistent mizzle and mist. Fortunately, a fast-moving, low-lying cloud layer is a photographer's delight as they somehow manage to give mountains an even mightier pose and enhanced mysteriousness.

Ride up in the Whistler Express gondola

Craig trudging up Pika's Traverse trail at the start of the trip

Blanketed in a cloud

Although we couldn't see the eye-popping peaks around us, the clouds made for pretty dramatic photos

Mini rock man on the trail.

More clouds as we make our way down the first of 3 Musical "Bumps" (Piccolo, Flute, and Oboe).

Loving life at treeline

Marching our way of peak 3 of the "bumps." I believe this was Oboe. 

We've finally almost arrived at our camp site for the night at the base of Mt. Fissle.

When we planned the trip, we had a dream of staying in an established wood hut that holds up to 12 campers. I imagined with the bad weather might have to share the space with, at most, 3 people. Again, the story I told myself and the reality of the trip diverged when we rounded the last corner to see a slew of humans buzzing around the hut like a beehive and about 10 other tents already established in prime spots nearby. I'm very thankful that we brought our tent as a backup plan. 

The evening got cold FAST and after setting up the tent, we spent nearly the entire night inside drinking whiskey and reading National Geographic.

Looking out of the tent at the adorable mountain hut. 

Due to the cold, we spent the evening in the tent until the setting sun and low clouds put on an irresistible show.

Sunset on the camps.

 Sunset on Mt. Fissle with out tent in the front left.

Did I mention it was cold? I went into full caterpillar mode.

The following morning, the clouds parted for several minutes to reveal the peaks around us. The brief vista was quickly obscured as we watched the next round of thick, low layers gracefully spill over the ridge face.

 How cute is this hut?! It belongs in the Swiss Alps!

We were also briefly treated to a glimpse of this MASSIVE GLACIER! This is Cheakamus Glacier and she's a beaut!

Photos don't do Cheakamus Glacier any justice in telling the story of just how wide it is!

So many beautiful shades of green and blue.

On the home stretch to return to the gondola for a relaxing sub-alpine ride down the mountain. I love the contrast between the red and gray of the peak in the background. 

 

The second to last climb before the gondola is the wall in front of us.  

While I felt the description and other reviews of the trail were misleading regarding just how continuously steep this trail is and I was bummed that we didn't get the full effect of wowing peaks (seriously guys, Google the magnificent views this place boasts when it's cloud-free), I really enjoyed the experience we had. The low, swirling clouds, although effective in reducing our visibility to 50 feet in some instances, also gave us the equally beautiful nebulous and mystical perspective and reminded me that it's the dynamic aspect of mountain environments that draws me to these places. 

We made it! On the gondola and back on to Vancouver.

The remainder of the weekend was filled with city relaxing in our fancy-pants hotel (which is especially appreciated after a few days in the mountains), ramen, and the musical 'The Book of Mormon.' Labour Day success!

Outside of Japan, Vancouver is the place to be for ramen! 

So good!

The Book of Mormon

View from our hotel room

Cycling Sunrise Road, Mt. Rainier

With crossed-fingers, Craig and I decided to cycle Sunrise Road on Mt. Rainier before it was scheduled to open for cars in several weeks. We called the Mt. Rainier ranger station, but they gave us no useful information concerning how far the plows had cleared the snow. Not sure sure how far we would be permitted to go, we took the risk figuring that we would at least get a small climb in.

We were in luck--all 14 miles and 3263 feet of elevation gain were clear! Although it was a constant uphill slog, it was a beautiful ride with a speedy downhill. Speaking of speeding downhills...this ride also taught me a very good lesson about speed checking and having a heightened awareness of surroundings during a decent. As I began to make my way down the flank of Rainier, an elk ran out in front of me when I was going about 35mph! It was a terrifying experience, but through a combination of my shrill screams, clamping down on my breaks, and him tripping over his own feet to bolt out of the road as fast as he could, no one was hurt. I used to love the feeling of cruising fast after a long climb, but I think I'll think twice about my speeds after that near-miss. 

Coming around the bend!

Craig riding on the car-free road.

We finally get to some small snow banks on the roadside.

Mt. Rainier in the background.

Almost there!

Woo! We made it!

Mt. Rainier

Starting 2016 at Diamond Lake and Crater Lake

Happy New Year! To kick off 2016, Craig and I joined some friends from Oregon at their cabin on Diamond Lake. It was a full-blown winter wonderland weekend complete with snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and cabin relaxing. Below are some photos from the trip. Most of them boast Mt. Thielsen, but he looked so fabulous in his new suit of white that it was impossible to not photograph him in every change of lighting.

Craig walking on a frozen Diamond Lake New Year's morning.

Craig, me, and Mt. Thielsen

Craig and Dan get a tow behind the snowmobile

...and we lost a Craig. I love how this photo looks like Dan is trying to lasso Craig.

Me and Kathie riding in style.

How cute is this place?!

I mean seriously! How cute is this place?! Straight out of a fairy tale!

The deep snow made a great beer fridge for the weekend.

For one of the afternoons, some of us headed over to Crater Lake for snowshoeing. Even without being illuminated by a wintry blanket of snow, Crater Lake has an awe-inspiring beauty that has the power to stop anyone in their tracks. The new coating of white created of scene a of pure radiance and accentuated the lake's frigid blue color.

Wizard Island covered in snow

The rim of Crater Lake with snow.

Me trying not to get blown off the crater wall.

Some of the crew spend the afternoon at Crater Lake.

Kathie, Dan, and Craig down below.

Crater Lake

Mt. Thielsen with a morning shroud.

Mt. Bailey blasted by snow.

Mt. Bailey from below.

Silent Creek

Silent Creek and Mt. Bailey

Attempting some ice fishing.

Getting close with Mt. Thielsen.

Mt. Thielsen's ridge at sunset.

Last light on Mt. Thielsen.

The full crew at Diamond Lake: Cory, Lisa, Kathie, Craig, me, Dan, and Mark

Diamond Peak in the distance.

We awoke on the final morning to several inches of fresh snow with more to come. A storm rolled in early morning and continued for the remainder of the day. Icy roads and heavy snowfall, combined with holiday traffic made for an extra-long drive home. What is normally a ~7 hour drive turned into a ~12 hour trip!

Quick stop at the Deschutes River on the snowy drive home.