Monthly Archives: February 2012
February 17-19, 2012: Joffre Lakes Winter Camp III
Back to the Joff'...let's git 'er done boys!
Down the trail to the lake.
What's for dinner boys?
Time for bed.
Saturday morning bliss: A nice hot cup of coffee and some quiet time before the boys get up.
Enjoying a nice hot breakfast.
Ready to head up into the mountains.
Having a good time so far...
Moving on.
Moving up.
Moving higher.
Higher and higher. I know we're getting somewhere: the trees are getting shorter.
Phew...that was a tough climb. Time for some lunch!
And now time for a surprise for the Troop: the highest investiture ceremony in Canada (so far) this year! 6,300 ft up in the mountains of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. The 5th West Vancouver Mountaineer Scouts are pleased to introduce our newest member: Voyageur Scout Finn!
With the day being late and the weather threatening to close in on us, we abandon our effort to get to Upper Joffre Lake and head home. Oh well, we'll get there next time.
Gee, I guess that really was a steep climb up!
No wonder my quads hurt so much! Man, that's steep!
Almost home. The mountain was smiling on us today!
Finally home! Time for dinner and some R&R.
Relaxing around the campfire before bed. Thanks to Scouter Maciej for making such a nice campfire for the boys!
Another snowy night. Time to have breakfast, pack up camp and head back home.
We'll be back and next time we're going all the way!
Postscript: Upon later review, it would appear that our trusty trail boss had us hike to the area of the small lake shown in the above map that is about 1 km due west and about 1200 ft higher than Upper Joffre Lake. Ouch! Don't tell anyone, okay? ;^) Someone remind me to check that the trail boss is packing a map before our next hike!
What view will you have from your tent this weekend?
There’s less than 19 hours remaining on the countdown timer on the front page of our website!
This will be our third trip up to Joffre this year.
The BC Highways web camera shows plenty of new snow. Who’s getting excited?
We will be out of cell phone coverage for the weekend but we’ll post photos and stories as soon as we get back!
Last chance: Anyone else want to join us?
Upper Joffre Lake, Joffre Lake Provincial Park, B.C.
This one is for all you skiers out there!
Guaranteed to put a big ol’ smile on your face or your money refunded!
Deal Alert: MSR 30″ Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
30% Off at Sport Chek/Atmosphere
The bad boys are for our heavier members. 
They’ll float a 280 lb. load in the pow. That’s a 230 lb. dude with a 50 lb. pack (or a 50 lb. dude with a 230 lb. pack). 
Killer deal for a killer snowshoe!
I saw 10 pairs still available at my local Sport Chek. Check your local outlet if you are in the market for some big dog shoes.
Monthly Night Hike IV
A full moon and a clear night sky. Another perfect day in paradise!
Don't pick a fight with our guys! They're trained trek pole duellists!
Another spectacular full moon and clear night sky over Cypress Provincial Park!
We headed up the Hollyburn Mountain trail and then veered over to the Upper Warming Hut for some hot chocolate.
Once it was time for home, the boys pulled their troop-issued crazy carpets out of their backpacks and rode them down the mountain trails all the way to the parking lot.
Good clean fun!
BTW…the horizontal string of lights in the background are the night skiing lights of Grouse Mtn. (4,039 ft) approximately 5 km away across the Capilano watershed and the valley containing Capilano Lake.
Deal Alert: 30% Off MEC -20 Hybrid Sleeping Bags
MEC is updating a lot of its gear (tents, etc.) and it looks like the next thing to be upgraded are its sleeping bags. As a consequence they are discounting their inventory of prior models including my top choice for winter sleeping bag, the MEC -20 Hybrid (it looks like the replacement bag will be called the -20 Phoenix Hybrid and it will be priced quite a bit higher).
It looks like sizes are limited as well as stock but the prices are ridiculously low for a bag of this quality.
Get ‘em while they last!
UPDATE #1 – Feb. 7/12: I’m pleased to learn that one of our scouts received a $60 refund today for one of these bags that he had purchased a few weeks ago. Thanks MEC!
UPDATE #2 - Feb. 9/12: They are now down to “Regular – Right Zip” bags only. If you need a great bag for a ridiculously low price…move fast before they’re gone!
UPDATE #3 – Feb. 16/12: Sorry folks….THEY’RE ALL GONE!
A Bluebird Day At Garibaldi Provincial Park
On Saturday we did a snowshoe trip up to the Red Heather shelter in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
We had two Scouts from the 5th West Van (plus a dad and younger sibling) and three Rovers from different PCC & FVC groups that we connected with on their excellent web forum: http://www.roversbc.com/forums/index.php
It was a real pleasure to hike with Andrew, Kim and Mark. Amazingly talented and impressive Rovers.
Once we arrived at the shelter we were immediately greeted by a contingent of Venturers from the 1st Coquitlam Scout group (the benefits of having readily identifiable head gear) that had arrived earlier in the afternoon. After we exchanged email addresses and got to know them (and woofed down some lunch), it was time to head back down the trail for home.
We’ll be back every weekend this month (except the weekend of our two night camp up at Joffre Lake).
If anyone wants to join us, just shout!
All set: 5th West Van Scouts and PCC/FVC Rovers ready to head up the mountain!
The gang nearing the top pose for a photo with the Garibaldi massif (barely visible in this picture due to exposure issues) looming behind them.
.......... The Garibaldi massif .......... Mt. Garibaldi in the background (2,678 m/8,787 ft) with Atwell Peak in the foreground (2,620 m/8,600 ft). Atwell is informally called "Diamond Head".
The Red Heather shelter is where?
Oh, there it is!
Our new friends from the 1st Coquitlam Venturer group.
Scouter Jody
