Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Mountaineering trip, 3 summits 9/27/10




































































































Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Elfin Lakes 8/15/10


If you are looking for an easy over night or day trip in the Garibaldi Park area, the Elfin Lakes hike is for you. It has easy access with good parking although you do have to drive up a 17
km logging road. To the Elfin Lake camp ground from the parking lot it is 11 km and is easy hiking.






































































As you pass the Elfin Lake camp ground, you can see two peaks connected by a ridge called the Gargoyles. To the summit it is an additional 1.5 km and is quite a steep ridge feature. The picture below is one of the beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and valleys of the coastal mountain range.























The Black Tusk is situated in Squamish, BC Canada in the Garibaldi Park. It stands at 2319m above sea level and is a very distinct feature seen from great distances. The Black Tusk is a small part of a huge volcano which over time has eroded away.













Due to the loose rock and steep walls the Black Tusk is not a recommended climb but can be done. There is a steep shoot close to vertical which you can scramble up, that said it is good to summit when there are no other groups. We were exposed to falling rock from other parties above and therefore had to wait to summit.

























The Black Tusk can be climbed as a day trip although we camped at Taylor Meadows which is a beautiful spot. Try avoiding going on weekends or public holidays as the camp grounds get very busy.








A view from the summit down into our route up the valley