Mount Whimper

View Larger Map

This Saturday I went to hiking trip to Mount Whimper - highest Canadian mountain south of 49th parallel - with Alpine Club of Canada (Vancouver Island section). Sandy Briggs was the trip leader. I attached route recorded with my GPS (blue section is the hiking route, and magenta is logging road leading to the trailhead - 4WD with high clearance is a must have for logging road). 

It was light rain, however we completed round trip (~9 km) in 4 hours. Elevation gain was ~850 m to the summit (1541 m).

I posted this route in Google Maps (My Maps section). 

Let me know, if you need track logs for this trip.

Saanich Peninsula Bike Tour

View Larger Map

There are two famous regional bike trails in Victoria - Lochside Trail, and Galloping Goose Trail. I did Lochside Trail couple of times before (I haven't done Galloping Goose trail yet). This time, I did Saanich Peninsula tour: I started Lochside trail up to Shwartz Bay ferry terminal, then turned to Lands End road up to the Moses Point, than Challet Road, Birch Road to West Saanich Road. From West Saanich Road I switch to Interurban Rail Trail (part of Centennial Trail System) before joining Galloping Goose. My bike speedometer measured 89 Km (uploaded GPS track is 86.5 km) - getting ready for Galloping Goose Round Trip...

This was a nice bike ride: fall colours, ocean views... With some small stops it took close to 4 hours and 30 minutes. Be careful at West Saanich Road - some parts are not bike-friendly - you have to share road with cars or pedestrians.

Fall Colors at The Butchart Gardens

Fall Colors at The Butchart Gardens

Beautiful Fall colors at The Butchart Gardens were really impressive. Next big event will be Christmas Lights and Skating rink in December.

Whale at Botanical Beach

Whale at Botanical Beach

It was a lucky trip to Botanical Beach: Beautiful weather and ... Whale! My very first whale!
It was my fourth visit there (trip #1, trip #2, trip #3), but the only a first time a saw a gray whale there. Whale was feeding there, constantly diving and making fountains and splashes. Whale was kind enough to show almost full tail :). I am going to return in the middle of November when whales are coming back to California from Alaska.

BC 150 years: Air show in Victoria, BC: September 21, 2008

BC 150 years: Air show in Victoria: September 21, 2008

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Road Trip - Clinton to Whistler

Clinton - Whistler

Road Trip - Lac La Hache

Lac La Hache

Road Trip - Terrace to Telkwa

Terrace - Telkwa

Road Trip - Prince Rupert to Terrace

Prince Rupert - Terrace

Road Trip - Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

Port Hardy - Prince Rupert