Submitted by David Crerar on 29 October, 2011 - 08:07
With his conquest of mighty mountains Collins and Apodoca, including the discovery and introduction of new user-friendly trailblazes, Ken Legg completes his lifetime sweep of all 56 Peaks of the North Shore Bagger Challenge, and becomes the proud holder of the Twisted Quaich for Spirit, Bag-building, and Unorthodox Achievement.
After a glorious and triumphant return to the trail last weekend, I've updated the CFA posting on running the West Coast Trail in one day, which is a matter of some logistic complexity, caused particularly by the fact that the south trailhead is accessible only by water.
The 2011 update, along with a copy of my original 2006 article, is found here.
UBC Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Lab is conducting an interesting study of long distance runners by holding a free 75K run/race through Pacific Spirit Park/ UBC Endowment lands.
I've volunteered to be a guinea pig and you should too!
Gambier Island’s fourth peak, Burt's Peak (GBU), is located in the northeast quadrant of Gambier Island, above Brigade Bay, to the north of Mt Artaban. It is a decent 525 metres tall, with a prominence of 485m from Mt Artaban.
Although a lightly-flagged trail exists, the peak is little visited or known. But it is a worthy and enjoyable climb.
On the 2011 theme of not letting the bummer summer and deep snow pack put a damper on bagging, Ken Legg, Mike Wardas, and I spent a frenzied day on Gambier Island clearing and marking trails, armed with shocking pink tape, signs, folding Japanese pruning saws and secateurs.
Mt. Liddell, and, before it on the ridge, Gambier Peak, the latter the highest peak on Gambier, and one well worth visiting, suffered from several bewilderingly overgrown areas where the undergrowth and lack of flagging left unfamiliar hikers wandering in circles. Mr Ean Jackson had particularly unkind words to say about the peak. It left me personally lost and bloodied.
The bond between a person and his big toenail can be a beautiful thing, offering warmth, protection, and companionship. But all things must pass. If the time arises to part with one’s toenail, here are some tips on how to make the parting less painful. I caution that I am not a medical doctor; nor do I play one on television.
1. After the race, gently insert a sterilized needle under the toenail, to pop and drain the blisters under the nail. This will relieve pressure on the nail, and restore considerable sensation to the big toe underneath.
2. Wait two or three weeks.
3. The new nail will bud under the nail, and the old nail will gradually loosen.
As Jason Eades has already done a commendable job describing our Western States adventures, this note will be brief.On that day, strategy and discipline and luck converged, and we were able to achieve a pleasing result, despite my nasty chest cold, and despite »