Day Three

 Phew!

Rock Climbing Centre





Tuesday 20th

The pace has not slowed. 

Our day was spent in and around Squamish, a town midway between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99).  The highway goes on to Pemberton and then  the northern interior of BC.  It has some amazing views as you drive the various dual and single carriage sections.  First stop was Britannia Beach, and specifically Watts Point. An area popular with rock climbers, and Nick, who can be found up there at least once a week scaling the granite outcrops.

"The first bit is step then it's OK" says Nick.  We have been lulled into a false sense of security before!   We did not get to the top.  I'd prefer to be upside down in a plane at 3,000' that halfway up tracks hewn out of the rock, where I have to look down  where I have been.  Coupled with that a spaniel has no sense of danger and at one point fell down a 10' drop when curiosity got the better of him.  So amazing viewpoint abandoned for now.

This was not our climb!












Nor this one








This was followed by a tour of downtown Squamish before lunch at Fergie's cafe in Brackendale, a suburb of Squamish.  This is a must stop for a break on the Sea to Sky drive.  The food is excellent, but avoid weekend lunchtimes.  They have cabins to rent as well alongside the river.

The Creek that runs alongside Fergie's

The afternoon was spent on Levette Lake.  Not an easy drive unless you have rented a fairly serious 4x4.  It's about 5km off the rural road out of Brakendale.



It is one of the few lakes in the back-country that has private cottage and cabins.  They have mains power, but no other services.  Even mid-week, mid-April there were a couple of dozen people around.  Mostly camping, paddle boarding and hiking.  The lake is surrounded by mountains that provide an amazing backdrop.  

Some of the images are below. 
Views above Lake Levette
Views over Lake Levette


Snow field above Levette

Jurassic Park like forests
Pine Forests 
Nick Paddle Boarding
6 centigrade if he goes in!

Levette Lake



The journey home was via the Shannon Falls.  We have visited before, but never with so much water coming down.   As the water came down, climbers were ascending the adjoining rock-face.  Rather them than me!

Climbing Shannon










 








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