Expedition Canada

Whistler in Summer - Last Day Mon Aug 9 Blackcomb Gondola - we were staying just on the left Nick had said we would like Whistler in summer.  Past visits have been in the depths of winter when temperatures have reached as low as -16C, rather than the mid thirties we enjoyed last week. It is an adventure playground and there is a huge amount to do.  There are more hiking trails than we could walk in years.  The lakes are well served with canoe and kayak rentals; it's possible to rent bikes and ski-lift them up the mountain if you are into that sort of thing.  There an increasing number of e-bikes for those who prefer to take the strain out of the pedalling.  Camping in the mountains is stunning, but proper bear precautions are needed.   There are opportunities for sightseeing helicopter/float plane flights, organised 4wd/ATV bear-trips.  The list goes on and it suits all ages.  Oh and of course the wildlife. Bear climb...

And then it rained! Sat Aug 7th An obscured Whistler Mountain Whistler Mountain seen on my bear abandoned morning walk.  You actually can't see the mountain because the low cloud and rain has at last arrived.  It dampened the dust on Lost Lake trail and produce a lovely wet pine aroma that has been absent for some six weeks. Yes, it was our fifth bear this morning.  For the first time I'd let Jack off the the lead as I'd started round the back of the lake with the hillside to the left and lake on the right.    One hundred metres further on a black blob appeared at the side of the path.  I called Jack back and put him on the lead and waited as the bear ambled up into the hillside.  I waited a few minutes and assuming it had gone, slowly continued on down the trail.  It reappeared, twenty metres closer and heading towards us.  We backed up and watched it head off down to the lakeside.  At this point the margin between lake and track was na...

1st Marmot and Whistler Mountain Hike Tue Aug 3rd Today marks our 4th month in Canada by date.  We saw our 4th Black bear and completed our first Whistler Mountain hike.  The plan was for a 9k 4-5hr hike around the top of Whistler Mountain.  It was without a doubt one of the most demanding and stunning walks we have done. The plan was to take the Whistler Gondola and then walk down to take the Peak Express chair to the top, except the chair lift was not working so we had to walk up, which added  an hour and 200m of climb to the 9k walk.  It does not sound much, but for the 30+C heat.  Jack was being Jack-sat (not allowed to be left in the house unattended or on the mountains), so it was just us we were having to  manage, hydrate and keep on the trail.  What a day! The climb up View across to Blackcomb Mountain Looking across to one of the glaciers We have skied Whistler 8-9 times and know it well in winter.  Using trails, rather than lifts an...

Asleep by Lunchtime! Mon Aug 2nd Lunchtime Nick and Lizzie arrived in Whistler late Sunday evening and the first text pinged.   "Want to meet for an early morning canoe or swim".  The pressure was on. Nick was planning a swim and we could canoe or swim.  It wasn't the plan.  Fred was going to have a gentle walk with Jack, while I took the pain for both of us! In the end Fred, Jack and I canoed around the lake.   It kinda set the pace for the day and expectation for the rest of the week!   After the morning canoe session we headed off to Rainbow park, on the other side of Alta Lake where Jack was able to enjoy another swim.   After all the early morning exertion, we headed back for lunch after a coffee in Olympic square. The large mountain on the right at the end of the video is Whistler Mountain, the peak at the back beforehand is Blackcomb Mountain.  Tomorrow we are walking the first of the two! For the afternoo...