Ahmad on Cypress Peak:
“Ryan, Gloria, Marcin, Dean, Jinsi, David, Sabine, and myself summited Cypress Peak on one of the most beautiful days of the year. The views were indeed endless. The 11 km-logging road was a challenge for a low 2wd car. I opted not to finish the last 2 km but it is very doable with a higher clearance. The trailhead is not obvious. There are many logging ribbons with pink color tied or hanging on trees but the trailhead is still ahead. It is located about 20 m from the very end of the logging road and temporarily marked with a stick and a flying ribbon. Crossing Roe Creek wasn’t hard on this time of the year. After that, it is best to stay on the left side of the creek coming down on Cypress slopes. Most of us did the crux through the easy way (Route C), which I didn’t find hard or exposed. The rest of the scramble was between easy and moderate on great rocks. The summit is small. There was barely enough room for our group. The whole trip took 9 hours. Great team effort, which made everyone to summit in a high spirit. Many thanks to Tim for providing me lots of information about the trail.”

Ahmad on Blackcomb Peak:
“Our hike started from Lot #6 and on the ski runs. We discovered that hiking on ski runs is not a bad idea. We collected over $10 worth of coins. After we reached Blackcomb lodge, which was closed, we hiked to Seven-Heaven Chair to get on the ridge that leads to Blackcomb Peak. The ridge is rugged and rocky. I found that there were two tricky sections and one of them was moderately exposed. Four of us summited after a 6 hour ascent. I found the views from the peak are superior to those from the Musical Bumps. On the way down, we took a different route. We headed down to Spearhead’s col, on to Disease pass, and then down to Blackcomb Lake. Many loose rocks especially on the way to Spearhead’s col. The whole trip took 10 hours. Special thanks to Chris for providing me important information of this scramble.”

Tim on Cypress Peak:
“Tim and Firas scrambled Cypress Peak (2,083 m) on Monday 1st Sept. This is a fairly easy scramble to a pointy-looking peak just north of Tricouni Peak (between the Squamish and Cheakamus Valleys). The road access is excellent (2wd all the way to the trailhead) although the updated info from Cairn Publishing was also helpful (https://www.cairnpublishing.com/updates/cypress_road_update.htm). The trailhead is easy to find. The route is simple and relatively short. One moderately difficult step on the north ridge makes it interesting. Climbing helmets are essential, however an axe is not required at this time of year since minimum snow was encountered. Also, Roe Creek is easy to cross at this time of year. It took us about 3.5 hours to reach the summit, providing excellent views of Tricouni Peak, Mount Brew and Mount Fee. We were very lucky with the weather because the cloud lifted at about 11 am.”

Ahmad on Tricouni Peak:
“Perhaps the hardest part of the hike is the 10-11 km logging road to the trail head. It is a rough road and there is a little chance that a small car can reach 8 km as it is described in 103 Hikes book. In our experience, a small car could hardly reach even 2.5 km. Fortunately, the other driver had a Jeep and the seven of us jammed inside it with his two dogs. The dogs seemed very amused how jammed we were. Perhaps they liked our camaraderie spirits. There are several turns on the way and I found the instructions of the 103 Hikes confusing. We then found out by trial and error that the road marked with ribbons is the main and the right road. The trail starts with muddy sections, which continues for next 3 km. Gaiters are a must and poles will help too to check out the best spot before you land on it. Heading to the peak requires some scrambling but I didn’t find it too technical or exposed. Perhaps we followed the easiest way up. The peak requires more scrambling but I didn’t find it hard and all of us summited. There are lots of lose rocks and I recommend helmets. We didn’t have many views because of the cloudy weather. We met few groups. One of them climbed up from Roe Creek on a demanding route. Our whole trip took 8 hours. Special thanks for our drivers Andrew and Eric. Thanks for Irina for her tips on the trail.”

Ahmad on Mt Marriott:
“The job was not done. We got to within 200 m distance and 100 m elevation of the summit. Our start was rather slow. One of our three-person group didn’t feel well in the morning and decided to stay at the shelter in the meadows. Darcy and I started our push for the summit at 12:30 pm. We followed a different route described in Matt’s scramble which is briefly described in his updates. We had three different ways of how to get up on the cliff that leads to the proper ridge. We chose the most difficult one of course unintentionally. It included lots of scrambling and 2 rock climbing spots. One of them was over 8 m wall. However once we were on the cliff, the trail became considerably easier but the rocks were still rough and continuous concentration was required. At 4:20 pm, I found that it became too late to continue and aborted our attempt. On our way back, we followed the second option and I found it easier and more direct although you have to go through one of the climbing spot but it is the easier one. We got back to the shelter at 7 pm and to the car at 8:30 pm and the whole trip took 11 hours. Beautiful views and lots of wildlife. We even saw fresh cougar track on a snow field. Special thanks to Tim Gage who provided me with valuable information about the trail.”

Ahmad on Brandywine Mountain:
“Eight people accompanied by rain and clouds got to the summit of Brandywine. The trail to meadows is well marked but it has many roots and slippery in some sections. The trail to the ridge appears and disappears across its 400 m elevation gain and requires some type of navigation aid to select the best route in whiteout situation. It would be better if the weather was clear. The ridge itself has quite a considerable number of cairns and is easier to navigate. The entrance of the logging road that leads to the trailhead is closed but there is a way to get to it. You have drive 1 km further north and turn left on Callaghan Way. After 200 m turn left again. You will see a white building shortly and select the left logging road and after 1 km, it connects to the Brandywine road. Perhaps the road closure was the reason that we didn’t see anyone on this hike. The whole trip took 10:30 hours including a considerable number of breaks.”

Andrew R. on Brunswick Mountain:
“I was pleased to have a group of four hardy hikers willing and able to tackle the slog up Brunswick Mountain on short notice. Yan Li, Gloria, Susanne and I started off from the Lions Bay trailhead at 9:30 am under bright blue skies and with the temperature already climbing. After about 30-40 minutes on the Lions trail we took the turn-off the Brunswick Mountain and enjoyed some nice lush forest and (relatively) flat terrain until reaching Magnesia Creek (the last place to fill up water bottles). We continued on for about another hour until the end of the logging road where the trail starts a steep ascent up the west ridge of Brunswick. At the top of the ridge is a beautiful spot for lunch with great views out over Howe sound through the mossy trees. Some of the group made this their final destination while two of us pressed on for the summit. The climb up the final ridge is a grueling one. Steep with lots of snow (will probably be clear in a couple of weeks but an ice axe is necessary for safety right now) and some loose scree. The climb is worth it however, the views from the saddle just below the summit are incredible. The final ascent to the west summit is a fun and easy scramble, after which you can climb down into a bit of a tricky gully (with some exposure) and ascend to the true summit. Here you are at the highest point on the Howe Sound Crest and have beautiful views in all directions. Including a rare look DOWN at the Lions below you! It’s worth spending some time at the top since the descent can only be described as “knee-shattering” and it’s a long slog back to the car. All in all a great and intense day out with a great and enthusiastic group! A very worthwhile scramble close to the city.”