Hiking Adventures

So my last blog included a ranting about how I believed I was going to fail my hiking class because I had accidentally slept in. However, after a nice chat with my prof he informed me that an extra hike would be added for those who had gotten H1N1. So luckily, although I didn't get sick, I would be allowed to attend that extra hike.

That extra hike was today, but Murphy's Law dictates that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.

No I didn't sleep in again, however, the hike did not go as planned. Here is our itinerary for today:

8:15 am – Depart from TWU

9 am – Exit HWY 1 onto Cypress Bowl Rd

9:10 am – The rain changes into snow (we start to worry about hiking conditions, but press on.)

9:20 am – The snow is falling very hard, and I am having difficulties driving up the mountain. I begin to spin out. I slow my speed down, but continue to slip on the road. I comment that now would be a good time to have bought those chains my uncle told me about. Also it was decided that perhaps Shawna should have driven her Jeep instead. I also think to myself that I wish my camera was not in my backpack in the trunk. We come to a stop and Shawna gets out to assess the road conditions. We are informed that the road is a sheet of ice.

9:25 am – We come to a group decision that it might be in the interest of safety to turn back around. Even if were to make it to the parking area (unlikely) we are worried about the possibility of being snowed in after our hike. And since our phones were jumping in and out of service, we were also considering the possibility that we wouldn’t be able to call for help if we needed it. We decide to drive back down the mountain and go to Grouse instead.

9:40 am – Arrive at Grouse Mountain

9:47 am – After paying for parking, we walk to the Guest Service building to ask for trail information. We are informed that all the trails are closed. Epic Fail. : (

We document our sadness in picture form.

9:50 am – Disappointed that we cannot complete our hike for the day we decide to go to the nearest Starbucks to get something warm to drink. We are in luck as there is one directly next door.

9:57 am – Receive and drink our Starbucks.

10:05 am – Leave Grouse Mtn.

11:06 am – Arrive back at TWU

I wonder what my prof will say now. I mean we attempted to do our fourth hike, but we didn't have any luck. I assume he will make us try again. Probably in a vehicle with four wheel drive.