42 - Sunday, May 10, 1998 — North Sh

ore News

north shore news

#2 TRAVEL

the trail

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

THE true beauty of the North Shore outdoors is in full bloom this time of year.
However, at higher elevations many of the local trails are still covered in snow,
and in some more remote locations the danger of avalanches is still very real.

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ndrew
credie

out &
about

SUMMER’S almost
here, and the hiking is
easy.

Well. sort of. The majority
of North Shore trails are in
good shape thanks to the
unseasonably warm weather
over the past two weeks.
However, trails ar the higher
elevations are still snow cov-
ered — and in some places
quite treacherous. Take cau-
tion if planning a route that

takes vou near the summits of

local mountains.

North Shore Search and
Rescue ‘Team's Tim Jones -
knows first hand about the
current conditions, and offers
some Wise advice.

“There's a dor of under-
mining of the snowpack right
now,” Jones reports. And if
you fall through over a river,
“vou don’t get a second
chance.” Jones alse cautions
about sinkholes, tpically
found on snoweovered scree
slopes and in snowy gullys.

“You can casily fall and
break vour leg in one of
those,” Jones said.

The best advice is to be
careful out there, and if vou
do go in the backcountry go
as if you were taking a trip in
the winter. A snow axe and
rope are still essential gear.

Jones final piece of advice
is to remember that spring:
time nor only brings out the
humans: “They're are a tot of

MIN

S (but be prepared)

bears out there nght now, so
just be aware.

And finally, if you're head-
ing inte snowcountry, be sure
to pucon lots of sunsercen —
combined with the refleetion
off the snow, the suns rays are
most potent this time of vear.

Enough with the advice:
time to play.

Grouse Mountain
groomed tts snowshoe trails
behind the peak for the final
time of the season last week,
and president Stuart
MeLaughlin reports.

“Our groomed trails are
sull in great shape, bur |
wouldn't recommend going
to Crown Mountain nght
now unless vou're prepared
tor some deep snow travel.”
MeLaughiin said, adding that
the snow depth back there is
stl close to eight teet. As he
says, “So much tor El Nino.”
The snowshee rental shop at
qud-stauon will remcin open
unul the snow disappears.

As to the popurr Grouse
Grind trai, MeLaegiain
reports the trail is virtually
clear of snow save tora patch
where the trail flartens our
near the top.

Before vou take to a North
Shore provincia: park cra,
take a quick look at the intor-
mation board for up-to-date
information, In addition to
trail conditions, anv areas oF
avalanche hazards will be
posted {especially important
this time of year}.

Of special note for
campers is the fact thar B.C.
Provincial Parks have opened
their campsite reservation
hotline (689-9025. Also,
backcountry permits for the
North Shore moustains are
now available az the
Vancouver District Oftice
(1610 Me. Seymour Rd:

FREE

hiking series

iiMay 214,

It’s great

outdoors

I erra the weather finally
on our side, the outdoors |
beckons.

A sampling of spring-
time activities to get vou in
the open-air spirit:
® North Van's Qutdoor
Pursuits Centre and che
West Van Community
Centre have joined torces
to host a series of hikes this
month. The midweek
spring easy duking series for

adults meets cach Tuesday
morning ac 10:30 am.

Upcoming — destinations

i include Lighthouse Park
(Mav 125 Yew Lake (May

19) and Buntzen Lake
(Mav 26). The moderate
meets
Thursday mornings, and
destinations this | month
include St George's Trail
iMay J4); Eagle Bluff
and Lynn
Canyon (May 28). Info:

+ North Van residents should
1 gall 987-7529, West Van

residents call 925-7219.

® The Staniey — Park
Ecology Society is hosting
ewo Discovery Walks next
weekend. On Sunday, May
17, a “Plants in the Park™
Discovery walk leaves the
Lost Lagoon — Nature
House at 1 p.m. And on

| the holiday Monday (May

{8}, the society is hosting
“Marvellous Mammals,” a
walk that will teach you
everything you nced to
know about the warm
blooded creatures that call
the urban park home.
Starts at 1 p.m. at the Lost
Lagoon Nature House.
Call 257-8544 for more
details on both walks.

-~ Andrew McCredie

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