Ashika Morasiewicz
Outdoor Adventurer from the North Shore, BC
Last updated: November 18, 2018 Trip Planning Resources Please note: newly added links are in bold font below. Everyone has their own method to the madness of trip planning – some plan extensively, some don’t see the value in planning, and some may not know how or where to start. There is an abundance of information available online to help you decide where to go, when to go, how to pack, and more. I can’t comment on the accuracy of the sites out there, but I do have…
Trip date: December 15, 2016 I just wrapped up the semester last week with final exams, and I’ve been hitting the mountains every day (all two of them) since. I’ve been warming up my legs for bigger winter trips later in the season, so far so good. Stats Area: Mount Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver, BC. Objective: Dog Mountain Cumulative elevation gain: 296m Round trip distance: 4.9km Trail type: Out-and-back Nearby hikes: Mystery Lake, Dinkey Peak, First Pump, Tim Jones Peak Good to Know: This trail is well…
Trip Date: November 6, 2016 With the record-breaking rain we’ve had to date this season, it was a no-brainer to find some waterfalls to chase a few Sundays ago. We recently hiked to Kennedy Falls and Cypress Falls in the North Shore, and I’ve spent some time exploring various cascades on Burke Mountain, including Sawblade Falls. After some plan-devising, we decided to hike the Sigurd Creek Trail to Crooked Falls, located in Squamish, BC.
Trip Date: October 2, 2016 I was scrolling online, as one does on a Thursday night in attempt to make weekend plans and get a sense of trail conditions paired with inspiration so they might get out somewhere during the upcoming weekend to take a break from the midweek grind, when there it was, a report of a hike to Blanca Lake. The area was new to us, it looked stunning in pictures, so Ryan & I went for it on the following Sunday. Blanca Lake is located…
Trip Date: August Long Weekend 2016 As August long weekend rolled in, we rolled out to Lake Lovely Water to spend a few days at the Alpine Club of Canada Tantalus Hut. The Tantalus Provincial Park is unlike anything I’ve traveled to before. The stunning Lake Lovely Water is circled by peaks screaming to be scrambled or climbed; if you’re not used to technical travel (beyond hiking), your options are a little limited. If you choose to book a few nights at the hut, you’ll have access to…
September 25, 2016 Despite the heavy traffic, Garibaldi Lake is awesome. Whether you’re trying to impress your social media feed with your back-to-nature simplicity, or you’re wholeheartedly looking to get out for some fresh air, exercise, and solid views, a hike to Garibaldi Lake makes a lot of people happy. Trail users and park frequenters love the area. Have you ever seen someone along the trail not smiling? – I mean, after the 6km junction of course. Because before then, the switchbacks give little reason for anyone to…
Trip Date: July 16, 2016 The Heather Trail to Three Brothers is easy and open terrain; including a rocky summit, subalpine meadows & gorgeous wild flowers, and views that extend a ways into the Cascade Range… apparently. We were hiking in a cloud all day and didn’t see the extended views. Ryan’s been looking to show off Manning Park’s wild flowers for a few seasons now and this was the weekend to do it. The forecasted weather was ~17 degrees, a bit of rain in the morning, and…
June 11, 2016 Ryan and I planned for either a long day trip or a short hike, weather pending, somewhere along the Downton Creek road. With forecasts showing either rain or snow in most areas, we decided conditions on our drive up would determine what we would hike: Viola Lake. Viola Lake is a gem of a lake reached by crossing an old cutblock, subalpine forest, and alpine meadows. It offers views of glaciers and steep slopes of surrounding peaks. Stats Distance: 6.8km (round trip) Cumulative elevation gain:…
Trip date: May 21-22, 2016. You know there’s a May long weekend coming up when your local MEC is jam-packed with customers, loading up on camping gear and supplies, on a Wednesday evening. May long weekend holds a special place in our hearts; it sort of kicks off the camping/hiking season and, like bears, we come out of our hibernation and head outdoors to soak up the warm sun and bright blue skies over the course of not two, but THREE days. Not this weekend though, forecast showed…