u/bones_and_barbells — reddlx

Campers vs day hiker crowds at Golden ears summit

Hello! Very experienced hiker here who plans on doing a day hike to Golden Ears summit asap, once the snow melts more. Goal is for epic views, a good physical challenge, and building my photo albums and wall art of gorgeous mountains.

I would LOVE to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and the pass system, however, for various reasons, it's looking unlikely for me. So, I'm stuck for going on a Sat/Sun, or a holiday long weekend, unfortunately.

Question: since the gate opens at 7am, and I'm doing just a day hike, I'm wondering how busy I can expect the ridge/summit to be. I know that dozens of people camp up there, but I will 99% be going at a quicker pace than those carrying overnight gear, so I expect to get there before the campers that day. I'm also guessing I'll be reaching the summit as the previous night's campers come down, since there is a checkout time (right?).

I absolutely don't expext a completely empty summit obviously. I'm assuming I'll be up there with other day hikers, as well as campers from Alder flat who would get a head start since they're not confined to the 7am gate hours.

My least favourite thing EVER on hikes is massive crowds (and clouds lol). Any "popular" hike i do (which is basically everthing in BC at this point lol), I usually start at 5 or 6am latest. And I'm very fast, so most big hikes, ive had the summit solo or close to it.

I've considered using an Ebike to get to the trailhead and parking outside the gate for an earlier start, but I don't have one and cant afford one.

I've also considered solo camping in the park but I have an 8 month old that is breastfed, so that introduces other complications.

Sorry for the long rant, basically im just trying to get an idea of how many tents/people i can expect in my pictures if I go on a Sat, and if sundays tend to be less busy due to many people working the next day. And no im not a hiking influencer, i just like pristine pictures and would prefer to not use AI to remove people from my pictures haha. I don't even like shelters, huts, helicopter landing pads, benches, or powerlines in my photos. Yes I have diagnosed OCD, leave me alone lol.

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u/bones_and_barbells — 4 days ago

▲ 404 r/vancouverhiking

Brunswick Mountain, first big summit postpartum

Tallest peak on the north shore, done! 15.1km, 1555m elevation gain, 6hr 15min total including 40 mins chillen at summit. Sunday June 14th. As others have reported, no snow along the trail other than 10 quick steps across a small snow patch, but nothing consequential.

It was tough, and while not the toughest hike I've ever done, it was monumental for other reasons.

This was my first BIG solo hike with the most elevation gain I've done since being pregnant & post partum! (Only about 1200m while preggo, and 900m postpartum)

I set my alarm for 330am to avoid crowds and the heat, but my 7.5 month old baby decided he wanted to eat at 230am. So I slept for barely 3 hours, fed him, put him back to bed, had coffee, and left.

I thought I would be so slow and assumed I lost a lot of my endurance. But as it turns out, hiking throughout my entire pregnancy - and also wearing him on nearly 20 hikes these past 7.5 months - was still pretty good training lol. I FLEW up this trail! I carried my usual 10 essentials and 4L of water, yet my backpack still felt ridiculously light compared to carrying my baby and all his needs. I actually stopped twice at the beginning to double check that I packed everything, because my bag felt suspiciously light.

So anyway, I started at 5:30am and made the true summit at 8:31am! Miraculously, I was alone up there for nearly 40 minutes as I refuelled and took infinite pictures.

The summit is notorious for its "no fall zone" scrambling, but I was okay. My brain apparently has no issue with heights, yet freaks out at the thought of being on a summit with a bunch of other hikers.

On the descent, I saw at least 70 ish people coming up. Hella busy!

During this outing, I noticed four groups playing music. Only one group turned the volume down as I approached. I did make comments to the other 3 groups about their music. Call me a Karen of the woods, I don't care.

To top off this epic day, I also had my fourth bear encounter of the weekend as I was about 4km away from the parking lot. I was alone for a short while on a section with thick bushes and trees on either side. I heard loud thrashing and crashing maybe 20 feet away, and looked over to see a bear RUNNING through the bushes. With jello legs, I whipped out my bear spray and took the safety off, and made noise. Nothing. Seconds later it ran past me AGAIN! I walked backwards down the trail calmly and alert, making noise, and never saw it again. Back at car 40 mins later!

(Sidenote - i saw a black bear mom with cubs, and another lone black bear, at Widgeon marsh on Friday. I saw another bear at Minnekhada later that morning, swimming through the marsh and walking along the same trail we needed to exit the park. YES I always talk loudly and make noise on trails. This weekend was just odd.)

u/bones_and_barbells — 20 days ago

▲ 34 r/vancouverhiking

FIFA tourists = possible increase in SAR callouts?

With the influx of tourists we'll have here over the next few weeks, I'm assuming many of them will want to explore our wilderness when they're not watching the games.

Do you think this could possibly lead to more SAR callouts due to unfamiliarity with the mountains? Or possibly more litter along the trail? (Tourists aren't always super respectful of places they don't live in.)

What's everyone's thoughts? Any ways to prevent this? Lol I feel like there should be extra signs at popular trailheads warning tourists of the potential dangers. "SANDALS ARE NOT ENOUGH. THERE IS SNOW AT THE TOP. BEARS ARE NOT CUDDLY. THIS HIKE WILL TAKE 1948492 HOURS."

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u/bones_and_barbells — 23 days ago

▲ 0 r/hiking

Child seat comfort in Thule Sapling vs Osprey Poco Premium

I'm getting a hiking backpack carrier for my 7 month old son this weekend but am still sliiightly undecided.

For my needs, the Osprey poco premium features win by far (namely the sunshade, and storage capacity, and various pockets). I'm heavily leaning towards this pack.

HOWEVER, the Thule Sapling child seat looks more comfortable for my baby.

I want to ensure my baby is as comfortable as possible - has anyone used both bags with their kids and have any opinions? Any kids who obviously disliked the poco premium?

Thank you!

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u/bones_and_barbells — 2 months ago