*Date Changed: The West Lion via Howe Sound Crest Trail: Hard
Details
Quite difficult and challenging day, but doable for those with relative fitness and hiking experience (not including the final scramble up the summit). No water sources at all. The scramble is quite hard and requires you to use the supplied ropes to abseil/climb down mini cliffs a few times. You need to be able to pull yourself back up. There are a few very exposed sections of rock to climb up. Apart from that, ensure you take your time going up and if you’re at all tired or sore, I would not attempt the summit at all, it’s quite sketchy and you need your wits about you.
This is a tough one among the popular hikes in Vancouver area. The hike stats look reasonable, but the multiple steep rope-assisted climbs make it very tiring. It takes some people over 10 hours (moving time plus breaks). Make sure to budget extra time and start early. There are no water sources at all and some people run out of water on the way back.
*Class 1-2 Scrambling overall, Class 3-4 Scrambling up The Lion *Optional
*There are ropes to climb and descend, though the Class 3-4 scrambling will be done without ropes
*In the event of rain, we will not be climbing up The West Lion
Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
Hard, 18.2 km trail (out and back), 1408 meters of elevation gain
Meeting At: Cypress Creek Lodge (at the back, closer to the trails)
Parking: Yes (Park in parking lot 3B. After 6pm, parking lots 1A, 1, and 2 are closed down, and you won't be able to drive out when the gates are closed)
Transit Access: No
Carpool List: (Accessible on PC, or on phone with MS Excel or Google Sheets)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DZLx1k-_kATaziqtxnxe5ED210J-qs4Ap2Fe2NOzYqo/edit?usp=sharing
Recommended Gear:
- Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
- Hiking Pack or Backpack
- 5-6 or more liters of water + Lunch + Snacks + 2nd Lunch + 2nd Snacks
- (Optional) Sun Glasses, Sun Screen, and Hat
- Headlamp + Spare Set of Batteries + Fully Charged Cellphone
LEGAL INFORMATION, LIABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are a group of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during and at anytime after this event. Risks of attending hiking events include, but are not limited to: getting lost; slipping and falling; chairlift or gondola malfunction; falling from chairlift or gondola; snow and ice; extreme cold; extreme heat; dangerous animals; insects; falling trees or brush; falling rocks or landslides; fire; flooding; bridge failure; unstable ground; and falling in fast moving water.
As a condition of your participation in the event, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever including NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF ANY DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE HOST. You agree that the host shall not be liable for any personal injury, death or property loss and release the host from all liability and waive all claims with respect thereto.
Negligence includes failure on the part of the host to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above. You assume all cost of your own rescue or evacuation.
By RSVP'ing "Attend", for this event, you acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your own health, safety and well-being before, during and at anytime after the event as stated previously.
All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event.