In July travelled to Vancouver BC for family and brought the Stylus for both transport and to ride for fun.. And also to keep following medical instructions.
After arriving and while looking at the trail apps have on my phone hit the Peakbagger App and while out of curiosity looked closer at the rough general Vancouver. Noticed a couple of high points Easy one's to get if was inclined to do so while there.
Jul 13th after a spin to Our Community Bikes and Sports Junkies to see what was good in the used parts and gear market. Headed up to Kissing Crows Cycles to check out a locally made cargo cage to see if it was what needed for a hydration system. Details on that later. After Kissing Crows Cycles headed back towards Cambie. It was heading towards QE Park I made the decision.
It was hot day in Van and decided to bag Little Mountain high point which is in Queen Elizabeth park. So up went into the park and up went to the high point.
Being a CofV Park tin the middle of Van there is zero dirt trails so no dirt climbs. Just regular standard issue McSurface man made options in this case concrete and asphalt.
Got to the top and headed towards what would be the high point which is where took the photos. It's a cheesy high point in Vancouver and no point in debating endlessly what exactly is the high point. It's most likely buried under the concrete put up by the city 45 years ago or more. What matters is went to what is a high point and did something while in Vancouver.
July 21st after playing for a bit on the Vanier Park pump track headed eastward on the False Creek south side seawall path.
As passed Granville Island decided to pop over to do the Granville Island High Point. Another cheesy one and incredibly easy to access. Super easy quick up and with a view of Granny Bridge and the buildings.
Once phot grabbed rode down the 3 second descent and headed back towards the seawall path. And on the do some gear shopping for stuff can't find elsewhere in Canada. No big climbs or mountain s on this Vancouver BC trip however still did a couple high points well according to Peakbagger. And that is good enough for a trip with an aim to not stress as much.
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After an adventure like Griffith Highlands peak bagging over two days. Some would call Hellriding. One starts thinking of gear used and what worked and didn't.
So in that theme, this won't be a look at everything more just a look at certain bits of kit used and what will potentially if needed to consider for the future changes or acquiring.
Napier Sprtz Cove-
A few weeks before the trip was looking at solutions to upgrade the truck camping a wee bit. A way that would both decrease the bugs and creating some more space. More space while also not leaving it all open for rain if it does to come in. Spotted on Amazon a potential solution that was cheaper. After numerous measuring and overthinking took a risk and ordered. After it arrived and a couple of parked on the street dry runs to see if it will work it did.
Once in actual use up in Griffith it did what looked at it for. First off it kept the majority of the bugs out of the back when was sleeping. The ability when closed to unzip the window slightly to allow some airflow through the bug mesh while keeping the bugs out. Decreased the lack of airflow problems one would get if had to close the back fully up.
This was worth it and will use again in future till it wears out or get a different vehicle.
GSI Outdoors Camp Kitchen Kit-
A bit before the trip got a GSI Outdoors Camp Cook Kit via Costco. Have looked online and find the same kit with all stainless steel cooking utensils and appears can only find this all metal version through Costco.
It did well for the cooking I did. However did run into a small problem that being that my packable fry pan is non stick and metal utensils can't be used as will destroy the non-stick. That means will be looking for a solution which if one watches alot of camping videos especially on Instagram from Japan or South Korea. And found a solution what some call Beef Noodle Cookset.
Though after watching Youtube channels like Small Base Camp have a couple of other things to add to the wishlist.
Hookabike-
In 2004 after a couple of times dong the wearing the Stylus as a bike pack drill spotted something on IG from Grizzly Munro's IG account. The Hookabike kit that would allow one if needed could put on the pack straps a plastic plate that would allow one to carry the bike as a back pack and making it easier to use one hand or both if needed to navigate technical terrain while hoofing it
And as can be shown in the peak bagging photos and videos it was used. And made the technical scrambling sections easier as could use one of both hands as needed. The money was well spent for the reduction of pain and suffering, This was a good item and will use in future again. Especially when know will return to Griffith in future.
Hydration_
Over the last 3 years have made some mods to ways I carry water on the Stylus and as well as Rootdown. In this case we are focusing on the Stylus.
I had found the system from Hardside Hydration that allowed one to use a 1L or larger Nalgene type bottle to hydrate from And ordered kit from Original Free Range the Hand Free Hydration Combo.
Especially after the 4 Peak Traverse and draining all my water. started thinking how could add capacity for a larger bottle. Have a mount could swap out the normal bottle cage for something that could hold a 1L Nalgene type bottle. And think have a made in Canada solution.
Will be taking a closer look at it in person when I take a trip this year to Vancouver. Say that as it looks like it would with a Voile Strap hold a 1L Nalgene type bottle no problem Which would if used in conjunction with the Original Free Range Hydration Rig have already allow me to carry more fluids on hot days or in remote locations.
The other addition to my kit would be and will be a paper map of the Griffith area from Back Roads Maps. As it would increase the safety factor in an area with large areas where there is no cell service,
The only other thing would do gear wise would be to finally replace the lost GPS bar mount unit to track the ride. Instead of using the phone. It would reduce the drain on the battery. Did similar when got the GoPro to use the cell phone for video the least amount possible. Which has been a benefit. So need to look into that.
Those are the one's ger wise that standout after the trip. I could analyze and overthink every bit of kit however that would be overwhelming review. And keeping it simple is better. So just the one's that stand out.
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Jamiesons Mtn I spotted 2 and a half years ago while perusing the Peakbagger App. And after watching Grizzly Munro Diaries started looking at it closer. Jamiesons Mtn and three other peaks spotted in the Griffith Area. And had an idea.
June 2nd implemented the plan after waiting 2.5 years and headed north towards Griffith to make it happen. This would different as it didn't involve a race of some kind and some sort of involvement. This was all for me and would be a much more challenging adventure then a race.
Got to Griffith and headed up Hyland Creek Rd which is really more like an Ontario FSR to where base camp would be. I won't share that location as I believe doing so would increase potential overuse and putting people who are not equipped for remote areas into a potential bad situation.
Once there and set up the Ute for camping. Got the gear ready to head out to bag Jamiesons Mtn. To avoid regurgitating the same info and details click on the link below for the details.
Once back at camp made food and was the first use of the new kitchen kit I acquired. Though had to be careful as metal utensils and non stick pan/pot don't go well together. Simple one pot meal. There will be a hack gear review of things used in a separate write up.
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That first night in the back of the Ute wasn't too bad with the sort of truck tent thin bought and got to work with my truck. Mosquito levels where definitely low as the set up kept them to a minimum. While the ability to open the mesh window a wee bit kept the ventilation going. Had a very good sleep that first night.
After waking up and being lazy in camp. geared up for the next days adventure challenge and headed out. Like above more details in the link below for the blog write up.
After finishing the traverse and back at camp for lots of water and other fluids as it had been a hot adventure. Decided it would be a wiser decision to stay an extra night and drive home the next day while not as tired. So hung out with Jake a truck dweller who was camping there over the summer and met while there.
Yes admit am jealous of his truck camp set up, I mean way more room to sleep and do stuff. Though not ideal if one also uses their truck also for local errands and such. Maybe have an idea for a project truck related will come of it or finally attempt.
After a second nights sleep which wasn.t as good as the previous nights. No idea why just seemed to kind of more toss and turn. Maybe was too done physically after the traverse in challenging terrain. Who knows. After hanging out a bit more and helping out Jake to run to the Griffith village store for propane and other stuff. It was homeward bound after a successful adventure.
It would only be after getting home that the debate of if or when would go up to Griffith again that discovered a reason. Spotted Three Mountains and wondered if there was a possibility to get one of the three high points. After a Google search found out there is.
So yes if can will return in the Fall for a similar adventure though maybe focus on the one and not multiples. Make it more relaxing trip. Bonus of going in the Fall say September is minimal bugs.
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It was the day of the main event. What event would that be? Well when had been looking at the Peakbagger and AllTrails apps for the area I spotted the Griffith Uplands Trail. And when looked closer the trail technically would pass near three Ontario peaks. hmm idea forming as considered that it would be a doable Ontario epic though tough. Tougher then doing either the Combermere Triple Crown or the Trenton/Batawa 5 Summits Ride.
This would be challenging physically due to lots of hike a bike, challenging terrain navigation, and bugs. This is remote and at times there is minimal to zilch cell service as some would say...there is no rescue. It was after was done and home when I looked at the elevation profile that noticed it looked like at least to me a traverse. Keep in mind I am no climber so maybe am wrong however sounds cool.
Geared up and headed out for the short gravel road ride to the trailhead where the fun would begin. And this would be a very challenging adventure exceeding what most of my friends would consider Rule 9.
Very soon after entering the trail would be met with the first technical ascent where would be needing to carry the Stylus like a backpack to best navigate the ascent. And this would be the first of many during the day. Fortunately had the foresight to acquire the Hookabike to make this easier.
As would fully prove during this guess you could call it a traverse the decision to acquire the Hookabike would be beneficial. As a good amount of scrambling and such was needed to get up out of the valley. And closer to where could ride a bit and towards the first peak that being Lake Mountain's peak.
After climbing and some navigating found the first peak of the day Lake Mountain. A small cairn would mark the peak with no view. As was surrounded by trees which is pretty much the norm for Ontario peak bagging.
Descended from Lake Mountain following the trail that would eventually require a careful on foot technical descent. It would be later at home that I would look at the elevation profile and see that once climbed up to the Lake Mountain peak. Pretty much the trail stayed higher above the valley floor.
Of course once descended a bit and after traversing the lower section it would be another scramble up to the next high point. This would involved another bit of wearing the Stylus as a backpack.
It would be while looking at the elevation profile and looking at another peak bagger type app called Peakery that would notice something. It appears that while traversing from Lake Mtn to Spring without knowing may have bagged Buck Mtn. It is hard to tell accurately as it doesn't show up on the Peakbagger app and map. However Buck Mtn is 402 m high and matches with the Strava track combined with elevation. So this ended up being number 2. Though there is no "summit pic" for there as I had thought had passed lower to the summit of Buck Mtn. The maps of the trail quite possibly may not be accurate, However I will take it.
From Buck Mtn headed for the third peak of the day. And the third high point would be Spring Mtn. Which again would be a high point marked with rocks and the view blocked by trees. It needs to observed that it isn't exactly easy navigating the summits in Ontario as it isn't always obvious. And what is marked as the high point may not match what is on the maps. all can do is best one can.
After bagging Spring Mtn it was another wee bit of descent and following some ATV track. Thanks to some trees being taken down by weather got lost briefly however after looking around found the track again. And soon after it was another bunch of wearing the Stylus as a backpack
And scrambling with the Stylus backpack to get to the 4th peak of the loop Godin Mtn. Which again required a wee bit of following a barely there track to the rock marked peak of Godin Mtn which was another no view summit.
And once done the 4th photos of a summit went looking for the spot where there was more of a view. And also less bugs like in the no view peak cairn spot.
And knew what would be looking for as a heads up that on the approach to the lookout. The tree with various things tied to it the majority being Dreamcatchers.
At this spot after pushing to get the 4 summits bagged took a break to take in the view. And drink the Mountain Dew had in the pack to drink at some point.
From there resumed descending down Godin Mtn and at one spot during the descent you could see in the distance the Lower Madawaska River. As well as a bit of Highway 41.
With the hard part of the route completed and all supplies drained after descending from Godin Mtn. Headed left on the snowmobile trail towards Highway 41 to take the easier route out. There was beer at the campsite and food as well as lots of water.
Stopped briefly on ride back by the Lower Madawaska to look at the hazy low in the sky sun. Haze being from all the Manitoba wildfire smoke. It was mission accomplished a mission that waited 2.5 years to finally make it happen.
After arriving in Griffith and setting up at the truck camp location. It was prep for heading up to bag the first remote peak of this little adventure into Hellbiking. I had spotted Jamiesons Mountain on the Peakbagger app couple of years ago while wandering it one day.
The Youtube video has more detail I think then what can recall and write. Maybe fun caused by ADHD.
Rode from the campsite and headed out following Hyland Creek Rd. To be honest this was an Ontario logging road. So nothing really exciting though one interesting thing came upon. The classic standard issue logging road bridge made of wood like would see in the 1980's in BC. Very cool.
After a while came to the fork which taking the left track would start the initial approach to Jamiesons Mtn. So up the left track we go. This at this point is double track that reminded me of the tracks in the Spectacle Lakes area near Barry's Bay.
Part way down the approach track was near the Lower Madawaska one more time before getting to the work part of the adventure. And wouldn't see it again till descended from the peak later.
Bit more along past that river viewpoint and navigating a few water holes. Began the the Rule 9 fun of hike a bike. This area one had to pay attention to navigating as it was and is a cell phone dead zone where you get nothing till you are 75% up Jamiesons Mtn.
To get to the peak this time would be me wearing my Stylus as a backpack. Local version of what they do in the European Alps or what Grizzly Munro does to bag the Munro's in Scotland. would be the first actual field use of the Hookabike.
While had put on bug spray I didn't pack it for this outing you know to make things more challenging. And there was a lot of bugs on the hike up so didn't want to stop at all. was totally focused on getting to the peak.
Finally got to the peak and bagged it. Though sadly like most Ontario peaks the high point doesn't have much of a view. At least the mountains in this part of Ontario. So while bagged the peak and wanting a break from the mosquitos headed to the look out.
At the lookout it was relax with a view and a beer time. A delayed peak bagged beverage as better there with no bugs then the alternative.
After some time relaxing and enjoying the view. While had noticed the trail continued past the lookout and appeared to descend. Despite looking at maps as best could while at the lookout. I couldn't tell if it eventually descended and connected with a lower road. Not wanting to take the risk of it being a long way to a dead end made the smart decision to descend using the same trail I took to get to the peak.
The descent was as much as possible non stop with maybe three actual brief stops. And is kind of a blur so more can be seen through the YouTube video.
Once down and past the Lower Madawaska River spot passed on the way in. It was doing the double track in reverse back to Hyland Creek Rd and the right turn onto the road. Which take me back to camp for food and a cold beverage.
It was pasta for post peakbagging food and hanging out a bit with Jake a fisherman who was camping in the same area. Felt good as had come and done what had wanted which was to come up to Griffith and ride.
Sooner than later it would be time to hop into the back of the truck to sleep with an idea for the next days adventure.
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Had grabbed the handlebar light and headed up to Bata Island to do a recce to see what was there. As during a grave ride with my friend on the Trent Waterway Rail Trail had seen it and had discussed doing a ride to that at a later date.
After earlier in the afternoon revisiting Lookout Mountain got to Batawa with enough time to get in a revisit to Bata Island. With the goal of videoing the Bata Island part to share with friend to give a better idea of what was there for a possible ride in 2025.
It would be a revisit of the same route from September 2024 though this time with more light and less relying on a handlebar light. Since it is the same route as 2024 the blog entry from last year is pretty much the same as this visit. Though there would be a slight change.
This would be the last adventure where all video attempted to shoot would be done using the cell phone. As earlier in the day seeing John on the lead race moto at the aid station using a GoPro I decided it was time to upgrade to one. Part of it being that video uses up the phone battery. Also add in the worry of the phone eventually getting wrecked.
You can see the trail on Bata Island and what it is like roughly in the YouTube video link.
Once finished the loop around Bata Island it was back to Batawa and the Ute with the handlebar light on. With mission accomplished. That mission being getting video of what then trail looks like. Once back at the Ute, loaded up and started the rest of the drive home.
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