Im down to some of the tougher ones. Saturday brought Demigod Dave and I to the ridge behind Grouse Mtn for a serious ponder at striking both PER and CN1 on the same outing. Im told it hasnt yet been done and by the time the day was over I could see why. The ridge was not what I imagined but yet it was elegant in its peaked and forested berry fest. If I was to count the number of huckleberries, blueberries, salmonberries, and blue huckleberries that we saw and ate I would still be there. Unbelievable and all in perfect ripeness. We started from the end of Lynn Valley Road at 0530h and accessed via Hanes Valley, Fleming Creek, straight up. Getting to PER from there was a bushy challenge but interestingly had sections of wide open meadows. We decided to find the steepest unnecessary route over the adjacent unnamed peak to PER, so dubbed later by Dave as Brassiere Peak due to its two rounded tops. Having survived the detour we adjusted our expectations at completing both peaks at once - we decided to let the Bagging Gods give us clarity on the final approach to PER. Our out and back then became a loop past Lynn Lake. Once off the first omg drop on the other side of PER, the ridge exit was easy until the final cliffy scraggly amazing old growth 300 or so meters down to the trail. It was still light out as we took a breather and got some water after getting back out to the main section of Lynn Creek. From there a straight shot to our starting point with strengthened upper bodies from the unending veggie belay and tender feet from all the up and down traversing. We didnt see another soul all day until we were within eye shot of the gate back at the start line: so awesome for such a busy place on a summer Saturday. At that point we passed two hikers prematurely returning from COL that told us the park wardens did not allow them to stay overnight. We were done at 2230h and met up with Dodgy Helen, crew extraordinaire, who once again watched over us for the day. I recommend PER for a remote and satisfying experience. Go in late August on a clear warm day and with a good plan and a stomach ready for natures bounty. One of the toughest peaks for sure.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 05:44:34 +0000
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