I’m back from the Stein

We made it.  For now – I just need to recover!  More soon.

Hi Honey!

Here’s a quick "Hello!" to Mrs D!

Today, I’m passing past Figure 8 lake!  I’ll make sure I take good pictures for you!

I’m off to the Stein Valley

Today we are heading out to the Stein Valley to hike with the Venturers from my group.

We have 10 days of hiking planned and then a day of river rafting.  It’s going to be a real challenge.  The last time I did this hike was 14 years ago.  It was tough then.  Now that I’m 40…. Urgh, it’s gonna be tough.

When Mrs D and I hiked this the last time, our camera batteries died on the first day   We only got 3 pictures.  This time, I’m bringing the 40D and 2 batteries.  2 x 4GB cards.  I WILL make sure I get my pictures!

Here’s our itinerary… I’ll be back online by the 29th at latest.

Day 1:                    Sunday, August 17 – Departure Date
                              0645: Leave Hall for main bus terminal
                              0800: Greyhound bus to Whistler Village for transport to Blackcomb Helicopters
                              1200: Helicopter to Tabletop Mountain
                              Hike begins – Tabletop Mountain to Caltha Lake (4.5 hours) 

Day 2:                    Caltha Lake to Tundra Lake (8 hours)

Day 3:                    Ultimate Challenge Day – Tundra Lake to Stein Lake (10 hours)

Day 4:                    Stein Lake to Avalanche Creek (5 hours)

Day 5:                    Avalanche Creek to Cottonwood Creek (6 hours)

Day 6:                    REST DAY: NO HIKING; Remain at Cottonwood Creek

Day 7:                    Cottonwood Creek to Ponderosa (5 hours)

Day 8:                    Ponderosa to Lower Cable Cross (6 hours)

Day 9:                    Cable Cross to Devil’s Staircase (7 hours)

Day 10:                 Devil’s Staircase to Stein Valley Trailhead (2.5 hours)
                              Hike to Lytton (3 hours)
                              Lodging at Lytton: Jade Springs Campground

Day 11:                 Wednesday, August 27
                              1030: Hyak River Rafting on the Thompson River

Day 12:                Thursday, August 28 – Return Day
                              1645: Greyhound to Vancouver
                              2145: Arrival at Vancouver bus terminal

Technorati Tags: Stein Valley, Hiking, Scouts Canada, 40th Marpole Scouts, Hyak River Rafting, Lytton

Powell Street Festival

I went down to the Powell Street festival on Saturday to check it out.  I’d never been, but my friend’s church participates actively, so I figured I’d head down and take some pictures.

The weather was great and the entertainment was superb… It was a GREAT time.  I’m going to try to find time to visit again next year!

For the complete series of photos, please see my photo gallery at:

http://www.slacker.ca/brian/webpics/ShowPix.aspx?20080802Powell

Technorati Tags: Powell Street Festival,Sawagi Taiko,Riff Randells,Vancouver,Japanese