Food

I checked out some food on mec's website, the three that had ok/good reviews were the Alpineaire Kung Fu Chicken, the Mountain House Grilled Chicken w/Mashed Potato and the MH Beef Stroganoff. Joel, I can't remember which one we had with broccoli that you loved so much, so if you can remember, I'll try and find it again. Everyone check the MEC link and give opinions...

Map B

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The Route

From what I've read, it seems like the Frog Pond route will be the best. If anyone likes one of the other routes, then we should discuss which one we'll take. I added a couple of google maps of the drive to the Frog trail. It's not clear where the road ends, so Map A is where google shows the road ending, and Map B is where I would like to be able to drive to :) Just Zoom in you can sort of see a road up and around towards Century Sam Lake. Its around 35km's from the highway to point B, not sure how long it is from Morty's to Cumberland, but we should have time to get to the trailhead and set up camp before dark, even having to wait until after 6pm.

Map A

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Updates

Just some updates for everyone. First, I've replaced a useless link (not sure why i added it) with an extremely informative and detailed link. It has topo maps, pics and marks out 2 trails leading to the glacier (Frog ponds is quick and hard, Kookjai is slow and easy-ish). Also, a previous link (summitpost.org) is not linking, but I recommend you check it out manually. The real big issue is accessing the trail head from Comox Main Logging Road, as it runs through an "active" Timberwest parcel. All that Timberwest website says is access is restricted between 6am-6pm, 7 days a week. Some sites have claimed that public access is allowed during that timeframe if carring a VHF radio to monitor logging truck traffic. I'll try to contact Timberwest's PR dept for clarity on this, plus their policy for fire season access. Worst case scenario, there is a forest service road that links up to Comox Main outside Timberwest's land; the bad part is it starts at Beaver Creek, which is near Port Alberni. I skimmed over it with Google Maps and it seems doable, just lots of extra driving. Oh, and everyone should be able to post now, so gimme some feedback; or email me if i fucked that up again. Joel, can you forward the blog to Jer when you find his address? And let me know who's still able to make it.

The plan thus far

Here's my base plan for this years trip (god i hope i'm not walking by myself!). So, if you guys arrive friday before dark- you can do it,it's not that far of a drive- camp out at our place. We do a quick check of supplies, get shittered, and pass out. Saturday morning head north to Courtney (city, not chick) and pick up last minute supplies. They have a walmart, crappy-tire, lots of grocery stores and a couple outdoor equipment stores (and beer stores!!). Then we head east through Cumberland and into the southeast corner of Strathcona Park where the trail head is waiting for us. If we start hiking before noon at the latest (prefer 10 or 11), we should get to the camp by dinner, then have plenty of light to set up our tents. After breakfast on sunday we can spend the day exploring the glacier and looking for some of the nearby lakes like Mirren or Memory. Depending on time, energy, and/or possible injury (50' slide down a glacier, Ains?) we may shoot for Aureole Icefield or Cliffe Glacier. Monday is limp home day. Whatcha think?

Anyone wanna go for a walk?

Alright you lazy buggers! It's time to get serious about planning this trip. Who's in? Who's out? Who's even heard of Comox? Check the links, check the map (on bcparks site). The trail doesn't look long on the map compared to the other trails in Strathcona Park, but it's mostly elevation. Post some thoughts , questions, ideas, concerns, panic attacks, insults and anything else you think i won't ignore or delete, and lets get this trip on the road!

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island.... home of the unembodied feet washing up on shore. Also home to the beautiful Comox Glaciers, which will be our hike this year.