Friday 21 June
Had a leisurely morning while Jane got a bit of work done, then went off the Grouse mountain, and the ‘Grouse Grind’. 2 options to get to the top, Gondola @ $50, or walk. It’ll be easy she said, walk in the park she said … actually she didn’t say that … ‘3km nearly vertical climb’ says the advertising. And it wasn’t wrong! Started steep, and got steeper!! Ben did it in an hour, Tayla 1 hour 20, Jane 1 hour 21. Chris did a good job in keeping me company and we made after 2 and a quarter hours.
Temperature steadily dropped as we ascended, total height climbed 2800 ft. No views to write about on the way up, but at the top of the climb, there was a chairlift to actual top of the mountain (it is a ski field in the winter) and from there the views were spectacular. 2700 views from upper harbour right around to north Vancouver. Also at the top there was an enclosure with 2 rescue grizzlies where depending on where the bears were, you were able to get incredibly close, got some amazing photos.
Capilano suspension bridge was on everyone’s ‘must do’ list. Not sure why, the views must have been impressive at $55 each, decided to pass on it, especially with the awesome experience at the top of Grouse mountain.
Got back to Tom and Jane’s for a welcome sit down, a glass of wine, and some yummy chicken cooked by the master chef Tom himself.
