100 minutes up, 8 minutes down. 2830 steps, 2800 vertical climb and 2.7 miles. Today, we completed the "Grouse Grind," an intense climb to the top of one of Vancouver's neighboring mountains. The hike was tough - no lie, but the view of Vancouver 3500 feet below was worth every step up the stairs, rocks and roots to the top. Due to the intensity o
f the trail (people actually die trying this trail, but I bet they were running instead of the slow, steady pace we took), you cannot hike down - and thank god, it would be even harder. So we had to take a Swiss style gondola back to the base - pretty much straight down.This hike and mountain trip, for me, was the highlight of Vancouver - except maybe tonight's Josh Ritter show at the Commodore Ballroom. Josh and his Royal City Band put on a two hour, full throttle show. It was great. However, I learned a lesson, don't hike up the equivalent of two Sears Towers on rocks and then stand for two hours. My feet hurt.
A quick gloss on this - yes, we were definitely pacing ourselves. OMG, the fucking pain that this trail inflicted! Mostly it was mental pain - you go up and up at a ridiculous lift and after you keep seeing people pass you and disappear into the sky above you exhaustedly get to a sign informing you that you are only 1/4 of the way through, that the trail will now be much steeper and that there is no going back. Lovely!
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