Bagger Challenge 2010

I know the Bagger Challenge is exclusively a Vancouver exploit and I know that I would never be one to win the Bagger Challenge, but who is to say I can't bag my own peak.

As a multi-day heavy-pack hike, HSCT is a nasty multi-hump-backed monster.

As a peak bagging adventure artery, it is essential.

As a trail run, it is spectacular. There are few finer trial-running stretches than the single-track swoosh down from Hat Pass to Deeks Lake, past azure lakes, waterfalls, giant trees, and glorious peaks.

While I don't like running alone, I do cherish the peace of the trails...something that cannot be found on the Grouse Grind.  No peace on the GG.  How is it that on adjacent trails, i.e. St Georges, Per Gynt etc you usually don't see a soul, yet there are hundreds of sweaty bodies crawling, huffing, puffing and running up the GG... 

Enjoy the latest adventures of the Brokeback Mountain Heli Team.  They were only 4-hours late this time, didn't miss dinner and didn't need to camp out under a rescue blankie, though...

On foggy, rainy days I often wonder why I bag. On snowy slopes when I look down and see what a mistake could bring, I wonder, why do I bag? When I'm tired or hungry or busy or stressed, it always feels better to have bagged, but it's not always evident why. Today, however, was a perfect bagging days which answered all of those lingering "whys".

On Saturday, July 31, 2010, five adventurous souls extended their Bagger Challenge successes by conquering, in a single day mind you, the most notorious trifecta the Challenge has to offer. It had not been done before and it may never be done again.

Okay, so you're saying to yourself, "Artaban is notorious?", "Killam isn't kind?". Ah yes, but remember, the lid may never be capped on Liddell. Throw that puppy into any set of three peaks and you have the makings of a brass piggy tarnishing before your eyes.

Please chalk-up four (4) peaks (MAR, UNN, HOL, STR) for Ran Katzman, Wade Repta and Ean Jackson as they celebrated the last day of July 2010 by completing the Cypress Sweep. 

Note:  Given that Ran and Wader summited Black Mountain during the KneeKnacker this year, should also get credit for it.

In the interest of maximizing the bagging pleasure in the most efficient manner, Ran, Wade and I would like to contribute this six-hour four-Bagger for your consideration.

Here's the big picture:

Peaks:  MAR, UNN (See Howe Sound Crest/Brittania Range) and HOL, STR (Cypress Group.)  May also want to include BLA for a 5-Bagger.