Hiking up the Stawamus Chief (7pics)
Cross posted from the Lounge
I've decided now that I've lost a fair amount of weight and have been doing a lot of long city walks that I should get into hiking in the hills here in South Western BC. I have a guide to the trails on my book shelf I've been meaning to get started on for some time. Also the hikes I did on my Manning Park camping trip gave me the confidence as well. Today I tackled the Stawamus Chief. This is a huge rock formation just outside of the town of Squamish about a 45min drive up the coast from Vancouver. It's an extremely popular destination for rock climbers, the rope and peyton type, who do the front facing cliff. But for those who don't want to face death 
and a 90 degree incline, there is a trail around the back of the mountain. This is an 11km round trip climb. I did the 2nd and 3rd peeks of the formation which are the tallest. It's a shit load of steps and right at the top you are using chains and a ladder or two to scramble your way up. I'm in much better shape than I was some months ago before losing the weight but this was a tough one for me, at one point I had pushed myself too hard and almost vomited, oops. 
But the majority of the climb was after that point and I was OK all the way up and down after that. Here's what the mountain/formation looks like from the front, this is the face that rock climbers ascend:
Here's me at one of the summits:
And here's a panorama from that point:
There is one point in the hike where you go along a ledge with what is probably about an 800 to 1000ft drop. You can go right up to the ledge and look over if you are brave. Here is my father who came with me on the hike looking over this ledge:
Some further shots from the hike:
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I think you did very well, both with the hike, and the photos.
These are really beautiful! I esp. like the one that is looking through the cliffs at the mountains beyond. Beautiful bit of framing there!
But they're all wonderful.
Keep on keepin' on! You've lost significant weight and look great.
And I would never do what your dad is doing! 
I'm sure it's not as dangerous as it looks, but still!
I'm a bit jealous that I am not there and so impressed by your photos and growth!!!!! 
That last shot was perfect! 
