Climbing The Chief

So this is the mammoth rock faced granite cliff you can't miss as you drive through town, 

referred to as The Chief by most, but it's full name is Stawamus Chief, 

named after a First Nations village at the north end of the Squamish River. 

My H has tried to remind me that we hiked it as a youth group many, many years ago

but I doubt that he saw me at the top. 

I do know it did not have all of the steps laid out like they are now and

this time I was set to finally accomplish that bragging right!

So, after a nice short walk in the woods we came up to our first set of stairs
and I laughed. Really?

I  had no idea this likeness to a 70 floor high rise was only the beginning!

Let me take you along.

 Part of me thinks it may be unfair to do this

because I'm taking out the element of surprise for anyone

who will want to explore this mountain themselves.

but the other part of me knows that there are many 

who will not have this opportunity. (smile)

Don't you just love the way the rocks and logs have been laid as stairs?

And they would be great as a set of garden steps...

but these go on and on so that it is easy to forget how 'nice' they are.

Sometimes roots made up natural steps to follow.

We got to an outlook I thought was the top, but it wasn't.

It was a stop long enough to notice a stellar jay in the tree.

Soon we came upon some more interesting ways to do steps.

This photo does not give justice to how nice the ladder was

as it does not show where the path leads at the top.

It looks unnecessary, but it was not.

The last part of the climb gave way to a rocky outcrop,

even steeper.

I'd never thought that chains would be kind of fun

and make it so much easier.
I'd say the chains are easier than the unending staircases.

Another ladder we carefully hung on to.

What I could not help but notice is that many of the railings and limbs on trees

that I hung on to felt super smooth, like varnished and polished from many hands before me.

After one last set of chains, came the view!

And as we sat on the solid rock, unpacking a bite to eat,
It was fun to see hikers come up, with their back to the view -
then turn around and exclaim in amazement!

 

I can't tell you how good it felt to have made it! 

It's exhilarating for sure!

The way down began with a leap of faith . . . literally!

There was no better way than to trust that chain

even though I did see someone take an uncomfortable slide down.

one of the slippery slopes.

For some reason, going down is faster

and maybe easier but, a few days later now,
my calves are still not too happy with me.

I keep telling them it's all for their good.