Does it get any better than this? I'm enjoying the shine of a new sun tan [8D]
7 energetic NSHers meet at the church at 7:00.
Carpool up to Lions Bay, where there are not enough parking spots (.. with all the emphasis on fitness, recreation, enjoying the great outdoors.. one would think we could wiggle a few more spaces out of the Lions Bay community) sorry for the rant

We get geared up, and on the way by 8:45ish .. up the logging road


Found our way through the alders along the creek beds, traversing to the north west side of David. The snow was a bit crunchy, the crampons were helpful.


With ice axes in full swing, and the crampons we made our way straight up the west face.

Turning westward for this fantastic view of Howe Sound.

Looking south towards the West Lion.

And South East toward Baker
.. how far can the eye see ??



Forging upwards

we were at the top by noonish, just in time for lunch and a spectacular view
James Peak in the foreground.

After lunch we descended David on the south side.
We left a couple to sleep in the sunshine, the rest of us made quick work of James Peak 15 - 20 mins.


We all had a fantastic lie in the sun between David and James [:I]

Then started on our way carefully traversing north around the mid section of David Peak to a clearing where we descended to the original trail, completing our loop before heading back through the alders, along the creeks .... down the logging road ..

What a super fantastic day!! We are so lucky to live in this gorgeous place
Cheers

looks like you had a great day glad you made it, the new gate in lions bay is a bit farther down the road than it use to be, lost about 3 spots

This area looks like a good destination with the conditions and weather. Nice shots.

Nice, great to hear you had good snow and a fantastic time.

Great TR and great company C_shore_Sands. One thing in your report caught my eye.
I might have said something slightly stronger like ... only a complete "Nutjob" would go anywhere near some of those steep icy slopes without crampons!

Here are a few more photos.


Summit of David Peak


Ridge leading to the West Lion and Mt. Unnecessary on the right


East Lion Thomas and West Lion from David Peak


James Peak from David Peak. Our route was up that face (which is not as steep as it looks).


Heading up James Peak.


Some views from James Peak


Sook with Brunswick behind


Enchantment Lake


Mt. Cathedral in the distance


Summit Posers on James Peak

Great shot!

second on that shot!

Thank-you all for the comments and great additional pics.
Cheers!

Hello C_shore_Sands. Thanks for the post. - I am a bit unclear of the route you went - can you be a bit more specific - or mark it on a map. Did you go into Harvey basin or Magnesia Meadows? Thanks in advance, Peter

Did you happen to see our tracks,it looks like you went up the same way we did.Very nice pictures.

One of many great shots. Sweet trip there Colette, looks like the North Shore hikers are a very adventorous lot.

K

Peter, I wish I had more information for you. It was my first time out in the area. A GPS is on the list... We did not come across the Magnesia Meadows Hut .. so I presume we did not go that way. Coming up the trail David was at about 1:00 position then we stayed left through the alders, closer to Harvey, so I gather Harvey basin is the direction we took. Then our loop went clockwise as I described. CraigS would be of more help with this.

Ted, Thanks again for the tips, couldn't do this one without good crampons and the ice axe. I didn't see your tracks ... though I wasn't leading the group.


Cheers,
Colette

Peter,

We approached from Harvey Basin and ascended the south west ridge of David (steep in places). We then dropped down the south east face to the David / James col. On the return we traversed around to the South-west ridge of David avoiding the steep parts. It looked like good skiing possibilities from David to the Col and also on James.

Here is a hand sketched map (very approximate).




Tedoliver,

Thanks for the tracks and the heads up about the icy conditions. We brought a rope just in case and I think we would have used it if we descended back down the south west ridge.

Thank you Craig for organizing the trip
Great TR Colette
Here are a few more photos.

Thanks Craig and Colette, Peter