This is the fifth trip in the Bagger series and will include RUN, ELS, CUR, REC, and VIC. Although I prefer completely bluebird days, this is the best we can get with this crazy weather we're having. The forecast calls for cloudy with sunny periods. 

We'll meet at the North Van Superstore, next to the Gas Bar and carpool from there.

This is an out and back starting at the Seymour parking lot. We'll head straight to Runner following the trail around the west side of Seymour. From there we'll continue on to Elsay, Curate, Rector, and Vicar.

The distance is 21km and expected round trip time is around 9 hours. I'm not sure what the snow conditions are like up there so I'm recommending people to bring ice axe and crampons. It's still relatively early in the season. This will be a fast paced trip like the others in this series. This is mostly a hike but there is scrambling involved to get to the top of Runner. Those that don't feel comfortable with that can wait for the group at the bottom.

Background: The Bagger Challenge

The challenge was started in 2009 by a small group of ultra runners in Club Fat Ass. Of course, we all know that mountaineers have an advantage at this sort of thing so I've been enjoying giving them a run for their money since 2011. How many of the 66 peaks can you climb in one season? Get to know the North Shore like you've never known it before! Sometimes we run but mostly we hike and scramble.

The challenge has an early season that runs from March 19th to June 24th when only a subset of the peaks are available. Runners don't do well on snow so these are the more accessible peaks. The main season goes from June 25th to Oct 28th when everything on the list is eligible.

The official facebook group and leader board that shows the current standings as well as the complete peak list and various stories of loss, suffering, and adventure is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/baggerchallenge/ . As you climb peaks you add yourself as well as the initials of the peak you've climbed to the leader board. You have to update the leader board within 3 days of climbing a peak, no sandbagging! :-) There is no requirement to be an official bagger challenge participant to join this event but it is a free competition.

I'll be posting a number of challenge trips this season.

Bring your lightweight hikers and gear. It's not too critical on this one but generally the lighter you are, the faster you are. Here's my streamlined bagger kit which I use in the main season: http://millsoft.ca/maurer/BaggersGuide/kit/. In the pre-season I will occasionally bring my 25l pack with additional gear as required.