Deer Mountain by accident

Deer Mountain is a peak that stands overlooking Ketchikan at 3001 feet or 914 meters.
I saw from the guide book that there is a trail leading to the summit and so while I was on an after work run, I decided to go and see where the trail began, fully intending to return on the weekend if there was time. A couple of hours later I found myself sat at the top of Deer Mountain surveying the wonderful view with wide eyes.

After I had sat for a while and looked about me, the crisp blue sky and incredible scenery had absorbed my mind, until that is, I noticed how low the sun was getting! Then I started to think about bears and wolves, getting back before dark and what the hell I would do if I twisted and ankle or something on the way down…This really is not the best place to be on your own, in your running gear when no one knows where you are. I blame the Canadians. I would never have gone up a mountain that is nearly as high as mount Snowdon this unprepared before! (Snowdon is 1085 meters, but you don’t climb it from sea level!). I didn’t even bring a friend who is slower at running than me.

If it is nice, I might go up again on the weekend but this time I will take my walking boots and a backpack with water, a camera and a phone!!

An Alaska Donkey Kick

Yesterday evening most of the crew went ashore to the pub and after frequenting 'Fat Stans' bar for a few hours, one of the lads asked the very buxom bar maid what drink she would suggest he tried. She replied without hesitation, 'An Alaskan Donkey Kick'. Being slightly over refreshed, that sounded like a good idea and so he promptly ordered one for himself and one for one of the other lads. The girl came bounding happily from around the back of the bar, told him to knock back the drink, which he promptly did and before he knew what was what she slapped him around the face with the full force of a scorned woman. As it turns out, An Alaskan Donkey Kick, is a shot of local liquor followed by a swift slap across the face by the bar maid!

I have not seen anything so funny for quite some time! I nearly fell off my stool bent over and crying with laughter along with the rest of the crew and not least so because of the look on the face of the poor lad who was yet to enjoy his drink.

Small towns are always fun! Stans bar was supposed to shut at ten last night but because we were all having fun they stayed open until we rang the bell for ourselves and called it a night at about 2am.

Air Reconnaissance

I am once again lost for words

The guy who ownes and runs the dock down here suggested checking out the area by float plane. At first I just thought he was just trying to sell us a trip but as I thought about it it made total sense. It is such a vast area which would take weeks to explore by boat, so today I went with him to check out some anchorages and cruising areas.

We landed high up on a mountain lake, soured through the mountains and spent two most incredible hours in a place that is untouched and vastly unexplored.

More pics of Alaska

Testing out the Man Skills

This is brilliant! There isn't really any sport to it either, so although I would like to boast and tell you how honed my man skills are, any fool could catch a fish here! As a result we have eaten steamed salmon, salmon pie, sushimi and now we have found a guy who will smoke it for us, so we can keep eating the stuff well after we leave.

Tomorrow I am going to see some of the area by float plane!

The Inside passage to Alaska

I hope that a few pictures will capture the atmosphere of our trip up through the 'Inside Passage' to Alaska. It was just two days but the changes in weather and scenery at every turn made this relatively short passage very memorable.

and to sea once more

It is funny that 6 weeks in a beautiful place and not much to write about. After a morning at sea the proper adventures has already started.
Not more than an hour had passed and we spotted our first pod of Orcas, killer whales playing just off the bow of the boat. It was beautiful.

Then shortly after lunch we responded to a May Day radio call. We were fortunately just 7 miles from the small sailing boat that had a medical emergency. We launched one of our fast boats and sent our nurse with two crew who were able to revive the gentleman. The poor bloke was a diabetic and had passed out due to low blood sugar. Anyway he was stabilized and eventually transfered to a coastguard boat and taken ashore, we are now on our way again.

'Bean' there and done it Again!

It is wonderful to be in one place for a while and Vancouver has to be one of the best. I generally like to find a small, quiet place with friendly people, who get to know my name. A place where I can go and relax away from the boat. Here in Vancouver it was the 'Bean' coffee shop, The Bean Around The World was virtually at the top of the boats gangway and the staff and customers made me feel really welcome. This is my new favorite. As if anyone would care about Daren's guide to worlds best coffee shop hangouts.

#1 Bean Around the world, North Vancouver

#2 Sentient Bean, Savannah, USA

#3 Esperanto, West Village New York

The last day in Vancouver started with a coffee at the bean and then we over did it a bit on the exercise. We cycled the 50 minutes to the foot of Grouse mountain and had a final go at the 'Grind'. Powered by Canada's finest Java I made a small improvement on my time... I have managed to climb to the top of Grouse Mountain in just under 54 minutes! Thats it now. I have done that! I can't see me beating that time unless of course one of my friends from home manages to do 53 mins, then I might be tempted back to beat them but for now I'm all ground out.

The Royal Visit

The red carpets were rolled out in Vancouver and everyone was on their best behavior. It is always exciting to have a royal visit! I managed to skive off for the afternoon. I even had a shave, pulled out a clean T shirt and found my best flip flops. This particular guest got the real VIP treatment! She was even treated to an ice cream in the park!

It's always nice to bump into ya mum when you are a long way from home

reflection of Vancouver Skyline

This cool picture of the Vancouver Skyline reflected into the bow of our boat was a by product of having to take pictures of some minor damage. This was caused by a tug boat that had managed rather carlessly to bump into us during the middle of last night. I might just add that we were tied up alongside, just in case anyone starts to point fingers in my direction.

Re ground the grind like a little old lady!

After work on a very rainy Tuesday Christian and I were surprised that the car park at the foot of the Grouse Grind was just as full as it was on a sunny Sunday! Boy these Canadians are a keen bunch but I guess we were there too.
My new time up the steep 2.9 KM path is 56 mins and 3 seconds. I felt that I was really pushing it and have to admit that a mere 3 minute gain was a bit disappointing. Christian pointed out that in fact it was a 5% improvement and he was impressed that I had manage to get there 7 minutes ahead of him. We both sat at the top, soaked through and a bit cold but feeling pretty pleased with ourselves! Until that is, we had been studying the monitor displaying peoples efforts during that day and for the year. It appears that the fastest time for ladies between the age of 70 and 79 is a staggering 63 minutes! It is almost impossible to imagine a little old lady at nearly 80 years old! storming up the side of this mountain in just over an hour but it is also beautiful and very amusing that this is the exact same time that it took my now very demoralised colleague, who is a man in his early 30's.!
As they say here in the Rockies. If you come across a bear in the wild do not run! Unless of course you can run faster than at least one of your friends. I have finally found a friend that I can beat at running and as we are in the Rockies that is a good thing.

North Vancouver

This is North Vancouver which is pretty close to where we are staying! Someone carelessley parked a big yacht in the way.

Sunday Morning Run

This picture of Carl, Emily and myself at the end of our run with Grouse mountain in the background. You can just see the cable car cables. Take 2 on the grind is scheduled for after work on Monday or Tuesday this week.

This morning we went for a nice run in the Capilano Valley. These Canadians make you feel bad because they are all so trim and athletic! As a result most of the crew have been making time to do some excersise. It definitely helps that the natural beauty of the place is incredible! All the pictures I have shared are within 5 minutes of the city. Vancouver has to go down as a world wide winner for places to be held up for a month or so.

Grouse Grind take 2

After work on Thursday we decided to go to the mountain again. I was keen to beat my 59 minute time and Christian and I thought it might be best to bring Emily the nurse (just in case)

A passer bye was roped into taking this picture our 'before', You will see that we have done so much running that our legs have been worn out, almost to the knees!
Unfortunately we found the Grouse Grind path, was closed for maintenance so we were a little disappointed but soon found a trail going down the valley that was so beautiful the mountain was almost forgotten. Pictures of that trail will follow tomorrow.