First Peak/Pump, Mount Seymour, North Vancouver, BC

Trail Key: M~2~V~H~ST~DF~KF~FT

7.2 km's/450 meters elevation

2014~Follow the end of the parking lot and go past the sign post and along next to the ski run. You'll see The Dog Mtn trail sign on your left. Keep going...Stay left and go up the path. In the beginning you are parallel to the ski run but soon you are in your own magical world. You'll see beauty at every turn.

As you walk along on your right is, Tim Jones memorial. Take a moment and say, thanks, for all the lives he saved.

The trail climbs steadily. There are junction signs for the summer trail. The tall orange markers are not in yet marking the winter route but it's much the same. The only difference is you come out onto the road for just a few steps. The summer trail has you walk along the road for longer.

Take the path on your left and walk down a little hill. You'll pass a frozen mini lake, that sits on your right. Follow the path as it winds along up and down. You'll come to a lookout to your right and if it's not a cloudy day you'll see many familiar mountains. Keep going and follow the path as it snakes around. It will come to another sign post, go up here as you gain some elevation.

Soon you'll come to a sign post that says 750 meters to go. This is the second to last grunt up. There are a few open parts here. Keep going and you'll come into a meadow/saddle or col. You are almost at the top. When you get to the last part stay right and follow the path up to First Pump. A sign post sits and makes a great picture of your accomplishment. You are officially done however, there's lots of exploring to do and lots of sub peaks to visit.

Coming down isn't too bad and there's lots of bum sliding you can do. I would say to bring MICROspikes and snowshoes. Scaredy Cat says you won't loose any of your nine lives. It's best to stay on the trail and not on the ski runs. This is one of my new favorite SS. Happy & safe snowshoeing.

Lori aka Scaredy Cat