Sun, Sep 14 2008 - Speyside to Limehouse Conservation Area (View Original Event Details)

Event Coordinator(s): Julian L, Darrel N
Participants:Ricardo A., Mark M, Jesse, Darrel N, Julian L, Francois, Michelle B, Justin H, Rekha, Pia, Dawn, Dave, Carob

Write Up:

Speyside to Limehouse: distance-18km, duration (not including lunch break)-3:45:00

Ok so you know how they say not to be late for your first day of school, apparently I didn't learn that lesson, yes I can admit it I was late for my first hike as an organizer. Possibly the first time I've been late for an event, but I guess that's the way it goes.

Anyway we got on the road quickly and despite a quick stop off at the truck weigh in scale (who doesn't visit these now and again) on the highway we were all at the trailhead in good time. Pia somehow made it (even though we thought she had directions to the wrong trailhead), pulling up right on time!

At the start of the hike, the previously forecasted rain and thunderstorms seemed unlikely as the sun was peeking through the clouds. However Dave still insisted on carrying an "ENTIRE POUND" of rain gear, and ALMOST never complaining about it. Actually the weather cooperated all afternoon, it was hot and humid but we didn't see a drop of rain.

We fought through ravenous bugs and some slippery rocks and made it to Limehouse for lunch by 1 PM. The return was quite a bit more sluggish, perhaps we all feasted a bit too much at lunch and at times it seemed like hikers were spread across 5km of the trail. Leaders were attacked by swarms of bugs the minute they stopped to wait, fortunately there were enough experienced hikers in the group that we held things together fairly well.

All in all it turned out to be a nice day and although the organization was far from perfect, I think everyone enjoyed themselves, got a good workout and should sleep well on this rainy Sunday evening.

Thank you all for coming out and hope to see you at future events.

Darrel




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