We flew into Vancouver on the 28th June at 9:30am to find a lovely sunny day and our friend Dave waiting for us at the airport. The short drive to his house was all I needed to realise I liked Vancouver - signs along the highway pronounced June as 'Cycle Month'! Vancouver is a beautifully located city at the convergence of two rivers, with a natural harbour and mountains in the background to complete an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. We only had five days there but it was long enough to sample some of those delights including rollerblading around Stanley Park and hiking in the mountains. Part of the nearest mountain range and just to the north of downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain provides several attractions. At the top is a tourist show including lumberjack shows, a few black bears, plus bird of pray demonstrations etc. Access to the top of the mountain is via a cable car (10 mins) or the local favourite, the Grouse Grind. The Grind is a tough 2.9km scramble of around ninety minutes, although you are rewarded with a great view over Vancouver once you reach the top. It's Vancouver's most popular hike, and every year there are various organised runs including the Bank of Montreal Grouse Grind Mountain Run. Some people attempt the Grind as a regular test, timing themselves and toting up the vertical climb - see the Summit Seeker page to see how many climbs are needed to rival Everest! I managed a respectable 45 mins - not bad for a first attempt.
