Black Tusk Hike 2008

On the 22nd of July, 2008, a group of eight IAMers plus one accompanying friend set off to Garibaldi Provincial Park to hike The Black Tusk, one of the most spectacular mountains in the Vancouver area. The IAM participants were Maria Khomenko (Math MSc), Wan Chen (Math PhD), Na Yu (Math PhD), Ignacio Rozada (Math PhD), Peter Borowski (Math postdoc), Anmar Khadra (Math postdoc), Eric Cytrynbaum (Math Faculty) and Marek Labecki (IAM staff). The hike involved about 1750 m elevation gain, close to 30 km distance on an excellent trail, and an exciting final scramble. On the way, we passed through a fantastic scenery of alpine meadows, turquoise lakes, dark volcanic peaks and shiny glaciers, stopping frequently to take photos or to greet marmots resting on the rocks. Most of us reached the summit, and we all got either to the base of the summit cap or just below it. This was a fantastic outdoor experience, enjoyed immensely by all of us.

Pictures by Maria Khomenko (MK), Peter Borowski (PB) and Marek Labecki (ML)

Ignacio taking a picture of Garibaldi Lake and the mountains across it (MK)	A hoary marmot (MK)	Maria, Marek, Anmar, Eric and his friend – chatting and taking in the views (PB)

Marek and Panorama Ridge in the background (MK)	The Black Tusk ahead (PB)	Looking back to our ascent route; note people on the snow patches below (MK)

Anmar on the NE ridge, just a few hundred metres from the base of the summit cap (MK)	Peter and Helm Creek valley below (MK)	Continuing up to the base of the mountain (PB)	The majestic volcanic fortress of The Black Tusk (MK)

Volcanic rock formations on the northern side of the mountain, with Empetrum Peak in the right midground and Whistler Mtn. behind it (MK)	Anmar circumventing the base of the summit cap to get to the chimney that offers a non-technical route to the summit (MK)	Anmar, Ignacio and Marek on the summit (PB)

Ignacio downclimbing the chimney (PB)	Peter and Anmar descending loose scree on the Tusk's south slopes (ML)	Ignacio back on the trail on the west side of the mountain (ML)

Peter and Eric, with a view north toward Helm Peak (just left of centre), Corrie Peak (right of centre) and Gentian Peak (right) (ML)	View SW to Panorama Ridge, The Sphinx, Deception Peaks, Guard Mtn., The Table, Mt. Garibaldi in the cloud, Mt. Price and Clinker Peak; Black Tusk Lake and Mimulus Lake are in the left foreground, and Garibaldi Lake in the right midground (ML)

Wan at the Taylor Meadows campground (MK)	View of Black Tusk from Taylor Meadows (MK)