Elfin Lakes Winter Adventure

On March 10th we left the bustling city in search of adventure in the mountains of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Just getting to the parking lot was an adventure in itself, but that's a story for another time!

With our 40lb packs on our backs, we strapped on our snowshoes and started up the 11km long trail to where we would be spending the next 2 nights in the wilderness.

Now, if you're running 11km without a backpack on a groomed trail, it wouldn't seem so bad, but with the weight equivalent to a small child on your back, 11km now feels like 30!

Around 4:30pm, we finally made it to our destination near the Elfin Lakes cabin. The view was stunning...for about 15 minutes until the clouds and blowing snow rolled in. We quickly dug out a spot on the side of a hill, pitched the tent, boiled some water for a quick dinner and then it was bedtime!

The next day brought with it a mini blizzard...all day. So, what do you do all day in a blizzard? You build a snow pit!

After digging for 7 hours, breaking the shovel and hauling 300+ snow blocks, it was time to dry off and warm up. We ventured over to the hut and ended up meeting some really great people and had some good laughs! After eating dinner and warming our bones, it was time to head back to "the pit" in the blizzard! Even though that hut was so cozy and warm, I wouldn't have traded it for our tent for anything. THIS is what camping is all about!

The next day we woke up and it had snowed another 2 feet on top of the 2 feet from the day before! We trekked up to the hut, heated our water, scarfed down some breakfast and it was time to head out and head home.

Thankfully two groups left before us, breaking trail through the deep snow. I don't know if I would have made it otherwise! It was a grind right until the very end, but we did it!

Another amazing winter adventure in the books!