The Grind

Today Mike and I celebrated Labour Day by doing the Grouse Grind or Mother Nature's Stairmaster as it is sometimes called. Somehow in all our years here, we've never done it. Well, let me tell you.....it's aptly named. A grind it is......It took Mike 60 minutes and I came up 5 minutes later. On the last leg, I encouraged him to go ahead. I knew he really wanted to make the one hour mark.

It's straight uphill the whole way, mostly with steps and some parts are just rock. Some areas are so steep you almost have to climb it like a ladder (especially for those of us with short legs!) Boot camp paid off in the cardio department. I never felt like I was really truly out of breath. But my legs were so tired by the 3/4 mark, I wasn't sure I could climb one more step. At that point, it's pure focus....just looking at the next step and willing your legs to move. It was quite crowded today. It's funny because there were tons of people climbing, but it was so quiet....everyone is too tired to chat! The reward is really great. It's so nice to see the clearing and smell that wonderful mountain air at the top. When we go to the lodge they were handing out free mini Starbucks frapps. That tasted so sweet!

We went on the Screaming Eagle Chairlift for a nice scenic ride, looked at the attractions and then headed down the gondola.

The record for the grind is 37 minutes I think....wow! That's pretty amazing. There are some legendary hikers too. For instance the Whistler....a hiker who does the grind 3 x a day and whistles all the way up. Then there's the King of the Grind....an elderly gentleman who once did the grind 10 times in one day.

Mike and I were happy with our time for a first climb. I think we'll try it again...maybe in the spring. Anyone care to join us??