From completing as many ascents of the Grouse Grind in a day to less physically demanding challenges intended to raise funds for a host of charitable causes, Grouse Mountain's annual slate of summer events is offering something to suit a variety of tastes and fitness levels.
The Grouse Grind opened for the season May 8 and locals and tourists alike are continuing to tackle the 2.9-kilometre trail with 853 metres of elevation gain known as Mother Nature's stairmaster.
Kicking off the event season is next weekend's Whistler Water One Climb, Sunday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to noon. Participants are encouraged to wear blue and "flood" the Grind as they make their ascent. Funds raised will support Free The Children's efforts to bring clean water to people in Kenya. oneclimb.ca
The 12th annual Seek the Peak will follow on Sunday, June 14 at 6:30 a.m. Individuals or teams of four in a relay are tasked with ascending 16 kilometres and 1,250 metres of elevation from West Vancouver's Ambleside Park to the top of Grouse. Funds raised will support the B.C. Cancer Foundation's work in the fight against breast cancer. seekthepeak.ca
The Multi-Grouse Grind Challenge will be held on the longest day of the year, June 21, from dawn to dusk, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. It's the official and only sanctioned event to determine the record-holder for most ascents in a one-day period.
The 25th annual Clearly Contacts.ca Grouse Grind Challenge will be held Sept. 13. Participants are invited to set a new event record, beat their personal best, tackle the trail as a team, or raise funds for B.C. Children's Hospital.
Throughout the summer hiking season, community members of all ages are encouraged to participate in the Grind for Kids program, in its sixth year. Participants seek pledges and log their ascents throughout the summer. The initiative has raised more than $670,000 for B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation since its inception. This year, Canadian Pacific will match every dollar raised through its CP Has Heart initiative. grindforkids.ca
