Born in Toronto, I knew at an early age that BC was the place for me … and it was only a matter of time after moving here that my exploring would take me to the coast of Vancouver Island where I would discover the West Coast Trail.
I met Brad by accident. I had no intention of being at the presentation he gave about his experience ascending Mount Garibaldi. When he had finished, and I had watched his slideshow, I was compelled to introduce myself. Mere moments after meeting, I proposed that we ought to do the West Coast Trail, and he didn’t even flinch before he said yes. That’s how this odyssey was born.
I would rather be outside. During long days at work, confined to the indoors, I find myself staring longingly at the mountains on Vancouver’s north shore. Times like these, I wish that I were doing anything else, as long as it is were up there. I know that Brad feels exactly the same way, and the same can be said for each member of the Standing Spirit crew. We were a strong team immediately, because we were connected by an appreciation of the wilderness.
I am very proud of our team’s accomplishment. I know that I am not the same man that I was when we started on this odyssey. There is much yet to come.
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