I have, sitting before me, a few 1st editions of the 1973 version of 103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia by David/Mary Macaree (BCMC and The Mountaineers the initial support and publishers). The 2nd edition in 1980 was yet another best seller as interest in mountain rambling ever waxed. Jack Bryceland took over from the Macarees, and his revised and updated fifth edition of 103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia (2001) raised the standards yet higher (Jack did later editions also in which the quality was more impressive). The 1973, 1980, 1987 and 1994 editions of 103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia had established the guidebook as a go-to beauty for those keen on taking to mountain trails and vistas. There was much overlap and continuity between the publications of David/Mary Macaree and Jack Bryceland. The most recent publication, though, of 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia omits a variety of previous trails but describes significantly more terrain to be trekked, including “Hikes South of Vancouver” into the USA.
105 Hikes is, wisely so, shaped into 4 comprehensive sections:
1) Hikes North of Vancouver
2) Hikes East of Vancouver
3) Hikes West of Vancouver
4) Hikes South of Vancouver (Northern Washington).
Each of the North, East, West and South hikes are divided into a variety of Worthwhile, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Amazing treks (in ascending order of quality trips), level of difficulty parsed into Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Advanced. Each 2-page trip description highlights the distance covered, elevation gained, round-trip time, a map and many fine photos that cannot but draw and interest the aspiring trekker. The general introduction to the book is needful for those who are new to the mountains so that a safe and secure trip is done and fine memories remain of days on trails, summits and sights worth the seeing.
There can be no doubt that 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia is the next step and most up-to-date guide book for those interested in exploring various trekking possibilities in, broadly speaking, the Lower Mainland mountain region of BC and Northern Washington. I was somewhat disappointed that Jack Bryceland was not mentioned in the kudos offered to Mary and David Macaree (obviously a tale to be told about such an omission) in the “Tribute” section at the beginning of the book. We have been most fortunate in 2018 to have had 2 books published on mountain trekking and climbs in Southwestern BC, 105 Hikes a primer and entrée into mountain rambling and hiking, The Glorious Mountains of Vancouver’s North Shore: A Peakbagger’s Guide a tome for those with more mountain maturity, skills and experience.
*****
105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia by Stephen Hui; Greystone Books, May 2018; ISBN 9781771642866; 5.5 x 8.5 inches; 256 pages; softcover; $24.95
