The Eudaimonia Blog

So what does INKS stand for? Answer, Income No Kids and Students. It is basically a young adults group (and yes, I stay young to be counted as among them, haha). Our INKS group has been meeting since late last fall once every month to two months for a dinner and conversation, and at our last gathering in late May, we began discussing doing the Grouse Grind together. Most of us had not done it, so there was some uncertainty among the group. However, the planning begun with me taking a “test run” up the Grind a couple days after we had gathered, and I assured the group that while the Grind was rigorous, it was doable for most and that there was an option at the 1/4th point (probably more accurately the 1/3rd point) to turn around if individuals were looking for something a bit less rigorous. So when the day arrived (yesterday), we had ten folks who had committed to at least going to the base of the mountain with us, three thought they would turn around at the 1/4th mark and because Tanya did the entire Grind the Thursday before (even with her many health limitations), she decided to stay back at the base and enjoy coffee, a book a the sun.

Eight from the INKS group and two of our friends, ironically enough, both named Jonathan gathered. So the INKS and the two Jonathans headed up to Grouse; here is a picture of the ten us us at the trailhead.

There was a sense of togetherness and joy in our ascent and when we got to the 1/4th mark, there were the six who were committed to continuing upwards and then two out of the three who had thought of turning around, after a bit of deliberation and encouragement of the group, decided to continue upwards. My friend Jonathan (who is a bit older than me, and I’m old, haha… couldn’t resist Jonathan) decided that as much as he would like to have gone up, it was probably a wiser decision to turn around. Yet Jonathan also felt that he wanted to do more of the climb. The only issue is that at the 1/4th mark, we meet a sign that says this is the last turnaround point for downhill travel. Jonathan and I had also done the 1/4th climb and back down on Thursday, the day Tanya ascended to the top, so Jonathan wanted to be “smart” about how much to do, to listen to his body. But he wanted to do more also.

So a bit saddened for my friend who decided to turn around yet did not seemed satisfied with his climb, eight of us continued up the mountain. However, unbenownst to us and also Jonathan at the time, yet another option existed to get a bit more climbing in. Another trail exists on the mountain called the BCMC. We knew it was there, we just hadn’t thought in the moment this would be a great way to get some more climbing in, but the thought dawned on Jonathan on his way down that this would be a great way to do so, so Jonathan upon reaching the bottom of the mountain, turned around again and began to ascend but this time the BCMC, getting in all the climbing his heart desired, going up almost 20% of the way up the second trail before returning down. And btw, going down has its own kind of unique challenges. The rest of us took the Gondola at the top of Grouse down, so technically, Jonathan probably traversed close to the same distance as we had. What a great idea Jonathan and way to go! Jonathan then returned to the base to then reconnect with Tanya.

Well, when the eight of us reached the top, there was a lot of joy, especially for the two who had thought they would not be going up. Such a proud moment for them and a joy for all of us! Of course, we had to joke a bit that young and fit Vincent barely broke a sweat as we broke through to the top, through a video I sent to Tanya, Tanya responding, “looks like Vincent has just been taking a stroll through the park.” Young and fit Santino decided to do thirty push-ups on the trail as we approached the top as well, haha. Oh the energy of youth!!! Well, once to the top, we all enjoyed the stunning views, took the chairlift up to the very top and of course had to get a selfie together for those who “conquered” the mountain, haha. We also enjoyed seeing the Grizzlies who were enjoying the cool water in their extended habitat. If you look closely at the first picture below, there is also someone who is just launching on their paragliding trip, how fun!

After enjoying the views at the top, the grizzlies and even for a brief while a lumberjack show, we headed down on the Gondola, reconnecting with Tanya and Jonathan. The evening ended with us having pizza together from Ruota on the rooftop of Laetitia’s place, which is near Grace Van. From Laetitia’s rooftop, the aerial view of English Bay was stunning, needless to say and the perfect way to cap off a near perfect Sabbath Day. We lost Vincent at that point since he had a dinner date with his parents, but Ben F. also connected with us. Since Ben was under a timeline crunch to finish some reading for a paper due tonight, he had been unable to do the climb with us. But it was fun that Ben could connect with us. Again, what a splendid day!

I can’t help but leave off with a reading from Psalm 19:1-5

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.