Four bold and adventurous BCMC members (and one ACC interloper) struck out at the crack of 8:30AM to climb The Camel, a rock formation east of Crown Mountain with an uncanny resemblance to the ungulate for which it is named. The Grouse Mountain Gondola delivered the adventurers up to tree line (and about half of the total elevation of the route!), where they set out, weaving through tourists and off into the wilderness. The skies were overcast and there was a slight chill in the air as they made their way up, then down, then up, then down a lot, then up a lot, following the well marked and well signed trail to Crown Mountain. The col between the Camel and Crown Mountain was eventually found, little thanks to the easily disorientated trip organizer. Leaving Crown Mountain behind, the route went straight down a mine shaft like section in the mountain to a very narrow ramp, ending at a dreaded chockstone. The group wormed their way over the chockstone (with the help of a very old and very thick fixed rope) and down a chimney to the base of Crown Mountain. The time at this point was roughly noon: lunch was had! The objective of the day, the Hindleg (5.6) was easily found. One pitch of rock climbing (ending in a nasty, dirty, slimy, bushy crack) ended with the group sitting happily on top of the Camel's narrow and exposed Hump. A rap station was constructed with cord and sling, and the victorious group was soon making their way back to Crown Mountain. A party on Crown Mountain generously shared slices of watermelon with the Camel Climbers, which were graciously received. By 6PM, our heroes were riding the Gondola down the mountainside, happy to put the Camel and its neighbours behind them. A delightful day, though perhaps not the finest rock route the Camel has to offer (the 5.2 up the Rump seemed of higher quality).  Temperatures were perfect, and the day was incident free (though one water bottle and one ATC fell from the Camel to somewhere below, never to be seen again). Pictures courtesy of LB.

Thanks for organizing, Shannon — it was a really enjoyable day. The water bottle and ATC will probably be found by our robot descendants hundreds of years from now way down Lynn Creek.