Something I can't understand, being a relatively dormant slug of a person, is why people do the Grouse Grind. Like, at all.
I spoke with some new friends today while they were in the midst of climbing it. What I mean is that I called them and they actually answered their phone in the midst. They're new to the city and had heard about it, what a nice view it was, what a nice walk it would be, and so they decided to do it today.
The Grouse _Grind_ should be an indication that it's a challenge. That it's attached to a frickin' _mountain_ should be another tip off that it isn't just a walk. Glen has asthma, but it hasn't been a problem since they moved here, so he didn't take his inhaler. Big mistake. Sam sounded winded when I spoke to her on the phone, and I later learned she was concerned she would have to leave Glen on the mountain and climb to the top for help for him. He managed on his own, but had to take 5 minute breaks constantly. I spoke to them around 2 and they got home around 9. Eek.
They are the second couple in the last week to have done the Grind. My friend Sara's friends visiting from New York also thought it would be a good idea to try it, that it would be a nice activity for the afternoon. They had very little positive to say about it and were still smarting from the whole experience when I saw them later on the day they'd done it.
So it begs the question... How is Grouse Mountain able to market the Grouse Grind like a fun activity for tourists when most people I know hate it while doing it? I mean, a guy died on the mountain a couple weeks ago from a heart attack while doing it. I don't get it... It doesn't even sound potentially fun or even particularly good for you.
But, then again, I am not a fan of most things that resemble exercise.
I am somewhat thankful I have enough asthma to make it hard to do things I don't want to do, but not so bad that I could die if I was brainwashed into thinking something is a good idea.
I'm hoping to go on a tour of Chinatown tomorrow with Glen & Sam, so hopefully they recover OK by the evening. John Atkin does a walking tour of the area every Sunday this summer, so figured it was time to go on one of his walks. See more at:
www.johnatkin.com
There's also a mystery walking tour on August 17th, put on by Heritage Vancouver. You start at the Art Gallery, where they give you a map and some clues, and you wander around trying to figure out where to go so that eventually you are led to a heritage brewery somewhere downtown where the organisers talk about the things you've seen. For more details, go to:
www.heritagevancouver.org
Summer in the city is sometimes awesome. When the ground is flat, at least.
Currently listening :
The New Transistor Heroes
By Bis
Release date: 06 May, 1997
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