Probably for the next 2 weeks.....it will be very cold at the top, even worse if you build up a heavy sweat. You won't be feeling it while you do the grind, but it will hit you the moment you stop. A tshirt/shorts is definitely fine, but you may want to hit the lodge right away if you have a tendency of getting sick.

I usually wear tshirt and shorts, rain or shine...but I also sweat like crazy so if its cold I don't waste time at the top I just go inside to clean up. The only time I'm really cold is when I'm waiting for the gondola lol.

If you don't plan on not sweating like a pig, I'd wear something warmer like a long sleeve or hoodie. If you're bringing a backpack you can always stuff it away there. That being said if you're going later this week and its 20+ out I'm sure a tshirt will be fine.

last year i did 60mins this year i will aim for 45

is there a fee for doing the grind?
how does a person get down once they are on top?

No fee for going up
$10 per gondola trip down
or $100 for annual pass

i would bring a light jacket

44:23 in the rain today

Awesome time. I just eeked you out today. 44:05 timer to timer =p still feels slow ugh

It was sunny in the valley so got off work early and headed to North Van. Started pouring at 5:30 lol but ended up not too bad. I don't know if you have a smartphone but I started using STRAVA recently (mainly for biking but can be used for runs too) to track my times. Its awesome because they also have a leaderboard to show your rank on certain segments

Yea I have a grind timer
So 44:23 was my grind timer time.
I went and bought a pair of new trail runners today.
Salomon speedcross 3, has the mud/snow contact outsole
Super grippy in wet.
Going again on saturday, going to try to break 40min by end of summer.

Do you guys think training with a weight vest will help increase my time? Or is that more just strength training?

I've heard of people training with weighted vest to gain more muscle in their legs so they don't tire out as fast. Should help your time. Worked in Dragonball Z.

Where did you pick up the trail runners from? Looking for a pair.

I got mine at Atmosphere Kits....what I really wanted was the Salomon XT Wing S-Lab Softground....but Sportchek stores only carry the S-Lab-4 with the dry ground compound outsole.
the Speedcross 3 is lighter, but less stability but has the mud +snow compound.

If you want waterproof, look at the Salomon XT Wing GTX which is available at any atmosphere store. If your foot is more neutral rather than over pronated like mine, Atmosphere carries a few really nice goretex ones...and Salomon offers a few even lighter neutral trail runners too.

TBH I've had some friends go up with weights, never really seen them gain as much time as I do with just going up as many times as possible. Based on my limited empirical evidence lol, I've never seen "pros" to use any weights either going up. Most of them are avid/pro cyclists though so take that FWIW. That doesn't mean weights won't help. When I started biking more last year that's when I noticed my times dropping faster.

Endurance athletes(marathoners, cyclers, triathletes, etc) will have problems using a weight vest. Their training goals is also include being a lean as possible for training....so giving them a body weight that they are not used to will not necessarily help getting up grouse faster.

People who do a lot of strength training....will probably see a significant difference.

do you guys run it or walk at a moderate pace? and how often do you take breaks on the trail? is there any get-dirt-in-your-nails climbing at some of the steeper parts? I wanna start doing it this year.

went last week and completed it at 70mins. was a bit slippery near the top.

Did the grind :fuckyea:


But took me 1 hour 25 mins :okay:

My very first time doing it too!

Just got back from the grind
Got there 4min after they locked the gates....decided that I came too far to not do it, so just climbed over the gates at 7:34.
Finished 44:21 later...beat my time yesterday by 2 seconds...I am quite happy with myself cause I did Bikram Yogo at 4 for 90 min prior to attacking the grind, didn't think I'd be able to break the 50 marker today.
Will be going back on Saturday, hopefully a bit more rested and aim for low 40s.

It's pretty damn cold for the last 1/4. I barely feel my fingers when im up at the top.

My best time last year was 58 minutes but my average time so far this year is around the 1:12 mark :(

My legs felt like complete mush last night. I dont know if it has anything to do with the cold temperature or not, but i havent been that physically exausted since the first grind last year

Yeah I found it to be quite cold on the last quarter...

I will return to the grind soon and hope to improve on my time!

I went up 9am for the first time ever. 52:00 on the dot.

Gonna try and go a bit earlier next time to beat the morning crowd. Got stuck behind some slower people. I didn't want to break their pace by saying excuse me and having them stop for a sec. Would that have been rude?

^no, i usually try my best to get outta the way if i see somebody behind me coming up qucik

perfectly fine.. you shouldn't have to ask em unless they don't really know you're there but obviously there are some sections that are more narrow than others

43:33 today
Went at 2:30pm
Was way too crowded on the trail
Was hard trying to get past peopke

Question to all you grouse veterans....how do one sign up for the grouse grind race at the end of the season?
What can I expect at the event? I know i wont "win" or anything, but I think it would be a fun way to finish off the reason, and work towards my goal of achieving a sub 40min time.

Went today, 56minutes.
not much of a crowd, rain is probably keeping everyone away.

They extend the course and make you loop around the chalet. The finish line is near the skating rink so it will make your official time a bit slower. It's like the Sun Run, there are refreshments at the end.