“The mountains are calling and I must go”: John Muir.

The beautiful mountains of the North Shore define Vancouver, but few Vancouverites know of the natural beauty and adventure that lies within them, or even their names and history. The Glorious Mountains of Vancouver’s North Shore: a Peak Bagger’s Guide offers something for everyone: from casual hikers to hard-core climbers, from gentle ramblers to ultra-fit trail runners, to parents introducing their children to the splendours of nature, and to those merely curious about what is out there, so close and yet so far. 


The book provides turn-by-turn route descriptions for climbing 67 North Shore peaks, including exhaustive facts and statistics, special cautions, first ascents, name origins, historic and cultural backgrounds, as well as little-known facts and secrets. Roads and access trails are provided. All peaks feature GPS-based maps, with elevation profiles. The glories of these mountains, creeks, and lakes are enticingly illustrated with over 150 colour photographs. 


Covering all of the hikeable peaks from Capilano in the north, to the Howe Sound Islands in the west, and the Seymour-Fannin peaks in the east, this book will encourage you to hop in your kayak or car, on your bike, or on your own two feet to explore this underappreciated paradise in our own backyard, and on the traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh/Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm/Musqueam, and Stó:lō First Nations.


The authors are enthusiastic local adventurers who have visited each of these peaks and regions countless times, discovering more glories with each trip. 


  • 67 peaks: full routes, peak descriptions, history, and statistics for each 
  • Over 25 full-colour maps, most showing connector trails, side-routes, and viewpoints
  • Over 150 full-colour photographs showing peaks, peak views, flora, fauna, and key turning points.
  • Over 25 “best of” lists showing where to find the best views, old growth trees, waterfalls, blueberries, and wildlife
  • Over 20 background essays on mountain names, geology, watersheds, cultural history, Indigenous peoples, a climbing glossary, and more
  • Profiles of over 50 of the most-found plants, mushrooms, and animals
  • Secrets of the North Shore mountains, including waterfalls, old growth trees, old logging camps, mines, plane crashes, geocaches, and cached whisky

About The Authors

David Crerar

David Crerar grew up on the lower slopes of Mt Seymour and now lives on the lower slopes of Grouse Mountain. In 2009 he created the Bagger Challenge, a contest to see who could climb the most North Shore peaks in a season; since then, over 400 people have participated, and that project led to this book. 

Bill Maurer

Bill grew up in East Vancouver and began climbing in his late teens. In 2011 he discovered the Bagger Challenge; there was no turning back. He won the challenge three years in a row, climbing all 63 peaks in a single season in 18 outings. Bill's love of outdoor adventure sports and traveling have involved him in trail running, paragliding, backcountry skiing, cycling, and high altitude climbing. 

Harry Crerar

Harry attends Mulgrave School in West Vancouver. He has climbed most of these North Shore peaks, and adventured in many US and Canadian National Parks. With his father (and co-author) and the rest of their family, he lives on the lower slopes of Grouse Mountain, with views of Hollyburn Mountain and Mounts Fromme and Seymour from the back yard.