BURST
His legs were sore, rubbery and dead. His body was still weak from two weeks of illness and a fever that had just dissipated the day before.
And then, 10 minutes into his 10th trip up the Grouse Grind, James Stewart started hearing voices.
There was the tiny, insistent one, telling him to quit, that there was no way he could make another nine ascents in a single day to break the record at the Multi Grouse Grind Challenge.
There was the external one, as Stewart chatted amiably with another trail-goer beside the path, after that little voice won out and got him to stop.
“And while I’m chatting to this guy, something in the back of my mind just goes, like, ‘James, what the hell are you doing?’ ” laughed Stewart.
He turned, and completed the climb at a faster-than-planned pace, and got back in the race. A few hours later, Stewart jumped off the tram, scattered some confused tourists and squeaked in just under the 10 p.m. deadline by seconds to start his 19th trip up the Grind — eventually to complete his record-tying 19th ascent of the day.
Stewart and Vancouver’s Wilfrid Leblanc are the current record-holders of the Multi-Grouse Grind Challenge, the annual event held on the summer solstice — the year’s longest day — both having completed 19. Leblanc won it in 2019; Stewart equalled the record last year.
The Grouse Grind is a hike legendary for its views from the top and the lung-busting 30 per cent grade that must be conquered to make it there, 2.9 kilometres from top to bottom. The elevation gain is 853 metres.
For context: Mount Everest is 8,850 m. Nineteen trips up the Grind is 55,100 m.
And this year, Stewart is gunning for 20.
“That’s what I’m aiming for … It would be nice to hold the record outright,” said the Aussie-born endurance athlete who became a Canadian citizen last year. “I guess I’ve got a little bit extra to go for. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but it’s going to be quite a bit harder to pull it off though.”
The day isn’t getting any longer, and the already-quick pace can’t be increased by much, considering the 45-minute average Stewart clocked in at. An average person can complete the Grind in 1 1/2 to two hours. Even pro athletes — like the Vancouver Canucks — are exhausted after one trip up.
One thing working in his favour, and, ironically, against the racers is the new Blue Grouse Gondola. The red Grouse Mountain Skyride arrives in 10-minute intervals, and Stewart has, umm, groused about missing it by seconds in the past. But the new 27-car tram runs almost non-stop, cutting down on the time it takes to get back down the mountain.
That also means less time to rest, rehydrate, refuel and refocus on the trip down.
“By time you get to the top of the climb, your body’s gone through quite a bit of stress. Having that 10-minute respite kind of resets the system and allows you get going again,” said Stewart. “I always find the actual first 10 minutes of every climb is the hardest part, because it’s hard to get your body going again once it stops.
“I’m just trying to get in a good head space … even though the body’s hurting and hanging on. It’s a lot of mind over matter; you’ve just got to stay positive and not get into the pain that you’re feeling.”
And this is … fun?
“Very much so,” Stewart said, chuckling. “I’m an endurance coach, so I help train people to do this very thing. It’s like the ultimate problem to solve. It helps me maintain a high standard in my overall life because to achieve something like this, you can’t cut corners. There’s no shortcuts. You have to be prepared to get up every day and train.
“It forces me to get out of bed so I don’t sleep in. Forces me to look after my diet. It gives me a challenge, something to work towards. And so there’s a lot of problems to solve to succeed in a challenge like this.”
The 2025 Grind Challenge, the ninth time it’s been run, goes Friday, with 66 men and 34 women competing, with ages ranging from 17 to 66. The first racers take off at 4 a.m.
The event is part of the mountain’s race series, including the Seek the Peak and the Grouse Grind Mountain Run, and also serves as a fundraiser for the North Shore Rescue service. More than $100,000 has been raised so far this year.
Racer Ross Hamilton has competed in the Multi Grind in 2023 and 2024, his personal record being 17 last year. He won’t be getting close to that mark this year, after suffering a fall on the East Lion last September that left him with a brain contusion, concussion, two broken neck bones, a broken nose and broken ribs, and needing to be airlifted off the mountain by NSR.
“I am just thankful that I will be able to complete one Grind let alone multiple,” he wrote. “I now have first-hand experience of how tirelessly these volunteers work to keep our mountains safe, and I am very thankful and appreciative that they were there for me when I needed them the most.”
Damien Waugh is a volunteer with NSR, and has a PB of 18 Grinds. He’s gunning for 20 as well, and has raised close to $6,000 this year alone.
“NSR doesn’t charge for rescues. That means we rely on donations to cover essential costs like rescue gear, safety equipment, training and advanced technology,” he wrote. “If you have ever recreated (sic) in the North Shore mountains — or just love knowing help is out there if someone needs it — we would be very grateful for your support.”
SO YOU WANT TO DO THE GRIND? Stewart’s top tips for those thinking of trying the hike for the first time
Stewart, an endurance racer who has competed all over the world, came to Vancouver in 2015 to check out the Grind after hearing about it. He fell in love with the hike, the city, and, ultimately, a girl, and never left.
“(This trail) is almost as unique as it gets in the world. So just to have something like this with a steep trail, with a resort system right there, and this popular, I don’t know any other place that has it. So we’re very fortunate to have that, and it’s one of the reasons why I moved here.”
To those attempting the climb, here’s his advice:
• The No. 1 thing is: don’t push too hard. At the one-quarter mark, there’s a sign on the trail that says, ‘At this point, downhill hiking is no longer allowed if you go any further.’
“So if you’re feeling tired or you don’t have enough food, this is the point where you can turn around and go back down. A lot of people get to that sign and they’re already done.”
• If you have a heart rate monitor, you keep your heart rate no higher than 130 to 140 beats per minute.
• If you’re hearing your breath getting out of control, then you’re probably going too fast. Slow your pace.
• Don’t care about how long it takes you. Take as many breaks as you feel like, there’s nothing to be ashamed of of sitting, there’s a few spots along the trail where you can sit down and cheer on the people that go past.
You don’t have to do it perfectly your first time. Just go there for the experience.
• Bring food and water because you’re going to need it.