Hikers break Guinness World Record with Cypress Mountain trek
Hikers in Metro Vancouver have officially hiked their way into the history books.
On Saturday, 1,566 people laced up their boots and trekked up Cypress Mountain together, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest group of people to hike at the same time.
The previous record was set in 2023, by 815 hikers in Kurdistan, Iraq.
The event, called World’s Biggest Hike, was put on by Kathmandu, a New Zealand-based outdoor brand that has launched in Canada.
And yes, it shares its name with the capital and largest city of Nepal.
Hikers celebrate after breaking the Guinness World Record at Cypress Mountain. (Neal Lally/Kathmandu Outdoor)
Presented by MEC and Oboz, the four-kilometre climb began at the base of Cypress and wound its way up to the Sky Quad summit before looping back to a lively festival at the bottom, featuring music, vendors, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
“It’s amazing to see how the outdoors can bring people together,” said Nick Russell, general manager of KMD Brands Canada, in the news release.
“What started as an idea is now a Guinness World Record, and we’re grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
More than just a record
The record-breaking hike also raised more than $25,000 for local organizations: the BC Parks Foundation, Take a Hike Foundation, and North Shore Rescue.
Money came from limited-edition Kathmandu T-shirts and chairlift ticket sales donated by Cypress Mountain.
Organizers said in the release that they worked to keep the event as green as possible by using electric shuttles, encouraging carpooling, installing refillable water stations, and planning a route that avoided sensitive terrain.
With this new Guinness World Record, Vancouver has once again proven its love for the outdoors and its ability to show up big when it counts.
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