Gazing Into The Abyss

Dylan Phillips Photography

When I began my hike I didn’t have any intention of visiting The Abyss. It’s a large crack in the ground and I’d seen it plenty of times as a teenager. My real mission for the day was to track down some old coal mines in the area. A few days before I had been driving up Harewood Mines Road on my way to the Nanaimo Fish and Game Association. I hadn’t been up there in awhile and was shocked by the amount of clear cut logging that had recently taken place. When I was in high school this area was densely forested. The thick canopy of trees protected the nearby secrets. A car graveyard, numerous coal mines and a very steep trail that I nearly killed myself on when I was driving a friend of mine’s quad - not to mention “The Abyss”.

Rainforest Devastation courtesy of Mosaic Land Management - Dylan Phillips Photography

It had been many years since I last hiked around the area and even longer since I’d trekked out to the old coal mines. Realizing the devastation of the forest might allow me to better explore for mines and caves, I packed a bag and tied my boots. Hopeful that I’d stumble upon something exciting, I brought along my GoPro Hero 12, DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Canon EOS R.

It wasn’t long before I was standing in the ruins of a once beautiful forest. I could see right up to the old mine, a heap of coal slag marking the spot. This was hidden from the road for decades and now it was staring me in the face. I began making my way up ridge.

The mine has its own historic value, though it’s something I’m saving for a future post. It was as I remembered it - Sealed up tight. I took some photos before scrambling along the ridge face looking for more evidence of mines or caves. It wasn’t long before I found myself on top of the ridge.

There’s a lot of speculation as to whether the Abyss is caused by seismic activity or has something to do with the blasting that took place in the coal mine below. Like anything mysterious there is many rumours and stories connected to the Abyss.

“It has no bottom” - Not true.
”It’s connected to the mine tunnels” - Also not true, and if it were, you’d have to be a moron to attempt it.

I followed the dirt path towards the Abyss for the first time in over a decade. As I got closer I started to encounter warning signs put up by the City of Nanaimo.

Caution signs posted near the Abyss - Dylan Phillips Photography

It’s funny how liability and lawsuit has changed our world so rapidly. This amazing geological feature used to be just a crack in the ground. Eventually it gained notoriety on the internet and became a popular hiking destination. Now I wonder how long until they fence it off and build a viewing platform. That sad truth gets closer to being reality every time Search and Rescue is dispatched to save someone’s dog that’s fallen in.

Side note: *Keep your dogs, children, arms, legs, friends and lucky lager cans outside of the giant crack in the ground*

While I approached the Abyss it dawned on me that I had been seeing a lot of posts on social media lately. Not one of them had really captured the magnificence of it. Armed with all my usual tools for photography, I decided to take a crack at really doing it justice.

Gazing into the Abyss - Dylan Phillips Photography

Once again hiking by myself, I had to be my own model. I think having a person in the photos is essential to add a sense of scale to the feature. This is something I’ve learned after years of waiting for people to move or leave - Sometimes it’s better to have people in your shot.

Dylan Phillips Photography

I used my DJI Mavic 2 Pro on a timer to capture some fresh angles while I peered into the darkness. After landing the drone I pulled out a proper camera and my Peak Design Travel Tripod (Not a paid partnership, I just love this thing!) and snapped some shots from a lower angle.

Perched on the ledge - Dylan Phillips Photography

Dylan Phillips Photography

I really love how arbutus trees line the ridge. I was always told that they’re protected and the loggers have to leave them when they’re harvesting (read destroying) the forests. They’re a very unique feature that’s always made hiking on Vancouver Island feel a bit more magical.

Feeling satisfied with my photo attempts, I had a quick snack and a drink of water before setting off farther down the ridge. I was able to scramble my way down and find my way onto a mountain biking trail that eventually led me to another old mine. I had been in this one several times when I was young and dumb. Now wiser to the dangers of H2S and cave-ins, I viewed it from the outside before heading back to the road. If you encounter an old coal mine in the wilderness surrounding Nanaimo you should probably do the same.

The Abyss is a short hike with a moderate incline. Access from Harewood Mines Road near the power lines. Take only pictures, Leave only Footprints

”And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche