Roger Sauvain celebrated his 90th birthday by doing his usual daily routine—hiking up one of Metro Vancouver’s most challenging climbs. Since he retired at 60, Sauvain has hiked the Grouse Grind every single day, rain or shine, sometimes more than once. He estimates he’s tackled the Grind more than 10,000 times. “I never look outside if it’s raining, snowing, it does not make a difference. I am happy to wake up and get ready to go up the mountain,” he told CTV News. The first time he climbed the mountain, it took more than two hours. Sauvain was determined to do better, and by his late 60s he could get up the Grind in 45 minutes. When he was 72 years old, he passed a group of rookie Vancouver Canucks on the route. “I always said my body will tell me when its time to quit, but I feel alive because I love hiking,” he said. “Still today I’m feeling so good… no medication, no pain.” Sauvain said the Grind is his way to stay fit and healthy well into his senior years. Other 90-year-olds may not be able to hike up a mountain, but his advice to them is to keep moving any way they can. He calls other avid hikers his family, and has become a bit of a local celebrity on the mountain. “He is an inspiration, but we just know him as Roger,” Remi, a much younger daily hiker, told CTV News. “Hopefully others can draw upon (him and lead) a healthier lifestyle.” Sauvain has no plan to stop climbing the Grouse Grind. For his milestone birthday, he was gifted a lifetime pass. “This is the best birthday party of my life,” he said. With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Yasmin Gandham
