Olympic torch lights up Vancouver's North Shore

The Olympic torch relay spent Wednesdaycrisscrossing the North Shore of Metro Vancouver as it continues its 106-day journey toward the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Games at BC Place on Friday evening.

One of the highlights of the day was the torch's round tripby cable car to thepopular local skihill atGrouse Mountain. Kennedy Greene-Raine, daughter of former Olympic ski gold medallist Nancy Greene-Raine, brought the torchthe 1,100 metresback down the mountainside while standing atop the cable car.

The relay routethen continued throughWest Vancouver, ending the day at the Community Centre Spirit Square around 8 p.m. PT.

The torch relay began Wednesday morning on Bowen Islandbefore crossing to Horseshoe Bay. It was then scheduled to make stops throughout North Vancouver, including the Squamish Nation reserve near the Lions Gate Bridge, Lonsdale Quay, Deep Cove, Lonsdale Avenueand Grouse Mountain.

Relay winds through Metro Vancouver

On Thursday, the torchwill start in northeastern Metro Vancouver, travelling through Belcarra, Anmore and Coquitlam. It will then head west into Burnaby, the Musqueam Reserve and UBC before ending the dayatYaletown, where singer Michael Bubl will carry it toward the LiveCity site in downtown Vancouver for an evening celebration.

Onthe final day Friday, the torch will starton the North Shore andcross the Lions Gate Bridge into Stanley Park, where California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to carry the flame,along with Wayne Gretzky's father, Walter, and Terry Fox's dad, Rolly.

The relay will then spend the morning weaving through downtown and East Vancouver before returning through the Olympic Village and Granville Island on its final leg to the opening ceremony.

Who will be the final torchbearer and light the Olympic cauldron inside BC Place is still a secret.

Speculation has revolved around the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky,and Betty Fox the mother of Terry Fox,the Marathon of Hope runner.