Flying XC in BC - June 20-26

 

This year we had not many options for places to fly with all the fires, the smoke and the wind. The more adventurous did a sporty down-wind flight from Pemberton to Gold Bridge and yes, as we knew already, Carpenter Lake gets a bit exciting when its windy (see Nick Neymen’s blog on this https://sharemyjoys.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/vol-biv-hitch-in-canada). The smoke beat us to Clearwater. Much better flying near Williams Lake (no smoke here) lead to a plan to come back when the weather would be less prone to over development. Looks like a great area for flatland thermals! We spent the last two days close to home (for us) and flew Benny and Bridal.

South Chilcotin - Leckie Lake, Aug 15-17

 

Another weekend with too much upper wind for flying, so its plan B: a hiking weekend. I always wanted to explore more of the South Chilcotin and choose Leckie Lake as destination. Minutes after getting to the trail head we are swarmed by horseflies, blackflies and mosquitoes. This has the positive effect that I grab my bug shirt. After the last trip I noted that a bug shirt wasn’t necessary. It sure was this time!

The trail in was just as described in other trip reports. Reasonably well to follow and marked with ribbons in the trees but easily lost in the many boggy meadows. Lucky for us it had been dry for some time and the meadows were not too wet, still crocs are useful. Great views, lots of bear scat and nobody else… a very nice change from the crowded hiking close to Vancouver lately. We followed the east side of Wolverine Creek up to Leckie Lake. Total time in 4:45, out 4:15. 

Amazing alpine ‘lake-scape’ and nobody else around. Except swarms of horse flies and later mosquitoes that make us get into the tent early – should have brought reading material! Stunning stars at night - after the mosquitoes went to bed. 

Next day we hike to Wolverine Pass. Just as we walk around another small lake a grizzly mom with two cubs run across the valley several hundred meters ahead of us. We move to the other valley side to give them space. Always glad to see a grizz run away.

Great view from Wolverine Pass to Taylor Pass and into Gun Creek valley. A strong wind over the pass blows the insects away so we settle down for a while to take in the scenery. We get lazy and skip a scramble up one of the ridges near the lake (the one to the east of Wolverine Creek looks easier) and walk to the east end of the lake for a look down Leckie Creek Valley and a short jump into the lake. But its too cold for swimming for me. Dinner back at camp. 

Winds have picked up and after dark bands of clouds come in. Strong wind continues all night with some rain and the odd lightening and thunder. Glad the new tent (MEC Volt2) is holding up. A bit surprising since there was nothing but sun in the forecast two days ago. We pack up under cloudy skies for an early hike out. Our trusty Deli is still the only vehicle parked at the trailhead. The sky looks a little smoky. During the night the Sea2Sky corridor Vancouver to Pemberton got hit by big thunderstorms causing many wildfires to start. I’m glad the storm didn’t make it to the Chilcotin; it could have been a serious problem getting stuck up a lonely logging road. 

We take the scenic route back via Carpenter Lake, Bridge River and Lillooet. Crazy winds switching 180 degrees several times along the eastern part of the lake and down bursts from the ridge to Anderson Lake. Checking out Nick Neyens landing spot at the mouth of Tyaughton Creek. Steep rock walls along Bridge River Canyon below the dam. Then on to our old paddling grounds, Bridge River from Yalakom Creek. Lillooet is hot… 37oC!

 

Chilcotin Wanderings (May 23)

After returning from Europe I felt the need to spent some time in wilderness and re-visited old stomping grounds from my paddling days: Bridge River country and Fraser Canyon. Found loneliness. Dramatic skies. Lots of bear and deer.

Chilcotin Ridges

I always wanted to explore the Chilcotin Mountain ridges, so I was very excited when friends invited me on a trip. Not having done a multi-day back packing trip in a long time and with some time on my hands, I carefully compiled my gear and even made a packing list with the weight of all items. I was quite pleased with the result and my pack weighing about 36 lbs (16 kg). Turns out my plans were a little too skimpy on the food side (good the friends had some extra chocolate bars). And after the trip I quickly replaced my lightweight 20 year old 3/4 thermarest - after suffering a serious case of sleeping mat envy: everyone else had new cushy full-sized mats that were 4 times as thick as mine but weight the same.

The area is remote and trails are not always marked or easy to find. But these trails get you to high ridges with most amazing views. We had to switch to Plan B as our car got stuck in the mud en route to Leckie Lake trailhead. So we hiked in along Gun Creek and up the ridge to Mt Sheba. Our second camp was on a windy lake just below Mt Sheba summit. Next day we continued to Deer pass and dropped down to Hummingbird Lake. On the way back we met a friend from paddling days in a group of mountain bikers. Small world!