Opinion: A five star trip with a few one-star moments. Another stunning week of exploration in the South Chilcotin mountains that was inspired by last year's visit to Lorna Lake. Hiking here never gets any easier as much of the area we explored had no trails, but the rewards were immense: endless mountain views, stunning … Continue reading Grant Creek Circuit, 13-20 Aug 2022
Taylor Basin to Trailhead I: 15 km, +145 m, -945 m, 4h 30m The rest of the night was just as quiet as the start. I stirred around 7 am and the quality of the light inside the tent had me thinking it was a cloudy morning. Sure enough I looked out to see leaden … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 6: Taylor Basin to trailhead, 21 Jul 2018
Harris Ridge: 9.5 km, +600 m, -600 m, 7h 10m The clouds had thickened overnight and we were greeted by grey skies as we emerged from the tent, with only a hint of weak sunshine in the east, barely enough to cast a pale shadow let alone provide warmth. We walked back up to the … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 5: Harris Ridge, 20 Jul 2018
Eldorado Meadows to Taylor Basin: 9.5 km, +555 m, -515 m, 5h 25m I stirred around 3 am and peered out of the tent to look at the stars. Mars was dazzling in the southern sky and I noted that the sky wasn't really very dark. I drifted off again and awoke around 6:20 am, … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 4: Eldorado to Taylor Basin, 19 Jul 2018
Windy Pass: 6.5 km, +380 m, -380 m, 4h 30m Well that was a really comfy and quiet night, and I slept perhaps as well as I've ever done when backpacking. At one point I thought I heard the sound of hooves in the meadow but it was faint and distant and I soon drifted … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 3: Windy Pass, 18 Jul 2018
North Cinnabar Basin to Upper Eldorado Basin: 12 km, +565 m, -635 m, 8h 20m For once, I had a decent night's sleep. Normally I listen for all manner of noises when it's so quiet but last night I wasn't bothered at all. I poked my head out of the tent during the night to … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 2: North Cinnabar to Eldorado Basin, 17 Jul 2018
Trailhead I to North Cinnabar Basin: 8.25 km, +850 m, -150 m, 5h 10m The night had been warm and I barely needed my sleeping bag, pulling only part of it over me in the early morning hours. We packed up and enjoyed breakfast in the morning sunshine, the heat of which soon had us … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 1: North Cinnabar Basin, 16 Jul 2018
Day 0: Drive from Vancouver to Gun Creek campground We opted for a relaxed approach to beginning our two-week vacation, leaving home around noon and enjoying a remarkably quiet drive through the city. Rounding the corner by Eagle Bluffs to get our first view of the mountains lining Howe Sound is always the moment at … Continue reading South Chilcotins Day 0: Vancouver to Gold Bridge, 15 Jul 2018
Marmot Ponds to Tyaughton Creek trailhead: 13.5 km, +200 m, -930 m, 5h I thought I would drift off to a blissful sleep as soon as I put my head down, but instead I laid awake for far longer than I felt I should have. Was it too quiet? Surely after a week in the … Continue reading Paradise Creek Day 7, 4 Jul 2020
Upper Paradise Creek to Marmot Ponds: 6.5 km, +385 m, -330 m, 2h 45m As expected, it was a cold night but I slept well, perhaps due to the accumulation of sleep deficits over the past few nights. I peeked out of the tent just before 4:30 am to see clear skies with only a … Continue reading Paradise Creek Day 6, 3 Jul 2020
Being. Outdoors. 