Expedition Canada

Lakes 3 - Temp 30 C Sun Aug 1st A few years ago we were staying in a traditional log cabin north of Pemberton for a few days.  The main rail line that ran  North,  ultimately   to Prince  Rupert Sound passed within 20 metres of the cabin.  Being on a curve in the track we grew familiar with haunting train whistle that is so synonymous with North American trains.  The same trains run alongside Alta Lake in Whistler where this picture was taken. We've yet to hear or see the trains, though the likelihood increases.  CN (Canadian National railway) are planning to increase train frequency on this route because of the disruption to rail traffic from forest fires in the interior of BC. Freight trains are being blamed for some of the wildfires in the interior.  As yet unproven.  We have seen a lot more bear scats today, full of seeds,  but no bears.  On my morning walk around Lost Lake first thing, this pa...

Racoons and Reflections Fri Jul 23rd Sat Jul 24th The last vestiges of snow in the gullies and ravines of Mt Windsor (we think its Mt Windsor) are quickly disappearing.  The small snow cap on the very top has gone.  Another week and it will have disappeared completely. When we arrived three weeks ago the peaks and ridges were still shrouded in snow, despite the heatwave.  At sea level its about 26 C today (Saturday), at 1689m, probably a lot cooler. Friday the bars for the roof-rack were delivered, but not the rails, even though they were despatched at the same time.  $168 for a next day delivery and the bars took three days and the rails have not moved from the distribution centre since they were received on Tuesday.  Monday, I am told.  I remain to be convinced.   The rest of Friday I spent setting up the workshop and completing my first turning project.  A large fruit bowl turned from Magnolia wood. It is the first time...

A Short Vertical Walk!  Sat Jun 12th Red Breasted Sapsucker We'd been putting it off, having already climbed Pender Hill (1.6km long and 165m high), but could do so no longer.  At 4.2km round trip and just under 400m elevation is was going to be a tougher climb.  My early morning walk with Jack was quiet.  Nobody else about and a slight mist rising over Mixal Lake.  A Red Breasted Sapsucker was checking out a tree on the trail and seemed unconcerned by our presence. We got to the bottom of the Mt Daniel trail at about 0915 and were the first car there, so we knew we'd have the trail to ourselves unless any energetic runners overtook us.  The average climb is 1:5.6, but the first part of the walk was a relatively shallow incline, which meant there were some steep bits to come. For a well-used trail, parts were quite overgrown with ferns and Jack disappeared beneath the low level canopy.  He was on the long lead.  After the bear encounter ...