Backcountry skiing, climbing, and similar stuff near Kelowna from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Shuswap River
We had a nice day paddling a short section of the Shuswap River on Saturday. We were with Brenda's parents who have been visiting from Sarnia. Started at Trinity Bridge east of Enderby and finished up in Enderby. We're not white water paddlers by any measure. This part of the river is very gentle, but it does move along at a good clip in a few places which keeps it interesting. No salmon yet but we did see a black bear along the shore.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Pinnacle Lake
We were at a loose end as to what to do with ourselves last weekend. Having both been away the previous week we hadn't put much thought into the upcoming long weekend. It had been cold and rainy in Kelowna which probably meant that the snow level in Rogers Pass would be low enough to hinder the climbing aspirations of mere mortals like ourselves.
So, for a change, we headed to Pinnacle Lake in the Monashees. One hour north, one hour east, 22k on a logging road, and we began the short hike up to the lake. On the way up we ran into Henry who was hiking with his family and friends. We met Henry in February on a trip to the Asulkan Hut.
We spent two nights camping near the edge of the lake. It was a beautiful setting with the lake nestled in a little amphitheater and The Pinnacles rising above the far end. When the sun disappeared behind the peaks in the early evening the temperature quickly dropped and we retired to the tent to cook an early dinner. This seemed like a good idea at the time but one morning a couple of guys told us they had been forced to frighten away a young bear that had been making its way around the lake shore towards us.
On the middle day we scrambled up to the ridge line and looked over at Monashee Lake. We had tried to get into Monashee Lake last spring but didn't make it. Which reminds me, still need to get a buck saw to keep in the car for trips like this.
We continued scrambling along the ridge under the indifferent weather. We were rained on, snowed, hailed, and sunshined on at various times throughout the day. Eventually we scrambled to the top of the Middle Pinnacle (according to the summit register) and called it a day.
We explored an ice cave, foraged for blueberries, and sang daft songs to let the bears know we were coming. A relaxing weekend quite close to home.
So, for a change, we headed to Pinnacle Lake in the Monashees. One hour north, one hour east, 22k on a logging road, and we began the short hike up to the lake. On the way up we ran into Henry who was hiking with his family and friends. We met Henry in February on a trip to the Asulkan Hut.
We spent two nights camping near the edge of the lake. It was a beautiful setting with the lake nestled in a little amphitheater and The Pinnacles rising above the far end. When the sun disappeared behind the peaks in the early evening the temperature quickly dropped and we retired to the tent to cook an early dinner. This seemed like a good idea at the time but one morning a couple of guys told us they had been forced to frighten away a young bear that had been making its way around the lake shore towards us.
On the middle day we scrambled up to the ridge line and looked over at Monashee Lake. We had tried to get into Monashee Lake last spring but didn't make it. Which reminds me, still need to get a buck saw to keep in the car for trips like this.
We continued scrambling along the ridge under the indifferent weather. We were rained on, snowed, hailed, and sunshined on at various times throughout the day. Eventually we scrambled to the top of the Middle Pinnacle (according to the summit register) and called it a day.
We explored an ice cave, foraged for blueberries, and sang daft songs to let the bears know we were coming. A relaxing weekend quite close to home.
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