tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67571275118464577742024-03-13T12:24:09.615-04:00Talking TrailsDispatches from the trails of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, USA, Canada and Germany. Where to next? Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-10430153933730675862017-05-28T18:27:00.003-04:002017-05-28T18:28:53.843-04:00Alpine Club of Canada Gazette articlesThe ACC's AGM including a film about the Yukon Alpine Centennial Expedition was in Whitehorse yesterday. The film was fun. The speaker that brought a crucial dimension to the evening was Parks Canada's field superintendent for southern Yukon, Diane, who described the cooperative management practices in the Yukon and NWT with indigenous people and their governments. I knew Kluane was co-managed but had not realized how far that had evolved. From the Canadian government banning First Nations whose traditional lands included Kluane National Park and Reserve from Kluane in the 1940s to cooperative management in the 1990s when First Nations started to conclude their land claim and self-governance agreements, there has been important progress.<br />
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I enjoyed meeting board members and section representatives. With a couple I was chatting about writing articles for the ACC, which made put this post together with links to all of them.<br />
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My fourth article on the <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/SpringGazette2017.pdf" target="_blank">week-long Spectrum Range/Mt Edziza</a> traverse last August appeared in the <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/SpringGazette2017.pdf" target="_blank">Spring 2017 issue</a> of the trice yearly ACC Gazette,<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ng2b8JudL-E/WStKt9t65JI/AAAAAAAADLA/L7HYd1y4VKcY_KEnXPnM4msXqtB-Yj9-ACEw/s1600/gazyuk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="436" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ng2b8JudL-E/WStKt9t65JI/AAAAAAAADLA/L7HYd1y4VKcY_KEnXPnM4msXqtB-Yj9-ACEw/s200/gazyuk.JPG" width="154" /></a></div>
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My <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Winter2015Gazette.pdf" target="_blank">Kluane Icefield Discovery camp</a> story in its <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Winter2015Gazette.pdf" target="_blank">Winter 2015</a> issue. That one made the cover, thanks to my fellow campers great photography (yeah, Charles Stuart!) This one was more of a team effort, with ACCers contributing photos and offering edit suggestions on a draft text.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ACCSummerGazette.pdf" target="_blank">Summer 2014</a> issue details a trip to Bolivia's remote parts of the Cordillera Real and doing a <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ACCSummerGazette.pdf" target="_blank">first female ascent to Pico Aguila</a> at about 5,500m.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57Hqp7k0CH8/WStKtx_aENI/AAAAAAAADLE/nj3BFBZGy14Xw4M1qedRqP-eS1LqRaytACEw/s1600/gazbol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="410" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57Hqp7k0CH8/WStKtx_aENI/AAAAAAAADLE/nj3BFBZGy14Xw4M1qedRqP-eS1LqRaytACEw/s200/gazbol.JPG" width="155" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Winter2012.pdf" target="_blank">Winter 2012 issue</a> features one week of a 3 months Andean adventure focused on the stunning <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Winter2012.pdf" target="_blank">Cochamo </a>valley in the Chilean Lake District in Northern Patagonia.<br />
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I make a point in recent articles of referencing the original stewards of the land on which I spend time. To me it is important to acknowledge and situate myself in the proper context as a matter of respect, appreciation and reciprocity. In speaking with an ACC board member I think it could be a significant act of conciliation for the ACC, a club intrinsically linked to the land and stewardship of our natural world, to begin to do so as a matter of policy in its publications both online and in print. Something worth thinking about.Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-63819861533449669462016-09-27T17:11:00.000-04:002016-09-29T17:14:18.987-04:00Colour and Light: Traversing the Tahltan Highlands<div class="MsoNormal">
“Trip partner(s) wanted: remote ~12 day traverse in Mount
Edziza Park in northern BC, across the Spectrum Range and along Mt. Edziza. It
will be a challenging trip (no trail), but non-technical. Float plane charter
into Little Ball Lake and flight out of Buckley Lake.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had never heard of this area; the promised duration and
remoteness were immediately appealing. This Facebook post on the ACC Yukon page
was from a Jordan Anderson. We made contact and met in Victoria in June. During
a 30 km overnight hike on the Juan de Fuca trail we checked our attitudes,
hiking styles, ultra-light and emergency gear and whether we’d enjoy each
other’s company.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3i6pGnezZjM/V-2BaEf7F0I/AAAAAAAAC4I/fKK7EfwZFfclELzqzzp8GiqpmsNzV7_EACEw/s1600/DSC01377%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3i6pGnezZjM/V-2BaEf7F0I/AAAAAAAAC4I/fKK7EfwZFfclELzqzzp8GiqpmsNzV7_EACEw/s320/DSC01377%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing colours of the Spectrum Range <br />
(Photo: Jordan Anderson)</td></tr>
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With a successful hike behind us, we finalized plans. Jordan
proved to be a stellar route planner and navigator, targeting nine days of
hiking. I organized the food. There were meticulous gear lists, nutrition tables,
some emails and phone calls.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I met Jordan in Smithers, BC on August 1. Gear quickly
overflowed the motel room. By evening’s end we had two backpacks ready to go. The
next day we drove six and a half hours north to Tatogga Lake Resort to meet our
Alpine Lakes Air charter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As the float plane left us alone, we felt the elation of having
arrived in a vast wilderness without an escape route; a world of self-reliance
and trust in each other. The saturated alpine landscape immediately embraced
us. Its bright blue skies welcomed us as the evening sun began to draw long
shadows. Mountains in every shade of gold were capped by pristine snow fields.
Green patches interrupted the creek bed gravel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOxsATLgi74/V-2BuoL_AdI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/QcOOOZP6xWcNfeVS0x_GBmWJq77TethOgCEw/s1600/DSC01432%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOxsATLgi74/V-2BuoL_AdI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/QcOOOZP6xWcNfeVS0x_GBmWJq77TethOgCEw/s320/DSC01432%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Camping spot (Photo; Inga)</td></tr>
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We shouldered our packs, rounded the lake and started up
valley. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Northern summer days afford the luxury of late starts and
long days. To me, these latitudes offer the best kind of hiking; and Jordan
came to relax about not striking out by 8 am every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day two brought us across our first pass and an abundance of
ever changing colours creating countless impressions of the Spectrum Range. I slowly
found my uphill legs; and then eased the knee-busting downhills with a
well-practiced handling of hiking poles.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w0POG7XD7I/V-2Bx-KFGcI/AAAAAAAAC4U/hq-ZZJurGsQv_qr9a0E8uJrHg_kM3vh0QCEw/s1600/DSC01446%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w0POG7XD7I/V-2Bx-KFGcI/AAAAAAAAC4U/hq-ZZJurGsQv_qr9a0E8uJrHg_kM3vh0QCEw/s320/DSC01446%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">500 metres uphill on loose scree. (Photo J Anderson)</td></tr>
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We took note of obsidian littering the landscape. Obsidian
reminds us that this provincial park is part of the Tahltan Highlands. The
Tahltan people - the original people of this spectacular wilderness - have not
given up Aboriginal Title to their territory. Edziza obsidian, the dark
volcanic glass used to make sharp tools in ancient times, was used and traded
by the Tahltan and has been found on the west coast and in territories toward
the east. The human story here reaches back to time immemorial; as visitors we respect
the land by leaving no trace and taking nothing but photos. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the end of our first full day of hiking, we contemplated
the second significant pass of this traverse and decided to tackle the 500-metre
ascent the next morning. While I set up camp on a knoll, Jordan descended a few
hundred meters to fetch water. We settled into our new camp routine and enjoyed
stupendous evening views across this huge valley. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8nFoxy0yvs/V-2BuFJAfXI/AAAAAAAAC4M/mkVT5pPVp2Y5AIr4-wGiD0mt51pfAVunACEw/s1600/DSC01567%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8nFoxy0yvs/V-2BuFJAfXI/AAAAAAAAC4M/mkVT5pPVp2Y5AIr4-wGiD0mt51pfAVunACEw/s320/DSC01567%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4 - we climbed most of this scree slope side-by-side<br />
as boulders kept falling into the valley. (Photo: J Anderson)</td></tr>
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Day three started out fine: Our plan was to take the direct
route up and veer left at about 2,100 metres toward the low end of the ridge to
avoid the glacier on the North-side. Alternating between the direct line and
zig-zags, we carefully navigated the continuous movement of boulders. This
scree slope exhaled and settled with each step.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we progressed upwards we reached the edge of the clouds
and visibility was reduced to as little as 20 or 30 metres. I trailed Jordan. As
the weather moved in, we lost sight of each other and proceeded to
independently execute the plan. When I reached the ridge, now fully engulfed in
a cold, lashing rain and sleet, I found Jordan greatly relieved. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In full rain gear and after a quick snack, we crossed to the
other side and realized that we needed to go further left to reach the rocks
and mud rather than get caught in a potentially uncontrollable descent of the
glacier itself. As we lost elevation we left the clouds for a time, took short
breaks, replenished our water bottles and encountered two very curious mountain
goats; their climbing skills clearly outdid ours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Drenched to the skin we spent the next several hours moving
across another dazzling valley, up another high pass onto a large plateau. With
the change in elevation the stormy weather returned and we set up camp in the
rain. Shivering and unable to light the stove we decided to forgo a hot dinner
in favour of stripping off our wet clothes and crawling into our dry sleeping
bags. The weather didn’t relent. We faced the next day knowing we didn’t have
much margin left if the weather didn’t improve: after breakfast we set out in soaked
boots and soggy clothes motivated to move and stay warm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R31nLUAsvZc/V-2B7WsQLaI/AAAAAAAAC4c/QAvkDAWA2q4jDiOpiC7EBj5rgbzLhc7PgCEw/s1600/DSC01901%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R31nLUAsvZc/V-2B7WsQLaI/AAAAAAAAC4c/QAvkDAWA2q4jDiOpiC7EBj5rgbzLhc7PgCEw/s320/DSC01901%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highly dynamic jump with a 55+ pound pack. (Photo: Inga)</td></tr>
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Finally that afternoon the weather broke. We kept moving
through this wilderness, grateful for the warmth of the sun, taking each scree
slope and pass in good humour to balance the dangers, astounded by Mount Edziza
- the “Ice Mountain”, admiring near perfect volcanic cinder cones, glad for low
running creeks and thoughtful about crossing the others.<br />
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We completed the traverse on day 7 with a final push of more than 30 km to Buckley Lake. A rare 8 am start ensured that we crossed every creek by rock hoping and arrived 11.5 hours later at the dock on Buckley Lake. To our amazement we found ourselves walking into Creyke’s hunting camp that Leonard Creyke and members of his family were visiting. He had spent years guiding in the area; this was his first visit in some time. It was a remarkable conclusion to this journey: sharing an evening of conversation, stories of his Tahltan family and the sacred land we had walked, and a dinner of freshly caught lake trout.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwkupjworxg/V-2B5rJggTI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/ZmTG-vHI4rIq92yLXo-0RpyYjgqmK2_MQCEw/s1600/DSC01964%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwkupjworxg/V-2B5rJggTI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/ZmTG-vHI4rIq92yLXo-0RpyYjgqmK2_MQCEw/s320/DSC01964%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Edziza.</td></tr>
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<br />(As submitted to the Alpine Club of Canada, Gazette)</div>
Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-61983139170380996892016-07-09T20:40:00.002-04:002016-07-10T03:26:01.836-04:00Iqaluit's Alianait Arts Festival magicWhile attending <a href="http://www.alianait.ca/" target="_blank">Alianait </a>I was generously hosted by Heather Daley, the festival's director. It was a pleasure to experience the magic of this festival that focuses on bringing circumpolar, Inuit and other indigenous artists together with select Southern Canadian musicians. The festival includes professionally produced shows at the Nakasuk school auditorium's stage, musical jams, theatre, and workshops. Many musical genres are represented from fiddles and accordion, to throat singing, blues, rock and more.<br />
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It runs over Canada Day so that its big top becomes a focal point for this community celebration.<br />
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I was invited to post-show artist get-togethers and experienced joyous musical collaborations. Artists coming from Nunavut, Greenland, Northwest Territories, Mongolia, Iran, southern Canada mingled together at parties and invariably music ensued, with a great deal of curiosity and exchange about each others styles and vibes.<br />
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This video of Simon Lynge jamming with the assembled crew shows merely one of many highlights.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyy8P_DSPYxkeFFlqCcszzSliw_SYpOwsHzEHfbALaJSR7MugpRTBvc9SJZuc7jt4seuOzj4cAHkuyMYXnDrA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VtEVdlB1fA/V4GXoLq5b3I/AAAAAAAACx0/2uWebFBOaOAydIlYEnzegsWdO-nHpcS2wCKgB/s1600/DSC00911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VtEVdlB1fA/V4GXoLq5b3I/AAAAAAAACx0/2uWebFBOaOAydIlYEnzegsWdO-nHpcS2wCKgB/s320/DSC00911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rend-music.com/" target="_blank">REND </a>from Edmonton played two great shows, including<br />
Canada Day show in the big top. Representing alternative rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPWlT2eWSQs/V4GVguID9II/AAAAAAAACxg/uGLikmBz1ageyrh-tZdmWn28u2yBlJ0ggCKgB/s1600/20160702_230155-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPWlT2eWSQs/V4GVguID9II/AAAAAAAACxg/uGLikmBz1ageyrh-tZdmWn28u2yBlJ0ggCKgB/s320/20160702_230155-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of<a href="http://sedaamusic.com/" target="_blank"> Sedaa</a> share their music mixing Inuit drums and <br />
their style of throat signing to great delight of party-goers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWOBTMFF4CE/V4GXFV4r_2I/AAAAAAAACxw/4rgZ9paX9Msq651vyN4mqEq7AcoLA-qnQCLcB/s1600/20160703_114049.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWOBTMFF4CE/V4GXFV4r_2I/AAAAAAAACxw/4rgZ9paX9Msq651vyN4mqEq7AcoLA-qnQCLcB/s320/20160703_114049.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World fusion jam made a truly magic soundscape. <br />
Sedaa, Barrule (Isle of Man), Sylvia Cloutier (Nunavut), <br />
Tiffany Ayalik (Yellowknife)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18_T_wOuGQM/V4GU1dahPcI/AAAAAAAACxc/lM_nRWm24a0RSqO8OTFSMnijJyoSI1zNwCLcB/s1600/20160701_014454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18_T_wOuGQM/V4GU1dahPcI/AAAAAAAACxc/lM_nRWm24a0RSqO8OTFSMnijJyoSI1zNwCLcB/s320/20160701_014454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mongolian musician explains their style of throat signing <br />
to Inuit and southern Canadian musicians.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byozfRXFAY8/V4GSYNW9nFI/AAAAAAAACxU/ePlVuLrjAb8Zi4XbYh_-eZPAwGqa6xcggCKgB/s1600/DSC00846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byozfRXFAY8/V4GSYNW9nFI/AAAAAAAACxU/ePlVuLrjAb8Zi4XbYh_-eZPAwGqa6xcggCKgB/s400/DSC00846.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blues jam on stage: The Tradeoffs (Iqaluit), <br />
Quantum Tangle (Grey Gritt and Tiffany Ayalik, Yellowknife),<br />
The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer (Vancouver)<br />
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Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-51539719814743820752016-07-09T20:15:00.001-04:002016-07-09T20:15:24.672-04:00Iqaluit, Nunavut in summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spent 6 days in Iqaluit, Nunavut during the <a href="http://www.alianait.ca/" target="_blank">Alianait Arts Festival</a>, from June 29 to July 4. Summer on the tundra and on Frobisher Bay is a remarkable experience.<br />
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With Nunavut's much shorter summer than the one I've been enjoying in the Yukon - at similar latitudes - there is a sense of urgency to take in the sun, be outside, participate. Here are a few impressions of the landscapes and town. (Simply click on an image to see it in larger slide show mode.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8k7kn51ceQ/V4GPZfRILQI/AAAAAAAACwY/wjr0xF6qEdgVSurXAd6muDO-ilR6tgWLQCLcB/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8k7kn51ceQ/V4GPZfRILQI/AAAAAAAACwY/wjr0xF6qEdgVSurXAd6muDO-ilR6tgWLQCLcB/s320/flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big top flew the Pride flag for the first time. It was a much<br />appreciated gesture after the Orlando massacre in Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKFt78z1OLY/V4GP-RZa4mI/AAAAAAAACwc/Hn_twBbGFesEgKAV3RRq6gL-RMqspTL0ACLcB/s1600/DSC00917-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKFt78z1OLY/V4GP-RZa4mI/AAAAAAAACwc/Hn_twBbGFesEgKAV3RRq6gL-RMqspTL0ACLcB/s320/DSC00917-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning sunrise around 2:00 am. The nights don't get <br />dark this time of year, as the sun merely dips below the <br />horizon for a short while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7mnpxdBdNA/V4GQft4Iv4I/AAAAAAAACwo/qvnIBWOb8Zkig1nxhUtokhbq7uoPz9cxwCLcB/s1600/DSC00857-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7mnpxdBdNA/V4GQft4Iv4I/AAAAAAAACwo/qvnIBWOb8Zkig1nxhUtokhbq7uoPz9cxwCLcB/s640/DSC00857-sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama over the Road to Nowhere toward Frobisher Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDsA07QALPA/V4GQfpMJ5lI/AAAAAAAACwk/kULKUpEvrnkeFaIe8QMQHGNSwNlH-caugCLcB/s1600/DSC00890-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDsA07QALPA/V4GQfpMJ5lI/AAAAAAAACwk/kULKUpEvrnkeFaIe8QMQHGNSwNlH-caugCLcB/s320/DSC00890-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The draw of the Big Top after the Canada Day Parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0up1AXfUL4/V4GQ5FjoIZI/AAAAAAAACww/XAqlQqQiKfMMTmigCsfWiU-W57LeNQWKwCLcB/s1600/DSC00904-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0up1AXfUL4/V4GQ5FjoIZI/AAAAAAAACww/XAqlQqQiKfMMTmigCsfWiU-W57LeNQWKwCLcB/s320/DSC00904-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dynamic skies over the tundra beach at Frobisher Bay.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANtrFzBVVSE/V4GRTIQ_JlI/AAAAAAAACw4/WBwvSFqfjzcM9-nuKAjJPGYGKBStquoHACLcB/s1600/DSC00908-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANtrFzBVVSE/V4GRTIQ_JlI/AAAAAAAACw4/WBwvSFqfjzcM9-nuKAjJPGYGKBStquoHACLcB/s640/DSC00908-sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frobisher Bay panorama showing the ice breaking up. The first icebreaker of the season was expected within a few days,<br />clearing the way for the all important Sealift later in July.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGmS1iYPD4/V4GRvP6kDoI/AAAAAAAACxE/w9sheo5kZY4z-fDCzeBAX82DhNDB7U5fACLcB/s1600/DSC00877-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGmS1iYPD4/V4GRvP6kDoI/AAAAAAAACxE/w9sheo5kZY4z-fDCzeBAX82DhNDB7U5fACLcB/s320/DSC00877-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful light around 2 in the morning.</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-30701786051919782992016-07-02T00:21:00.000-04:002016-09-29T16:58:40.668-04:00Juan de Fuca trail, Vancouver IslandTaking advantage of a work trip to Victoria, BC, I met up with a fellow trekker, Jordan, to do an overnight hike on the Juan de Fuca trail on the last weekend in June. The challenges were a Saturday afternoon start for the drive out, only one car to manage a point-to-point hike and catching a red eye flight to Ottawa the next evening.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nMXZIRBq74/V3c_G0ZRSiI/AAAAAAAACu8/sfvBZEgueh80kdzlSRYPvb7XtbinVz_wwCLcB/s1600/delorme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nMXZIRBq74/V3c_G0ZRSiI/AAAAAAAACu8/sfvBZEgueh80kdzlSRYPvb7XtbinVz_wwCLcB/s320/delorme.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri" target="_blank">https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri </a></td></tr>
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Success would require steady movement and a bit of luck: from dropping the car at our end point at Sombrio Beach and hitchhiking back to the trail head at China Beach, to making it to Bear Beach for our overnight, and an early start for the most challenging part of the hike. In total we would hike about 29 km with considerable cumulative elevation gain as the trail meanders along the coast from sea level up to 231 m and is hardly ever actually flat.<br />
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We managed it all with ease. The sweltering heat was kept at bay by the trail running through coastal forest and therefore endless shade. The timing issues with night fall and an early rise were handled deftly - such is the nature of necessity. We fueled well and made sure we stayed hydrated. We also got to take a look at our respective gear - from my <i>inReach</i> and ultra light 3 person tent, to Jordan's awesome cooking set up and creek crossing foot wear. Between the two of us, we seem to be in the right gear kind of shape for a long, unsupported remote traverse.<br />
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This trip was an exploratory excursion to see whether my new hiking pal and I would enjoy a 10-day remote back country trek in Northern BC this August. It appears we are the kind of compatible you'd want to be for an excursion like that. Now, there is just one final logistical item to iron out and we'll make a final decision about whether this trek is a go next month sometime next week.<br />
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Meanwhile where are a few impressions from Juan de Fuca. (Click on images to see them larger in slide show mode)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxcHPzoIBxg/V3c_qU8j_YI/AAAAAAAACvE/QZgKcQs3KKssagnWOJAYFPopwObCDe3fQCLcB/s1600/DSC00806-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxcHPzoIBxg/V3c_qU8j_YI/AAAAAAAACvE/QZgKcQs3KKssagnWOJAYFPopwObCDe3fQCLcB/s320/DSC00806-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning fog from our camp side hideaway on Bear Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXb3h6PzfCo/V3c_tEX6B-I/AAAAAAAACvI/3DvvWkiREko3fbmQT6vURLNW_tQJj1BHACLcB/s1600/DSC00808-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXb3h6PzfCo/V3c_tEX6B-I/AAAAAAAACvI/3DvvWkiREko3fbmQT6vURLNW_tQJj1BHACLcB/s320/DSC00808-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Morning fog burns off.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSqc8wij8Mk/V3c_nBVgsPI/AAAAAAAACvA/UJEUDXZSAxovX_N6ImvEZBgsF6JM0rkYgCLcB/s1600/DSC00810-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="72" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSqc8wij8Mk/V3c_nBVgsPI/AAAAAAAACvA/UJEUDXZSAxovX_N6ImvEZBgsF6JM0rkYgCLcB/s320/DSC00810-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Beach views</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W0JxF7akp4/V3c_1f5jrJI/AAAAAAAACvU/46FF9V2KK_QSjMQEowAaozP0BEm6QVC5ACLcB/s1600/DSC00818-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W0JxF7akp4/V3c_1f5jrJI/AAAAAAAACvU/46FF9V2KK_QSjMQEowAaozP0BEm6QVC5ACLcB/s320/DSC00818-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For some a sign is reassurance. Then again, there is only one trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diyRM0AKNYM/V3c_0vK-N_I/AAAAAAAACvQ/AvbAjVPFJqo6VZfer3QKcZwINNpwRWwzgCLcB/s1600/DSC00822-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diyRM0AKNYM/V3c_0vK-N_I/AAAAAAAACvQ/AvbAjVPFJqo6VZfer3QKcZwINNpwRWwzgCLcB/s320/DSC00822-sm.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDunk2y7yj8/V3c_28n5mcI/AAAAAAAACvY/7x90kTlKcFsZJYdVnp1JbFDGuvTknfh4QCLcB/s1600/DSC00828-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDunk2y7yj8/V3c_28n5mcI/AAAAAAAACvY/7x90kTlKcFsZJYdVnp1JbFDGuvTknfh4QCLcB/s320/DSC00828-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of creeks giving opportunity to experiment with camera settings.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzDnjJqBmDw/V3c_4jbfZcI/AAAAAAAACvc/jT3yguhPWCA43i4qKiu61jxi0pOgMupiACLcB/s1600/DSC00839-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzDnjJqBmDw/V3c_4jbfZcI/AAAAAAAACvc/jT3yguhPWCA43i4qKiu61jxi0pOgMupiACLcB/s320/DSC00839-sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sombrio Beach was our end point this time. Heading up to the car<br />
and back to Victoria with enough time for a shower <br />
before going to the airport ;)</td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-3860900569619566342016-02-27T17:32:00.000-05:002016-02-29T01:19:19.143-05:00Seeking: mountaineering partner for Aconcagua 2018<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Seeking: mountaineering partner/s interested in the South American Andes between about 15 and 40 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1Yo0TUEtT8/VtI5GAmwTcI/AAAAAAAACo8/dWHryJ47dYs/s1600/1928305_20879778592_1390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1Yo0TUEtT8/VtI5GAmwTcI/AAAAAAAACo8/dWHryJ47dYs/s320/1928305_20879778592_1390_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px;">To Plaza de Mulas, the climbing base camp.</span></td></tr>
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degrees South (i.e. Altitudes of more than 6,000m/20,000 feet, relatively little snow or glaciers). </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">My objective: to climb Aconcagua in Argentina in 2018 (summit just short of 7,000 m).
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">I'm looking for people to plan, train (think epic Yukon treks, long Eastern US/Canada through hikes, trips at altitude) and climb this impressive mountain. Regular climbing season on Aconcagua runs from mid-November to mid-March. The trip takes about 3 weeks, but I'll need more time to acclimatize and likely would do so in Bolivia's high mountains. Intrigued? Interested? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIAAKXQ_z8E/VtI5GF1K8NI/AAAAAAAACo8/ucGFduUUWck/s1600/1928305_20879743592_7575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIAAKXQ_z8E/VtI5GF1K8NI/AAAAAAAACo8/ucGFduUUWck/s320/1928305_20879743592_7575_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Polish route sen from Plaza Francia <br />
(not considering that one so much)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Check out:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> </span><a href="http://talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/p/mountaineering.html" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" target="_blank">my mountain resume </a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">so far</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">my <a href="http://talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search/label/Bolivia" target="_blank">Bolivian excursions</a> in 2013</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">my <a href="http://talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=50" target="_blank">3 months South American</a> trip in 2010</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">You'll see, Jan, my long-time partner in life and the mountains in many of these posts. Unfortunately, that partnership ended last year, so I am looking for a new 'travel in high places' partner.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Message me here and let's talk!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Aconcagua Normal route seen from Plaza de Mulas <br />
at about 4,450 m. Summit at 6,962 m (22,840 feet)<br />
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-38487097290759286732015-11-15T22:37:00.003-05:002015-11-15T22:44:29.588-05:00Winter hiking near WhitehorseI've been in Whitehorse since Friday. Happily I wrangled some hikes around town with some of my new Yukon friends and their Yukon dogs. There is snow everywhere, but in the higher elevations it is the best kind of winter. Super dry cold - can one ever moisturize enough up here?! - gorgeous fluffy snow on all the trees. A certain monochromatic whiteness and ever changing skies.<br />
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Dressing for this weather is much simpler than the damp cold in Ottawa and similar locales. Basically, with the right mix of performance clothing the cold stays outside; it just doesn't get into your bones. Also, there was no wind today. Wind makes such a ridge walk a whole different sort of experience. When we started the hike today it was probably around -18C or so. It felt fine and there was some de-layering needed on the uphill portion.<br />
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Our high point today was 1,507 m. We climbed 400 m from Fish Lake Road to the top of the ridge, according to <a href="https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri" target="_blank">my inReach</a>. As Whitehorse is around 700 m, it doesn't conjure quite this wintry feeling, yet.<br />
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The scenery is crazy gorgeous. I mean it is stunning in the summer here but mind-blowing now. Check out today's Fish Lake hike up on to the ridge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfFH4F1i55s/VklMrukilaI/AAAAAAAACiI/3IjB9ciSlKY/s1600/smaller-DSC00095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfFH4F1i55s/VklMrukilaI/AAAAAAAACiI/3IjB9ciSlKY/s320/smaller-DSC00095.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view across Fish Lake from the ridge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSEsla7r8_I/VklMwmvxkaI/AAAAAAAACiY/SmZpJHct6po/s1600/smaller-DSC00105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSEsla7r8_I/VklMwmvxkaI/AAAAAAAACiY/SmZpJHct6po/s320/smaller-DSC00105.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the ridge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zousGXZ5z00/VklMvT8cUSI/AAAAAAAACiQ/b0-PKr8-UFM/s1600/smaller-DSC00099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zousGXZ5z00/VklMvT8cUSI/AAAAAAAACiQ/b0-PKr8-UFM/s320/smaller-DSC00099.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Yukon dog really didn't appreciate standing still on<br />
the snow. Do check out the backdrop!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0UOnpBjaU/VklMqt26uXI/AAAAAAAACiE/dJRlOXWNuA8/s1600/smaller-DSC00097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0UOnpBjaU/VklMqt26uXI/AAAAAAAACiE/dJRlOXWNuA8/s320/smaller-DSC00097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The human hiking pals, some I met a few months ago, some today.<br />
That is how it rolls. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ti2Ziaf82NM/VklMygfipsI/AAAAAAAACis/au4NvKnLRhQ/s1600/smaller-DSC00119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ti2Ziaf82NM/VklMygfipsI/AAAAAAAACis/au4NvKnLRhQ/s320/smaller-DSC00119.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short breaks make for happy hikers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjrQzH5SZp8/VklM2Xp-oQI/AAAAAAAACjE/P2gNMOesTh8/s1600/smaller-DSC00127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjrQzH5SZp8/VklM2Xp-oQI/AAAAAAAACjE/P2gNMOesTh8/s320/smaller-DSC00127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow covered trees in the sunlight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQnm4_OCWBE/VklM3nyfl_I/AAAAAAAACjM/17wTkPzX5b8/s1600/smaller_DSC00090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQnm4_OCWBE/VklM3nyfl_I/AAAAAAAACjM/17wTkPzX5b8/s320/smaller_DSC00090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ridge. We are just above the treeline here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDbvD0QJxMg/VklM1x66TXI/AAAAAAAACjA/Xtlx-wCh_2o/s1600/smaller_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDbvD0QJxMg/VklM1x66TXI/AAAAAAAACjA/Xtlx-wCh_2o/s320/smaller_2.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun hike.</td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-87548391659206141562015-11-09T22:54:00.001-05:002015-11-09T22:54:24.591-05:00ACC Gazette published my story on Icefield Discovery <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015WinterGazette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015WinterGazette.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full story:<br /><a href="http://acc.uberflip.com/i/594756-winter2015gazette">http://acc.uberflip.com/i/594756-winter2015gazette</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Alpine Club of Canada's Gazette, the ACC trice yearly members' magazine, has just published my Icefield Discovery camp story in its Winter 2015 issue. And it made the cover, thanks to some fellow campers great photography! This one was more of a team effort, with ACCers contributing photos and offering edit suggestions on a draft text.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://acc.uberflip.com/i/594756-winter2015gazette" target="_blank">Read the full story </a>and see more great pics <a href="http://acc.uberflip.com/i/594756-winter2015gazette" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
This is my third ACC Gazette article in the last few years. The other two are:<br />
The <a href="http://acc.uberflip.com/i/341159-summer-gazette-2014" target="_blank">Summer issue in 2014</a> detailing a trip to Bolivia's remote parts of the Cordillera Real and doing a first female ascent to <a href="http://acc.uberflip.com/i/341159-summer-gazette-2014" target="_blank">Pico Aguila </a>at about 5,500m.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Winter2012.pdf" target="_blank">Winter issue in 2012</a> detailing one week of a 3 months Andean adventure focused on the stunning <a href="http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Winter2012.pdf" target="_blank">Cochamo </a>valley in the Chilean Lake District in Northern Patagonia.<br />
<br />
It's fun to spend this kind of time in some amazing mountains on this Earth of ours.Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-73242601258763585012015-09-16T01:00:00.001-04:002015-09-16T01:00:09.865-04:00My first Yukon paddle: Chadburn LakeMy last evening in Whitehorse this September, a friend took me out for my very first paddle in the Yukon. As it was a post-work excursion we kept it simple: flat water kayaking on Chadburn Lake. This beautiful spot is within city limits in Whitehorse. I don't know if it ever gets busy there, but there were just three of us on his lake that evening. We paddled until dark and enjoyed visiting with a beaver, ducks and perhaps even a loon, and each other.<br />
<br />
It was a perfect evening.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7XYXvtA4Y/Vfj1Px--W8I/AAAAAAAACeg/VOje7qcRt_M/s1600/20150912_154728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7XYXvtA4Y/Vfj1Px--W8I/AAAAAAAACeg/VOje7qcRt_M/s400/20150912_154728.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ride with my ride - thanks to <a href="http://www.upnorthadventures.com/" target="_blank">Up North Adventures</a> for the kayak.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ku0DYknzUQ/Vfj2BHXsNuI/AAAAAAAACe4/aplQ2johG3Y/s1600/20150912_190721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ku0DYknzUQ/Vfj2BHXsNuI/AAAAAAAACe4/aplQ2johG3Y/s400/20150912_190721.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections. Evening Light on Grey Mountain. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZmZOrtR76s/Vfj18IP_cQI/AAAAAAAACeo/XuoCrzYsigU/s1600/20150912_194209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZmZOrtR76s/Vfj18IP_cQI/AAAAAAAACeo/XuoCrzYsigU/s400/20150912_194209.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solitude and silence.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b89AwwA0I_c/Vfj21j_m9II/AAAAAAAACfE/oOyn1HT-TRM/s1600/12015041_10153668207938593_4208092850286973378_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b89AwwA0I_c/Vfj21j_m9II/AAAAAAAACfE/oOyn1HT-TRM/s400/12015041_10153668207938593_4208092850286973378_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me on Chadburn Lake. Thanks for this cool photo! (by Kalin Pallett)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aiBSnsH_l0s/Vfj2794repI/AAAAAAAACfM/GF75UIU8gvM/s1600/20150912_192316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aiBSnsH_l0s/Vfj2794repI/AAAAAAAACfM/GF75UIU8gvM/s400/20150912_192316.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Light and dark as the sun begins to set.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-64673187046258945232015-09-08T00:20:00.001-04:002015-09-16T00:41:18.154-04:00Hiking around Whitehorse: Grey Mountain Traverse<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdHZ3LKOT7I/Ve5Z4s5IHqI/AAAAAAAACc8/aXjc7BdOBnU/s1600/GreyMtn_Traverse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdHZ3LKOT7I/Ve5Z4s5IHqI/AAAAAAAACc8/aXjc7BdOBnU/s400/GreyMtn_Traverse.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's GPS tracking points.<br />
<a href="https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri">https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today we spent another day hiking, bushwhacking and ridge walking. The objective: A north - south traverse of Grey Mountain ridge. I think traverses are always a really <i>cool thing</i>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymEdJaxQcFY/Ve5ehN-HzCI/AAAAAAAACdI/WBantNylvDM/s1600/20150907_112825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymEdJaxQcFY/Ve5ehN-HzCI/AAAAAAAACdI/WBantNylvDM/s400/20150907_112825.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Whitehorse from one of the most northern ridges. </td></tr>
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We set up a vehicle shuttle, so we could avoid hiking along the dirt road at the end of this 7.5 hour hike. That way our energy was focused on the high-reward aspects of this impressive traverse.<br />
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Starting on the north side we had to climb about 200 m more in terms of elevation. That was well worth the effort: we ascended the ridge one intermediate summit after another, offering exquisite views and culminating in the highest summit on the south end.<br />
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One challenge was finding the up-track once the trail faded amongst the brush and many fallen trees. We were happy that Jeanne had loaded up a GPS track, so we could avoid backtracking as we meandered uphill. The bushwhacking and trail-finding was made more challenging by early season snow.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_UhPTVFJJU/Ve5frCiQSFI/AAAAAAAACdQ/oprAEAAbqzU/s1600/20150907_142705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_UhPTVFJJU/Ve5frCiQSFI/AAAAAAAACdQ/oprAEAAbqzU/s400/20150907_142705.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the south summit of Grey Mountain.</td></tr>
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Once we gained the first high point, the view overlooking Whitehorse was immediately impressive. And it only got more so, as we headed further up on our south-ward trajectory and gained views from Lake Laberge to Marsh Lake and the mountains beyond.<br />
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We also got a fine view of the still snow-clad Mount Lorne.<br />
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Despite some threatening clouds we only got minimal rain on our final, steep descent on Money Shot. (To be sure, this seems to be typical sandbagging kind of name for a mountain bike trail.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS-K740Zqzs/Ve5hTey7PfI/AAAAAAAACds/o5ChP4ib9_k/s1600/20150907_144512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS-K740Zqzs/Ve5hTey7PfI/AAAAAAAACds/o5ChP4ib9_k/s400/20150907_144512.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy and Jeanne head toward the south summit of Grey Mountain.</td></tr>
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In total, we ascended just over 700 m; a perfectly reasonable effort.<br />
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All in all a great day in the company of some very fine companions. Thanks Wendy and Jeanne!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4qsney93I4/Ve5hQGsQcoI/AAAAAAAACdk/YNJhzYRFi2A/s1600/20150907_163941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4qsney93I4/Ve5hQGsQcoI/AAAAAAAACdk/YNJhzYRFi2A/s400/20150907_163941.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image doesn't do the fall colours justice. The yellows really popped<br />
among the grey rocks and evergreens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Rzs1z3UQlQ/Ve5hEerGDZI/AAAAAAAACdc/x8rM3D1pRjk/s1600/20150907_171604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Rzs1z3UQlQ/Ve5hEerGDZI/AAAAAAAACdc/x8rM3D1pRjk/s400/20150907_171604.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to capture the mood of this moment with a smart phone camera. <br />
Alas, it is what I got :) (with Yukon River)</td></tr>
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Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-50126943409981302872015-09-06T21:24:00.000-04:002015-09-07T00:36:27.308-04:00Hiking around Whitehorse: Mount Lorne<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM-B6Hgph_c/VezhhAdIGyI/AAAAAAAACbs/k7I5fy2izVw/s1600/BearCreek_MtLorne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM-B6Hgph_c/VezhhAdIGyI/AAAAAAAACbs/k7I5fy2izVw/s320/BearCreek_MtLorne.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our out and back </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">track on the south side of Mount Lorne</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <a href="https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri">https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri</a></span></td></tr>
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I had made plans with a couple of new Alpine Club friends to head to Kluane's Bock's Lake and explore that area during the long weekend. But early snow, reported to be over one foot in those mountains and the potential for high water creek crossings due to snow melt, made that three-day trip seem a tad ambitous. Instead two of us opted for closer to Whitehorse hiking. Yesterday, we made our way to Mount Lorne.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7MVkQen96c/VezlmazTMdI/AAAAAAAACb8/xe1EiePT15s/s1600/20150905_135857%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7MVkQen96c/VezlmazTMdI/AAAAAAAACb8/xe1EiePT15s/s320/20150905_135857%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mount Lorne range viewed from the south.</span></td></tr>
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The Mt. Lorne area has a long tradition of First Nations people hunting and gathering. In fact, an <a href="http://www.tc.gov.yk.ca/annie_lake.html">archaeological dig</a> at Annie Lake discovered remains of campsites dating back over 8,000 years.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JpQ-ckukDw/VezmTQqfB8I/AAAAAAAACcA/z_nDQ0Sxq7o/s1600/20150905_144003%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JpQ-ckukDw/VezmTQqfB8I/AAAAAAAACcA/z_nDQ0Sxq7o/s320/20150905_144003%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful fall colours.</span></td></tr>
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My hiking companion was hoping to confirm the route for a traverse of the Lorne ridge and a range just to the South. To that end she hoped to get up high enough on a col to get a look down at Monkey Creek. </div>
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We couldn't get quite as far as far as anticipated, as we were clambering over, under and around fallen trees every 50 - 100 m for the length of the trail, and once up high we were post holing through at times knee-deep snow. Still we managed to ascend from about 770 metres at the trail head to 1,515 metres. And bonus, it was enough to confirm the traverse route in any case.<br />
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We had fantastic views to Marsh Lake and the full panorama of these mountains. It was a beautiful hiking day.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MjItHPnXMQ/VezmpFeUpUI/AAAAAAAACcI/TlMbaH5kyGM/s1600/20150905_143119%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MjItHPnXMQ/VezmpFeUpUI/AAAAAAAACcI/TlMbaH5kyGM/s640/20150905_143119%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View toward Marsh Lake from our high point at 1,514 m (Click on images to view large)</span></td></tr>
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Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-37100874248308894702015-09-04T22:00:00.000-04:002015-09-06T21:47:31.489-04:00Hiking around Whitehorse: McIntyre Creek<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9RwNunX5Lk/VezpkFtNDVI/AAAAAAAACcY/ZVehCzhWj8I/s1600/20150904_151211%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9RwNunX5Lk/VezpkFtNDVI/AAAAAAAACcY/ZVehCzhWj8I/s320/20150904_151211%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking for specimens </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the marsh.</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Ku_ppi1Fw/VezqBGK0pYI/AAAAAAAACck/7w_MRiPIoM0/s1600/20150904_153806%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Ku_ppi1Fw/VezqBGK0pYI/AAAAAAAACck/7w_MRiPIoM0/s320/20150904_153806%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Gorgeous view from the bluffs </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">above McIntyre Creek</span></td></tr>
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How fun: I went on a biologist's quick field excursion to find some specimens for her labs at Yukon College this fall. I had driven down Fish Lake Road before, but never stopped along the way at any of the pull outs. I was happy to get to know McIntyre Creek with its high reward vistas, requiring little effort form the road. There are trails along the Creek as well as high on the bluffs.<br />
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Bonus: this creek is mere minutes from my house in Takhini North.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBRzjs9KxO8/VezqulNLg4I/AAAAAAAACcs/7kx9NYi4WPc/s1600/20150904_152223%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBRzjs9KxO8/VezqulNLg4I/AAAAAAAACcs/7kx9NYi4WPc/s640/20150904_152223%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We saw many ducks and ravens along the creek. Environments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like this give true meaning to Whitehorse's moniker as </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wilderness City.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-9198313585463785752015-08-02T01:32:00.001-04:002015-09-08T18:18:13.160-04:00Kluane's wild Donjek route <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc168_K_uJo/Vb2EqF4h_9I/AAAAAAAACXw/8HyLwX2r_dQ/s1600/Route_Camps_Aerial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc168_K_uJo/Vb2EqF4h_9I/AAAAAAAACXw/8HyLwX2r_dQ/s640/Route_Camps_Aerial.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My <i><a href="https://share.delorme.com/IngaPetri" target="_blank">Delorme in Reach</a></i> tracking map for the Donjek Glacier. Square images mark start and end points on the Alaska Highway as well as our six camp sites during the trek.</td></tr>
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From June 21 to 27 I hiked this <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/yt/kluane/activ/1/a/xv.aspx" target="_blank">impressive wilderness route</a> that passes by the terminus of the Donjek glacier. It is located mostly in Kluane National Park with the remainder on the traditional territory of the Kluane First Nations. Max from <a href="http://terreboreale.com/en/" target="_blank">Terre Boréale</a>, a guide company in Whitehorse, Yukon, was my guide and companion for these seven awe-inspiring days.<br />
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We were the first ones on the Donjek route this year. When we registered at the Parks Canada visitor centre the warden was skeptical of our ambition to hike it in 7 days, as the normal time is between 8 and 10 days. Yet, permits in hand and undaunted we set out a little while later from the Alaska highway turnoff at the Duke River, just a few miles past Burwash Landing.<br />
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<b>Day 1 - Burwash Uplands</b><br />
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We discovered quickly that the description we were using had a certain vagueness about it; but it did feature the occasional and very useful UTM coordinates which made route finding considerably easier. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HxKtxl_X1I/Vb2JoNC_-FI/AAAAAAAACYA/yKhG_o72f5o/s1600/20150621_220514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HxKtxl_X1I/Vb2JoNC_-FI/AAAAAAAACYA/yKhG_o72f5o/s320/20150621_220514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Camp 1 in Burwash Uplands. (Click on pics to enlarge)</span></td></tr>
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The hike in from the road goes along an old mining road that most parties would drive up for 5+ km. We took that first hour as a warm up. Packs - filled with 9 1/2 days of food (just in case) and plenty of fuel, and the necessities for living in the wilderness - were at their heaviest, but the hiking felt easy. </div>
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We met some hail and then mere rain in the wide open Uplands. Our rain gear worked well and we eagerly continued on our way.</div>
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The hardest part came when we finally left the old mining road which had become faint in parts after about 16 km and hiked across a very hummocky tundra. Here the going was very slow and squishy. After a 9-hour day we found a perfect camp site near a creek that set us up well for the next day.<br />
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<b>Day 2 - Hoge Pass to Donjek River<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE8HHeIXczs/Vb2MZH0M9sI/AAAAAAAACYM/uEFyCCiMbg4/s1600/20150622_145239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE8HHeIXczs/Vb2MZH0M9sI/AAAAAAAACYM/uEFyCCiMbg4/s320/20150622_145239.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max starts down the scree.</td></tr>
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We enjoyed an easy morning and a bit of a late start. Max and I were getting to know each other as hikers, and gauging how this day would set us up for either a 7-day trek or a longer one. </div>
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We entered the national park, had a short break near the Warden's cabin and then headed up toward Hoge Pass. We'd gain considerable elevation and then we'd descent a long scree slope to get to Hoge creek. Route finding here was tricky as the description didn't assist much and there were several ridges to pick from for the descent. Concerned about getting cliffed out we took our time to look at maps and landscapes, knowing full well, that since we couldn't see the whole route anywhere, we might well need to be prepared for some challenges. In the end, we plunged down a scree field for about 500 m elevation loss that featured some of the most challenging terrain I'd been on. Certainly, this was not the route described. Some sections where beautifully easy with mostly packed sand to plow through even if it was steep. But much of it had just <i>that</i> size rock on it, or was so hard packed that edging was impossible. I just focused on breathing and relaxing as I went. <br />
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When we got to Hoge Creek we found that water levels were lower than many others had warned us about. We crossed the creek only five (5) times and could rock hop, rather than ford it. </div>
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We put up camp where Hoge Creek meets the mighty Donjek river. This day was about 9.5 hours; even though that included a long lunch at Hoge Pass to enjoy the scenery and a few shorter snack breaks. Good nutrition is all important when pushing long days with heavy packs. Also eating meant the packs got lighter!</div>
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<b>Day 3 - Donjek Glacier<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGIct4f8vIs/Vb2Qhty6IuI/AAAAAAAACYg/k2L6_yfGFwI/s1600/DSC04017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGIct4f8vIs/Vb2Qhty6IuI/AAAAAAAACYg/k2L6_yfGFwI/s320/DSC04017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading toward the bushwhack section (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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This would be our easiest day of the whole hike. Just under 8 hours and we could hike along the Donjek river bed for a few hours before we needed to bushwhack up into the woods as the river filled the valley. We spent a couple of hours bushwhacking with the benefit of an old single track horse trail. </div>
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<b>Day 4 - Donjek to Bighorn Creek </b><br />
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This was another easy day, spent sight seeing at the Donjek glacier, listening to it heave and break and watching large chunks of ice fall into the river.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUNSR-c51q4/Vb2TCWnQtLI/AAAAAAAACYs/bqFbHHtZ2M8/s1600/20150624_112106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUNSR-c51q4/Vb2TCWnQtLI/AAAAAAAACYs/bqFbHHtZ2M8/s320/20150624_112106.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max and the glacier.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sA3NbjEj5Zk/Vb2QbWzG4zI/AAAAAAAACYY/YTphJm4ZLtY/s1600/DSC04120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sA3NbjEj5Zk/Vb2QbWzG4zI/AAAAAAAACYY/YTphJm4ZLtY/s320/DSC04120.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp 3 - overlooking the glacier (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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It was such a beautiful day and the hiking was easy. The biggest challenge for lunch was to find a bit of clear creek water for cooking. Many of the creeks on the map were in fact dry, or water would surface for short sections only to go underground again. We eventually found a nice lunch spot.</div>
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The ultimately biggest challenge of this day however was crossing Bighorn Creek in the afternoon. Its water ran high and it fell to Max to find good crossing spots. We spent over an hour navigating back and forth as we got cliffed out repeatedly. </div>
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I learned a lot about safely crossing fast moving, big waters; Max and I became a good team as we settled into our creek crossing grove.</div>
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We also decided to try the Bighorn Creek Canyon, a very narrow section, first thing the next morning when the water would be at its lowest. It had become clear, that it would be impassable otherwise (which would force us into a long detour via Expectation Pass) as the water rose by well over a foot through the day.<br />
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<b>Day 5 - Bighorn Creek Canyon to Atlas Pass to Duke River</b><br />
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This was to become an epic day.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7A8LwA4KCc/Vb2W9etb6zI/AAAAAAAACY4/PsICgr9mG2c/s1600/20150624_154435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7A8LwA4KCc/Vb2W9etb6zI/AAAAAAAACY4/PsICgr9mG2c/s320/20150624_154435.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Afternoon crossing of a very big Bighorn Creek. Way back,<br />that is Max stacking his stuff to come and cross with me.</span></td></tr>
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Our 4:50 am start saw me nearly 'eat it' within minutes in the frigid creek when the force of the water, still above knee high, and the rolling rocks conspired so that I lost my footing. Happily, I could grab Max' arm and got myself back up as he held on. Wow. I was all awake now! </div>
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We carried on, moved forward and just had to cross the creek one more time. Eventually I noticed blood running down my leg and my shin and knee ballooning with some large bruises. But since the water was so cold, I never felt a thing.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBsby0ycif4/Vb2avjybFoI/AAAAAAAACZQ/b9PDRWDFPWg/s1600/DSC04337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBsby0ycif4/Vb2avjybFoI/AAAAAAAACZQ/b9PDRWDFPWg/s320/DSC04337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circling with the grizzly bears; they are in the background <br />
at the edge of the plateau to the right of me. (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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From here we headed up Chert Creek, where we changed out of our creek crossing shoes and warmed up with a 6 am breakfast and coffee! </div>
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By 8:30 am we had topped out at the plateau near the head of Chert Creek and promptly sighted a grizzly bear and her cup heading for us. We stayed calm as they were feeding and ended up circling toward us, while we circled out of the area. We had some amazing close views of both bears but were happy that they simply went about their business and weren't disturbed by our presence. We hiked up a ways toward Atlas Pass and took a break after all that excitement.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKU1FymNC44/Vb2asNWDe5I/AAAAAAAACZE/XM5AAvNqOl0/s1600/DSC04405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKU1FymNC44/Vb2asNWDe5I/AAAAAAAACZE/XM5AAvNqOl0/s320/DSC04405.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing Atlas Pass (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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Continuing upwards to Atlas Pass was beautiful as we moved through green hillsides and into the vegetation-free alpine. We gained about 1,000 m elevation by lunch. </div>
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And what a stunning place to have lunch!</div>
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Bonus: this was the first day the thick haze from forest fires cleared and we were able to see mountain ranges deep into<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDdCD6gd7LI/Vb2avWDVnvI/AAAAAAAACZM/0Ld49qTM0LE/s1600/DSC04426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDdCD6gd7LI/Vb2avWDVnvI/AAAAAAAACZM/0Ld49qTM0LE/s320/DSC04426.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Atlas Pass enjoying stupendous views. (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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Kluane, toward the Icefield.</div>
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We had a nap after lunch to gather energy and our wits for an epic scree descent and long hike toward the Duke River. This descent was described in very precise detail, which suggested to us that there really is just one safe way down! We stuck to the description, including the Hole 9 green - it is quite something when you see that patch of green suddenly!<br />
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The descent and hike out toward the Duke river took about 13 hours. But then came the sprawling beaver ponds along the Duke. We got wedged in on the mossy, wet and steep forest side and we ended up bushwhacking for an <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUwR5GE3URg/Vb2c2emCobI/AAAAAAAACZc/8GjVO0sGZVo/s1600/DSC04428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUwR5GE3URg/Vb2c2emCobI/AAAAAAAACZc/8GjVO0sGZVo/s320/DSC04428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Heading up on Atlas Pass to get to scree entry. (Photo by Max)</span></td></tr>
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hour before deciding to cross the beaver pond in search of dry land. Happily Max found just that and 14.5 hours after the day's start we set up camp and contemplated the fact that we were indeed moving at a very fast pace and would get back to the Alaska Highway and our van well within 7 days!</div>
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<b>Day 6 - To Copper Joe Creek</b></div>
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This day was supposed to be a normal hiking day: cross the Duke in a safe spot, hike along it for a few more kilometers and then head up to the saddle and drop to Cache Lake to camp.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eASFg7lIoKs/Vb2c4Ub2C5I/AAAAAAAACZk/nWOgnJ-JzaE/s1600/DSC04448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eASFg7lIoKs/Vb2c4Ub2C5I/AAAAAAAACZk/nWOgnJ-JzaE/s320/DSC04448.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on that last bit of vertical scree. <br />
The key: just keep on moving fast!<br />
(Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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Well, it got a little more interesting when we couldn't locate the 'faint path' that was once a mining road and instead bushwhacked through thick brush from the river to the saddle. Max' way-finding made sure we kept moving forward and upward with purpose; handily dispensing with the willows and shrubs and stopping for the views when we came out of the woods. We got to Cache Lake early enough to just take a break and then hike along Copper Joe Creek to gain a little time on our last day. Unfortunately, the creek bed was completely dry! So rather than going just a little further we ended up with a bit of a hike as our water supplies dwindled.</div>
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We were happy to get to the first sign of water in that creek quite a ways down and set up our final camp. </div>
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<b>Day 7 - to the Highway</b></div>
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We didn't have much hiking left to do and reached the highway by noon. Unlike other people, we had our one vehicle on the other side of Burwash Landing about 15 km along the Highway. With no luck hitchhiking we ended up walking nearly into Burwash before a truck stopped and we jumped in the back. This made very short order of those final 10 km.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0H2kQwKwpk/Vb2qknrVKYI/AAAAAAAACZ0/-zegJxRyrs8/s1600/DSC04491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0H2kQwKwpk/Vb2qknrVKYI/AAAAAAAACZ0/-zegJxRyrs8/s320/DSC04491.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke River vistas. (Photo by Max)</td></tr>
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They say this is a serious wilderness route and it is: impressive creek crossings (even as we had quite low flows for some of them), fantastical mixed scree descents off Hoge and Atlas passes, bushwhacking through thick vegetation (thankfully sometimes aided by game trails and an overgrown horse trail) and finding your own way in a truly wild and remote place. This trek has it all and demands it all. </div>
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I loved every moment of these six and half days with <a href="http://terreboreale.com/en/" target="_blank">Max and Terre Boreale</a>.</div>
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Next up: more Yukon mountain excursions and then the Andes and an attempt on Aconcagua. (I hope!)</div>
Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-92138820339388342722015-06-23T00:15:00.001-04:002015-08-06T10:16:38.930-04:00inReach message from Inga PetriWe're camping at Hoge creek at Donjek river tonight. Another 9.5 hours of some hard hiking. About 38-40k covered in 2 days. Beautiful land!
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View the location or send a reply to Inga Petri:
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<a href="https://explore.delorme.com/textmessage/txtmsg?mo=bfe5b496a7ac471e8a3c77add6753bce31608966&adr=strategicmoves1.trails%40blogger.com">https://explore.delorme.com/textmessage/txtmsg?mo=bfe5b496a7ac471e8a3c77add6753bce31608966&adr=strategicmoves1.trails%40blogger.com</a>
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Inga Petri sent this message from:
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Lat 61.277983 Lon -139.614365<br />
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This message was sent using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.delorme.com/inReach/">http://www.delorme.com/inReach/</a>Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-13241189209710306782015-06-13T23:29:00.003-04:002015-06-14T00:07:24.675-04:00Yukon's Mighty IcefieldsWell. What can you say about this massive icefield?<br />
<br />
From May 23 to June 9 I was part of an Alpine Club of Canada Yukon (ACC) trip. Some people stayed for 4 days, some for a week and a few of us for the whole duration. The <a href="http://www.accyukon.ca/p/icefield-discovery-camp-2015.html" target="_blank">ACC Icefield Discovery</a> camp was supposed to be two weeks (May 23 to June 6), but weather and massive clouds extended that for some of us by 3 days and for others by 5!<br />
<br />
Anyways, words defy this "trip-of-a-life-time" landscape (haha, it's my roughly annual trip of a lifetime and only Part 1 at that...) In any case, let me show you this place with a few pics taken by Erika Joubert, an awesome camp mate and chum. Click on pics to see them larger - it's worth it!<br />
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My own pictures are on a camera and Samsung Android phone that are both still in the Yukon with all of my gear. When we finally got a flight out on the 9th day of no flights, we had decided to get people out and leave gear behind for later pick up. All to say, there'll be more pics soon, as I am heading back to resume <i>Yukon 2015 Part 2</i> with trekking, festivals and visiting friends.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-erF_wQxwI/VXzrEWpiGYI/AAAAAAAACU8/oGtoQGxoJx0/s1600/10995551_10153314577378257_2733002332158502796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-erF_wQxwI/VXzrEWpiGYI/AAAAAAAACU8/oGtoQGxoJx0/s400/10995551_10153314577378257_2733002332158502796_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnurdelhorn (~3,350 m) and Queen Mary (~3,900 m) <br />
Icefield Discovery camp is to the right of Gnurdelhorn. It has two<br />
weather haven tents - one for kitchen, one with a half for gear <br />
and the other half sleeping. And a few tents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--u2nhob6_vI/VXzthldsjpI/AAAAAAAACV4/vV9CtwaFU4Y/s1600/11008517_10153313706193257_8841885660023595006_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--u2nhob6_vI/VXzthldsjpI/AAAAAAAACV4/vV9CtwaFU4Y/s400/11008517_10153313706193257_8841885660023595006_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Week 1 was hot. Measured 27 C in the sun one of these days,<br />
and that wasn't the hottest one! Needless to say, the earlier<br />
we got to ski the better the snow was. Except it did get <br />
super soft, super fast. Not the sort of conditions <br />
this Eastern Canadian, icy ski slope skier knows how to handle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMCRCcZjXcI/VXzth-YOVuI/AAAAAAAACV8/lOITx-g2QOo/s1600/11111626_10153314571933257_5889938500345086903_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMCRCcZjXcI/VXzth-YOVuI/AAAAAAAACV8/lOITx-g2QOo/s400/11111626_10153314571933257_5889938500345086903_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic: mountaineer's pose - lol.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkX1NBZQ3VE/VXzth0w8dcI/AAAAAAAACWE/vnmAtTejeMI/s1600/11428717_10153314571148257_2366542635315368876_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkX1NBZQ3VE/VXzth0w8dcI/AAAAAAAACWE/vnmAtTejeMI/s400/11428717_10153314571148257_2366542635315368876_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive Mount Logan, Canada's highest mountain (5,959 m) and the <br />
largest in the world by sheer mass, was our steady companion, <br />
and our mark for cloud movements of sorts.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Even though, it's 40 km away.</span><br />
This is the sun starting to set for a little while.<br />
Once I get my camera I will post <br />
pics from a very cool flight seeing trip a few of us did <br />
before the weather turned on us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72DibAZ2zvs/VXzry_jNW9I/AAAAAAAACVw/2JFK7rggv7I/s1600/IMG_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72DibAZ2zvs/VXzry_jNW9I/AAAAAAAACVw/2JFK7rggv7I/s400/IMG_5746.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first trip to Pikatak while the weather was warm <br />
and the clouds few. This was taken by Laura Storch<br />
a few feet below the summit.<br />
Gnurdelhorn is in the background.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-updn0aPBXzo/VXzrHcvQXAI/AAAAAAAACVg/YcCbumRr_aA/s1600/11401253_10153314571318257_7798420925734940664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-updn0aPBXzo/VXzrHcvQXAI/AAAAAAAACVg/YcCbumRr_aA/s400/11401253_10153314571318257_7798420925734940664_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty cushy beach life. It was so hot, people were all about <br />
sun protection. Granted on a glacier at about 2,600 m there's <br />
plenty of reason to try and keep sun radiation at bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqTFo-yDg5E/VXzrHOEly1I/AAAAAAAACVI/2t69HxrVcKQ/s1600/11401070_10153314569923257_4404451912753857047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqTFo-yDg5E/VXzrHOEly1I/AAAAAAAACVI/2t69HxrVcKQ/s400/11401070_10153314569923257_4404451912753857047_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Week 2 we were weathered in. A couple of stormy days with some <br />
good winds, but it was mostly due to a fast moving wall of cloud <br />
and tiny weather windows, that there were no flights. <br />
Icefield Discovery managed one flight out on the 9th day (3 days <br />
later than the final intended day at camp) and the rest <br />
of the crew got picked up another 2 days later <br />
after getting though another storm.<br />
This picture was taken around 5:30 am and the skies were clear.<br />
The sun came up right over the col at MB Peak from our vantage point.<br />
Within a couple of hours we were socked in again. <br />
We ended up making the check in time with the pilot earlier <br />
as the best windows were that kind of early.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dG0mcDanxL0/VXzrGyT2V6I/AAAAAAAACVE/qeBdJPNyrzY/s1600/11401246_10153314570003257_8905879485246162394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dG0mcDanxL0/VXzrGyT2V6I/AAAAAAAACVE/qeBdJPNyrzY/s400/11401246_10153314570003257_8905879485246162394_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did get out on a few excursions as the weather wasn't bad. <br />
Isothermal<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.2222232818604px; text-align: left;"> </span>snow (super wet spring snow) notwithstanding.<br />
This is me on the way back up the glacier from Pikatak to camp; <br />
enhanced by clouds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dif2plQmiAs/VXzrHg3x3_I/AAAAAAAACVY/031vzSUaaUw/s1600/11402698_10153314570203257_4076325221732691601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dif2plQmiAs/VXzrHg3x3_I/AAAAAAAACVY/031vzSUaaUw/s400/11402698_10153314570203257_4076325221732691601_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that pool below? All kinds of talk around camp about <br />
going for a dip in there when it was hot out.<br />
Here we are heading up the slope of Pikatak to the summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fArxYTCIbv4/VXzrHJOz_II/AAAAAAAACVU/lMcy4EFFNpI/s1600/11065910_10153314569793257_6862493357476150423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fArxYTCIbv4/VXzrHJOz_II/AAAAAAAACVU/lMcy4EFFNpI/s400/11065910_10153314569793257_6862493357476150423_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the long period without any flights and no way out, folks<br />
maintained their good humour. This is a very large "Hi Tom" <br />
(that is Captain Tom, our long-awaited Helio pilot) stamped <br />
out repeatedly as the snow kept drifting over it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-49146324484141219652015-02-02T19:27:00.000-05:002015-02-02T19:27:02.510-05:00This and That About EcuadorI have read, observed, and been told about some interesting, amusing, fascinating and odd facts about Ecuador over the last few weeks. Here is a sampling:<br />
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<b>Agriculture/ Farming</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>There are 500 varieties of potatoes</li>
<li>Guinea pigs, which are a staple, live inside people's houses in the country. How the guinea pigs react to a person i.e. if they stay calm or squeel, in indicates if the person has good or bad energy.</li>
<li>Quinoa is five times the price of rice, making it beyond the means of many</li>
<li>All the produce you find in the markets is organic</li>
<li>There are four varieties of bananas</li>
</ul>
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<b>Social Framework</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Healthcare is free</li>
<li>Education is free</li>
<li>Daycare is free</li>
<li>People who require assistance -- welfare -- are not given money but the services</li>
<li>In Cuenca, there are daily free Zumba (or other dance or exercise classes) for all</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b>Culture</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Ecuadorians are descendants of the Caribbean peopke</li>
<li>Quechua, an indigenous language, is the second language taught in school</li>
<li>Panama hats did not originate in Panama -- they are a product of Ecuador, made from the fronds of the toquilla palm, grown only in Ecuador</li>
</ul>
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<b>Exports</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Oil</li>
<li>Shrimp</li>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Roses</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Miscellaneous </b></div>
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<ul>
<li>The currency is the US dollar</li>
<li>The voltage is 120v, the same as in Canada -- unlike other South American countries</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-72738589321834797452015-01-27T20:27:00.001-05:002015-01-27T20:27:42.222-05:00Ecuador is WiredWi- fi. Mostly everywhere. Free. Always. Sounds awesome, don't you think? Ecuador, as in other South American countries I have had the pleasure of discovering, is wired in just that way. In a location that we might consider unlikely, such as a mom-and-pop restaurant, you can practically count on being able to log on, and at no cost. Imagine! What it does, of course, is make communication accessible to most people instead of a few. Canada should consider adopting such a model, I propose.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0z0pS56wxDw/VMg5ELXA9MI/AAAAAAAAASE/9ZS6RKHpzpg/s1600/2015-01-27%2B12.02.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0z0pS56wxDw/VMg5ELXA9MI/AAAAAAAAASE/9ZS6RKHpzpg/s1600/2015-01-27%2B12.02.05.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wi-fi? Why not?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-61570027697101449682015-01-27T10:22:00.003-05:002015-01-27T20:37:25.381-05:00Quito -- The Capital of So MuchArriving in Quito at midnight, I arranged for a pick-up at the airport for an extra $5.00, given that I am travelling sola this time. Ah, South America! I am so thrilled to be back, this time to explore Ecuador. Landing at the airport at once felt so familiar yet not. Discoveries and experiences were spread out before me, from the superb Andes to the cloud forests to the Pacific Coast to the Amazon. Hola Ecuador!<br />
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Quito is spectacularly located high in the Andes at 2,850m. The airport is a 40 minute cab ride from El Centro, the area of Quito I chose to stay in (this area is referred to as "the old town" by travellers.) It is the colonial part of the city containing fine architecture celebrated in the government buildings, numerous churches and cultural centres. And, as in other well designed cities, there is a grand square in the centre where people congregate, families eat ice cream together, flowers bloom, street merchants sell their wares and you can get your shoes shinned.<br />
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In addition to the many fascinating museums and cultural centres to visit, Quito offers a unique sky tram (the teleférico) that zips you up to 4,100m for a spectacular view of the city's mountainous landscape -- if you catch a clear day, that is. I arrived to cloud cover, as I was told I would, but cared not for I was at the top of Cruz Loma.<br />
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On a Monday, I happened upon the weekly changing of the guard at the Palacio del Gobierno. It was quite the spectacle complete with a marching band, guards on beautifully decorated horses, and rows of seated school children decked out in their crisp uniforms as part of the ceremony. The president, Rafael Correa, together with the vice-president, Jorge Moreno, presided over the crowds of office workers stepping out for the occasion, residents, school children and tourists alike. My heart swooned hearing the Ecuadorians sing their rousing national anthem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqp2n6a8RMg/VMeoM7K6-WI/AAAAAAAAARo/4G4GwJKZDNo/s1600/Studio_20150127_095852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqp2n6a8RMg/VMeoM7K6-WI/AAAAAAAAARo/4G4GwJKZDNo/s1600/Studio_20150127_095852.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The president, Rafael Correa, and the vice-president, Jorge Moreno, waved to the crowd gathered in the Plaza Grande. The flag was raised as part of the ceremony.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-wjiJzBR-o/VMeqG4ntkcI/AAAAAAAAAR0/serQlyQ8eO0/s1600/2015-01-19%2B11.08.19_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-wjiJzBR-o/VMeqG4ntkcI/AAAAAAAAAR0/serQlyQ8eO0/s1600/2015-01-19%2B11.08.19_resized.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing drab about the ceremonial dress of the guards and horses alike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As one would gather, Quito is one of the main transportation hubs, with many flights around the country passing through it. Quito also has two bus stations, one at the north and one at the south, each serving the respective parts of the country. To travel to Mindo, next up on my meanderings, I needed to go to the northern bus station. No problem, I thought, I will take a cab. (Cabs are inexpensive, although I did not need to take many because of where my accommodation, <a href="http://www.minkahostel.com/" target="_blank">Hostal Minka</a>, was located.) When I flagged down the only female cab driver I had seen, she told me that, no, I did not want to take a cab because it would be too expensive. Take the bus, she said, as she gestured "that way." So off I went "that way" and after more directions from police officers (of which there are many patrolling the streets), I found myself standing on a bus platform ready for my 25 cent ride. You go far for your money on a bus! I do truly love taking local buses because you see so much of the place and get to take in citizens' regular day -- and be part of it. With seven minutes to spare, I boarded the bus for Mindo. I did not know then that I would be so enchanted by this town in the cloud forest.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-40835419719139091032014-12-22T23:49:00.001-05:002015-02-04T10:57:26.336-05:00Wrapping up an amazing year of travelLast March I reached a personal milestone: I have been to all 10 Canadian provinces and 3 Northern territories at least once. Business trips have helped immensely, especially to get to Canada's North.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Here's a quick accounting for 2014. Leisure trips with Jan took us to:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search/label/Mexico" target="_blank">Cabo San Lucas</a>, Mexico for a perfect yoga retreat with our local studio</li>
<li><a href="http://www.talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search/label/Yukon" target="_blank">Yukon </a>for hiking, camping, arts and culture and visiting friends this summer</li>
<li><a href="http://www.talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search/label/Adirondacks" target="_blank">Adirondack Mountains</a> in New York for further High Peaks bagging</li>
<li>Toronto, ON to see friends </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
On the<a href="http://www.strategicmoves.ca/resources" target="_blank"> business side</a>, I added considerable mileage with trips to:<br />
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<ul>
<li>New York, NY</li>
<li>Boston, MA</li>
<li>Phoenix, AZ</li>
<li>St. John's, NL (twice!)</li>
<li>Charlottetown, PEI</li>
<li>Halifax, NS</li>
<li>Haliburton, ON (twice, too)</li>
<li>Midland, ON</li>
<li>London, ON</li>
<li>Toronto, ON</li>
<li>Portage La Prairie, MB</li>
<li><a href="http://www.strategicmoves.ca/2014/12/power-of-the-people-yukon-arts-summit-makes-change.html" target="_blank">Whitehorse</a>, YT</li>
<li><a href="http://www.talkingtrails.blogspot.ca/search/label/Nunavut" target="_blank">Iqaluit, NU</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I traveled about 70,000 km which is more than any other year so far. Put another way it is close to twice the circumference of our home, Earth.</div>
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<div>
For 2015, a few trips are already confirmed including a return to Halifax and a first trip to Regina, SK for conferences. We are looking at a return to the Yukon to keep exploring its wild places, perhaps combined with a first foray into Alaska. And it is time for a trip to Germany to see family and friends again, even though perhaps it will have to wait until early 2016 - we'll see. </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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Meanwhile, Jan will kick of 2015 in amazing style with a few weeks to explore Ecuador from the Andes to its coast. Look for her blog posts right here as her adventures unfold!<br />
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Ah, so many places to go next!</div>
Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-81254584516229569082014-09-09T12:21:00.000-04:002014-09-09T22:24:55.713-04:00Lesser 46ers deliver big<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm69eo1Ho0Y/VA9ASGyls_I/AAAAAAAACEU/zMn7KDYLr5o/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm69eo1Ho0Y/VA9ASGyls_I/AAAAAAAACEU/zMn7KDYLr5o/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gil brook near Indian Head </td></tr>
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We headed back country in the Adirondack High Peaks for the Labour Day weekend to enjoy the <i>essential </i>life of the outdoors for a few days.<br />
<br />
It was a stellar weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjMsEog1Zak/VA9AurBtQAI/AAAAAAAACEc/iAGAAtofmEY/s1600/20140831_183001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjMsEog1Zak/VA9AurBtQAI/AAAAAAAACEc/iAGAAtofmEY/s1600/20140831_183001.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely and very large camp site just for us.</td></tr>
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The drive down on Saturday was fast, as I didn't need to stop in at US Immigration due to my still valid I-94. We left our car in a spot at the 73 at St. Huberts hiker parking that had just become available - sometimes, on one of the busies hiking weekends, it pays to arrive relatively late in the day. From there access to the back country runs through the private Adirondack Mountain Reserve - Ausable Club (<a href="http://www.ausableclub.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=303892&ssid=190078&vnf=1" target="_blank">A short history - driven by conservation</a>). Mandatory trail head registration featured the Club's security person quizzing us on our overnight plans, whether we had bear barrels and so on. Satisfied that we were well equipped for 3 days he wished us a fine trip.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NB0yau8yP4/VA9A-3lTZ9I/AAAAAAAACEk/OGLYwOQxqPk/s1600/20140831_132102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NB0yau8yP4/VA9A-3lTZ9I/AAAAAAAACEk/OGLYwOQxqPk/s1600/20140831_132102.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inga on a cloudy Colvin summit.</td></tr>
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After about an hour we left the private Lake Road, and within 30 minutes we located a designated camp site near Indian Head. Arriving much faster than expected, we decided to set up camp and then work up a proper appetite. As the trail became noticeably steeper that worked very well. By 6:30 pm we were set up by the brook to heat up dinner. An hour later dusk began to rapidly turn to dark.<br />
<br />
The rain arrived on cue overnight. We lucked into a dry spell for breakfast and then headed out on the trail to Mt Colvin and Blake. These are two of the lesser 46ers. In fact, Blake is a historic artifact, since it is not quite 4,000' in height. (These two are 4,057' and 3,980' respectively.) However, <a href="http://adk46er.org/" target="_blank">the 46ers</a> years ago decided to not alter the historic list just because newer surveys recalibrated heights a little better.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jCML1O8Sdq4/VA9BpIuF1PI/AAAAAAAACE8/lRmMs2817MI/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jCML1O8Sdq4/VA9BpIuF1PI/AAAAAAAACE8/lRmMs2817MI/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking out on a super beautiful, sunny day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-af9oHVUCr88/VA9BnvdwEKI/AAAAAAAACE0/Ys6QqO9ALd4/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-af9oHVUCr88/VA9BnvdwEKI/AAAAAAAACE0/Ys6QqO9ALd4/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still life of boots drying and gear awaiting packing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Summit-wise, neither offered us much: Colvin was engulfed in clouds and Blake is in the trees. Hiking-wise, we enjoyed the usual Adirondack wilderness challenges of steep, rocky and wet terrain that requires the hiker's constant attention and vigilance. One hallmarks of the remarkable technical hiking here is that the descent often takes as long as the ascent did; this 7-mile return took us about 7 hours through rain and clouds and mud. We met just 5 other people in 2 groups all day: When the weather forecast is for adverse weather, the back country-exploring population drops dramatically. This usually feels like a bonus; at least as long as the weather is "bad within reason".<br />
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By the time we settled back at camp to make dinner, the rain had subsided and we enjoyed a well deserved meal by our own private brook.<br />
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On Sunday, we had a leisurely morning followed by a quick hike out and a drive to Chapel Pond, the best High Peaks swimming hole. The it was off to The Cottage in Lake Placid for a late lunch, a bit of shopping and a beautiful drive home.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-8Wrzt057M/VA-2MsVIz9I/AAAAAAAACFI/Acth8AFP8C0/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-8Wrzt057M/VA-2MsVIz9I/AAAAAAAACFI/Acth8AFP8C0/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best patio in Lake Placid! The Cottage at Mirror Lake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In recent years, <i>wilderness</i> has taken an ever greater place in my world. These days, it is the perhaps mythical place where we can still roam freely that makes most sense to me. Living in a city, even one as splendid and close to the outdoors as Ottawa, has me feeling wistful for the essentialness, the self-reliance of the unpaved.<br />
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It's great to have the Adirondack wilderness close by and to have mountain excursions and wild places on my mind for the next adventure.Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-76728463097191608722014-08-25T22:34:00.000-04:002014-08-25T23:19:07.631-04:00Fording Bullion Creek (video)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We don't usually cross creeks like this in the Eastern part of the country. So it was exciting to feel the power of the water tugging at our legs as we dealt with the largest obstacle on Slim's River West trail. Enjoy.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvuVm-NgZxkdUiU254VdLhAxOsocLgPiFmBhapZiprsN4EcIGzb5PjUGXBQyGdVku3QnWZk0bsbMXLTZ7Ttw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-21424610245951182642014-08-13T17:33:00.000-04:002014-08-20T00:08:55.258-04:00Slim's River West, Kluane National Park<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCAsFaZzByw/U-vBrBaMs1I/AAAAAAAACAw/bH8Q-552fqo/s1600/DSC02090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCAsFaZzByw/U-vBrBaMs1I/AAAAAAAACAw/bH8Q-552fqo/s1600/DSC02090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy: Jan. </td></tr>
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The last substantial hike of this Yukon trip took us to <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/yt/kluane/activ/1.aspx" target="_blank">Kluane National Park</a>, located a couple of hours from Whitehorse in the Southwest corner of the Territory. We opted for a relatively simple trail along <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/yt/kluane/activ/1/a/xii.aspx" target="_blank">Slim's River West/Ä’äy Chù West</a>, which is entirely located inside the Park. The 22.5 km long trail features a wide variety of mountain features, alluvial fans, brush, sand dunes and creek crossing. The crossing of Bullion Creek made us stop and think. These glacial waters run fast, cold and quite high. Wading through such waters has not been part of our regular outings, so we were happy to have paid attention at the briefing with Parks staff.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53jNSy-RpPM/U-vDAsw31zI/AAAAAAAACBQ/j48GxAd774Q/s1600/IMG_5036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53jNSy-RpPM/U-vDAsw31zI/AAAAAAAACBQ/j48GxAd774Q/s1600/IMG_5036.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful mountains, river and valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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We also had been told that this trail has frequent bear activity. Around km 16 as expected we spotted a grizzly heading across the slope toward some tasty berry bushes. As we hiked hugging the river rather than the mountain slope, we decided to proceed and kept an eye on the bear until it disappeared into the bushes. A few minutes later, we saw him stand up on his hind legs, look at us and sniff - he had noticed us by the river as we were now perpendicular to him and he might have heard us finally as we moved up-wind - then turn and run off. Clearly this adult had better things to do than be near a couple of hikers.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq_sv0HWDTU/U-vI6ycy1yI/AAAAAAAACB8/-tvhUvnj5LY/s1600/bear_grizzly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq_sv0HWDTU/U-vI6ycy1yI/AAAAAAAACB8/-tvhUvnj5LY/s1600/bear_grizzly1.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the grizzly? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We continued on our way, happy and content that this would be a bear <i>observation</i> rather than an <i>encounter</i>. We made it to the camping area at Canada Creek in just under 8 hours. Like in Tombstone I was a little under-fueled in the last hour or so of the hike - which also happened to be the part of the trail with some steep ups and downs, even though they are not that sustained - and ended up hauling out the last piece of tastiest salami EVER from my bear canister. I needed that!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3n-Oh60BwgA/U-vBsC9-g4I/AAAAAAAACA0/0qfFYxIXqso/s1600/DSC02157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3n-Oh60BwgA/U-vBsC9-g4I/AAAAAAAACA0/0qfFYxIXqso/s1600/DSC02157.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many parts of Canada Creek heading into Slim's River.</td></tr>
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We set up camp in the open area by one of the <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrOp1nUEP5k/U-vGKlFi6iI/AAAAAAAACBw/m1EJz4LDyzM/s1600/DSC02168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrOp1nUEP5k/U-vGKlFi6iI/AAAAAAAACBw/m1EJz4LDyzM/s1600/DSC02168.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tent fit the vast landscape well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
many arms of Canada Creek. Four other tents were there belonging to three separate groups. One group was hanging out at camp. Two other pairs were still out at Observation Mountain. We met up with each later in the evening to hear about their fairly epic 10-, 11-hour days of route finding, impressive creek crossings, awesome views and generally exhilarating hiking. One had gone fast and light, the other carried overnight gear just in case. All were elated.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qckLb-D54zk/U-vC9negqEI/AAAAAAAACBE/Xfvd-cRwI4g/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qckLb-D54zk/U-vC9negqEI/AAAAAAAACBE/Xfvd-cRwI4g/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glaciers above the toe of Kaskawulsh glacier.</td></tr>
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We decided that if we were to head up Observation Mountain, we would want to get an early start so we could avoid the very high water crossings both of them described. As it turned out, sleeping in was the order of the next day and we spent a few hours exploring the Canada Creek area below Observation Mountain toward the Kaskawulsh glacier.<br />
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In the afternoon we met up with three new arrivals at camp. They had had a whole different kind of encounter with two juvenile grizzlies over about four hours and were ready to relax and take it easy. We decided to hike out together the next day, as there is considerable safety in numbers. We enjoyed campfire chats with Colleen, Tom and Danielle. As it turned out Colleen and I had met before through my work in the performing arts! It was surreal and fun when we both realized that we were having a quintessential"small world" moment in the Yukon wilderness.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xv-hbJsDVvs/U-vDAN0-d7I/AAAAAAAACBM/3OTxi0gY_ko/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xv-hbJsDVvs/U-vDAN0-d7I/AAAAAAAACBM/3OTxi0gY_ko/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what wind looks like. <br />
Foot of Observation Mountain.</td></tr>
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The hike out the next day was uneventful, despite the occasional route finding challenge along sections of the high trail. Jan showed us all the perfect spot for crossing back over Bullion Creek and we said our good byes that evening at the trail head. We drove to Haines Junction where we camped at Pine Lake, after enjoying a well-earned meal at Frosty's. The next morning, we headed for breakfast and then to the <a href="http://www.cafn.ca/centre.html" target="_blank">Da Ku Cultural Centre</a>. Then we returned to our Whitehorse "base camper" to see our dear friend Michele, her sons and the dogs for an awesome weekend of memorable meals, meeting lovely dinner guests, beautiful Okanagan wine and fruit, walking with the dogs, and all manner of stories and music.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHdA7wUiAfk/U-vDHX_67rI/AAAAAAAACBc/immbCC7CeT8/s1600/IMG_5173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHdA7wUiAfk/U-vDHX_67rI/AAAAAAAACBc/immbCC7CeT8/s1600/IMG_5173.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made fire ... which was easy to do with the tinder-dry wood <br />
and constant wind.</td></tr>
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This was our last weekend. I found leaving hard. Both the unique geography of this place and an indelible sense of an expanded family have been imprinted on my soul. I think it may be the closest to <i>home </i>I have ever felt. <br />
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-45881527236374841062014-08-10T10:14:00.000-04:002014-08-13T18:28:31.578-04:009 hours in Dawson CityOur Tombstone hike out delivered us to our SUV around 10 pm with the sun high in the Northern sky. After high fives and trail head selfies, we headed to Dawson City. We knew that the Dawson City Music Festival was on that weekend, which likely meant little chance of vacancies or camping. But 5 days of oatmeal, an assortment of trail bars and re-hydrated vegetarian dinners had me craving meat protein, so off we went.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbyHv0pHqnU/U-t3R80VOOI/AAAAAAAAB_w/XGOqnv4dH6s/s1600/20140719_002352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbyHv0pHqnU/U-t3R80VOOI/AAAAAAAAB_w/XGOqnv4dH6s/s1600/20140719_002352.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entertainment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We arrived in Dawson around 11:30 at night and quickly learned the only place to eat was <a href="http://dawsoncity.ca/diamond-tooth-gerties/" target="_blank">Diamond-Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall.</a> We giddily entered an alternate reality in "Canada's first casino" complete with the midnight show, gamblers seeking fun and fortune, plenty of drinking and, yes, a late-night kitchen. Jan bought us beers, I got myself a cheeseburger with a side salad ('cause that was the more healthful option) and Jan had veggie pizza. After the show I had another cheese burger and another pint. I was happy.<br />
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By 1:30 in the morning we needed to sleep. We pulled into an RV / camping spot, parked in a quiet corner and slept for a few hours in the SUV. We left before the office opened (we would have happily self-registered but there was no such option) and headed to the <a href="http://www.eldoradohotel.ca/" target="_blank">Eldorado</a> hotel for an early breakfast. I consumed all manner of protein to last me until dinner in Whitehorse.<br />
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Before embarking on the 500 km trip back to our "base camper" in Whitehorse, a hot shower, a brief catch-up visit with a friend and a lovely dinner at <a href="http://burnttoastcafe.ca/" target="_blank">Burnt Toast</a> (yeah to locally made Elk and Blueberry sausage), we took a few photos around Dawson to remind ourselves why we'd want to come back to spend some quality time that includes day-time hours. (Click on pic to enlarge.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Skvd8qfmo/U-t4Wu__J4I/AAAAAAAAB_4/5ynISZTWkTg/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Skvd8qfmo/U-t4Wu__J4I/AAAAAAAAB_4/5ynISZTWkTg/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every town needs a theatre!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWcbVcKPxlU/U-t4YE9gBcI/AAAAAAAACAA/ZuTkZUiPbUs/s1600/DSC01998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWcbVcKPxlU/U-t4YE9gBcI/AAAAAAAACAA/ZuTkZUiPbUs/s1600/DSC01998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open every Friday noon to 5 pm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywGoCq1bJcI/U-t4YQ-7Y0I/AAAAAAAACAE/YD_KJ2N5Ztg/s1600/DSC02002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywGoCq1bJcI/U-t4YQ-7Y0I/AAAAAAAACAE/YD_KJ2N5Ztg/s1600/DSC02002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd_IKKawjCY/U-t4lpxiXpI/AAAAAAAACAQ/_ycXvMj51go/s1600/DSC02003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd_IKKawjCY/U-t4lpxiXpI/AAAAAAAACAQ/_ycXvMj51go/s1600/DSC02003.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Romance Capital of the Yukon"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo4i9XhkBbY/U-t4pLB-9eI/AAAAAAAACAY/CCbUbNeoF6A/s1600/DSC02005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo4i9XhkBbY/U-t4pLB-9eI/AAAAAAAACAY/CCbUbNeoF6A/s1600/DSC02005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to maintain that historic Gold Rush feeling.</td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-5390504404424033922014-08-06T00:30:00.000-04:002014-08-14T11:32:13.665-04:00Tombstone's floraAmong the formidable aspects of Tombstone's beautiful tarns, soaring cirques, ragged mountains and wild moraines is its multitude of vegetation. While much of it is tiny, it is amazingly resilient: after all much of this land is alpine tundra. Following are a few close up impressions. I checked on names in <a href="http://www.borealherbal.com/" target="_blank">The Boreal Herbal </a>by Beverly Gray (Great to meet and chat with Bev at the camp fire in Atlin!) ... If by chance you know these plants or their uses, leave a comment and I will update accordingly. Other than that simply enjoy the minuscule majesty of these plants!<br />
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(I took all of these pics at Divide Lake. Click to enlarge.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWhjwUClcpw/U-GRucWh1zI/AAAAAAAAB9s/k-Tb3MyK3S8/s1600/DSC01658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWhjwUClcpw/U-GRucWh1zI/AAAAAAAAB9s/k-Tb3MyK3S8/s1600/DSC01658.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature's rock art.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyk15FM-o64/U-GSUv5ye-I/AAAAAAAAB-8/oCVNR93I1GQ/s1600/DSC01890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyk15FM-o64/U-GSUv5ye-I/AAAAAAAAB-8/oCVNR93I1GQ/s1600/DSC01890.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoblock appears just like square foot gardening.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8FoKOjJOHI/U-GRfa6F9PI/AAAAAAAAB9c/M3BlTfJOuRw/s1600/DSC01769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8FoKOjJOHI/U-GRfa6F9PI/AAAAAAAAB9c/M3BlTfJOuRw/s1600/DSC01769.JPG" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1:</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4OayiK7_v0/U-GR_c_b4bI/AAAAAAAAB-E/HUgfzvrEubI/s1600/DSC01782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4OayiK7_v0/U-GR_c_b4bI/AAAAAAAAB-E/HUgfzvrEubI/s1600/DSC01782.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2: Labrador Tea (use leaves and flowers)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4vrmgVyxnc/U-GSG2hPQrI/AAAAAAAAB-g/7mnh7IKob5w/s1600/DSC01811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4vrmgVyxnc/U-GSG2hPQrI/AAAAAAAAB-g/7mnh7IKob5w/s1600/DSC01811.JPG" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3: Arnica (heart-leaf)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPpH3yr8oc0/U-GSGnw41SI/AAAAAAAAB-c/HrmDihkYQ9U/s1600/DSC01829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPpH3yr8oc0/U-GSGnw41SI/AAAAAAAAB-c/HrmDihkYQ9U/s1600/DSC01829.JPG" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4: Arctic Cotton</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4-_TQrXt6s/U-GSBYDZQiI/AAAAAAAAB-M/4dCIEa1engc/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4-_TQrXt6s/U-GSBYDZQiI/AAAAAAAAB-M/4dCIEa1engc/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5: </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqiorYVFbmw/U-GR7ifPR4I/AAAAAAAAB98/0SwX48tYdr0/s1600/DSC01794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqiorYVFbmw/U-GR7ifPR4I/AAAAAAAAB98/0SwX48tYdr0/s1600/DSC01794.JPG" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6: </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxnpiz07hkA/U-GSPmWExwI/AAAAAAAAB-s/Djgb-n-LNGE/s1600/DSC01927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxnpiz07hkA/U-GSPmWExwI/AAAAAAAAB-s/Djgb-n-LNGE/s1600/DSC01927.JPG" height="320" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7: Lungwort (use leaves)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhEWJSYAo8w/U-GSQxaYRKI/AAAAAAAAB-0/e5pmRmOQAn0/s1600/DSC01929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhEWJSYAo8w/U-GSQxaYRKI/AAAAAAAAB-0/e5pmRmOQAn0/s1600/DSC01929.JPG" height="278" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8: River beauty (use leaves and flowers)</td></tr>
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Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757127511846457774.post-50502209881952389462014-08-05T16:33:00.003-04:002014-08-05T17:30:16.226-04:00Tombstone Territorial Park shrouded in magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent 4 days back country hiking in <a href="http://www.env.gov.yk.ca/camping-parks/tombstonepark.php" target="_blank">Tombstone Territorial Park</a>. A magical place deserving of much more of our time! (Click on pics to enlarge.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1VvzwqLQNM/U-E54NnF7sI/AAAAAAAAB6w/azCHYBH8_UU/s1600/DSC01603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1VvzwqLQNM/U-E54NnF7sI/AAAAAAAAB6w/azCHYBH8_UU/s1600/DSC01603.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marmot Meadow featured marmots, pikas and <br />
ground squirrels, but no bears.</td></tr>
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The 7-hour drive from Whitehorse is scenic, of course, and the first 10% of the Dempster Highway we drove were in great shape even though it is unpaved.<br />
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We booked the <a href="http://www.yukonhiking.ca/grizzly_lake.html" target="_blank">Grizzly,</a> <a href="http://www.yukonhiking.ca/divide_lake.html" target="_blank">Divide </a>and <a href="http://www.yukonhiking.ca/talus_lake.html" target="_blank">Talus </a>Lakes campsites - the only 'developed' sites in the Park - complete with 10' x 10' tent platforms, cooking shelter, outhouse and even grey water barrels. When visiting this well-established loop, booking is necessary. Other than that, trekkers can hike and camp anywhere; the message that this is remote wilderness where people are expected to be self-sufficient is unambiguously communicated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwQ029bRbU/U-E7blQ9a_I/AAAAAAAAB7A/I74fdL4-uMc/s1600/DSC01614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwQ029bRbU/U-E7blQ9a_I/AAAAAAAAB7A/I74fdL4-uMc/s1600/DSC01614.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground level clouds roll in at Grizzly Lake.</td></tr>
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The first night we camped close to the Visitors Centre awed by the beauty of these mountains already. The next morning we got our back country permits, a briefing on what to expect and off we went. As we hiked up Grizzly Ridge the rain started to move in. Still, we enjoyed the varied mountain terrain and reached Grizzly Lake in just under 6 hours. There was no-one else until another couple appeared later in the evening. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xN5U_BDBrZc/U-E62jMzHqI/AAAAAAAAB64/aI0NiF61h84/s1600/DSC01647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xN5U_BDBrZc/U-E62jMzHqI/AAAAAAAAB64/aI0NiF61h84/s1600/DSC01647.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jan descends Glissade Pass. Fun boot skiing.</td></tr>
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Our new <a href="https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/FlyCreekUL3" target="_blank">ultra-light tent (Big Agnes)</a> would got its first wet weather test. Happily it stayed dry, kept us warm and we discovered that the fly sheds water so that it's not even wet when packing it despite some heavy rain.<br />
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The next day, we set off to Talus Lake via Divide. This meant crossing Glissade Pass with its 1,400 feet elevation. We had been told that it can be arduous especially when carrying weight. Alas, we were prepared for this terrain. Even the rain held off for some of the hiking; it resumed as we finished putting up the tent at Talus. It was amazing to have the whole valley to ourselves.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm6X1lmRhi0/U-E8CCI-RDI/AAAAAAAAB7I/Ve0v5FgMsAE/s1600/DSC01684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm6X1lmRhi0/U-E8CCI-RDI/AAAAAAAAB7I/Ve0v5FgMsAE/s1600/DSC01684.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talus Lake was dramatic and our tent was perfect!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jKpUo1mCZ0/U-E81itLY5I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/CV_xGx0k8bo/s1600/DSC01733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jKpUo1mCZ0/U-E81itLY5I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/CV_xGx0k8bo/s1600/DSC01733.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There will be a break in the weather!</td></tr>
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On our third day in the back country, rain had been with us every day: the clouds revealed and obscured these rugged and ragged mountains creating ever-changing moods of light and dark; a feeling of a landscape shrouded in old stories and ancient spirits. We had been walking all alone among them.<br />
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That evening we went to Divide Lake - a short 2-hour hike. As the weather improved we met a few people: four Germans including two lone hikers and a couple of Canadians. The most impressive itinerary belonged to Andreas from Stuttgart: a 3-week self-supported trek throughout the Park. His gear was remarkable: from a tent weighing 350 grams to carrying Pemmican, nature bars and dried fruit to eat, so there was no need to carry any cooking equipment at all. That is a kind of wilderness experience to which I can merely aspire! (I think we could manage a good week given our much lighter equipment now.)<br />
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The next day we set out on the long trek back to 'the other world.'<br />
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The clouds lifted in the morning and we enjoyed ever-changing light, stupendous views of ridges, rocks and mountain tops for our 9.5 hour hike out. Glorious. And leaving us wanting so much more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3OS-egJzuA/U-E9OwXNJRI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/gDqxX9jNBv0/s1600/DSC01820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3OS-egJzuA/U-E9OwXNJRI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/gDqxX9jNBv0/s1600/DSC01820.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divide Lake turns mirror-like <br />
as we arrive for the night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_I3isdvClM/U-E96V19CpI/AAAAAAAAB7g/Ng6ahq0RdwU/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_I3isdvClM/U-E96V19CpI/AAAAAAAAB7g/Ng6ahq0RdwU/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Grizzly Lake and seeing the surrounding <br />
mountain tops on our hike out.</td></tr>
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<br />Inga Petrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424835663451846811noreply@blogger.com0