Can't believe that I did not do an entry last year as I (we) were all so pumped by our (Georgina, Trish and I) by our 5 day hike into Assiniboine and out via Sunshine.
- 5 days of glorious weather
- 2 days in from Sunshine, 2 days out the same way and one day at Assiniboine
- again that relaxation and enjoyment of continuous days out in nature at altitude
- fabulous flowers and meadows, blue skies, even swimming in the lake at Assiniboine
- Trish doing the trip from the bucket list that you don't expect to get to...she used that cat-urine soaked backpack of the 70's (and she had another one at home) and she was definitely challenged and concerned about the big long hike up the pass on the way out. We all did well just each doing as her own speed and into that zone for much of the day.
- the euphoria of enjoying every moment out in nature with friends and knowing that you can enjoy so much with your shelter, food and clothing all in one bag.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Molar, Clearwater, Dolomite Passes incl. Devon Lakes August 6-13, 2013
Wow, wow, wow....it affected me so much....a wonderful spectacular trip in every way...from regular days backpacking and fun with a great group to ending up being so high and at peace with the routine of living in the mountains...it brought tears to my eyes numerous times in the few days after it all.
There are many great days and things that I have experienced but this was really exceptional and one of those rare opportunities. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had. Thanks so much for George wanting to include me from the beginning with all the vanFraassens (7 of them to start with...Adrian for the first night and then Kate (the initial idea), Georgina (what 17 or 18 years of annual trips), Louise (George's sister and just my speed with a great philosophy), her 2 kids Syd and Richard (both educated and living out of a car!) and the first trip with Jamie since 2007.
It was close to 70 km the route and spectacular being in the high country as always. Some firsts:
- a 12 hour day followed by a 10 hour day (21 km each of those last 2 days)
- the distances 16,12, 0 for me, 21 and 21km
- river crossings with a real technique
- new boots so heels that required 2-3weeks before I could wear much of a shoes again so pain each time I put the boots on... so glad that it did not hurt to walk
- a day in camp alone to air my feet and hope for some healing...it did allow me to finish the hike in my boots... a new experience that I quite enjoyed being on my own and watching the scenery, etc.
- a large group with lots of youth so I felt challenged and yet I finished yearning to make a plan for next year
- sharing the weight of food and stuff and sharing the tasks so Richard did most of the cooking
- random camping so awesome and so next to no people
- camped on a flood plain!
- crossed numerous streams and had a hand out to help me jump further numerous times
- actually fording a river twice with the proper technique
- walking through bog, alder bushes, big black flies that bite, so much open meadow, beautiful lakes, the most wondrous approach to Dolomite Pass as one goes up for about 10km with rising and then meadows 3 times over. So much rock on this pass, I loved it and see why it was Gramps favorite. I would like to camp just beyond Katherine another time...and then Bob tells me that Gramps planted grass up here and had his campsite with his first homemade nylon tent without a floor. George and I agreed that Dolomite Pass has to be one of the most spectacular passes that we have ever been to and of course we were well into the mode by the time that we arrived here. So many wonderful places to pitch a tent here and enjoy the rocks, streams, waterfall and lakes. The walk from the top of Helen Lake was just the end and a bit of a slog with lots of daytrippers here. It will probably never be my favorite hike again after this experience. It seemed like a lot of downhill and often rather boring after so many days up so high. Every time I know why I do multi-day trips rather than single days.
- a group where every individual had a positive attitude and made the group so wonderful ...and lots of youth to stretch my abilities
There are many great days and things that I have experienced but this was really exceptional and one of those rare opportunities. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had. Thanks so much for George wanting to include me from the beginning with all the vanFraassens (7 of them to start with...Adrian for the first night and then Kate (the initial idea), Georgina (what 17 or 18 years of annual trips), Louise (George's sister and just my speed with a great philosophy), her 2 kids Syd and Richard (both educated and living out of a car!) and the first trip with Jamie since 2007.
It was close to 70 km the route and spectacular being in the high country as always. Some firsts:
- a 12 hour day followed by a 10 hour day (21 km each of those last 2 days)
- the distances 16,12, 0 for me, 21 and 21km
- river crossings with a real technique
- new boots so heels that required 2-3weeks before I could wear much of a shoes again so pain each time I put the boots on... so glad that it did not hurt to walk
- a day in camp alone to air my feet and hope for some healing...it did allow me to finish the hike in my boots... a new experience that I quite enjoyed being on my own and watching the scenery, etc.
- a large group with lots of youth so I felt challenged and yet I finished yearning to make a plan for next year
- sharing the weight of food and stuff and sharing the tasks so Richard did most of the cooking
- random camping so awesome and so next to no people
- camped on a flood plain!
- crossed numerous streams and had a hand out to help me jump further numerous times
- actually fording a river twice with the proper technique
- walking through bog, alder bushes, big black flies that bite, so much open meadow, beautiful lakes, the most wondrous approach to Dolomite Pass as one goes up for about 10km with rising and then meadows 3 times over. So much rock on this pass, I loved it and see why it was Gramps favorite. I would like to camp just beyond Katherine another time...and then Bob tells me that Gramps planted grass up here and had his campsite with his first homemade nylon tent without a floor. George and I agreed that Dolomite Pass has to be one of the most spectacular passes that we have ever been to and of course we were well into the mode by the time that we arrived here. So many wonderful places to pitch a tent here and enjoy the rocks, streams, waterfall and lakes. The walk from the top of Helen Lake was just the end and a bit of a slog with lots of daytrippers here. It will probably never be my favorite hike again after this experience. It seemed like a lot of downhill and often rather boring after so many days up so high. Every time I know why I do multi-day trips rather than single days.
- a group where every individual had a positive attitude and made the group so wonderful ...and lots of youth to stretch my abilities
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