2009 Camp

2009 Camp

Sun, 2008/12/07 - 4:59pm |

Visitor

Photo by Kate Pierce

Cinnabar Basin, South Chilcotin
July 26–August 2 & August 2–9 2009

See the Summer Camps album in Photo Gallery for photos of this camp and of the 2001 camp in the same location.

For 2009, the Nature Vancouver camp returned to Cinnabar Basin in the Southern Chilcotins for 26 July to 2 August. Two one-week camps were planned, and were fully booked up, but due to the extreme fire hazard in the area it was decided to cancel the second week. The entire camp might have been over before it began – the access road led through part of the area burned by the Tyaughton Lake fire in June – but that fire relaxed in time for at least the first week to go ahead.

The hike in was the most gruelling part of the week: a hike of 8 kilometres with an elevation gain of 800 metres, with temperatures in the mid-thirties and a humidex in the low forties. Once we were there and set up, however, we enjoyed easily accessible ridges, passes and meadows where we could wander at will, dominated by large carpets of lupines whose scent was with us almost everywhere we went.

Lesley Bohm: We started up the hill to camp in thirty degree heat at 9am and were soon attacked by hordes of biting flies, grateful not to be backpacking. The road uphill was steep until we broke out into alpine on the trail and were greeted with the overpowering smell of lupines. Most of that day was spend setting up the complicated camp and digging biffies.

On day one a few of us followed Hugh Hamilton up to Lakeview Ridge, to the southeast of the camp, and broke out to a stunning view of the receding hills descending into Carpenter Lake, which turned out to be our last chance at the lake view because of the thickening smoke from the Lillooet forest fire. This was also the flower peak—as we found out three days later—with beautiful phacelias and a steep hillside clothed in sulphur buckwheat (Eriogonum). There was a refreshing snow patch to temper the heat and bug nets were appreciated at the end of the ridge at lunchtime. There was an amazing view through the krummholz on the ridge and one passage above a steep gully worthy of the Alpine Club. The descent back to camp crossed swales of lupine, valerian, and senecio interrupted by river courses of pink mimulus and swamps of alpine coltsfoot and glorious green moss starred with dwarf pink fireweed (Epilobium).

On day two we again followed Hugh up Cinnabar Ridge through alpine lupines crouching in green rocks, up onto the ridge painted with stripes of yellow, orange and green, and a dark volcanic plug. We found another welcome snow patch and had lunch at the end of the ridge overlooking the valley of Carpenter Lake—and all the mountains beyond—looking down on the Jewel Creek access to Spruce Lake.

Other days were taken up with more ridge walking, a pleasant hike down the forest to the horse camp, past wonderful river gardens, a return to Lakeview Ridge—where some plants were already burned off by the intense heat—and a trip to the Camel. The saving grace in the heat was the shallow tarn into which half the company fell every afternoon, after which we raced the bugs back to our tents.

The food was amazing, the company was great, and we made it home in spite of the quite spectacular forest fires all around. I thank all responsible for the incredible organization that enabled us to enjoy such an unforgettable place.

Kate Pierce: Memories include spectacular flowers and mountain views, hot weather, hungry insects with many campers sporting the latest in bug clothing, incredible food, stubborn dining tent (didn’t want to go up), fun people, great hikes and activities (painting and drawing lessons) and sadness that the 2nd camp didn’t get to go (I was really looking forward to meeting old friends on the way down). And thunderstorms...

Jackie (Gray) and Kate set off to explore the west end of Harris Ridge on a clear sunny day, climbing up via Cinnabar Pass. We followed Phil Edgell’s group out and got advice from Phil on how to return via Camel Pass. They left and we sat down for a leisurely lunch but about 20 minutes later Jackie spotted a flash of lightning in the far distance. We quickly packed up and worked our way back, keeping below the higher points along the ridge, but the storm was moving so fast that by the time we had reached the junction with the main ridge, 25 minutes later, it was close by.

All along we had been exchanging ideas on what we were supposed to do - find a gully or low point and crouch down - luckily we both stayed calm. We sat down and took a few minutes to assess the situation and, for a bit of light relief, lo and behold beside me were the gentians we had been seeking all day. With thunder following flashes in quick succession it was time to find our safest spot, so we climbed back up a short way to find a deeper depression and separated and hunkered down, being pelted with rain, then pea-sized hail. With only rain jackets our bare legs were getting pretty sore and cold. After about 30 minutes of noses pressed to the ground the storm quietened down. During the lull a Rufous Hummingbird visited us, attracted by our bright jackets, and we felt that was a good omen and took the opportunity to dash back over the open ridges, all the while pointing out safer spots should we need to hunker down again. We took the shortest route down through the meadows west of camp and Donald (Burton) greeted us with relief as he had been monitoring our progress across the last of the ridge. Rather wet and cold we were glad to be safely back in camp all in one piece. Needless to say for the rest of the week we came down off the ridges at the first sign of thunder and lightning and encouraged others to do so too. Many thanks to all the organizers, cooks, leaders and especially to Hugh Hamilton, our fearless Camp Manager.

Sylvia Mather: One activity I greatly enjoyed at this camp was Hugh's swimming club. After hiking we would go straight to the swimming pond, float around blissfully in whatever we were wearing, being careful not to kick or splash so as to avoid disturbing the silt. After the swim, no need for a towel, just a dripping walk back into our tents. Drying out clothes or body - no problem. Hugh made sure the pool didn't diminish in size and let the hose run into it at night. Thank you.

Cynthia Crampton: As we hiked towards the Camel one day, I was on the lookout for Crepis nana (Alpine or dwarf hawksbeard). An inhabitant of high places – would we see it this trip? And there they were, their bright yellow flower heads looking like flecks of gold among the scree and rocks where they grow. They anchor themselves firmly in the soil by a long taproot, but at first glance they seem to be growing in the scree, with no soil in sight. All the gold I needed for one day.

Week Two

Kelly Sekhon: The second week of camp, 2 Aug to 9 Aug, was called off at the last minute due to extreme fire hazard and ongoing forest fires in the Pemberton and Lillooet area. About 22 of the would-be participants got together at Kitty and Mike Castle's house in North Vancouver for a BBQ on Sunday Aug 2. We pretended that we were at 2000m elevation with a tent set out on the front lawn. Mike entertained us with his music and their neighbours sent a bottle of wine to get over our disappointment with a note saying that it could also be used to help douse the forest fires. Each of us got to take a loaf of bread home from the lot that was purchased to be used at the camp. Our sincere thanks to the Camp Committee and Kitty and Mike Castle for a great evening.

What Did Week Two Campers Do Instead?

Daryl Sturdy: When Lee and I found out that the Week 2 camp had been cancelled, we were in Lillooet. We drove up there early Saturday morning, knowing that discussions were under way about whether or not to cancel the week. We'd been in Pemberton the night before and found out that the Hurley Road had been closed due to a forest fire. While there, we were caught up in the flurry of phone calls back and forth, trying to get up-to-date information on the situation, to forward on to Kitty and David.

Since the decision was up in the air, we decided that the best course of action was to get up to Lillooet, with the intention of going on to Gold Bridge and up to Cinnabar Basin if the camp was to be on. Waiting in Pemberton to find out would mean that we'd be really late getting up to camp if it weren't cancelled.

When we did find out about the cancellation, we attempted to let people know who may have already, like us, gotten part way. We left the information at the visitor's centre in Lillooet, at the hotel in Gold Bridge, and at Tyax Lodge.

Satisfied that we'd done all we could, we started back down the road. Lee suggested that to do something outdoorsy, we should check out the Joffre Lakes. We did, and enjoyed the company of many, many biting flies on the way up. Fortunately, their numbers decreased considerably the further up we got. We made it to the upper lake, just in time to get caught in a thunderstorm. With thoughts of lightning-started fires, we started back down. Counting the seconds between flash and sound reassured us that the storm was far enough away that we were safe.

We arrived back in Vancouver to find an invitation to a BBQ at Kitty and Mike's. It was a most enjoyable evening, giving us a chance to find out from Kitty and David what had gone on in Vancouver in making the decision to cancel. It also gave us the opportunity to hear other people's stories about the camp that almost was and where they were when they found out. While there, we found out that David and Elsie had plans to hike up to Garibaldi Lake in a couple of days. Lee and I decided to join them and invited Peter Cawsey to come along.

It was a great day, not too hot. There were some alpine flowers still blooming, including clumps of mimulus. And we were once again accompanied by those little black flies. The day was capped off by a wonderful dinner at a pub in Squamish.

Margaret Ostrowski: We were north of Revelstoke about 40 km by truck then a group of 10 of us were picked up by helicopter (Selkirk Mountain Experience) and flown to the Durrand Glacier Chalet. A Swiss fellow and his family built the chalet and put in all the trails. The chalet could accommodate about 20 at most. All meals were provided and there was a hot shower hut. We had a very good time, the scenery and hiking was very good. The owner of the chalet would know all about the surrounding area. We made friends with the owners of an outdoor store in Revelstoke who also knows the area very well.

Viveka Ohman: After returning from Lillooet I decided that I really wanted to hike so went to Mount Baker and hiked the Hermann’s Saddle and Chain Lakes trail. The hike up to the saddle was steep but worth it for the view.

One point of interest was the summit of Mt. Baker. Its rocky surface was partially exposed which seems unusual. From past experience it has always been completely covered with the ancient glacier during all seasons. Most likely this may be due from our hot summer but one must also consider global warming. Birds were not plentiful but saw a pair of ravens cavorting in the sky and a Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Enjoyed the pikas scampering about the scree slopes preparing for their winter hibernation, however there were no signs of marmots even though they were quite common in this area in the past. It seems that they have suffered from a sharp decline in their population.

Monkeyflowers were plentiful by the streams, both the pink and yellow version. Other alpine flowers, however, as expected were already spent. Copper butterflies were a nice substitute though.

I anticipated seeing people at Chain Lakes in the campsites as an assurance that people were around - you don't want to surprise a bear by yourself - but now camping is no longer permitted as the Forest Service is restoring this area to its natural habitat.

This is always a delightful hike and when I've got a few more hiking miles under way am thinking of going up Table Mountain for the view.

Diane Bryden: Instead of hiking at Cinnabar, 6 of us got in 2 cars and drove to Lake Chelan in Washington and then took a boat for 90 km to Stehekin, a wilderness lodge at the north end of the lake. We had a wonderful few days in blistering heat, swimming in the glacial water, biking, hiking and eating at a wonderful bakery. We were prepared to camp but once we saw the campsites we were glad there was room at the lodge even though we had to move every night to a different cabin. We were able to do most of our own cooking and enjoyed cocktail hour sitting out on the deck watching the activity on the lake. It wasn't what we thought we'd be doing, but it was a good alternative at the spur of the moment. And now we're trying to figure out how we can get into Cinnabar to do some hiking.

Kate Hill: I have just got back from Cinnabar I went there on a North Shore Hikers trip. I drove up via the Hurley on August 27th and camped at Spruce Lake Wilderness Adventures ranch as they were to take our group's (North Shore Hikers) packs in early on August 28th. We hiked into Cinnabar on the 28th and out on Sep 1, a day early as it started raining and looked settled in for a good rain. We hiked in lovely warm weather but bad smoke for a couple of days. Did the Eldorado Valley-Taylor Pass-Camel Pass hike Saturday and then a ridge hike east to the mine road Sunday. Monday was clear and we did a great hike to the microwave tower, saw four goats near there. No sign of grizzlies, vegetation very dry and the bears are apparently hanging out lower down near Cowboy Camp etc.

It cleared, of course, while we were hiking out. I drove to a spot on the Hurley between kms 21 and 22 where there is a nice parking spot down by a rushing creek and dried out all my gear on the rocks and slept in my vehicle. A leisurely drive home on Sep 2nd. Four members of the group stayed up at Cinnabar for one more night and I wished I had done the same.

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