The Monashees in BC (backpacking trip) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #1 08-24-2003, 10:55 AM

Last week Dad and I took off for a few nights in the Monashees in BC's interior. We were planning some high altitude camping and climbing in Yoho, but forest fires forced us to find an alternate spot.

Monashee Provincial Park turned out to be a nice spot, and I would recommend it, but some caveats:

1. The first 12 kilometers are in heavy timber. It's a gorgeous old-growth forest of cedar and hemlock, but without any views, it gets tiring.

2. The final ascent of the mountain is 800M (2800') of very steep switchbacks. It's in heavy timber and the trail is rough and avalanche chute crossings get tiring.

3. The drive in is an hour and a half of a rough logging road.

That said, the camping at the top is terrific, and there are some nice alpine lakes and meadows to enjoy. We found a nice lake-side meadow to pitch our tents (Yes those tents are less than 24" tall). I'm not usually a fan of camping right by the water for fear of animal visits (bears!) but the berry patches by the lake were all picked bare and there was only one bear scat and it was really old.

Some pics:

blackmercedes · #2 08-24-2003, 10:56 AM

The tents (MSR MicroZoid) by the lake:

blackmercedes · #3 08-24-2003, 10:57 AM

View of the lake at breakfast time

blackmercedes · #4 08-24-2003, 11:00 AM

That's me checking out the meadow. Nice light pack that day as we left camp set up at Little Peter's Lake. (Our four day total pack is only 20lbs each, but it's nice to spend a day or two hiking with nearly nothing)

blackmercedes · #5 08-24-2003, 11:02 AM

Feel like a dip? Nice little pond we found. The water wasn't nearly as cold as you'd think at 6500'.

blackmercedes · #6 08-24-2003, 11:03 AM

The running water was plentiful, cool, and very clear. It was great not having to pack water.

BauhnBuster · #7 08-24-2003, 11:37 PM

Hey blackmercedes. Nice trip. The Monashees are beautiful and I love hiking in the Kootenays. I actually measure and document the largest trees in BC (I love trees but please, I am not a tree hugger) with a number of Government orginizations, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, and some forestry companies (Weyerhauser). I love the trees there. Big Spruce as well as Cedar. Thanks for sharing

Shaun

blackmercedes · #8 08-24-2003, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by w126
Nice pics John!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally posted by w126
Been workin' on those calves?

Yup! No choice if you're going to tackle switchbacks! The week before I went up Wilcox Peak in Jasper, and that's about 1200M (~4000') of straight up from the trailhead, no switchbacks! Drug my SLR camera up that time, haven't got the film done yet. Pics sometime soon on that one. Got some great shots (hoping) of some BigHorn sheep that came within about 20ft of me, plus the valley below. In September I've got a small group going up Wilcox again, but the cold weather really adds to the fun. No overnighting up high in tents this year (last year it dropped to -25C overnight!). We're returning to the comfort of the Columbia Icefields Chalet. Wimping out this year!

mzsmbs · #9 09-06-2003, 05:10 PM

Beautifull pics.

I feel an itch coming on...

20lbs in the pac? or is it Kgs... tell me more. you can pm on that.

mzmzmzmzm

blackmercedes · #10 09-06-2003, 06:01 PM

20 lbs.

I carry:

Serratus 30L pack: 0.9lbs
MSR MicroZoid Tent: 2.3lbs
Thermarest Ultralight: 1.5lbs
W-M Beothuk Down bag: .8lbs
MSR Superfly stove: .25lbs
Titanium cook set: .15lbs
Fuel: .5lbs
Rain gear: .75lbs
Matches&Spoon .2lbs

Basic Kit Total: including sleeping gear, shelter, cooking equipment and rain gear is 7.35lbs.

Then I add:
Water treatment - Pristine kit: .15lbs
First aid kit: .15lbs
Compass/Map: .20lbs
Micro-flashlight (Princeton Tec Pulsar II LED Light) 0.02lbs (yes, that's 8 grams for my flashlight, and that thing is BRIGHT, and that weight includes battery)

Extra Gear Total: .52lbs

Clothing: (In pack)
Long sleeve synthetic trekking shirt (second layer) .5lbs
Thermal gloves: .15lbs
Warm Hat: .10lbs
Extra Socks: .10lbs

Clothing: .85lbs

Total pack without food: 8.72lbs.

Then I add a few luxury items like a pocketbook and a special backpacking pillow. Throw in food, knife, whistle and 500ml of packed water, and I'm just shy of 20lbs, and that's with good eating.

I wear Sportif convertible pants so I don't have to bring shorts and pants. I wear only synthetic fast-drying clothing. For trips where I anticipate really foul weather, I bring a SilTarp, and that adds a half pound, but gives me a spacious cooking shelter.

I don't wear boots anymore, but a trail running shoe. Light weight keeps me from getting tired, and I buy shoes that will dry fast after a deep water crossing. Also, the light pack means I can hoist it high above my head while fording deeper water. (NEVER wear your pack while crossing, if you fall in you can drown)

jamesnj · #11 09-06-2003, 08:59 PM

Beautiful magazine quality pics BLACKMERCEDES.

I'm just wondering what sort of foods you take along with you on those overnight camping trips.

Having grown up in the shadow of NYC and now going to college in NYC, my idea of camping is an overnight stay at a Hampton Suites on the outskirts of Des Moines. I notice you have two tents, is it normal for two people camping together to take seperate tents?

blackmercedes · #12 09-06-2003, 11:51 PM

The two MicroZoids weigh less than most two person tents. Having two tents gives us flexibility, as we don't always travel together. It allows a solo backpacker the lightest alternative.

It also gives us some flexibility for finding camping spots, as we can look for two small level areas.

Food consists of freeze dried foods mostly. They're expensive, but the good ones are very yummy, and it's great to have good tasting hot food after a hard day on the trail. Alpineaire is a good brand, but there is lots to choose from. I only use the ones that can be cooked in their own package, and then I use my cookset only to boil water. the used packages are then sealed ina zip-lock, and suspended from a tall tree 100M from camp with the uneaten food. This really cuts down on bear trouble, as the system is low-scent.

For breakfast, I suggest Mary-Jane's Farm Outrageous Outback Oatmeal. It's nirvana on a cold morning!

jamesnj · #13 09-07-2003, 01:17 AM

BLACKMERCEDES I'm going to look at Alpineaire and maybe order something from them just to see what the stuff tastes like.

You mentioned suspending things from trees to keep the bears away, you also mentioned using two tents because it allows you to go off on your own, do you carry a gun for protection? I mean not just protection from bears which probably won't hurt you, but protection from crazy people who might be wondering in the forests when you're all alone.

I assume you carry a cell phone on these trips and give your friends/family your planned itinerary. Do you have GPS?

Our cycling club took a trip to Virginia and one evening we were pedaling along and a pickup truck slowed down and started calling us fags because we were wearing neon colored clothing for night safety, then they started throwing beer bottles at us, and just like that they sped off. We were scared to death and thought they might come back after us. That's the only time I wished someone in the group had had a gun. I hate guns, but I really thought if something had happened it could have helped us

blackmercedes · #14 09-07-2003, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesnj
... do you carry a gun for protection? I mean not just protection from bears which probably won't hurt you, but protection from crazy people who might be wondering in the forests when you're all alone.

A gun? Not even if they were allowed. I've been back country camping in Canada for years, and have yet to meet someone that I would even remotely worry about. There can be party-happy folks that use trailheads, and sometimes wreck stuff there, but they don't have the fortitude to climb to where we go.

Also, a gun is poor protection from a bear. the best form of bear protection is to be proactive and make sure you avoid them, and whn you can't, ensure that they don't see you as a threat.

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesnj
I assume you carry a cell phone on these trips and give your friends/family your planned itinerary. Do you have GPS?

Always have a S&R plan left with family.

Cell phones don't work in 99.99% of the places I like to go, so I don't carry one. Were there cell service, I'm not sure that I would. One edict of back-country travel is to be completely self-reliant. I haven't used GPS yet, but the new Garmin Gekko looks interesting. A 1:50,000 topo map and a decent compass work very well. A GPS would work well for leaving a "breadcrumb" trail that could be followed under severe weather conditions. The new Gekko 301 also has an barometric altimeter, and that would be handy for weather prediction. I see people lugging huge amounts of gear in case of bad weather, with the intention of waiting it out. I run for lower ground when I see it coming, or find a more sheltered camp spot if I'm below the tree-line.

As to solo travel, I don't recommend it if you are undertaking any risky activity.

Also, winter back-packing is out unless a group is along. Too many things can go wrong. No bears, though.

mzsmbs · #15 09-08-2003, 02:49 PM

blackmercedes,

Thanks for the list of your equipment. Since my car wreck and the bumb knee and hip I have to lighten my load. I'm not sure if I can get down to 20lbs but we'll see...I love my Svea 123R (around an lb), but I have been considering to just do away with the tent all togather and just tarp it. Use to do that as a young boy scout but the bugs can drive you nuts around here and lately all the rain is not helping.

I sure love good boots though and since I tend to bush whack a bit, well ok, a lot I need them.

The convertable pants are definately great! I used to do just pants or just shorts & tall gaiters but the latter is not fun in cold winds.

I have used a super light weight (compared to others and just ozs) water filter for years and love it. It's made in Canada by Coughlans ( I think that's them.) Unfortunately the waters of the Appalachians and midwest (IN), where I do most of my trekking, are rather bad. You have to be pretty picky...

What camera did you use on those pics?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode