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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 11:02 PM
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Day One: The hike in
So a group of staltwart Clubtreaders meet at the Timmy ho's in Sardis.
It's New Year's Eve day and the forecast isn't pretty but hey weather doesn't matter to insane people. We even had an extremely certifiably insane dayhiker along sans snowshoes! How brave it that?
Soon we are on our way. Packs brimming with New Year's eve goodies and eyes looking upwards to the sky as we make our windy way down Chilliwack Lake Rd. Some pockets of sucker holes open up over us exposing the fresh white gleaming summit of Mercer. Our spirits lighten.
This is going to be a piece of cake I smile excitedly.
At the turn off to Chipmunk and Airplane creeks, AT and Spunky don't stop. The Beastmobile drives on. Perhaps they have secret "H2" plans? Wait no.. we see breaklights. They will be joining us after all.
Then the gate to Airplane and lucky us, they gave us the right key. Now to see how far the Honda will take us. The plan is to hitch in the Beastmobile with AT and Spunky when the going gets too tough. Which eventually it does and we do. I dare not expand upon on our method of riding, just in case my mother reads this.
Eventually we come to a barrier that not even AT's beast could conquer
From here we walk. It's not very far from here to the trail/minor alder fest anyway.
Monica looking extremely excited at the trailhead.
It's actually pretty good in places.
A little close in others,
This alder really bites. (Who knew?)
Finally we get out of the alder and BG, Karl and Spunky admire the view of Welch and the Still through the low cloud.
The long ridge to Williams
AT and Spunky on the old spur below us as we head up into the trees.
BG and Gin at Laughington Lk/Tarn. This is where we said our goodbyes to Crazy Karl. I didn't envy him. It was going to be a long, dark and possibly very wet hike down and he was committed. We, on the other hand, were very well set to hunker down where ever we saw fit. But this wasn't the place, not yet.
We had our eye on a spot up a little higher on the ridge.
So up we go.
AT pauses to consider where best to try out his new piece of gear.
Ah this looks about right.
Poo-Bacca the Yeti agrees. He's done.
And this is our view as we settle in for the night and begin to build camp.
Day One: The Eve
Where do I begin...the sunset eluded us but we would not let that spoil our evening. After some Hot "Hiking Nut" drinks, AT set off to find a good Toboggan run.
Hanging out at camp
Toboggan Run #1
Toboggan Run #2
There were many others. Needless to say, only AT and BG made it down the hill sucessfully. The run had a nice natural "jump" and both Mon and I lost it multiple times while cutting air. AT should have some amusing photos to share.
Then Dinner. Unfortunately we didn't get any dinner pictures. We were to busy devouring our shrimp and crab pesto angliotti and pan fried sirloins and from the sounds of things just one snow bench over, AT and Spunky were equally enjoying their chilli~con~Boris. So much so that they denied our offer to shared some of our steak. Weird eh?
By the time we had supped the snow was falling sideways. AT suggested we hunker down for a little until it got closer to the magic hour. We all heartily agreed and wandered off to our tents. BG turned on the short wave and we were entertained by the docet sounds of Rock 101's
Best of 2005 countdown.
After a fitful nap I awoke to Lennon singing a Beatles tune from the St Pepper's album. (The name escapes me right now) And beyond that all seemed quiet. I tapped the tent and hear wumpf, plat,plat,plat
Nope still coming down good. Tim was starting to stir. He turns on his headlamp. 20 min to midnight he yawns, tapping on his side of the tent. Wumpf
He gives his face a rub and jumps out of his bag with a surprising amount of energy. Most likely due to the promise of explosives ahead.
BORIS!
No answer.
BORIS!
I cringe. Tim ducks his head out of the tent.
BORIS!
This time we hear a faint, Yeah
Tim is on his way out of the tent. I pull myself out of my bag and stuff my feet into my cold boots, shrug on my jacket and head out after him.
The snow is still falling sideways. A few centimeters has built on both tents. Tim sets to work digging us out a bit and I go to my pack to find our "hiker fireworks" Boris has brought some entertainment of his own.
 
Things whistle and go bang and the night lights up with a strange red glow.
Champange goes POP and is poured into stainless steel mugs. Friends toast eachother and give New Years hugs and soon the sideways snow chases us back into our tents where I cozy up with my hot water Nalgene and drift into a fitful sleep. Happy 2006.
New Years Day: The real show
I slowly start to stir in my warm bag. Tim is awake. It's 9am. I always get the best sleeps when snow is falling and the wind is fairly calm. Something about the way sound is padded and everything is blanketed or it could be the few degrees of warmer that comes with the snow. Time to get up. I linger in my cozy bag awhile while Tim dresses for the morning. No use in us both trying to dress at the same time in such a small space Tim opens the vestibule. It's stopped snowing and the sky is grey with high cloud. Coaxing myself out of my bag with the lure of views, I stuggle into my now-frozen boots and the rest of my clothing and take a peek.
Tim is shoeing up.
going to go look for a signal.
I nodded despite the fact that, in my sleep clouded brain this signal thing made no sense. Until I realized he meant a CELL phone signal. Truckers have to check in every morning for their loads. I watched him break trail towards the ridge as Monica popped out of her tent.
Hmmm make coffee or go after Tim? I lingered a bit chatting with Spunky and enjoying the view and then looked towards where Tim disapeared. He's probably fine but...I shoed up anyway and grabbed the camera. It was a good morning for a rhomp.
As I headed off to where Tim had gone, something happened. The clouds slowly opened and light slowly began to filter through to the ridge and the Cheam Range to the Northeast of us.
    
Until god one-upped our meager fireworks show from the previous evening with a show of his own.
      
I stop taking many a photo, expecting that Tim would be doing the same (and he was, of course half of those are his from the ridge above.)
Soon as I scanned his distant tracks, he appeared, rhomping through the snow. We had a newlywed moment And he asked "going up?" I smiled and nodded and he took my puffy jacket back with him. (I had not expected to roam this far from camp). Onward and upward I went. The glorious sun filled moment had passed but the view from the ridge was still spectacular.
 
I gave my New Years greeting to Williams and McFarlane/Slesse before taking a gratuitous self photo:
Then I made my own way down the ridge. With all that fresh, who wouldn't Pausing now and again for a picture or some video, I made my way back down to camp.
Coffee was waiting for me As I drank the clouds settled in over the Cheam Range. Our views were disapearing fast and snow was beginning to fall. We ate and then reluctantly broke camp and started back down.
We had a good amount of snow fall overnight. This changed the Alder bash notably.
   
AT's "Alder Shield" was extremely effective. Should I ever get my act together with the video portion of this report, you'll see what I mean. Needless to say we were all happy to reach the trailhead. Perhaps AT was happier? You be the Judge.
HAPPY 2006 CLUBTREAD
I'll look forward to Crazy Karl, AT & Spunky's contributions to this report. |
Edited by - exscape on 01/02/2006 01:19 AM
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 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 06:12 AM
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WOW - looks like a great trip and wonderful way to bring in the new year! Glad to see you got some snow and views 
Looks like the winter of 05/06 is going to be remembered for the butt sliding, what with all the crazy carpet / alder shield action |
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 Edited by
Ron Paley
Maple Ridge, B.C.
Canada
1434 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 08:58 AM
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| Great trip report and pic's !!!!!!!!! Happy New Year..... |
Edited by - Ronbo on 01/02/2006 08:59 AM |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 09:20 AM
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Wow - way to bring in the New Year!
Im so glad the weather cooperated for you and didn't bring nasty wet slush
Nice photos and TR
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This space pending inspiration.. |
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Chilliwack, BC
755 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 09:37 AM
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WOW - WOW - WOW
what a great event to finish / begin a year!!
Except for the cold part, thou almost persuadest me to snow camp
well done and congrats to all !! |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6783 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 09:52 AM
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That's a great summary of the time on Laughington Exscape
We had a super weekend up in Winter wonderland,and spending time in the Outback with you and Billygoat always makes for some interesting stories with lots of bloopers and laughs.That,combined with reliability and confidence,we'd go anywhere with you again
For some reason a bunch of gear was never packed,including my winter jacket  and some other items,but things co operated very well otherwise.A Great time.
Thanks Karl,for coming out,nice meeting you,and a great effort pushing until the turn around time
  
The drive
 
The Bat Tobaggon
  
   
Spunky on the scary "Midnight Express"
Excsape about to seperate from the sled for a freestyle faceplant
The Goat,about to find out what it feels like to be a Crash Test Dummie
Gin displaying his approval of fresh snow
 
 
Where is the Kitchen?
 
Time to go...
Credit goes to Spunky for most of the pics
HAPPY NEW YEARS !! |
Edited by - Aqua Terra on 01/02/2006 09:55 AM |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 10:21 AM
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This was a great way to start out the New Year . Weather was iffy just a couple of times but all in all I think we lucked out big time .
As usual our trips with Exy & BG are always fun - and I'm glad that we kept our promise to winter camp on Laughington with you two. It was awesome.
I'll just add a couple of more shots from Sunday morning - so peaceful, sun breaking through and all that fresh snow ... can't beat that
  
  
It was nice to meet you Karl and hope to see you on the trails soon!
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!! |
Edited by - Spunky on 01/02/2006 10:22 AM |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 10:41 AM
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| So did you break out the canoe for a little powder canoe run? |
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| DW2
Senior Member
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West Coast, B.C.
1396 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 10:45 AM
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| Great report and photos everyone!......gee I hate having to work most New Years, maybe next year. |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6783 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 11:14 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dru
So did you break out the canoe for a little powder canoe run?
The truck was below a decent snowline,maybe next time |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 12:26 PM
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Thank you all for an awesome trip, wonderful meeting all of you. I fully enjoyed our adventure and would be crazy again, perhaps a little bit less next time. I post holed one step out of ten, until shortly before the lake I stepped beside a small fallen tree and down I sank up to my chest level. Those poles in a horizontal position were good to brace up on and get up back onto the excellent snowshoe trail made by all of you. It was a bit after 3:15 pm when I decided to turn around. It was hard, would have loved to continued on but being late in the afternoon did want to get caught too late. Grabbed a few photos when I got back onto the clearcut, it was certainly easier headed down, but still post holded and it was slow until the spot where the snowshoe trail started. I walked past Boris' truck and there was still enough light, past Tim's Honda which blinked at me when I walked past. Now it was really getting dark, grabbed a bite of my forgotten lunch, and then out came the flashlight. Shortly afterwards it started to rain, almost all the way down to my car on the other side of the locked gate. 5:45 pm, it sure was a welcome sight and to unpack. It sure was getting spooky in the dark with the rain and flashlight. Got a bit of a start when all of a sudden these huge hulking block forms jumped into the light, oh it is just the logging equipment.
Again thankyou all for a great super day and look forward to doing something like this again. I will bring my film today, should get the pics back in a few days. The second roll probably won't be done in another month.
Regards, |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 3:23 PM
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Good to finally meet you too Karl.
quote:
quote:Originally posted by Dru
So did you break out the canoe for a little powder canoe run?
quote: Originally posted by Aqua Terra
The truck was below a decent snowline,maybe next time
Dru AT didn't want to say, for fear of being chastised for his Throw Caution to the wind, high risk winter antics
For those of you who wanted to know:
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Edited by - exscape on 01/02/2006 3:26 PM |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6783 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 3:58 PM
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| I wondered if you had a picture of my headgear |
Edited by - Aqua Terra on 01/02/2006 4:00 PM |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 4:22 PM
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Not sure why it is that when we hook up with AT and Spunky we run into things like this:
 Welcome to ALDER-AN!
Another "eppic" trip for sure! Thanks AT and Spunky for the use of your flying purple snowglider, and it was great meeting up with you Karl.
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Only Visiting This Planet |
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Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5908 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 4:23 PM
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| Wow guys looks like a really great time. Awesome shots by everyone. |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3996 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 5:19 PM
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Way. Good times and some nice views to wake up to. Happy 2006.
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Can't Stop... |
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Maple syrup lovin', tree huggin', face paintin' relocated Québécoise who is VERY serious about having fun
Vancouver
Canada
2637 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 5:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Aqua Terra
I like this picture. Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Good on you for braving the weather. |
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Heaven Britsh Columbia
28 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 5:52 PM
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| I see u guys are up to your usual fun Great pics.Took 1 year off,been burnt out,BUT guess whos back with a vengeance(ok it will be slow @ 1st) PS did you get to Blinch lake.Formerly Terrys. Terry Kirchmayer |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6783 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 6:19 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by view junkie
I see u guys are up to your usual fun Great pics.Took 1 year off,been burnt out,BUT guess whos back with a vengeance(ok it will be slow @ 1st) PS did you get to Blinch lake.Formerly Terrys. Terry Kirchmayer
Hahah Terry
Good to hear from you again.Yeah Spunky and I had a few rounds with Blinch lake alright...Here is the link
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6539 |
Edited by - Aqua Terra on 01/02/2006 6:20 PM |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13054 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 9:09 PM
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Great collection of photos, everyone
Really like this one |
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Mysterious, pop can stove stashin', gps totin', overnighter virgin, wannabe tentmaker and foul weather wuss who rides a thumper to the trailhead with wonderdog Max to hike the Chilliwack Valley
Chwk
Canada
4910 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 11:44 PM
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Way to go guys 'n gals!
I was thinking of you around midnight, and how glad I was to be in a nice dry, warm HOUSE!
This is my favourite pic:
 Karl re-defines post-holing.
Good TR and great pics.
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...but we decide which is right, and which is an illusion. |
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Laughington New Year, bringing in 2006
