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 | Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
777 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:01 PM
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I got a new found love for the Coquihalla area.
The drive in was nice, the Tulameen road is great and the Illal FSR has some ditches but was pretty easy. Saw a young black bear run across the road which was cool cause I haven't seen one in the wild in a long time.
Here is Spiral? peak from the trailhead.
MikeW and I stayed at the trailhead on Friday night which was quite nice. Woke up pretty late and slowly got our crap together. By 8:30 we were headin up. My pics suck btw and Mike lost his camera on Jim Kelly but it gives you an idea of why you need to hike here.
There were endless little waterways to cross with boulders and heather and wildflowers everywhere.
We took a break at the lake below Jim Kelly and Mike went for a dip. I stayed by the shore and got eaten by mozzies.
Then we headed up to Jim Kelly where the scrambling was a little lose in spots but was pretty fun.
We topped out and hung out with the famous mast...and mosquitos.
And actually took a summit shot which we seem to forget to do all the time
We headed down and down the talus slope
And across a pleasant open ridge and took another time out near Illal lake
Then headed up the backside easily to the top of Illal peak. On the way we saw a deer but I couldn't get a decent shot of it. We only stayed at the top for a couple mins then headed down the front side. We came down the grassy part.
Then across some snow and through the meadow.
Here is one last shot of Jim Kelly from a knoll beside Illal.
All in all a very pleasant day of hikin. We were up there for like 7 hours and it was hard to leave. It is nice when you only have to hike in the trees for like an hour and spend the time in the alpine. If you haven't been in the area I highly recommend it. I will go back cause I still gotta conquer Coquihalla peak! |
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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 - 07/11/2009 : 10:14 PM
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Great area to hike. I like your tarn (lake) shot.
K |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1087 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 08:49 AM
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With the exception of the bugs, I missed the area enough to want to go back even though we were just there. Later this year, I plan on going back for a chance to climb Coquihalla, or to explore the area to the South. My scouting of the peak has me thinking a traverse to the West side of the mountain would be the best approach - SimonC describes that side as class 3, but he's pretty advanced. Did Mike drop his camera over the side, or was is too much to re-climb the peak to look around for it?
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| Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
777 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 09:35 AM
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| The bugs definetly were a low point... Maybe late year it will be nicer and more flowers too. From the top I looked down the sides and there defenitly is some half decent routes up other than the traditional way, wish we woulda tried something. The area to the south looks interesting, lots more lakes and what not. Mike dropped his camera on the way up. We looked for it on the way down but couldn't remember the exact route we took up. It is an old canon. He doesn't care about the camera, just wants the memory card out of it. |
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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
4648 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 12:11 PM
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Beautiful area indeed  We've been there about 5 times in the past 2 years  |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 10:00 PM
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| Yup, the Coq is magnificent. Although I'm not a climber I can appreciate your views....good one! |
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| Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
777 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 11:54 PM
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| no need to be a climber I am sure most can do both these peaks, easy scrambling and nice views. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 07:38 AM
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Awesome report Jordon. Your report is giving me an aweful urge to get in there. But for now it is down lower on my list. I was trying to ignore this report because I knew I would have an nagging urge to rush out there and hike that area.
Now that I finally broke down and read your report. I have to fight like crazy to hold myself back for now.
Good going you guys. |
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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 - 07/13/2009 : 08:47 AM
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| Coquihalla via it's west ridge is pretty easy going. Another good trip Jordan. The mast atop J. Kelly looks like it's going to fall off in the next while (just the wires holding it up there). |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
948 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 9:48 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by simonc
Coquihalla via it's west ridge is pretty easy going. Another good trip Jordan. The mast atop J. Kelly looks like it's going to fall off in the next while (just the wires holding it up there).
Agreed, that whole ridge traverse was a pretty sweet trip. Great area. |
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23 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 3:21 PM
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I found a camera on Jim Kelly this weekend. Before the trip I had searched for "Jim Kelly" on ClubTread and had read this TR. A few hours after finding the camera it dawned on me that I could probably find who it belonged to quite easily - it's probably MikeW's camera. Quite a coincidence.
I'd like to return the camera - contact me at gilirosenberg@gmail.com with a description of the camera. |
Edited by - Moot on 08/18/2009 3:22 PM |
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Langley, B.C
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 4:20 PM
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| Haha no way you found it, that sweet. All I want is the pics off of the memory card. I will send you an e-mail identifying the camera. I cant believe you found it.. did it turn on? |
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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 - 07/11/2010 : 10:04 AM
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MikeW
Did you get the photos off that camera. Would like to see some more beauty shots. This report has got me interested in this area. Perhaps I can get Larry interested in this one, anyone else coming up to the Coq area next weekend ?
K |
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Langley, B.C
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 4:18 PM
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| Sadly I never did make my way out there to pick it up I did fire off another e-mail to see if he even has the memory card anymore. Funny I was just thinking about this trip earlier today I want to go back and finish off coquihalla mountain. |
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Jim K and Illal up in the great Coq
