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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2011 : 09:53 AM
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This trip report is brought to you by mom power, thank you to the mom and mom in-law who both grant me the extra time I need to work through some stuff. You're both amazing women and I appreciate you immensely.
Took a trip on the Upper Airplane yesterday. The weather started with high cloud. I took my car up the first big hill after the bridge on the Airplane creek FSR - the going up was rough for my little 2wdr and I had a bunch of tire slip that was causing me concern. I looked at the dash and realized I hadn't deactivated the ESC ...  oops. Remedied the situation and the going was a bit better but I elected to park my car at a around 100m up. That next hill looked sketchy and this is my family car. I can't afford to damage it today. I parked and started the walk.
In my opinion this road is 4w dr or 2w dr with higher clearance unless you have no care for the oilpan or CV Boots of the car you are driving.
(really does not do it justice)
There was once a time when I drove my honda civic nearly half way up to retrieve a lost cell phone. The road had deteriorated a fair bit since then.
The walk is pleasant enough though. The views are nice and the going is good.
    
It takes me approx 45 min to reach the lower airplane creek TH and another 20 minutes or so reach the Laughington TH. It's here I've always zigged instead of zagged. Today I zag.
     
The snow is a mixture of consolidated with a bit of isothemic mush in places. The temp ranges from balmy moist air to pockets of cold. But the going is still mostly good. There are some big holes along the road to avoid and some creek crossings to keep things interesting but the whole time the view is magnificent. As I travel I watch the changing clouds around Lady, Knight, Munday and Still and Welch.
        
I stop at an old landing and enjoy the view a bit. Share some dried apricots with my canine companion and rehydrate. This is as far as I can afford to go today. Another time I'll push further but today it's time to head back to get the kids.
  
I pull out the water filter and refill at one of the more interesting creek crossings.
  
and back to the car.
Time ~ approx 5 hours. Elevation gain ~ meh. Distance ~ just as far as I felt I could go today.
(edited to change up the pictures. I had pulled them from the wrong file.) |
Edited by - exscape on 06/29/2011 10:36 AM
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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
13057 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2011 : 10:20 AM
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I'm envious, you're getting out to some great places lately.
Nice too to give thanks for the people in your life who make the occasional outings possible too. They are the special people who help bring sanity to the lives of parents and especially those parents of special needs kids (like you or I or whomever else). Same for us, we can't thank Jan's parents enough for being there for us through the tough times. I know, too, how much more meaningful time outside is when responsibilities at home are difficult. When I see you write up a report, Jenn, I know just how much the day out meant to you
Cheers
Mick |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2011 : 5:58 PM
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Thank you very much for posting pictures of the road up there. It has been a long time since I've been up there. Is there still a washout where the road enters the valley? Or have they repaired that?
Thank you very much for your trip report! I enjoyed seeing pictures up there again |
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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
13465 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2011 : 8:00 PM
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Jennifer
Good to read your narrative, and enjoyed the photos you took showing the views and the track. Great to have family support to give you time needed for yourself.
K |
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surrey
Canada
649 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2011 : 9:53 PM
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| we camped at the top of that first hill for years and years (years and years ago). That hill was always fun for crapy highschool kid cars |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2011 : 1:02 PM
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Thanks Mick amd Karl.
quote:
Originally posted by NecroN
Thank you very much for posting pictures of the road up there. It has been a long time since I've been up there. Is there still a washout where the road enters the valley? Or have they repaired that?
Thank you very much for your trip report! I enjoyed seeing pictures up there again
No problem, sorry for the delay in my reply. The Foley FSR is rough but in 2w dr shape to the Airplane creek bridge.
Yep I can see that road getting a fair bit of attention back in the day. Wonderful views from that landing. |
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Magnificent Shades of Gray on the Upper Airplane
