Hector Lake Ramble

Hector Lake Ramble

     After a winter playing several instruments and editing I'm very pleased to present the 'Hector Lake Ramble' with your pal RIDGEWALKERPETE..This hike was a 6 day trip in great weather that goes beyond the end of the trail. What a treat to have dry boots and even rest in the shade after baking in the mid-day sun beside a numbingly cold lake. One morning I noticed a dragonfly that would go back and forth along the shore returning to my spot about every 5 minutes . I set up the camera and waited patiently for the return which you may notice in the video. 
     The route up the prickly gully was a bad call but I figured it out on the way down. The animals always have trails to get from one valley to another or up to the high lakes and windy ridges. After a long wait a deer finally passed by where I could film it.I didn't have my gloves and as soon as I held up the camera the mosquitoes and black-flies commenced the feast on my hands.
     During 2007 there were some big wind storms here leaving many of the trails with huge trees blown over.That really slows things down as you climb way up and over or crawl with your pack through the mud and branches.I bring some flagging tape and always fix stretches that are confusing for those who follow and frankly so I don't get lost on the way down.A bad turn can gobble up several hours of valuable time and energy.
.   One evening I saw a black bear near my camp but it stayed away. During meal time I am always on guard because I know how quietly bears and cougars can move around.A few years ago during an 8 day hike I was having breakfast ,doing my 'stand up and look around' bit every couple of minutes, when I noticed a bear about 4 meters away in the bushes that looked like a shadow silently creeping closer for a snack . I was starting to dump the porridge on the ground when I stopped and realized that first of all I had several days to go and the bear may just want more. I quickly packed up the food and headed down the trail remembering to beware if it is following me and may be a predatory bear.
    I got to a high spot without rushing and saw it following off to the side.I had some bear spray ready and was prepared to stand tall with a rock to try and frighten it off [Think of it as a really important acting audition.]. I walked further along the trail and was greatly relieved when it stayed behind but then I came upon another bear which seemed to be feeding contently . I looked again at my map and noticed the trail crew had named this stretch '3 bears camp' .After years of animal encounters I have learned that they will avoid conflict but defend themselves if frightened.
Note to self: NEVER FRIGHTEN WILD ANIMALS....especially the big ones!
During the winter I was editing a couple of other hike videos and recording the music tracks. That was starting to bog down so I brought in a couple of great friends[ BILLY JAY PETERS BAND ] to record something different.Mickey Hovan nails down the those excellent bass parts while I'm on the drums and Jay Macdonald does his improvised jazz wild thing on the keyboard.After some editing I added guitar and synthe.The hiking takes such a small part of the project while the music requires a great journey.

Ridgewalkerpete still stompin'

I just got back from a 6 day hike that took me through a variety of rugged mountain terrain up to a high long ridge above a cirque lake..........Sounds very much like all the others I guess. It is an exercise in route finding through gnarly,prickly patches of dense devils club,vine maple and alder which open up to steep ancient patches of Fir and cedar trees .Deer have been navigating these hills for centuries so I follow their trails although sometimes they will dip under huge logs or over steep gullies not suited to the humble biped.Last fall I got up to Swan lake but the snow line was low making the ridge slippery.On that trip I lost my toque along the way and had to wrap my head up with an extra sweater with a ' mother Hubbard' look. I was happy to find it the other day almost a year later among the twists and turns up a steep tree-covered slope awaiting my return.I quickly grabbed it as if some how if I turned away for a moment it would vanish.
After making camp at the high lake on my 51st birthday I marked a route up to the ridge for the next day.It is still a few km's to the peak and quite a trek to get back out so I took a rest day to pace myself properly.Drank lots water and tried to find a cool place to rest but still be covered up from the insects.Above the tree line it opens up to patches of heather and lichen covering the rocks.The mosquitoes,black flies,no-see-ums,deer flies and horse flies would present a constant 'distraction' if not for my cherished bug net.The other day I was napping along a high ridge sitting against a big rock when I woke to a clatter of rocks a few meters away as a deer scrambled off having almost walked right beside me.
It takes most of two days to get back. Down the steep Swan river canyon with several waterfalls and trees growing on impossibly steep moss-covered slopes down,down,down to where it empties into Silverhope creek to the Fraser river and Pacific ocean.I walked along the rocks and floodplains covered with dense willow shrubs and piles of huge trees felled in storms gone by. In the more stable areas there are huge old water-guzzling cottonwood trees concealing enormous cedar stumps from the first round of logging.
Night 6 found me sleeping comfortably in my tiny tent with the rain cover off in a stand of cedars with the constant roar of the creek [river] accented by the longing buzz of mosquitoes unable to bypass tent security. My friend Chris picked me up the next morning completing another safe round into the hills.The great thing about this is activity is that it forces you to really live in the moment.There is nothing more important than the next footstep because a poor choice can change everything.
Regarding Hiking:
Never trust a wet log.Step over,go around or crawl.

The wet rock owes you nothing and the creek welcomes you at all times.

Tantalus Mountains

A SHORT HIKE ...the way up...

A SHORT HIKE IN THE COAST MOUNTAINS

With each step came the possibility of a huge rock slide but I could see that if I crossed it really gently there was a good path.The option of climbing back up the pass and going down the west side involved another steep grassy meadow and an even bigger rocks. This is one of those hiking moments when I calm myself down and carefully assess the situation.Focusing just on the next couple of steps and hand holds, watching and feeling for any sign of movement fills my concentration. On the far side I get a good look back feeling pleased and thankful.
Over five days I got way up and around the high lake enjoying every bit of the clear fall weather.Each morning at my high camp I would wake to the quiet cooing of a ruffed grouse mama leading her three chicks down to the lake and up the ridges where they would feed during the day.Flying insects will often congregate on peaks and high ridges during breeding season requiring a windy rest spot to keep out of the traffic.
After leaving the high lake I spotted the big black bear feeding in a meadow between the rock slides.There obviously was enough food for it to stay in the area so long.They can easily cover 50 miles in a day.. One night I woke up to hear it furiously digging up the rocks at a Pika nest [small mountain animal ] then it wondered off after leaving an organic souvenir .
All food must be cooked,eaten and tied up high , far from camp.Bears can be very aggressive toward food and scents but are reluctant to confront people unless they[the bear] are sick or injured.I always watch for bears and cougars particularly when I am cooking and eating.Lifting the mosquito net for each bite as I watch through the netting and listen for snapping twigs above the constant whine of mosquitoes,black flies,horse flies and no-see-ums [ but you sure feel ' ums !].
While filming the bear I carefully watches for any signs of it becoming agitated.When it turned toward me I shut off the camera and prepared to go.Later it was funny to see how the camera started shaking. All was well and I carried on out of the area.Mountain hikes bring you through distinct climate zones with their own flora and fauna.This pacific coast temperate rain forest contains incredible biodiversity and I feel gifted to able to explore it as I do.