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Karen² A Real Canadian Girl
Joined: 25 Jul 2002 Posts: 1367 | TRs | Pics Location: Behind the Lens |
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Karen²
A Real Canadian Girl
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Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:35 pm
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Few people have trekked into the rugged wilderness to Athelney Pass. The ones who have made the journey come back moved, unable to covey just how magical the place can be. It is difficult to find photos of this elusive landscape however the few that are out there are simply amazing. I desperately wanted to go but I knew I was dreaming if I thought I could find willing partners, get the time off work and have a good forecast.
The adventure begins at Salal Creek, unsigned and hidden within a maze logging roads north of Whistler, BC. The distance into Athelney Pass is only 6 miles, but it is slow and brutal travel.
Fun footing
There is no trail; there is some flagging but mostly it is cross-country and requires route finding. The first bit is a lovely forest walk but it is not long before you are bushwhacking through alder.
Karen2 bushwacking through the alder
Once you spill out onto the shores of Salal Creek the navigation part becomes pretty simple, just follow the creek the whole way; the challenge is finding the path of least resistance.
Salal Creek
The creek is very strong and fording the main portion is not possible, so where the creek touches the banks, you need to detour up steep embankments and climb through the forest.
Unpleasant detour Emerging from the bush
Our sunny forecast didn't happen so by the time we reached camp we were cold, wet and eager for dinner.
Heading to camp Before the rains hit
After supper it really started pouring so I settled into my wet down sleeping bag, wearing my wet down coat in my not entirely waterproof bivy. As if I was not uncomfortable enough, my Thermarest sprung a slow leak and I kept waking up every hour uncomfortable and having to re-inflate it. What is with me and gear failure this year?
As usual I was up early and there was no semblance of a sunrise so with everyone still sawing logs I explored the area around our camp. I climbed a moraine that lead to a small waterfall pouring off a hanging glacier.
(first photo taken next day with clearer skies)
Awesome campsite Glacier above camp cirque Broad-leaved Willowherb
It was a beautiful little cirque with grey/blue glacial streams winding through luscious green moss and lined with pink flowers, a taste of what was yet to come.
A taste of what was to come
Once we finally got moving our first task was a swift knee deep stream crossing,
Nothing like a fast, ice cold stream crossing to wake you up in the morning
then after ascending more yuck rock we reached the pass.
Heading up more ick rock
Close your eyes and picture the the most enchanting valley you can imagine.
Little Red Hiking Hood descends from the pass
The sides of the valley are bright green and punctuated by large waterfalls that feed a meandering network of small streams and support an explosion of bright pink flowers.
waterfalls running down the valley's sides Creeklets feeding stream in the valley bottom Creek crossing and broad leaved willowherb
High above are several huge baby blue glaciers hanging precariously off the jagged peaks.
In awe of glaciers Little Red Hiking Hood From the pass Creek near Athelney Pass
There is no trail or path through this place, it is a wide-open, vast landscape; you can wander anywhere you want.
Free to roam Expansive landscape
There is something to delight your eyes in every direction. You can walk along the streams or take your shoes off and walk through the streams. Perhaps you can poke around some tarns
Flower lined tarn See the tiny hikers? That is one big rock! Mt Ethelweard Mt Ethelweard Tarn
or walk through the sand with no footprints to be found except those that you are leaving.
Leave only footprints
Maybe check out the old abandoned mining hut,
Abandoned mining camp
Or enjoy the wildlife
Curious little creature Baby marmot Marmot hole White tailed ptarmigan - mama White tailed ptarmigan chick
Watch out for grizzly bears though, this is prime habitat and most people who have ventured here have had encounters, some of them scary (except us – because I brought my super duper bear deterrent – my telephoto lens).
I knew I could not capture the feeling of this place no matter how hard I tried. There was too much ground to cover and the weather was not very good. The lighting was horrible, but when the sun came out, the colors just popped and the place became even more magical.
Our turn around point Lake next to the Ethelweard glacier
I didn't have the luxury of time to sit and wait for the sun to shine through the infrequent sucker holes at every composition so I left my tripod in my pack most of the day and settled for snapshots.
From the pass Sunrveying the way home Hiking back through the valley Home sweet home What time is it? Why berry time of course
I hope to return to this place some day, with more time to explore and better weather because trekking here just left me with a bigger appetite for Athelney Pass. Of all the beautiful places I have seen over the years, nothing compares to this wild nirvana. It was simply a dream come true.
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Ingunn Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
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Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:52 pm
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This is fantastic!! Sorry you didn't have better weather (or functioning gear..), but the clouds do add a certain dramatic quality to your photos.
I hope you took that baby marmot with you to give to me so I can raise him as my own!
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More Cowbell Warrior Princess
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5657 | TRs | Pics Location: Alive on Earth |
Pretty Damn Fine! You did a most excellent job of capturing this area.
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
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Gil Member
Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 4062 | TRs | Pics
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Gil
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Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:54 pm
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Wow! Great spot!
Friends help the miles go easier.
Klahini
Friends help the miles go easier.
Klahini
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chiwakum not credible
Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 980 | TRs | Pics Location: Ballard |
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chiwakum
not credible
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Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:05 pm
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Oh my, that was incredible thanks! What a humbling area. That kind of scale refocuses things, doesn't it?
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wamtngal Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere |
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wamtngal
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:55 am
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Beautiful photos! It does indeed look like a dream hike.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Tazz Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7902 | TRs | Pics
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Tazz
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:56 am
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sweet! Have been looking forward to these!! awesome stuff lady!
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plain old dan Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 276 | TRs | Pics Location: Tualatin Oregon |
Beautiful Karen! Thanks for sharing with us slices of Canadian heaven!!
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Scrooge Famous Grouse
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 6966 | TRs | Pics Location: wishful thinking |
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Scrooge
Famous Grouse
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:13 am
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You earned the magic, Lady.
Thank you.
Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you....... Go and find it. Go!
Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you....... Go and find it. Go!
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jeremybe Ol' One-shirt
Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 275 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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jeremybe
Ol' One-shirt
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:20 am
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Very nice. What a special place.
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:33 am
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Very nice Karen.
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bonobo Owl Juggler for rent
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 818 | TRs | Pics
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bonobo
Owl Juggler for rent
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:48 am
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Wow, just amazing. What a beautiful area. Thanks so much for sharing the experience!
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Jason Hummel Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1209 | TRs | Pics Location: Tacoma Washington |
OMG, there's so much to do in canada. Now I want to do more Thanks for the pics and words. Looks like a great place.
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Larry Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 1084 | TRs | Pics Location: Kitsap |
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Larry
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:09 am
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This is mind-bending Karen! You are to be commended for your wonderful altruistic story lines - you could write a book. The images? Awesome.
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Karen² A Real Canadian Girl
Joined: 25 Jul 2002 Posts: 1367 | TRs | Pics Location: Behind the Lens |
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Karen²
A Real Canadian Girl
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Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:15 pm
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