Скачать или смотреть Scouting a Summer Snowboard Base Camp - WE MESSED UP!!!

Summer is truly here, well at least that's what the calendars say. Here in Whistler we have moved on from Junuary and are enjoying Jultember. The weather broke after several days of rain, and we decided to use this opportunity to do something we have been talking about for a long time: setting up a base camp where we can go snowboard for the next few weeks.

With the season cut short by a few months we have both had some serious itch for snowboarding, and we have been scouting a mountain that we rode before at the start of last season. We are hoping to find somewhere near the alpine where there is a lake we can use. Preferably two: one for bathing and one for drinking water.

So on rather short notice we head out to begin our hike, we have come quite well prepared: food, drink, cameras (inc drone), couple beers, sunscreen, first aid, dog supplies, extra waters, portable battery chargers... basically everything apart from bug spray,

and this was a massive mistake.

Instantly upon leaving the car the bugs were upon us, and of course heading off into the woods and away from the road only increased their number and ferocity. The trail is quite steep throughout, fortunately the weather was mild which helped us cool, the only problem was we weren't able to stop for a break. The constant attacks from the bugs were equally demoralising and annoying. There was no respite. We attempted to walk in circles on flatter sections as a way of resting and keeping the bugs at bay. It was mildly successful but the terrain was unabating, we were literally walking up a mountain while being eaten alive.

We knew it would become too much to bare, the question was how far would we get before turning around. Within 5 minutes of starting the hike there was a silent understanding this was not going to go as planned. We were on the cusp on the treeline with openings visible through the trees, but it had become too much. It was about 30 minutes that we lasted, of which none were fun.

We learnt an important lesson, and even though part of the scouting is the conditions, inc bugs, it was something that was easily avoidable. We knew there was going to be bugs, we knew they were going to bad - I have been reading bike reports of rides up on nearby mountain near the alpine saying exactly this. No doubt intensified by the constant rain over the last couple months,

Don't take any conditions for granted

I have seen worse bugs in Canada on many occasions: horseflies in Labrador were nuts, some crazy nights in Ontario, but the worst by far I have been exposed to are the black flies in Nunuvut, truly something that cannot be accurately described - but these were the worse bugs I have seen in a while, and it was not a fun experience.

We headed over to the cabin and while recovering in the car to AC and mellow jams the battery quietly petered out and when we were ready to go, the battery was not. After letting the battery gain its strength for one last go we started to hear a low hum in the distance, getting louder. I shot the drone up and we found a truck coming up our way. The roads are a labyrinth with the hut being the usual destination, but we couldnt be sure, so watched the truck as it ascended towards us. Fortunately it was a couple guys coming up to spend the night so we got a jump and headed out. The road we are on descends to the river and from there it follows the river to the highway. There are a couple campsites along the river, and one especially that looks promising. Keeping the engine running, we exit to have a look around. Safe to say we will be back to this site.

So with our tails between our legs, but some minor victories we head back. No doubt we will be back soon. I still have designs on a summer snowboard setup in the mountains, but we need to come a little better prepared next time. I hope you come to join us for the next adventure.

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