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[bertvorgon]

Matt and I were able to get out of Dodge on the weekend, sunny skies finally after what seems to be a long winter here.

As the snow level is very low this year, we just decided to head out the West side of Harrison Lake, see how far we could get, find a nice quite spot to build a fire.

It did not tale long in elevation gain to run into ice and snow on the road, plus some gumbo as the sun warmed the road in exposed areas. We had to be very careful with the Tracker as we had left the summer tires on. We did do a couple of good slides before Matt put it into 4 High.

We thought we might try to make it to 20 Mile Bay, but, the road narrowed down, the snow got deeper and in some spots, the wind had blown carnage across the road. The 4 x 4 crowd had obviously gone through and chain sawed stuff out, but, as the day was progressing and our steaks were crying out to be cooked, we found a nice side road that dead ended, got us out in the sun.

After turning the Tracker around so we did not melt into a spot, we unloaded our wood and got a nice fire going. It was actually warm in the sun, NO wind, really nice. A huge group of 4 x 4 headed up the main road, destined for who knows where.

We let the fire go for an hour, got some nice heat from the coals and cracked a nice craft beer while the steaks cooked away. Wow, were they good!

We went for a little walk to peer down at Harrison Lake. Where we stopped had had one of the forest fires go through there, in 2017 I think.

While we were there someone opened up with a big bore gun, sounded quite close. I suspect they were in violation of the new shooting restrictions now along these corridors. It became a war zone along these roads with a very small few wrecking it for responsible shooters.

We headed back out around 2:30, only seeing a few ATV’s heading up the lake.

The car wash ate a few of our twoonies to blast that mud and grime off.

[bertvorgon]

A few more....

[bertvorgon]

While I think of it...Robyn or Jason....have you been up Skagit at all this year?

[RONSLYCHUK]

Hey Keith,looks like you two had a great day! Thanks for the pics.

[Byron510]

I was outdoors myself this weekend, camping with the scout troop - a little different than the usual cub group I'm involved with. It's amazing what 3 years in age can do - the scouts at 11-14 years old totally run themselves, we're just here for safety.
Anyways, found that my gear is actually comfortable at a few degrees below freezing. the layer of frost on the tent when I woke up was a bit surprising. But I haven't camped on the ground, in the snow, since I was a kid. So I'm glad I still have it in me.

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No steaks for me though, we did well marinated chicken instead for us scouters - the kids packed in and cooked their own meals in each of their patrols. But it was a little work keeping our veggies and water from freezing, had to watch that stuff.
Had a great weekend in the sun, though.

Here's a few shots if some items left out overnight. I was a nice scouted and at least emptied the water bottles the night before.

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[RMS]

only gravel I have seen in years is in the yard, but I have had a few of those four winds porters.

[bertvorgon]

Where did you go Byron? The walk in beach at Alouette Lake ?

[Byron510]

Where did you go Byron? The walk in beach at Alouette Lake ?

Funny, we had booked the Alouette group site at Gold Creek (North side) last fall, then it snowed this past week up there and park management left the gates locked .... privatized panzees!

Anyways, the troop had thier hearts set on camping, and all we could find last minute was Tynehead - yep that big park right in the north end of Surrey! It was kind of crazy, camping within the city limits. It was a practice camp for the real thing in 4 weeks, making sure the youth are all geared up and ready. We made them walk in a while Km, but we just needed to prove that they could walk in with their pa is and good, and carry what they needed, minus water, for a weekend camp. It was really just a test camp. And the city only charged us $100 for the park per day, it worked out well. I think we’re ready to go for the 5k hike into the next one in four weeks.

[gooned]

Byron, both our kids did the Manning winter camp a couple weekends ago, minus 17 plus wind chill, they did fine but I was glad not to.

Keith, last I thought of heading down Skagit was end of summer to camp but read the road was closed, not sure it’s status.

Dad, Noel & myself just got back from watching the Mint 400, bucket list trip, those trophy trucks are amazing

[bertvorgon]

Re: Skagit...I know the park/campsite got closed due to the fire fire damage from last season.

Even if the Park is closed, it might be walkable..IF...the road is at least open to the gate.

Maybe we should all just do an explore road trip just for fun, make a fire SOMEWHERE, and cook more of those steaks!

Byron, where are you going then in 4 weeks that requires the 5 KM hike?

Were you able to have a fire at Tynehead? I can survive anything if I can have a fire. Nothing worse than trying to stand around when temps are that cool and no heat.

[Byron510]

Byron, where are you going then in 4 weeks that requires the 5 KM hike?

Were you able to have a fire at Tynehead? I can survive anything if I can have a fire. Nothing worse than trying to stand around when temps are that cool and no heat.

We are headed to Bing over on the Sunshine Coast. I was reminded today that we told the youth that it wasn’t quite 5k - but it is uphill!

Oh yes, we had FIRE The kids built a great big one more than a few times. We made the kids (with most of us leaders) walk in to test the gear, but there was vehicle access right to the site (Ravens Nest), so we brought a pile of wood. Melted the snow and thawed the ground in a 15’ radius - you’d been impressed! And definitely warm!!

A drive would be great, keep me posted.

Off to Northern Alberta tomorrow and over the weekend for work, enjoy this coming weekend and the crazy high temps. It may have snowed last weekend and we slept in sub zero temps, but we’ll be running through the sprinklers with the kids by Tuesday- 22 degrees! That’s 22 to 72 F in 5 days for our neighbors to the south - That’s crazy temp swing, but I’ll take it! Nothing like living in the Pacific North West.

Byron

[bertvorgon]

That sounds like fun. You are in a wonderful position to teach these young people about the outdoors and how to respect it. It is something that is getting lost to the city people, when I see the garbage in what I call the "Blast Zone" zone of Vancouver. Teaching the "Pack it in, Pack it out rule is so important. Matt and I carry a large freezer baggie just to both pack out our stuff but anything we find on occasion.

So important to test gear BEFORE a trip! All the advertising in the world will NOT make your stuff work when a seam fails, or the sleeping bag is not warm enough. We have camped out in the yard over the years, even in winter! Sleeping bag ratings are sketchy at best.

We have had on occasion people with us have their stoves fail, as some have become overly complicated with lines and "O" rings, crazy. Matt was on the NORTH COAST TRAIL a few years ago, 70+ KM of true wilderness, in the rain, with a few friends. Their fancy stove failed on the first day, only saving grace was that it too burned white gas so Matt could use his old reliable OPTIMUS to heat food for everyone. Simple is not a bad thing when really out there.

Not sure the age of your group, but, I have always restricted axes from coming on on long hikes and camp outs. Seen too many accidents when I was younger. Nice in a controlled environment to show them how to use one, but, in reality in the bush, there is enough fuel on the ground and low dead branches to get a fire going anywhere in B.C..