Camping

Keith’s Hut

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We did this trip in February 2014 but, for very good reasons I don’t want to discuss, had to delay posting this until now.

A few years ago, we heli’ed up to Keith’s Hut only to find that it was full, and that the heli was unwelcome. We decided to repeat the trip, this time on snowshoes for me and up the traditional winter route.

As I’ve been doing recently, here are the resources:

We set out early from the parking (just off the highway, probably space for 15-20 cars) and the forest section at the start was narrow and tricky. The elevation was gradual but present, and continued as we started to open up into the meadows. Eventually we were deep in the valley before it opens up into a very large bowl. You go to your right (the Eastern side) and make your way up through another wood then loop round into the hut.

Sounds easy? It’s not that easy when you can see, hear and know of all the avalanche risks. We went up on a moderate risk day but it soon became clear that slopes were slipping due to heavy wet snow. We took a conservative, planned approach and were all in possession of avalanche safety gear (all but one person had AST1 and that person was drilled on what to do). Unfortunately it looks like I’ve lost it now, but the other skiers and I were mapping out the avalanches on Backcountry Navigator. I won’t soon forget hearing those rumbles down the mountain.

Anyway, we pitched up at the cozy hut with solar powered lights, an out house and a wood stove. The upstairs is ladder accessed but I chose to stay downstairs for the night, reading a book on my phone (yes this is perfectly possible to do).

The next morning we headed down. The avalanche conditions were much worse. Woomphfing sounds under our feet were making it clear that (what I believe) was an early evening weak frozen surface layer covered in heavy wet snow. This promptly collapsed under us and we had many, many sink-ins that we needed our shovels to get out of.

Pleased to see the cars again!

I haven’t edited this, it was grey!
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Lindeman & Greendrop Lakes

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Finally! A post that happened reasonably close to the time the hike took place!

Last weekend we were planning to head to Brew Hut and Brew Lake for a summer trip, but the weather turned poor. At the last minute, I identified Lindeman & Greendrop Lakes near Chilliwhack as an alternative.

As always, the links:

The trail starts out level as you enter the forest but then hits you with 300m elevation gain, then you realize it’s coastal rain forest and start to sweat. One thing watch out for deceptive trail markers. We were following them and went in the wrong direction a few times, do not assume you should pass beside it in the same direction, look for the next marker and the one after it.

After about 30 minutes of climbing we reached Lindeman Lake. There are campsites and bear caches here, and it’s more popular with day hikers. You can proceed round the Northern side of the lake (your left) and cross your first boulder field. Then it’s a walkway and some creek scrambling.

You have some more boulder fields ahead. Watch your footing. There are forest sections too and some undulation, but most of the uphill is done. We headed through the forest (again keep an eye on your trail markers) until eventually the sign for Flora Lake comes up. Head past it in the North-Easterly direction (Greendrop is not on the signpost) for another 500m (perhaps 1km). Eventually you’ll see the forest clear and the bear cache/toilet sign to your right. You’ve made it.

There are 2 campsites at Greendrop. The first has two pads and a lot of space (good for larger groups) but not a lake view. If you head round on the Southern side of the lake (to your right) you’ll find a second one, this time just one pad but there is easily room for two tents, perhaps more, and a better lake view. We set up there.

That evening we chilled out and caught up (been a while since I’ve done an overnighter with our usual group) and I discovered I had forgotten a fork in my hurry. My new Kelty Cosmic Down 41 was just right! Well worth the $150 for a summer bag.

The next morning we headed up the Southern side of the lake for a bit. It looks like a path but it becomes clear it’s overgrown and involves a lot of climbing. We turned back as we didn’t think it was passable.

On the way past the first campsite we had to do some cleaning up as the group before us had left, among other things, glass jars of died Krill! Annoying we had to carry it out for them honestly. Clean up after yourselves!

Then it was back to the cars and I had to go off and do a few Chilliwhack jobs.

Well worth it and a great random find!

Another trip to Joffre Lakes

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Back in June 2014, I did another trip to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. The first trip was great fun and some of my best photos, and  I hadn’t been for a few years so why not.

For those of you looking for details and maps, here they are:

Now for the updates. Since I last went, the trail work has mostly been completed. The lower boulder hopping is now a smooth path. There is still a steep ascent through the trees requiring careful footwork. I had a broken radius and was in a cast at the time so gripping was tricky. As you get just past Middle Lake, you might find fallen trees that you need to duck under. The upper section has been rerouted East (to your left if ascending) and now there is a stairway and bridge as opposed to another boulder field. The approach to the campsite is still along a rocky shoreline and the outhouse door was broken when we were there.

Camp set up (quieter in June so no issues finding a spot) and dinner eaten. Jesse (dog who was with us) unearthed “human leavings” under a stone right by the campsite. If you’re thinking of doing this, please don’t. Walk to the outhouse like a civilized human-being.

This time, instead of doing Tzsil (snow was still too low), we headed for a lookout near the Glacier (see the map above). This was steep and you had to be careful of your footing and of falling rocks. However, seeing all three lakes at once was spectacular.

Now, onto food. We had decided to hike up a light frying pan, cutting board, spatula, tongs and the following:

Breakfast

That made pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfasts!

Dinner

  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Spices (Taco spice mix worked well)
  • Chorizo
  • Carrots
  • Courgette/Zucchini
  • Beansprouts
  • Noodles
  • Stock

That made an enormous amount of stirfry and soup (a very excellent soup Louis I must say). We were absolutely full and kind of happy not to eat dehydrated for a change.

I’ll be doing another, beginner focused, hike up there soon!