Sleeping in the new SUV proved to to be good, but up a little early. About 0430 Larry and I were up and eating our bagel and cheese. Our boat ride to the trail head was at 0550 and every one was up and ready to go by that time when along comes our water Taxi ride to the trail head about an hour away. The ride on the boat up Great Central Lake at this time of the morning was just beautiful. Although the noise of the 225 horse power out board motor appeared loud at first as it moved us along the lake, it soon seemed to blend in as we looked at the great views of the lake and mountain sides. There were a lot of floating cabins along the was but not a person in view.
After about an hour we arrived at the dock and trail head for the beginning of our 16 KM hike to Della Falls. We unloaded our packs ranging from 32 pounds to about 40 pounds. There is a Geocache at this spot but decided to do it on the way out as there were about 14 hikers sleeping in the trail area.
So packs on and we started our hike on Canada Day to Della Falls. CCC took the lead in the beginning as he was our team leader for Della Falls Quest 2017.
The start of the trail was excellent, the sun was shinning at it's best and we moved at a good but steady pace. As we moved on we encountered a lot of dried up or running active streams we had to cross on our way to the cable car crossing.
Once we arrived at the cable car we decided to take a break and have some lunch for a short time. Two groups behind us caught up and there were many hikers on the other side as well wanting to cross to our side. Once we finished our break everyone from both sides helped each other pull on the ropes, two hikers and two packs at the time. It was pretty quick be we had enough time to enjoy the the views below. The rushing waters were loud and fast. The color of the water was sort of green. The water was very cold but a nice way to cool off any tired feet as many hikers did.
At this point the trail changed considerable and begin to test our abilities, it was up and down, not as wide, up and over large trees and rocks and a lot of river beds with a lot of running water from time to time.
After several hours and beginning to get very tired, sore feet, a large patch of snow appeared on the trail for a short distance but the best part was that we could see the falls in the distance. A little of yelling and using some of the snow to cool us down. Little did we know our hike was far from over.
Our hike continued becoming even harder for some of us, I think the packs had a lot to do with it.
After hiking for a little over 7 1/2 hours including a few breaks we arrived at the saw blade camp site. We thought we might stay here as we were exhausted but we decided to move closer to the falls which was about another short KM. We begin to see that all the camp sites were full, Canadian flags flying and we were so proud to have arrived at Della Falls.
Once we crossed the bridge, and we were all looking for a site to accommodate 3 tents, CCC found one off the beaten track and just down the bank was water.
We started to set up camp and after 8 hours and just snack type food all day, supper was in order. We all cooked a meal and refueled. We were so hungry and it is amazing what freeze dried meals taste like, words like, the best, excellent and so good.
As the tents were already up, fires were not allowed, I decided to have a short nap, getting old I guess.
Then we all got ready to do the short hike up to the base of the falls. I am sure there are many words to describe these falls, the highest in Canada as well as being here on Canada's days 150th birthday but I think I would say it is life changing. We were 6 to 8 meters where the water hit the rocks, the cold mist soaking us as we stood in awe. The noise was ever so load yet it felt like being in a trance as I watched the water flow to the rocks.
After some time, we headed back to the camp for what ever hot we had, tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
We sat around talking about our hike in as if it was nothing, laughing about it sort of but when I think back it was a good hike with good people despite the distance and difficulties we encountered weather it be personal or as a group.
I believe this is the best Canada Day in my life, despite not having my beautiful wife with me. It was nature at it's best, a waterfall that is higher than any other other in out great country and having to hike a good distance with good friends to see it.
Tomorrow will bring a better view of all of the falls from the look out and certainly looking forward to it. Paulboy
Sunday 9 July 2017
Tuesday 4 July 2017
Della falls Quest-2017
As we prepare for our hike to Della Fall in the morning, 150 Canada Day, it has taken some work to get prepared.
First it was getting everything ready, food, tent, clothes, first aid and every thing one would need for a three day hike to the falls. I packed, unpacked and packed three times trying to get my total weight of my pack and supplies from 37 + pounds down to 30 pounds. Then there was the two 10 km hikes, first with the 37 pound pack, way to heavy then after removing more do not need items, a final hike to test it all out. Some how I feel that my little 10 KM training hikes will not be the same as the hike to the falls.
It is noon on the 30th June I head off to Port Alberni to meet up with Landchatch for some caching before meeting up at Boston Pizza at 1900 hours for our last real supper.
But one does not go to PA without stopping at the great Coombs Wooden Shoes for a chat and some candy but this time I did not get any as the extra weight, well you know.
Landshatch and I managed to get 22 caches.
We met up with CCC, Autumn Rain, Done21 & Islander54 for the last supper, always a lot of laughs and wondering what the hike will be like tomorrow. So many stories about the 16 KM hike to the falls.
After supper a few more caches, then off the the boat ramp area where we all settled in sleeping along side the road in our trucks, camper and SUV's.
As our day comes to a close we await morning to begin out hike.
Our first day will be posted later. Paulboy
First it was getting everything ready, food, tent, clothes, first aid and every thing one would need for a three day hike to the falls. I packed, unpacked and packed three times trying to get my total weight of my pack and supplies from 37 + pounds down to 30 pounds. Then there was the two 10 km hikes, first with the 37 pound pack, way to heavy then after removing more do not need items, a final hike to test it all out. Some how I feel that my little 10 KM training hikes will not be the same as the hike to the falls.
It is noon on the 30th June I head off to Port Alberni to meet up with Landchatch for some caching before meeting up at Boston Pizza at 1900 hours for our last real supper.
But one does not go to PA without stopping at the great Coombs Wooden Shoes for a chat and some candy but this time I did not get any as the extra weight, well you know.
Landshatch and I managed to get 22 caches.
We met up with CCC, Autumn Rain, Done21 & Islander54 for the last supper, always a lot of laughs and wondering what the hike will be like tomorrow. So many stories about the 16 KM hike to the falls.
After supper a few more caches, then off the the boat ramp area where we all settled in sleeping along side the road in our trucks, camper and SUV's.
As our day comes to a close we await morning to begin out hike.
Our first day will be posted later. Paulboy
Sunday 25 June 2017
Organization Thread, Geocaching Team Edition
As you can see by the title, CreekyClanChris, our tall and fierce leader has put our our final marching orders and we now have 5 more day until the team meets at the docks just before 0600 hours to start our hike on Canada Day to the highest waterfall in Canada. I will be putting a Canadian flag near the base of the falls for pictures and to celebrate Canada's 150 birthday.
I have a special dessert/treat for all the team in honor of Canada's birthday as well.
As I am all packed and will sleep in the back of the SUV on Friday night after grabbing a few caches in Port Alberni before bedding down. But it will not be in my Tribute but my new Hyundai Tucson I purchased today. It will have that new car smell and may make a little had to sleep in. LOL
Reports are that the trails to the falls are good and no snow but the trail to Love lake has heavy snow last weekend. So looking forward to the hike. Stay tuned for some daily blogs on my return.
One more tidbit, we have an event on July 2nd and someone other than us has logged in as attending. So exciting to have an event so far away and knowing others will be in the area to join us.
Paulboy
I have a special dessert/treat for all the team in honor of Canada's birthday as well.
As I am all packed and will sleep in the back of the SUV on Friday night after grabbing a few caches in Port Alberni before bedding down. But it will not be in my Tribute but my new Hyundai Tucson I purchased today. It will have that new car smell and may make a little had to sleep in. LOL
Reports are that the trails to the falls are good and no snow but the trail to Love lake has heavy snow last weekend. So looking forward to the hike. Stay tuned for some daily blogs on my return.
One more tidbit, we have an event on July 2nd and someone other than us has logged in as attending. So exciting to have an event so far away and knowing others will be in the area to join us.
Paulboy
Sunday 18 June 2017
Della Falls
On July 01, 2017, CreekyClanChris has put a team together to do the Della Falls hike. I am part of that team. I will do a detailed daily post on my return, July 03, 2017. This consists of driving to Port Alberni on Friday night, sleeping in the SUV and getting a one hour plus boat ride up Great Central Lake at 0600 hours in the morning. Once we arrive at the dock and start of the Della Falls Trail head, it is a 15 to 16 KM hike to the base camp. On day two we may kike to Love Lake depending on the snow for a swim??? That is a 3+ KM hike with a top view of the falls.
Della Falls is the highest falls in Canada and one of the highest in North America.
I did a 9.5 hike today with a 25 pound with all my supplies needed for that 3 day weekend. It took me 2.5 hours with some good hills in Ladysmith.
Looking forward to this adventure. Paulboy
Della Falls is the highest falls in Canada and one of the highest in North America.
I did a 9.5 hike today with a 25 pound with all my supplies needed for that 3 day weekend. It took me 2.5 hours with some good hills in Ladysmith.
Looking forward to this adventure. Paulboy
Saturday 31 December 2016
Sheesh695 How to end a year of caching!
It was 0640 hours when Shees695 & MFF picked me up in Ladysmith for a day of caching in the Trent River area. We all piled into my Geomobile and off we went. The sky was full of stars and such a beautiful distance color. The drive up was great and chatting about our holidays and how we would approch our caching day. We arrived just before 0800 hours and noticed that there was a little snow on the ground, hard crusted and a bit of ice here and there. We got our kit together and set out staying on the trail/road to the east toward the power lines. A very cool morning it was.
The trail had hard crusted snow so the hiking was easy. We had to cross over two stream areas but that was no problem. Until we reached the power lines, there was only 6 caches. We managed to find three and had three DNF's. The ground was frozen where the caches were and it impossible to find them. We decided at the point we would continue but the possiblity of more DNF's was a certainty.
We now reached the power lines, turned east towards the river. The trail was not visible due to snow so we were on our way down to the opening, a flat area to see if we could find the trail.
It was at this point that Sheesh695 hooked her foot on a frozen branch in the snow/ice and bent her foot/leg the wrong way and down she went. She felt that she had broken her foot/ leg or both. As we started to try and help her, it became apparent the we could not move her and that she did break something.
As MFF had some mdical supplies, she lossen her shoe slightly and applied a tenson and hiking spats to the broken area. As she was laying on ice and movement was not possible, we covered her with a emg. blanket.
I called 911, relaying the info and Search and Rescue was alearted to our sisitution. They had our position via my phone and I informed them the quickest and fastest way to our position. This was around 1100 hours. But the info I had given was not relayed properly and SARS were not sure on how the best way was to get to us. They finally called me and almost 2 hours later, they arrived.
During this time, Sheesh695 was getting cold so we took off our jackets and touques to help keep her warm.
Then we started taking turns in cutting cedar branches to cover her up more. Each step we did helped in keeping her warm. We did try to lift her upper body to get some of the branches under her as the ice kept cooling her down.
Several hikers came by but had no supplies and they moved on. By the time the Search and Rescue arrived, we were begining to get a little cold as well but certainly nothing to worry about but would have been a different story if it was later in the day and the sun went down.
At this point, Search & Rescue took over and got her into a streacher and began to warm her up but we still had to wait for a different Quad in order to properly transport her to the Highway for a waiting ambulance. Once it arive about 15 minutes later, they got her in the Quad and we began the walkout as they had to move slower that a walking pace. Over all it took about 3 1/2 hours from the time I called 911.
We followed the ambulance to the Comox hospital and after about an hour she had xrays, drugs (not sure what came first) and it was confirmed that she had a serious break and surgary was required. They decided that they would either send her to Campbell River or Duncan via ambulance so MFF and I began our drive back to Ladysmith.
Now for ther fun part, we were at Qualicum beach turn off when we got a call asking that we come back to get her and bring her home for surgary in the morning, They had put on a plastic type cast, more meds, so we turned around and back to Comox.
She was certainly in good spirts on the way home a but a little mad at having broken some bones.
I guess there are some lessons to learn from this, proper first aid supplies, extra to keep you warm in the cold times. Hiking alone would have been a very serious problem in the snow and cold season. We were lucky that we had cell reception other wise one of would have had to go for help once we got her stable and warm. But in the end, all is good for now and I will inform you of her results once I know.
Safe caching. Geocaching My Way of Life Paulboy
The trail had hard crusted snow so the hiking was easy. We had to cross over two stream areas but that was no problem. Until we reached the power lines, there was only 6 caches. We managed to find three and had three DNF's. The ground was frozen where the caches were and it impossible to find them. We decided at the point we would continue but the possiblity of more DNF's was a certainty.
We now reached the power lines, turned east towards the river. The trail was not visible due to snow so we were on our way down to the opening, a flat area to see if we could find the trail.
It was at this point that Sheesh695 hooked her foot on a frozen branch in the snow/ice and bent her foot/leg the wrong way and down she went. She felt that she had broken her foot/ leg or both. As we started to try and help her, it became apparent the we could not move her and that she did break something.
As MFF had some mdical supplies, she lossen her shoe slightly and applied a tenson and hiking spats to the broken area. As she was laying on ice and movement was not possible, we covered her with a emg. blanket.
I called 911, relaying the info and Search and Rescue was alearted to our sisitution. They had our position via my phone and I informed them the quickest and fastest way to our position. This was around 1100 hours. But the info I had given was not relayed properly and SARS were not sure on how the best way was to get to us. They finally called me and almost 2 hours later, they arrived.
During this time, Sheesh695 was getting cold so we took off our jackets and touques to help keep her warm.
Then we started taking turns in cutting cedar branches to cover her up more. Each step we did helped in keeping her warm. We did try to lift her upper body to get some of the branches under her as the ice kept cooling her down.
Several hikers came by but had no supplies and they moved on. By the time the Search and Rescue arrived, we were begining to get a little cold as well but certainly nothing to worry about but would have been a different story if it was later in the day and the sun went down.
At this point, Search & Rescue took over and got her into a streacher and began to warm her up but we still had to wait for a different Quad in order to properly transport her to the Highway for a waiting ambulance. Once it arive about 15 minutes later, they got her in the Quad and we began the walkout as they had to move slower that a walking pace. Over all it took about 3 1/2 hours from the time I called 911.
We followed the ambulance to the Comox hospital and after about an hour she had xrays, drugs (not sure what came first) and it was confirmed that she had a serious break and surgary was required. They decided that they would either send her to Campbell River or Duncan via ambulance so MFF and I began our drive back to Ladysmith.
Now for ther fun part, we were at Qualicum beach turn off when we got a call asking that we come back to get her and bring her home for surgary in the morning, They had put on a plastic type cast, more meds, so we turned around and back to Comox.
She was certainly in good spirts on the way home a but a little mad at having broken some bones.
I guess there are some lessons to learn from this, proper first aid supplies, extra to keep you warm in the cold times. Hiking alone would have been a very serious problem in the snow and cold season. We were lucky that we had cell reception other wise one of would have had to go for help once we got her stable and warm. But in the end, all is good for now and I will inform you of her results once I know.
Safe caching. Geocaching My Way of Life Paulboy
Sunday 13 November 2016
Hiking and travel
Over the past few months Landchatch, Islander54 and I have been doing sections of the Juan de Fuca Trail system, mostly in the rain. These trails are wonderful and some spots were certainly not for the faint of heart. On some of of our hikes we parked the car, hiked to the trail and back to the parked car for a distance of 15 to 21KM's depending on what day. We have now completed about 2/3 of the trail and look forward of completing the rest of the trail in the spring.
We also hiked some of the Alberni Inlet trail three weeks ago and did a total of 19.2 KM's that day. The weather was a little damp in the morning but it cleared up and in late morning the sun started to show it's face. Some of the was trail was a little muddy and will certainly hinder our efforts to finish it off until late spring. The views were breath taking and would recommend this trail system for everyone to try out, keeping in mind that some parts are a difficultly of 4.
On November 4, Princess! and I flew to Campbellton NB to visit family and have been doing caching on some of the trails in Campbellton NB and Cross Point in Quebec. The weather was certainly cold, reaching 0. The caching is a lot different, not only weather wise but their way of hiding and type of containers the use. After 7 days in this area we moved on the Moncton NB for one night, caching along the way and then drove to Halifax, NS today and did one cache on the trip. We did a few caches in Halifax this afternoon. We pland to do some tourist things, visit a few old friends and do caching as much as possible. My goal is to find the first cache in Canada which is about 30 minutes from my hotel. I will write a short blog once I find the oldest cache. Paulboy
We also hiked some of the Alberni Inlet trail three weeks ago and did a total of 19.2 KM's that day. The weather was a little damp in the morning but it cleared up and in late morning the sun started to show it's face. Some of the was trail was a little muddy and will certainly hinder our efforts to finish it off until late spring. The views were breath taking and would recommend this trail system for everyone to try out, keeping in mind that some parts are a difficultly of 4.
On November 4, Princess! and I flew to Campbellton NB to visit family and have been doing caching on some of the trails in Campbellton NB and Cross Point in Quebec. The weather was certainly cold, reaching 0. The caching is a lot different, not only weather wise but their way of hiding and type of containers the use. After 7 days in this area we moved on the Moncton NB for one night, caching along the way and then drove to Halifax, NS today and did one cache on the trip. We did a few caches in Halifax this afternoon. We pland to do some tourist things, visit a few old friends and do caching as much as possible. My goal is to find the first cache in Canada which is about 30 minutes from my hotel. I will write a short blog once I find the oldest cache. Paulboy
Sunday 2 October 2016
2nd trip to the Juan de Fuca Trail
On October 01, 2016, Landchatch and I arrived at our start point for the Juan de Fuca Trail to continue on our quest of completing the trail. The weather was good and it was not raining to start with. It was near 0800 hours when we started down and our first caches was https://coord.info/GC3QBPB, which is an earth cache. The trail down was good and we hiked in to complete 7 caches ending up at Chin 2 China 4. The trails were not too bad in this section except one small area of mud. We then hiked back up to the truck and and moved the truck down the highway about 2.5 KM's and proceeded down to get back on the trail as well as doing the caches on the way down. This way down took us on a old logging road and then to a goat trail to the beach, this was very steep and one would have to be very careful on this section.
We hiked the trail to Plantman_Geocache #7. The trail over this section was extreamly muddy in sections and can see this being very difficult in the winter months as the rains build as it does in this area. From here we decided to take the trail up to the road doing the two caches along the way. The trail up was in good shape and we ended up on the highway 1.1 KM's from the truck, so it was a lot better than two weeks ago where it was 6.5 KM's back.
Our total hike was 19 KM's, 18 of them on the trails. The views were wonderful and we saw 5 people running the trail and 4 women hiking the trails. We did get some rain a few time through the day but over all it was a great day weather wise.
I bought a pair of Solomon Quest boots at MEC in Victoria and for the first time in a long time, my feet were completely dry. I would recommond these for any kind of hiking. The cost with taxes was about $300.00. We have one more section to do on the Juan de Fuca trail left and plan to complete it in the near future or when the weather will allow. At least that is our goal but it may take us two more visits to this area to complete it. What a wonderful area with great caches.
We hiked the trail to Plantman_Geocache #7. The trail over this section was extreamly muddy in sections and can see this being very difficult in the winter months as the rains build as it does in this area. From here we decided to take the trail up to the road doing the two caches along the way. The trail up was in good shape and we ended up on the highway 1.1 KM's from the truck, so it was a lot better than two weeks ago where it was 6.5 KM's back.
Our total hike was 19 KM's, 18 of them on the trails. The views were wonderful and we saw 5 people running the trail and 4 women hiking the trails. We did get some rain a few time through the day but over all it was a great day weather wise.
I bought a pair of Solomon Quest boots at MEC in Victoria and for the first time in a long time, my feet were completely dry. I would recommond these for any kind of hiking. The cost with taxes was about $300.00. We have one more section to do on the Juan de Fuca trail left and plan to complete it in the near future or when the weather will allow. At least that is our goal but it may take us two more visits to this area to complete it. What a wonderful area with great caches.
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