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SCT Day 3 -Manzanita Bluff to Appleton Creek

7/17/2023

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PictureOur softest campsite, in the lush moss near Appleton Creek SCT, British Columbia
With a early light of day start, we were up and on the trail by 6:50 a.m. in anticipation of a much longer day on the trail. The first steps away from the hut had us on a steep descend from the bluffs into the valley below. Shortly after the downhill was an opportunity to refill water after 7km up on the bluffs. We pushed on toward Malaspina Road and continued the now familiar up and down climbs of the SCT The earlier start kept us slightly cooler, but with the climbs we were quickly dripping in sweat once again.


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SCT Day 2 - Bliss Portage to Manzanita Bluffs

7/14/2023

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PictureThe trail just past Bliss Portage, SCT, British Columbia
​The night with the shelter to ourselves had us in good spirits with a rested and refreshed early start to beat the heat. The forecast called for blue skies and highs of 78, so we definitely needed to get a start to avoid the sweatfest of hill climb we had experienced on day 1. Leaving Bliss Portage, we continued to experience the rolling, rocky rough trails and found our pace to be much below our normal speeds. The switchbacks felt like rocky stairs cut into the lush hillsides. Some sections treated us to floors carpeted in moss and enormous ferns squeezing in on the sides of the trail.

A stop at overlook into the Okanover Inlet just south of Bliss Portage was a good first break. As we stood looking out over the inlet with the mountains rising in the distance and small islands of intrigue sprinkled throughout the water in a kayaker’s dream, we heard the familiar splashes of sea otters playing with their breakfast. We immediately realized an entire family of sea otters was resting on a small, shallow reefy area. A mother was surrounded by 4-5 otters all basking in the calm water and morning sun. We listened as they huffed to each other and were joined by the others after their rising.


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SCT Day 1 - Sarah Point to Bliss Portage

7/14/2023

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The official start or end of the SCT, British Columbia
​​After an exciting ride from the Sunshine Coast shuttle service, we were dropped off at a rough gravel pad right at the Sarah Point hut. The ride was a rugged 4 wheel drive adventure in itself on abandoned logging roads full of overgrown berry bushes scraping the sides of the van in “Canadian pinstripes” as the undergrowth fights to find its pieces of sunshine and grow quickly in the summer weather. The shuttle driver showed off his primo berry picking spot and entertained us with tales of bear sightings and misadventures in the area.

​
​Sarah Point is the official starting off point for the Sunshine Coast Trail and its view of the ocean on the point did not disappoint. We found incredible views of the Salish Sea, a cool ocean breeze to keep the bugs at bay, and numerous tent pads with sweeping views in all directions. A small stream provides a steady water source about 200 meters around. In the middle of it all, one of the famous SCT huts sits sentinel over the point. These SCT huts are not as simple as Isle Royale’s 3 sided screened shelter, and not as crowded and filthy as the Appalachian Trail huts, but are rather well thought out cabin like structures with an open are for tables in the bottom and an open loft for sleeping above. The Powell River PAWS trail volunteers clearly take pride in their new backcountry areas and we found the huts to be almost dollhouse like in their look.

While this location was outstanding and we spend a few hours hrs beach combing and taking in the new Pacific Northwest views, we were antsy to get down the trail and begin our adventure and break in our bodies to the weight of heavy packs.

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My journey into slots and rappelling...

4/20/2023

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As spring unfolds and I am back to a bit of normalcy with my work schedule, I thought it was time to do a little reflection and recapping of our time in the San Rafael Swell this year. By no means am I a slot canyon expert, but I feel 1,000 times more experienced than before and can offer up some advice to those looking to try it for the first time. ​

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Return to Celina Lake

4/18/2023

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Our campsite on Celina Lake, Hoosier National Forest
On Friday April 14th we took off on the Two Lakes Loop Trail, for the beautiful cliffside campsite on Celina Lake in Hoosier National Forest. This is a very popular site and to snag it on a spring weekend would be a real treat.  We made great time from the main trailhead to the campsite passing a few nice ones along the way.  However, even with our early Friday start, around 1:00 the campsite came into view and someone’s tent was already there. We missed it.

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Terill Ridge camp out

4/16/2023

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Our campsite along Terill Ridge, Hoosier National Forest
On April 7th 2023, we returned to one of our favorite camping spots in the Deam Wilderness area of Hoosier National Forest.  The weather was still chilly, but the sunlight clearly had turned a corner to feel like spring had arrived.  Unsurprisingly, on this nice spring weekend, we encountered a full parking lot at the Terrill Ridge Fire Tower, and for the first time, even saw a NFS staff member meeting the public and offering information to the many visitors.  We quickly donned our packs and took off down the trail. ​

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Isle Royale - Day 29

8/6/2022

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Taking a nap with Rock harbor and Raspberry island in the background, Isle Royale
​Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 144.5
​Total miles paddled: 22.5

Total moose seen: 23
​Total foxes seen: 7

Total days with no cell service: 28
​Goodbye, Isle Royale
I would love to say that our final day was a huge cathartic release, but perhaps as anyone out for as long may also confess, there is a readiness and itchiness to go home that probably makes us not the only ones that did not feel that way when the ferry pulled up.

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Isle Royale - Day 28

8/5/2022

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​Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 144.5
​Total miles paddled: 22.5

Total moose seen: 21
​Total foxes seen: 7

Total days with no cell service: 27
We had one last shot to fulfill our Isle Royale dreams and goals. After 27 days on the island, I certainly didn't want to wake up and realized we wished we had gotten in one more hike, or if only...  And I certainly hope to go a long time before hearing my husband's schemes at another adventure on Isle Royale. Surely, we will put the obsession to rest for a few years at least. ​

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Isle Royale - Day 27

8/4/2022

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A nice view of the Americas wreck from the Voyager II on a clam sunny day, Isle Royale
Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 134.9 
​Total miles paddled: 22.5

Total moose seen: 21
​Total foxes seen: 7

Total days with no cell service: 26
The ride we all deserved.
With bluebird skies, we hesitated to hop on the Voyager with fresh memories of big waves in mind. We joked with the captain about the ride from days before and he owned up to some of the realities we had faced. However, today couldn’t have been more polar opposite of that journey.

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Isle Royale - Day 26

8/3/2022

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Looking for the Americas ship wreck, but the wind and waves are not making it easy, Isle Royale
​Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 134.9 
​Total miles paddled: 22.5

Total moose seen: 21
​Total foxes seen: 6

Total days with no cell service: 25
​​We did not have great forecasts for our time in Windigo paddling, but we awoke to fairly calm waters and cloudy skies, so we decided to make a run for Grace Island and the shipwreck of the Americas and see how close we could get with our weather. We donned our dry suits quickly and got on the water to make the most of the calm.

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  • Home
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    • Hoosier National Forest
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