Summer Adventure Gearing Up!

Six weeks.
Northern British Columbia.
Hike, bike, paddle.
Gitanyow, Edziza, Spatsizi.
Yes, we are gearing up for a summer adventure along the western edge of Canada’s north – and it will go far beyond learning to pronounce the names correctly!

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One Packed Summer Adventure!

We’ll be actively searching for a hidden past full of totem poles and telegraph lines, abandoned homesteads and ancient sites, and a host of geographic wonders ranging from glaciers to volcanic cones. We’ll be sussing out the best attractions along paved roads and stepping out of the comfort zone for out-of-the-ordinary sights on backwoods trails and seldom-visited waterways. 

The majority of our time is going to be spent exploring the Stewart-Cassiar Highway – from Kitwanga in the south to Good Hope Lake in the north. We’ll camp in small recreation sites; dip a paddle into a few of the pocket-sized lakes that dot the landscape in profusion; take a sidetrip into Stewart; and maybe even stretch a foot across the border into Hyder, Alaska.

Did You Know?
Spatsizi is a Tahtlan word meaning
“Land of the Red Goat”

We’re hoping to take a float plane trip into Mt. Edziza Provincial Park for a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking exploration of the spectacular volcanic landscape of the Tahltan Highlands and maybe find a hotspring or two. Time and budget permitting, we might take another plane ride into Coldfish Lake for another backpacking adventure in the Spatsizi Plateau – the red goats are calling our names! 

Making a List and Checking it Twice!

So what do you gather together when you are gearing up for a summer adventure in the wilds of Northern British Columbia? Bear spray. That’s a given! Mosquito repellent? Another necessity, but our list starts big and then works down to the smaller components.

Vehicle?

Check.
It’s got to be reliable, big enough to handle all of our gear, and comfortable enough for long days on the road. We travel in a 2017 Ford F150 4×4 pickup. Drives like a dream, has the power we need, and is a solid option for exploring off-the-beaten path. We love to paddle and bike. On this trip, we’ll have a customized box storage for gear that ranges from boats and bikes to miscellaneous hiking and camping equipment.

Camping Unit?

Affirmative!
Why a trailer and not a van? Storage space is a key factor. It’s also nice to be able to leave camp set up when we’re out for the day. This unit has a wider wheel base and aerodynamic front that help it hug the road even in high winds. Our tiny Prolite trailer has been tweaked to travel perfection. At just 13-feet (3.6 m) in length and weighing under 1,000 pounds (450 kg) dry weight, it tows so easily I often forget that it’s on the hitch. Basically a bed on wheels, it also has a perfect little galley with a two-burner stovetop, sink, and fridge as well as a heater. A small awning extends outdoor time in not-so-perfect summer adventure weather.

Self-propelled Transportation?

Check and check.
We’re ready to rock and roll. Two, full-suspension mountain bikes are packed – along with spare tubes, repair kits, helmets and riding gloves. We’re also packing our PFDs to go along with two, 12-foot (3.6 m) Aquaglide Chelan inflatable kayaks. These beauties are primed for flat water touring, day tripping on the ocean and up to Class II river running.

Recent acquisitions, we’re looking forward to seeing how the inflatable kayaks handle, how much they can really pack in the way of gear, and if we’ve made the perfect purchase, or simply purchased a pretty piece of gear. Yup, a straight up, honest review will be coming along later this summer.

Personal Gear?

Check, check, check…
Yes to backpacks, tent, thermarests, sleeping bags, bearproof food bin, daypacks, hiking poles, hiking boots, first aid kit, emergency messenger device, emergency shelter, water bottles, bear spray, sunglasses, sunscreen, quick dry pants and tops, wool hiking socks, rain jackets, gaiters, umbrellas… everything we need for summer adventure. Our checklist is checked.

Maps and Apps?

Beyond the Backroad Mapbook for Northern BC and local area maps we’ve collected over the years, we’re still gathering a collection of National Topographic Series Map Sheets for our backpacking adventures (104G/7/8W/9W/1014E/15E/15W and 16W for Mount Edziza area and a similar set for Spatsizi).

Our “go to” app for mountain biking is Trailforks, but it will be taking a backseat for most of this trip as built trail systems north of Smithers and Hazelton are pretty much non-existent. We’re trail-testing a series of free trail apps – from Gaia GPS to AllTrails to Hiking Project (stay tuned for reviews). We’ll also being using Peakfinder.

Maps and Apps? Checked, multiple times. 

Tools for Taking Note?

Laptop… always!
iPhone, ditto. While there will not likely be much, if any cell service, the phone’s camera and offline app-ability make it a handy tool.
Camera, check. 
Spare battery packs to keep everything up and running, check, check, check. Solar panels accompanying the trailer will charge up a 12V battery for evening top ups.`
Pen and paper? I always have a journal and besides, there’s something about putting pen to paper, especially in an outdoor environment, that brings out a creative side that likes to map and doodle. It’s something I haven’t quite mastered yet on the laptop.

Sense of Adventure?

Check… mate. 
Game’s on! 
Can’t wait for our summer adventure in Northern British Columbia to begin.