Monthly Archives: September 2017

This is a magical place. It is home to one of the few interior temperate rainforests in the world. Spectacular mountain scenery, glaciers, alpine lakes and meadows, one of the best wildflower displays on the planet, splendid forest, extensive wildlife, … Continue reading →

ACCESS The most challenging problem with a guidebook on the WK is that road access is constantly changing. Sources for the most recent information: 1. West Kootenay Hiking Access Group. A Facebook group for trail and road access.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/wkhikingaccess 2. Kootenay Mountaineering … Continue reading →

The climber should realize that the Columbia Mountains (Interior Ranges) of B. C. is a region of heavy rainfall and high growth rate of slide alder, devil’s club and other undergrowth, which makes access to valleys very difficult. No publication, … Continue reading →

GENERAL ADVICE Fitness. Good physical fitness can help you evacuate faster if necessary, get help, and have more fun. Light Weight. The lighter you travel on backpacking trips, the more enjoyable the journey. Spend more to buy the best light … Continue reading →

PLANT COMMUNITIES The nature of any plant community found in a given area is the product of the specific environmental conditions found there. The mosaic of diverse climatic conditions found in the West Kootenay produced an equally diverse range of … Continue reading →

Maps form the essential information for almost every hike and climb in this e-book. You should not consider attempting any trip without the necessary maps and the know-how to use them. This is a big country, and most of it … Continue reading →

WEATHER The weather in the Columbia Mountains, both good and bad, can last for many days, and sometimes weeks. Regardless of the forecast, always be prepared for heavy rain, strong winds, falling temperatures, sleet or hail. Carry rain gear – … Continue reading →

Mountaineering is possibly the most magnificent sport yet invented by man, but is known to be dangerous. Even today, British Columbia, the most western province of Canada, is still a wilderness of mountains, valleys, glaciers, forest and plateau. The West … Continue reading →

PURCELL MOUNTAINS in  the USA The Purcell Mountains, primarily a Canadian range, extend south across the border into Idaho and Montana. The range is located northeast of Bonners Ferry and is bounded by US-95 and US-1 on the west and … Continue reading →

SELKIRK MOUNTAINS in the USA Together with the neighbouring Monashee and Purcell Mountains, the Selkirk Mountains are part of a larger grouping known as the Columbia Mountains that lie just to the west of the Rocky Mountains. Their northern boundary … Continue reading →