Category Archives: Uncategorized

TRAVERSES in the GOLD RANGE  Thomas Crowley and friends made two connected traverses in the Gold Range in 1981 and 1982, which are described day by day. Parts of the routes are useful for approaches to peaks, such as in … Continue reading →

The Monashees stretch 530km (329mi) from north to south and 150km (93mi) from east to west. BOUNDARIES The Monashees are bounded on the east by the Columbia River and Arrow Lakes, beyond which lie the Selkirk Mountains, and the Canoe … Continue reading →

The entire Monashee Range was once called the Gold Range, but the name is now limited to the mountains just west of the Columbia River and Upper Arrow Lake, south of the TransCanada Highway (Eagle Pass) and north of the … Continue reading →

PHYSICAL CAPABILITY The considerable vertical distances travelled on most hikes in the West Kootenay require good physical conditioning. The best way to get fit is to hike and increase elevation gain and weight carried. Going downhill can be more difficult … Continue reading →

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. ~ Patrick Young This is by no means an exhaustive list, rather, it’s a collection … Continue reading →

For those members who are wondering about the up-to-date local declination for their compasses or are planning hikes in other areas of the province or country, the following sites will provide you with an up-to-date declination for either specific latitude … Continue reading →

HOW WOULD YOU FARE IN THE WILD? Test your wilderness survival IQ with this survival challenge quiz: 1. What is a safe minimum group size for a multi-day backcountry hike a) 2   b) 3   c) 4   d) 5 2. On … Continue reading →

THE THREAT OF WILDERNESS by George H. Stankey “Wilderness is a cultural construct, rather than an intrinsic biophysical reality. To understand the meanings and values associated with wilderness today, it is necessary to understand the cultural context within which the … Continue reading →

Rock Climbing at Q’Emiln Park, Post Falls, Idaho This lovely little climbing area (pronounced ke-me-lyn) can make an easily accessible and enjoyable weekend trip from Nelson. After a pleasant 3-hour drive through scenic northern Idaho, the small town of Post … Continue reading →

Access. From the cabin, cross the creek and find a hiker-made track that initially follows cairns and then turns into a good trail. It heads to the col between Mt McQuarrie and Sunrise Peak and the mine. See the Kootenay … Continue reading →