Wilderness Adventures - January Week 2/2008
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This
is about a remote area in west central British Columbia, Canada
called the West Chilcotin. Surrounded by numerous glacial mountain
ranges, alpine lakes teeming with wild Rainbow Trout, and full
of wildlife. Living here goes from no running water or electricity
to spacious log homes with all the conveniences and without
the smog!
If
you would like to see pictures of wildlife, mountains, lakes,
exciting snowmobiling, events and more, and read stories like
'Lake Monsters' - just go into Archives on the lower left side
of this page.
Rolling over an image will give you its description.
Check out the Picture
of the Day.
| 12/01/2008
11:41 AM
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The Ice Road
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Hi
everyone! I apologize for the absence but you know the
tax man.....you gotta serve him first!
Well, it looks like come hell or highwater, or in
this case, overflow, we're getting an ice road one way
or another.
You know, you keep hearing about the 'collective consciousness'
and although I'm not entirely sure what that means, I
think you could say it's in action this week around Nimpo.
Suddenly, people around the lake have decided they're
going to have an ice road.
We didn't have one last year because the ice on Nimpo
Lake was not good and there was a tremendous amount of
overflow, and Terry B. wasn't here much. He's got the
plow truck and he's always done it, even a little early
some years, maybe. I guess we're all struck with ennui
sometimes. You know, "Terry's always done it
and since he's not here to do it, I guess we won't have
one." Well, he wasn't able to be here this
year either, but....
The other day Rob, our neighbour, pushed an ice road from
the boat ramp on our shore to the boat ramp on the eastern
shore just across the bay. He was a little concerned about
being first on the ice with a plow because he drives a
diesel truck and they're a little heavy in the front end.
But that bay has been frozen for months with lots of good
ice and he got the job done. The only problem is that
everyone has been driving with snow machines on the other
ramp and the highways guys had pushed up a big snow bank
so there is no way he could break through that.
Andy was going to load up his Bobcat and go around by
the highway, offload and push out a road, but another
neighbour across the lake volunteered to bring his big
loader down and plow the road. He wasn't able
to do it until yesterday evening, but it only took him
a couple of swipes with that big baby last night and the
ramp was clear.
Just prior to that the neighbour's kids came over to verify
with us where the ice road normally goes because they
were going to help Rob push one down the Main Arm today.
Andy told them he had an appointment this morning and
to wait until he got back. We have a repelling rope and
auger, and Andy and the neighbours can ride their machines
ahead of Rob and check the ice. Then they can follow Rob
at a distance once he starts plowing and that way, if
he goes through, they're right there. That's also
why you plow with your window down and your seatbelt off.
This morning I looked out and the neighbour, Bill, who
has been trying to break a trail across the Main Arm from
his place for the last couple of days with the plow on
his fourwheeler, finally reached the boat ramp this morning.
He was in the long, slow, process of widening the road
when I saw Rob drop down off the boat ramp with his plow
truck and start winging a wider track to Bill's place.
Now he's come back and is widening the track to our side
so it's beginning to look like everyone's got ants
in their pants and want to get going on the main project.
If Andy doesn't get his heinie back here they're going
to start without him, which would not necessarily be a
good idea. This will be the first time a heavy diesel
is used to plow out the ice road and although it should
be safe, Terry has gone through the ice with his lighter
truck on the Main Arm and there are a couple of iffy spots
out there where we think there are underwater springs.
However, Jamie, one of the neighbour's kids, checked the
ice out in front of their place on the Main Arm yesterday
and found ice up to 15 inches thick and nothing less than
12 inches. Which should be lots as long as it's good ice
and not mush from that heavy snow that arrived just after
the Main Arm froze up.
Once the ice road is put in and kept clear of snow, then
the ice grows thicker because it doesn't have the insulating
value derived from a snow blanket.
Our weather took a really strange turn last night.
Yesterday it was really nice out with a slightly hazy
sun and temperatures right around freezing. Yesterday
evening it dropped to about -9C or 16F. The next time
I looked at the temperature it had started to come up
a bit. Within about two hours the temperature climbed
more than 8 degrees Celsius and it was just barely
below freezing when I went to bed. This morning it's above
freezing with lots of sun and just a bit of a breeze out
of the east so I guess we must be catching a piece of
that Pineapple Express coming in off of the Pacific. It's
a nice change. Melting snow just creates icy conditions
but right around freezing is a nice change from the long
stretch of chilly weather we've seen for the past few
months.
We've had a pair of Whiskey Jacks that moved in on the
bird feeder a couple of days ago and though they don't
have much interest in the seed, they're pretty keen on
the suet. So yesterday I put out some fat and scraps from
some pork on the feeder and watched them swoop in on it
today. Actually, the one didn't catch on that it was there
and headed for the suet but the other saw it right away
and nabbed a piece. Check out the picture on the right.
3:40 PM
Well, I saw Rob firing back down the Main Arm, plow down
and throwing snow so I figured we had us an ice road!
Not to be, however. Andy said they found an area down
on the last point just before you round into the North
Arm that had a wide, deep section of slush that goes right
across the lake. It may well have been a crack that
opened up there today in this warm weather and water boiled
up through it, creating overflow. They spent quite
a while tracking back and forth over it with their machines
compacting the slush in the hopes that the frost will
drive down into it and freeze it up tonight. In the meanwhile,
there's a beautiful ice road to that point, anyway, so
everyone along the Main Arm can drive on it to Nimpo.
You just can't get out at the other end toward Anahim
yet. It's kind of taken a combined effort from a lot of
people but we'll have an ice road yet!
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| 10/01/2008
10:10 PM
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No Blog
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Hi
everyone. A late order tonight and taxes will keep
this really, really short.
I've just been starting on my books way early because
I have to pay provincial sales tax to at least two provinces.
But I can't figure out what I owe them until I figure
out what I've paid, what I have for credits, and get it
all totaled up. BC's tax is nice because it doesn't come
until April when I already have my books done but unfortunately,
Saskatchewan comes in January and you don't get a lot
of days to get it sent back.
I just got started on that today when I got a call from
a client that absolutely needs a job done yesterday, and
his stuff is really, really ugly to get done right. So
that's my evening. As a result, the blog is going to be
about this long....
Actually, I will give a quick weather update.
The temperature came up to just below freezing today
with mixed cloud and sun today and it's only about
-4C or 25F right now. We've got a warming trend coming
in which is really nice. I finally got to go for a walk
again today and if the weather is going to stay decent
for the next couple of days, I'll be able to get out again,
hopefully.
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| 09/01/2008
7:48 PM
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Food For Thought
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Yesterday
I mentioned gun control and by chance a friend sent me
an email today that has some very interesting statistics.
Since no one has sent me any stories lately, it was a
grungy day outside, and the most excitement in my day
has consisted of working at the computer and sitting on
the phone, I thought this might be a good day to post
a copy of this email, especially in view of who is running
for president in the Democratic Party in the U.S. right
now.
"No man's life, liberty or property is safe while
the legislature is in session." New York State Surrogate
Court Judge Gideon Tucker - 1866
A LITTLE GUN HISTORY
. . . In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.
From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable
to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to
1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939
to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were
unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952,
20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated
------------------------------
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to
1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979,
300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were
rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to
1977, one million educated' people, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated.
-----------------------------
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the
20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
------------------------------
It has now been a few years now since gun owners in Australia
were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms
to be destroyed by their own government, a program costing
Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.
Following are the results from the first year:
List of 7 items: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2
percent Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent Australia-wide,
armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms
are now up 300 percent. Note, that while the law-abiding
citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals
still possess their guns!
While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady
decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed
drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals
now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and
assaults of the ELDER LY. Australian politicians are at
a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after
such monumental effort, and expense was expended in successfully
ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian experience
and the other historical facts above prove it.
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear
politicians disseminating this information.
Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property
and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding
citizens.
So the next time someone talks in favor of gun control,
please remind them of this history lesson.
With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.
During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America
because they knew most Americans were ARMED!
If you value your freedom, Please spread this anti-gun
control message to all of your friends. --
"They who would give up an essential liberty for
temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."
Benjamin Franklin.
I can't vouch for the truth of all the above figures but
I've certainly seen some of them before and know them
to be true statistics.
The scary part about gun control is that not only
does it not work, but it really does seem to make things
worse.
When gun control was brought about in Canada a few years
ago, (and is still in the process) a lot of people turned
over their guns. Now, in the Lower Mainland, gun crime
is way, way up! Higher than it's ever been before. A member
of the new gang task force was commenting on it during
the news last week. They've never seen so many guns
on the streets of Vancouver, and of course, none
registered. Gee, whatever could have gone wrong? After
all, if we have gun control, it should be impossible for
kids and criminals to get guns! Yeah, right. Anyone, anytime,
day or night, can purchase an illegal gun on the streets
of Vancouver. You just might have to wait a day or two
if your order is an exotic one. And because far more criminals
than honest, law abiding citizens are armed, crime is
way up.
Gee....I wonder how that happened?
Think about it. Gun control only helps the criminal element
and no one else. 99% of gun owners or people in North
America with easy access to guns do not go on killing
rampages or use their guns for anything but hunting,
target shooting, or self protection. But when you take
those guns away, you leave the honest citizenry helpless
and you turn them into 'prey'. On the other hand, if you
don't have gun control and you haven't removed guns from
the honest citizenry, then the criminals don't know
who has a gun, and who doesn't. If you're a thief,
you're far less likely to break into a home if you're
unsure whether you're going to be looking down the wrong
end of the barrel of a gun, aren't you?
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| 08/01/2008
7:36 PM
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New Property
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I've
listed a new property on the commercial property page.
A couple actually. The first consists of three outposts
(cabin) on different lakes that all come under a recreational
lease. Now whether that means only a resort, lodge, outfitter,
etc. can continue to hold that land as a commercial recreational
lease or if a private person can, I don't really know.
You would have to inquire of the owner of the leases.
All three are accessible by floatplane, hiking
or snowmobile in winter. The first lease listed
has a fully furnished cabin that sleeps six, has boats
and can be reached by a boat or canoe with a portage.
At $79,000, this package is a very good value.
The other fairly recent listing, also under commercial
as well as residential, is a nearly 17 acre lakeshore
property on Eagle Lake about seven miles east of Tatla
Lake. The main house is newly renovated while
there are also cabins and a new shower house with rental
units, washrooms and laundry. Fabulous view of the turquoise
lake and mountains and listed at $589,000.
I didn't get out today because it was cold again at around
-20C or -4F at 9:00 this morning just before the sun came
up. It warmed up a bit this afternoon when some cloud
moved in but it still isn't exactly balmy. Now it's a
different matter in the East where it hit 15C in Ontario
today. Boy, wouldn't I like to be there! We haven't seen
temperatures like that since....I don't know....September,
maybe? On the other hand, with temperatures like
that we would definitely be in danger of flooding like
many towns back east are.
Temperatures hit record highs Monday in 140 cities across
the Plains and Midwest spawning tornadoes in January,
a rare event for many of the States. The Sierras got pounded
again and in the Reno-Carson City area, where my brother
lives, blowing snow Tuesday turned already slick roads
into ice rinks which meant vehicles were skidding out
of control all over the place. A lot like the repeat
bumper car performance in Vancouver this morning.
There's a place on the way from Reno south to Carson City
called the Washoe Valley that is really prone to wind
and we've been down there when they have signs flashing
and actually forbid big trucks, trucks with campers or
trailers to cross the valley floor. This is a major highway
and you can't get through, which seems nuts. Apparently
the hazardous conditions were so bad today, there were
numerous accidents and vehicles off the road. Finally,
they had State Troopers escort traffic across the 10-miles
stretch at slow speeds all day to cut down on the danger
of traveling that stretch of highway. I've never figured
out why they don't build a perforated barricade on one
or both sides of the highway to slow and redistribute
the wind.
Ah, the joys of winter. And global warming.
Which, incidentally folks, does not mean
our winters are necessarily going to be warmer. What it
means is that weather events are going to be more extreme
than they used to be.
I got a book for Christmas from a brother on the extreme
right called 'If Democrats had any brains, they'd be Republicans'
by Ann Coulter. Now I won't say I'm entirely against what
she has to say because I can be pretty extreme right on
some issues too - gun control being one of them - and
I agree with some of what she says. I also disagree
with some of what she says because I am actually capable
of having an open mind about many things. Something she
most obviously is not capable of . But
her stance on the possibility of global warming just proved
what a nitwit she is and how truly ignorant. Whether
or not global warming exists because of man or because
of a natural cycle, I don't think there's anyone out there
that believes it doesn't exist. Except for
this particular idiot. Her words, "In
2004, former vice president Al Gore gave a speech on global
warming in New York City on the coldest day of the year.
Warm trends prove global warming. Cold trends also prove
global warming. This is the philosophy of a madman. -
Godless p.190." Ann, put down your
martini, shimmy out of your cocktail dress and into a
jumper, and go back to school. You might have an overly
cutting tongue but you're not too bright about some things.
One final note for the night. We've had more than one
person call to find out if Andy and his machine are all
right after I posted those great pictures yesterday. Yes
and yes. Not a scratch on either and trust me, this is
not the worst predicament I have ever seen Andy or
one of his machines in. Now where did I put all
those other pictures of Andy and his tree magnet....?
|
| 07/01/2008
7:50
PM |
The Other Side Of The Mirror
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I've
started a new week because there's lots to cover in this
article, not least of which is a copy of an email sent
to me by one of the readers of this blog. In fact Michael
kindly sent me a great picture of he and his buddy, and
their great rainbow trout catch last year. It's posted
on one of the blogs but please don't ask me which. I still
have to put a decent search function on this site first
to find it, remember? Actually, I think I found one last
night that will work. I just have to do some research
on it and get it set up.
The reason why I asked Micheal for permission to
reprint his email is because he makes many valid points
and I believe in fairness. I think that everyone
has a right to their opinion, and I agree a good deal
with what Michael says. However, that being said, I did
send back a book sized answer explaining why I have used
this as a forum for our community's discontent with the
local police force.
Michael's letter follows:
-
"I really enjoy your site especially since I can
only get to Nimpo to visit my friend Frank (former owner
of Crazy Bear lodge) twice a year. Well, three times last
year.
I also once contributed a set of photos of our day's catch,
which to my amazement, many city people have commented
on seeing. So it's true your site and its news does get
around.
I own a medium sized business in Delta and take a lot
of interest in the goings on in the business community
and property values at the two lakes, Nimpo and Anahim.
Last summer I went up and stayed one week at Stewart's.
Great, great time just being pampered. The summer before
I sent my sister and her friend to the Dean for a week,
because I had Frank's place to myself. I have horseback
(ridden) with Miriam from Bill and Darlene's place (Escott
Bay). I had ridden with her several times in fact, with
some of the riding up behind the new property at Towdystan.
I have hiked, hunted and fished many, many of the lakes,
mountains and forests in your area.
I truly do enjoy your news and blogs, with one exception.
I'm not sure that I don't mind the reporting and the issues,
it may just be where and how it's placed within your site.
First , let me tell you, I am a law and order sort of
person, and I would rather have police than not have police.
However, like many Canadians, I have grown to mistrust
the police. However, I think that mistrust is misdirected
because the fault or blame lays with our politicians.
They seem to not want to set up a separate, national,
with legislative backing, civilian Commission, to look
into complaints about the police. It is my opinion that
the Police of Canada should not be investigating themselves
or each other. Now, why then don't I like your continued
rant about the local RCMP?
Selfish reasons actually. I see "my" Nimpo area as a haven,
kinda like heaven? My escape-to place! A destination to
get away from all the daily grinds of real life, i.e.
Stephen Harper, Gordon Campbell, Mayor Lois Jackson, George
Bush, etc. etc. etc.
Plus, and I'm not sure, but from a local business owner's
point of view, i.e. if I owned the Dean, or the Store
or Stewart's, etc., I'd like that "negative" (even if
honest and truthful stories) on a site to promote the
Chilcotin.
I am not telling you to stop. Don't misunderstand my point
of view. But since the fall, many of the times I have
clicked on it, a good portion of the blog has been devoted
to the continuing saga of the RCMP. Perhaps a news section
on the site might be more appropriate, rather than front
and centre?
Your site is seen by others who are looking for that same
"escape", I seek. Especially Americans and tourists who
perhaps don't understand the dynamics of daily life in
the Chilcotin. Something I am only in a minor way aware
of. Anyway, Happy New Year to you and I won't stop looking
at your site, but others might. Regards from Delta BC."-
For
the most part, I agree wholeheartedly with Michael, and
had I another forum in which to voice local concerns,
I certainly would. But most importantly, I agree
that this is "my" Nimpo (Anahim) too,
and I don't want it ruined by a bunch of bullies.
Just to point out that Michael was not aware that there
is actually a whole site devoted to the Chilcotin and
that the home page and the other pages on the site actually
have only a small button going to the daily blog. He had
the blog page saved and it wasn't until he did a search
that he realized that this blog is not the main focus
of the resortsbc site and being the gentleman his is,
he was quick to apologize and return the email with the
following notes:
-"Sometimes
continuing a response to a particular article only provokes
others and prolongs the story.... With regards to them
getting another office,
(I was just informed yesterday that a seventh police officer
is being posted to Anahim Lake)
perhaps it's management's staffing as a result of the
ruling that two officers must respond to every remote
complaint. Maybe it's as simple as that. I guess I'd want
to meet with and speak with the detachment officer to
see what the reasons were for the road blocks, what things
can the citizens do, etc. I don't know. I have sat on
Justice institute police type boards here and I know there
are always two sides to a story and two ways to deal with
a problem. Also I have to apologize, because I have your
site saved with the blog first. The description of a blog
is just that, someone's opinion. And only when I used
Google to find "you", did I realize that you have a home
page, which comes up first and that one has to click onto
the blog." -
There
you go. A fair opinion and a fair assessment. Michael
may be quite right in pointing out that I and others
may well be at fault for provoking a response.
He is also quite right about there being two sides to
every story, and here and now, neither side seems to be
hearing the other. But my greatest frustration lies in
the fact that there never used to be two sides. We,
the police and the local citizens, were always on the
same side at one time. What happened to that?
Okey Dokey. On to better and more fun things!
First on the list, the weather. It was -26.6C or
nearly 17 degrees below zero Fahrenheit at 8:00 a.m. this
morning. Yep, it was a surprise all right! Especially
for those people that were planning on going snowmobiling
at 10:00 this morning when it had only warmed up a few
minuscule degrees. It was put off until 11:00 and the
riders arrived back home safely after a great day, other
than a few stucks and Andy landed his machine in a tree.
The proof is in the pictures and Logan was kind enough
to send the evidence to me almost immediately. Don't you
just love digital cameras and email?
Here's Logan's take on the day:
-
"We went snowmobiling again today, had a real great
day playing in the snow, broke a new trail up a mtn, saw
lots of interesting critter tracks, lunched in the sun
(it warmed up to a balmy -15 by this aft) and had a ball
doing hillclimbs and big drift jumps, etc.
Snow conditions are great for the most part, but there's
always some surprises in the mtns of course. I was gonna
get a pic of my new sled in its intended environment but
didn't get around to that. I did get a pic of Andy trying
to climb a tree with his sled tho.
Andy and I like to pack down the edges of the trails (widen
'em) so there's some maneuvering room and you don't have
to ride in the same ruts as everyone else. Poor ol' Andy
got too close to the edge and got sucked into the soft
snow and down into some small trees. He tried to make
a big circle through the obstacle course to get back up
on the main trail, but when he hit a creek he had to goose
it and his sled jumped out'a the creek OK but then there
were these damn trees he couldn't avoid. Just imagine
the fun!! No injury, no damage. Andy is a good rider,
which is why he had confidence to do what he did, but
the main laff was on him today.
The tree was sacrificed, the sled righted, and he finished
his circle back to the trail. We were just getting started!!
This is what some folks call fun. Everyone gets stuck
once in awhile, it's part of the challenge, and we all
help each other and laff at each other. I think we had
more fun than those Vancouver commuters sliding in the
snow today!!" -
Boy,
isn't that the truth. There's no better giggle than watching
bumper cars in the streets of Vancouver on television.
Well, unless it's the weather person issuing a snow warning
for Metro Vancouver for 5cm of snow (About 2 inches.)
Even she had a sheepish laugh when she reported
it.
One last thing. I got a response from a gentleman who
is going to check further on the Rimarko property. Thank
you sir!
Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Check out the picture on the
right. Our hardworking neighbour kindly plowed the ice
road from our boat ramp to the one across the bay while
the guys went out to play. Now Andy just has to clear
the ramp on the other side with the Bobcat and we'll
have a partial ice road for 2008! That'll help
out half the residents on the lake anyway.
This is the start of the second week of January, 2008
so if you want to read last week's articles, you'll find
them at January
Week 1.
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The purpose of this web site is to draw attention to a
remote area of west central British Columbia. It is a
beautiful area that relies heavily on tourism. The search
engines don't know much about the West Chilcotin, Anahim
Lake, Nimpo Lake or any of the other small communities
in the region and I hope to change that! Even as large
as this site will eventually be, there just isn't enough
room or time in the day to fully describe this incredible
country but I am going to try scraping away at the tip
of the iceberg, so join me!
Follow
the links, and see what the West Chilcotin is really like!
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