As of tomorrow, we have to leave this delightful little ranch and head not far down the road to Big Creek Lodge (google-able?). Unfortunately, there's only one cabin available, and it will be turned into the 'office'. There is no internet, no phone, and we will be staying in our eety beety tents next to the one and only cabin (which at least has a kitchen, so that's a plus!)
This place has been absolutely darling. Hot water, home cooked meals, and plentiful internet has been such a luxury! Now: it's time to get back to reality and go to a REAL (sort of) camp situation. Foamies, sleeping bags, tents, and LOTS OF BUGS!
This is me signing off until sometime in the near future!
-Char
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Bear Aware
I always knew there were bears around and that they're dangerous and all that jazz, but I'd never really had a taste of what they could do or how powerful they really were.
In the last few days, I have seen more bears than I ever have in my life. More importantly, they were all Grizzly bears.
There's been a grand total of 5 bear sightings in a matter of a week while we were on this particular grid about 25km from where we are staying.
My love of teddy bears has put this idea into my head that: a) bears are all super soft b) bears are all super cuddly and c) bears will all listen to you when you talk to them without judgement.
Unfortunately, none are true. (well, maybe a), but maybe not SUPER soft)
The first four bear sightings have been interesting yet uneventful. All sightings (thankfully) have been from the safety of the big trucks and for the most part we get to see the back end of the bear more than the front end. They're usually running away from the truck as we barrel down the logging roads or just moseying along cut blocks far in the distance.
Now that summer is officially here, there seem to be more and more mama bears and cubs floating around the forests. They're grumpy, they're hungry, and very protective. I'm not quite sure how safe exactly being sent into a grid solo is after seeing multiple bears, but that's what we've done. Bear spray is always to be kept in an easily accessible place, and bear bangers and launchers are to be kept in the front pocket of the vests for easy access and use. Whistling, singing, and yelling are encouraged when going into a new area, and getting a good look around when you enter a cutblock is imperative.
This is all well and good, however it's useless if you happen to come across a mama bear and her cubs while you're trodding along sampling in your own little world.
We've ordered some bear bells to keep us extra safe, and we've had special meetings with particular emphasis on bear safety and encounter avoidance.
The picture that you see attached to this post is one that I took from the window of the truck (thankfully). We had driven about 15km from our muster point at the end of a long day of hiking and sampling when we came across this bear family along the side of the road. Most animals/things/people would be scared and run away if a gigantic Ford F350 super duty offroad (read: huge) pickup truck came barreling towards it. Well - Mama wouldn't be classified in the 'most things' category. After pausing to watch the bears (a mother and 2 little cubs - one is hidden behind the hill) run away, mama bear stopped. She stood on her hind legs, looked at us, and charged towards the truck faster than I have ever seen a bear move! I frantically got my camera out (not to miss a good picture...) and rolled down the window (stupid idea) as Robin quickly tried to put the truck in D to get the heck out of there. Jazz (the dog of one of the samplers) started making a HELL of a racket while sitting in the truck between myself and Chris, and Mama bear stopped. Less than 50ft from the truck, she turned around and ran back to her cubs to get them out of there. This picture was taken just as she was running back to cub1. Cub2 had already run out of there.
Mama was a BIG bear, too. We guestimated about 500lbs, and the cubs were very young.
At dinner that evening, we talked about it and discussed what we should do if we came across that situation in the wilderness if we were on our own.
'Use your bear spray - it adds a nice seasoning to you if you're lunch' - said one of the crew
'You can't do anything - in that situation, you're screwed!' - said another
I was hesitant to go back to that grid the next day, especially since I was working by myself 500m away from the nearest person. I was careful though, and kept all of my bangers and spray within easy reach, and did everything that I was told to avoid that situation. I was singing the same Oasis song over and over and over again (good thing I was alone, or else my partner would have wanted to shoot me out of sheer irritation).
It's getting to be that time of the year, and we're being extra careful when we're out and about. It seemed like a good learning experience. It was the first time I'd ever really seen how powerful and fast a Grizz can be, especially when protecting her young.
I took notice of it, and I now pay extra attention when I'm in the bush and make sure to be extra safe. Before, it was just a daily hiking trip with some dirt bagging thrown in there. Now, I realize that it's all about being safe in the wilderness where there's some serious threats and dangerous animals to be aware of.
Lesson Learned.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
(un) Happy Feet
My darling little feet need to read about 'cooperation'. They certainly aren't understanding the concept nor are they willing to learn!
Going into week FIVE (already!? GAH!) I have realized that my feet are not to be taken advantage of. The poor darlings are dying.
After "borrowing" my sisters amazing Garmont hiking boots a while back, I have unofficially adopted them. They are fantastic boots but have decided that they no longer enjoy having my feet in them. I have terrible blisters (and when I say blisters, I really mean that the whole back of my foot is raw and open) on the backs of my heels, my big toes are numb, and a couple of toenails are falling off. It's an adventure trying to get them back on track, but for that I have my birks - my awesomely comfy birks... <3 Ahhh it's love. Another three weeks until I'll be able to give them an extended break (week off from July 7th to 14th!). Until then, Nurse Elena (my roomate and 'Advisor Geo' for HDI) is fixing me up every morning before we trudge out into the great green wilderness.
No heels when I get back into Van though - just sandals!
We seem to be quickly running out of grids to do here in Big Creek. We're scheduled to stay here at TeePee Heart Ranch at least until the end of July, but it's looking like we're going to get shipped out of here sooner rather than later.
The last couple of days have been easy fixing up and filling in of older grids that we have already been to, and the only ones left are still inaccessible (thanks to rain and snow). It's looking like since this is a bit of a lull in the soil sampling business, the geos are going to take a couple of us out mapping to get in on the fun stuff and involved in creating the local rock library. The rock library is a project that Chris and I are getting going - taking a sample of each type of rock from the area, describing it, writing up the descriptions, and characterizing any deformation or alteration that is present within the rock. It's a big job, but it's perfect for us jr. geos.
After we get sent away from here, our next projects will be up near Vanderhoof, BC!
We'll be staying in fly camps (tents, thermarests, sleeping bags etc) in different areas doing exactly what we're doing now but with more ruggedness. This is paradise, and our stay is quickly coming to a close! Maybe after the fly camps it'll be an all inclusive resort?! (HA!) We shall seeeee... adventure awaits!
-C
Going into week FIVE (already!? GAH!) I have realized that my feet are not to be taken advantage of. The poor darlings are dying.
After "borrowing" my sisters amazing Garmont hiking boots a while back, I have unofficially adopted them. They are fantastic boots but have decided that they no longer enjoy having my feet in them. I have terrible blisters (and when I say blisters, I really mean that the whole back of my foot is raw and open) on the backs of my heels, my big toes are numb, and a couple of toenails are falling off. It's an adventure trying to get them back on track, but for that I have my birks - my awesomely comfy birks... <3 Ahhh it's love. Another three weeks until I'll be able to give them an extended break (week off from July 7th to 14th!). Until then, Nurse Elena (my roomate and 'Advisor Geo' for HDI) is fixing me up every morning before we trudge out into the great green wilderness.
No heels when I get back into Van though - just sandals!
We seem to be quickly running out of grids to do here in Big Creek. We're scheduled to stay here at TeePee Heart Ranch at least until the end of July, but it's looking like we're going to get shipped out of here sooner rather than later.
The last couple of days have been easy fixing up and filling in of older grids that we have already been to, and the only ones left are still inaccessible (thanks to rain and snow). It's looking like since this is a bit of a lull in the soil sampling business, the geos are going to take a couple of us out mapping to get in on the fun stuff and involved in creating the local rock library. The rock library is a project that Chris and I are getting going - taking a sample of each type of rock from the area, describing it, writing up the descriptions, and characterizing any deformation or alteration that is present within the rock. It's a big job, but it's perfect for us jr. geos.
After we get sent away from here, our next projects will be up near Vanderhoof, BC!
We'll be staying in fly camps (tents, thermarests, sleeping bags etc) in different areas doing exactly what we're doing now but with more ruggedness. This is paradise, and our stay is quickly coming to a close! Maybe after the fly camps it'll be an all inclusive resort?! (HA!) We shall seeeee... adventure awaits!
-C
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Where the wild things are...
It's been pretty same-old around here for the last week or so which is why posts haven't been pouring through my fingers on an almost daily basis!
That being said, yesterday was a completely different story.
It all started at about 630am when Jan warned us we were going to get wet. There was a creek that we had to cross to get to the start of our line that was about 2km in from the road we drove in on.
step 1: don't fall in
As we drove to the road nearest the grid, I saw my first three bears of the season! Momma bear and her two little babies were chilling on the side of the road when this huge monstrosity of a ford super duty (us) came barreling over the hill. They sprinted across the road and into the forest in the direction of our grid.
step 2: make sure bear spray is handy
Now, a little side note. On any other day, my penflares and bear spray are usually kept buried in a pocket somewhere in my large backpack. Today (for some very odd reason)even before we had left camp, I decided to put the penflares in my vest and my bearspray in my side pocket of my backpack. Do I have a 6th sense?!
Continuing on:
After the excitement of the bears had worn off, the reality of my empty coffee mug and long walk through swamps hit me. I was not looking forward to the day. After walking for about an hour, Chris and I reached the creek. It was about 4m wide and surrounded by swamp. There were no trees to grab hold of, and no tarzan-like manoeuvers could be arranged. So, we walked. and walked.
Eventually about 1.5km along, we found a crossable area that was only about 2.5-3m wide. We threw some logs over it and tried not to look down.
We got to the start of our line and started soil sampling and flagging (as one does when they're employed as a soil sampler) until...
*crackle crackle* over the radio: "did you guys hear that?"
It was Robin. His line was 250m south of ours.
Chris: "No - what was it?"
Off in the distance: "arrooooooooooooooooooo, arooooooooooooooooooooooo"
All of a sudden, a pack of wolves with cubs were howling what sounded like less than 100m away from where we were standing. We figured it was the pack teaching the cubs to hunt or passing through. Either way, not good.
Chris and I look at each other - my hand already halfway to my penflare (which was conveniently in my pocket)
Chris is quite the experienced woodsman - he's been in the bush for many years and I have not. If he freaks, I'll gladly follow suit.
"What do we do?" - I asked, quite anxiously as the howls were getting louder.
'get out of here' he said. I followed him as fast as we could to the nearest tree with climbable branches, gave him my bear spray and my geotool and the next thing I knew, I was 8ft up a tree.
How I got up that tree I'll never know.
Step 3: don't get eaten
My heart was pounding and I was scared. Since I was up a tree, I knew I was going to be fine. The only thoughts going through my head were 'shit, what if they get my lunch?!' and 'oooh I hope I get a sweet picture'. I had my camera at the ready in case they decided to sniff around the tree we were perched in, but alas it was not to be.
The howling was loud as anything and we could hear them moving through the area we were supposed to be flagging. Robin crackled back on the radio "they're about 010 degrees from me moving towards Charlotte and Chris".
Great. Pack of wolves, with cubs (you could hear the different howls), probably hungry, right in our paths. Hmm..
We decided it would be a good idea to let off a couple of bear bangers to send the wolves running. We're not sure if it worked or not, but it did shut them up.
Result: we decided that letting off bear bangers towards a pack of wolves is NOT the best idea. It was alright while we could hear them and were tracking their whereabouts through their howls, but as soon as we let the bangers loose, silence. We had no idea where they were, if they had a den nearby, or if they were just passing through.
Chris and I ended up chilling up those trees for about half an hour. This brings us to 1pm and we haven't even gotten 400m into our 2.5km line yet!
It was going to be a looooong day.
We called the geos down to us to give us strength in numbers just in case our line was going through a wolf den, and we slowly carried on singing and whistling as we went to make sure they knew we were there.
The rest of the day I was a bit jumpy. Every crack of a branch, every little noise that wasn't made by me I would look around with my hand ready to grab the spray at any moment. As we moved along the line, we calmed down a bit. Finally, we made it to the end of our line at 330pm, just in time for a 4km trek back to the trucks up a mountain, through wolf-inhabited areas, across a creek, and through 1.5km of nothing but swamp. We got back to camp just in time for dinner. The story sure made interesting dinner conversation, but it was tough convincing people that yes, I HAD actually climbed a tree. It might have been an overreaction a bit, but at least I'm in one piece, alive, and NOT lunch!
Life in the bush - ALWAYS an adventure!
That being said, yesterday was a completely different story.
It all started at about 630am when Jan warned us we were going to get wet. There was a creek that we had to cross to get to the start of our line that was about 2km in from the road we drove in on.
step 1: don't fall in
As we drove to the road nearest the grid, I saw my first three bears of the season! Momma bear and her two little babies were chilling on the side of the road when this huge monstrosity of a ford super duty (us) came barreling over the hill. They sprinted across the road and into the forest in the direction of our grid.
step 2: make sure bear spray is handy
Now, a little side note. On any other day, my penflares and bear spray are usually kept buried in a pocket somewhere in my large backpack. Today (for some very odd reason)even before we had left camp, I decided to put the penflares in my vest and my bearspray in my side pocket of my backpack. Do I have a 6th sense?!
Continuing on:
After the excitement of the bears had worn off, the reality of my empty coffee mug and long walk through swamps hit me. I was not looking forward to the day. After walking for about an hour, Chris and I reached the creek. It was about 4m wide and surrounded by swamp. There were no trees to grab hold of, and no tarzan-like manoeuvers could be arranged. So, we walked. and walked.
Eventually about 1.5km along, we found a crossable area that was only about 2.5-3m wide. We threw some logs over it and tried not to look down.
We got to the start of our line and started soil sampling and flagging (as one does when they're employed as a soil sampler) until...
*crackle crackle* over the radio: "did you guys hear that?"
It was Robin. His line was 250m south of ours.
Chris: "No - what was it?"
Off in the distance: "arrooooooooooooooooooo, arooooooooooooooooooooooo"
All of a sudden, a pack of wolves with cubs were howling what sounded like less than 100m away from where we were standing. We figured it was the pack teaching the cubs to hunt or passing through. Either way, not good.
Chris and I look at each other - my hand already halfway to my penflare (which was conveniently in my pocket)
Chris is quite the experienced woodsman - he's been in the bush for many years and I have not. If he freaks, I'll gladly follow suit.
"What do we do?" - I asked, quite anxiously as the howls were getting louder.
'get out of here' he said. I followed him as fast as we could to the nearest tree with climbable branches, gave him my bear spray and my geotool and the next thing I knew, I was 8ft up a tree.
How I got up that tree I'll never know.
Step 3: don't get eaten
My heart was pounding and I was scared. Since I was up a tree, I knew I was going to be fine. The only thoughts going through my head were 'shit, what if they get my lunch?!' and 'oooh I hope I get a sweet picture'. I had my camera at the ready in case they decided to sniff around the tree we were perched in, but alas it was not to be.
The howling was loud as anything and we could hear them moving through the area we were supposed to be flagging. Robin crackled back on the radio "they're about 010 degrees from me moving towards Charlotte and Chris".
Great. Pack of wolves, with cubs (you could hear the different howls), probably hungry, right in our paths. Hmm..
We decided it would be a good idea to let off a couple of bear bangers to send the wolves running. We're not sure if it worked or not, but it did shut them up.
Result: we decided that letting off bear bangers towards a pack of wolves is NOT the best idea. It was alright while we could hear them and were tracking their whereabouts through their howls, but as soon as we let the bangers loose, silence. We had no idea where they were, if they had a den nearby, or if they were just passing through.
Chris and I ended up chilling up those trees for about half an hour. This brings us to 1pm and we haven't even gotten 400m into our 2.5km line yet!
It was going to be a looooong day.
We called the geos down to us to give us strength in numbers just in case our line was going through a wolf den, and we slowly carried on singing and whistling as we went to make sure they knew we were there.
The rest of the day I was a bit jumpy. Every crack of a branch, every little noise that wasn't made by me I would look around with my hand ready to grab the spray at any moment. As we moved along the line, we calmed down a bit. Finally, we made it to the end of our line at 330pm, just in time for a 4km trek back to the trucks up a mountain, through wolf-inhabited areas, across a creek, and through 1.5km of nothing but swamp. We got back to camp just in time for dinner. The story sure made interesting dinner conversation, but it was tough convincing people that yes, I HAD actually climbed a tree. It might have been an overreaction a bit, but at least I'm in one piece, alive, and NOT lunch!
Life in the bush - ALWAYS an adventure!
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