An Update on the Ice Conditions

Went out on the ice last week, Dec. 21st and drilled two holes. One at 50 yards... showed 4 inches of good, black ice and 2 inches of refrozen, slush ice, which is still fairly solid... just not as good an ice as we like to see. At 100 yards the good black ice decreased to 3 inches with the same 2 inch white ice topper. We didn't go any further, we like to see a good 5 inches of solid black ice before venturing out too far.

Now.... since then.... that is a different story. We have had two good snowfalls, some minus 16 degree Celsius weather and some 0 degree Celsius melts. Currently, and for the past two days the daytime highs have been a balmy minus 4*C.... and the fresh, fluffy, white, clean, snow on the lake is becoming patchy with large grey areas... not many mind you, but enough to take note of. We headed out yesterday and was stopped at 50 yards by one of these great, grey patches. Charley... the dog would not approach it.... he has a pretty good instinct about ice. Dick... minus the dogs good sense... got as close as he dared and dug with his boot to find the bottom ice. This ice was soft on top (he could easily scrape it with his boot), on top of that was a 4 inch layer of water and slush, then the wet grey snow that was visible to the naked eye.

Around this grey patch one could only see soft, fluffy, beautiful, white snow.... but digging underneath revealed the water and slush layer... so that tells us that there could be areas of water and bad ice hidden under the snow not visible to the unwary traveler. Needless to say we didn't go any further. Unfortunately we didn't drill the ice either so I can't report on how many inches there was.... I was just happy when Dick turned back to join Charley and I.

Harald, our happy European wanderer headed out on the Kibbee Lake trail yesterday. He reported a few dead fall trees over the trail, about 1 foot of snow overall on the trail and the tracks of a wanderer who had traveled before him. Still the snow was still very soft and tiring to slog through.

The Lake is Changing Daily

The lake is changing daily…. or at least it was. My weather entries from two weeks ago read as such….

Dec. 8, 2012 – AM – Three nights of minus 10 or lower…. north end of the lake is skimming over with a thin crust of ice. The bays to the left and right are filled and a narrow finger of ice joins in the middle out near the point below Devils Club Mountain. The North end (right in front) is still open and the far end (south) is still open water. I can see a faint rippling pattern forming on the water as I write. Indicates the continual formation of new ice on top of water. The thin layer of ice that has formed is supporting the bit of snow that is falling.

Dec. 9, 2012 – AM – This morning the north end of the lake is completely skimmed over and holding snow. The snow has been windblown over the ice forming a beautiful rippling design. There is a thick fog this morning -- can’t see beyond the point to the south end of the Lake. Through binoculars faint darker bands seem to suggest open water beyond the point. It is currently snowing with strong gusting winds.

LATER – During our walk along the lake shore, Charley could venture a short distance from shore, but Dick kept falling through.

Dec. 8, 2012... the ice along the shore was basically solidified slush, notice the dog prints to the right of Dick and where Dick tried to walk near the center of the shoreline.

 2:30pm – As far as we can see the Lake seems to have a skim of ice over all. Need to walk to a better vantage point to see beyond the point. I suspect the Lake might be completely skimmed over on the south end or else the gusting winds would’ve chewed up the edges by now, therefore breaking up the ice. It is still storming - snowing with high gusting winds – the snow is ‘falling’ perpendicular.

Dec. 10, 2012 – Walked along the shore all way to Taylor’s shoreline. Couldn’t make it up their steps because a landslip was blocking my way, so I wasn’t able to get a higher vantage point. But from where I stood on the shore it looks to me, like the South end is all white – indicating ice coverage holding snow. I know I’ve been wrong before -- the south end has a life of its own completely different from our north end… but I think I will call the night of December 9 the official freeze up (the first one so far). Let’s see if it lasts…. hopefully a heavy snowfall or high winds won’t sink or it break-up.

This never happened! By Dec. 16th we were venturing a short distance from shore. Of course we won’t go too far out for a while yet, but if one stays where one knows the water is shallow, there’s no danger. I hope that by early next week, we can go out to drill a few test holes.
 

Dec. 16, 2012.... things are much more solid now.

The Weather Report ????!

Hummmn..... lets see........rainy snow, high winds, warm frost, plus 4 C with a wind chill of minus 20 C.... a real mixed bag!!!

Dec 3rd, 2012 -- Pink sky in morning, sailors take warning....

The storm moved the evening of Dec. 3rd -- This is the morning of Dec. 4th, 2012 -- Sleet, snow, rain, high winds -- wonderful whitecaps... on the lake not the mountains!!

The calm after the storm, afternoon of Dec. 4th, 2012

My Brand New Look!!

HOLY SHOOTENANNY!! The things you can do when you don't know what you're doing!!! Press a few buttons, check a few boxes, select a few colors, click a few bars...... then curl your toes, cross your fingers, close your eyes, hold your breath and push ENTER!!! 

POW!!! A whole new Blog look, updated and out of this world!! Look how big and beautiful the pictures are now! Plus a search box and counters for tweet thingys, facebook likes, and G whatevers.... WOW, I still don't know how I did that, but I'd better not push any more buttons for fear of screwing it up. APPARENTLY,  and this is not proven yet... but apparently, any reader can post a comment with this new format, not just my blog followers, so come on.... post me a comment, tell me if you like my new look and we'll see if it works :)

Ok, I guess this new site is confusing a few people... I am getting e-mails asking what the secret is for joining this Blog... guess I'm not the only technologically challenged person out there after all! LOL... hover your cursor over the narrow (and I mean narrow) vertical, greyish bar on the far right hand side of the Blog page and a menu will pop out.... hit 'followers' and go from there... hopefully it works!

The start of the Winter Season

Winter trips out in the backcountry of the Bowron Lake Chain are getting more and more popular with each passing year. Perhaps with better x-country skis and coldweather gear, more and more people are able to consider extended backcountry trips into BC's winter wonderland. Seems, quite a few summer paddlers will complete the lake chain to have their interest piqued as to what wonders winter might bring.... or they may read (or hear) about trips which other winter enthusiasts have embarked on.  I can only imgine a surge resulting from the current winter issue of BCAA's Westworld Magazine which, starting on page 28, features a multi page spead about a trip into Isaac Lake during the winter of 2011 and is accompanied by fabulous Chris Harris photos. This article can be found at  http://digital.canadawide.com/i/92267

The winter enthusiasts are starting their planning early this year. Already I have received several e-mails from interested parties wanting information about the winter conditions on the lakes. As I have mentioned to some... there is alot of information that can (and should be) researched before embarking on such a trip. Dave Jorgenson of Whitegold Adventures is a good starting point. He can give information on what to expect and how to plan, as he is one of the most frequent skiers in the Bowron backcountry. I am a good source for current ice and weather conditions as I live and watch the lake on a daily basis.... mind you I only see Bowron Lake from my window, and any 'guesses' I make about conditions on the other lakes are just that.... guesstimates resulting from past records, personal outtings and other skiers who are kind enough to share their trip reports.

A couple of things that I always stress to anyone wanting to complete the WHOLE chain of lakes are 1) don't get your hopes up... completing the WHOLE chain is NOT the norm and depends wholly on current conditions which can change daily... if not hourly; and 2) take more then one means of transportation....  this usually means taking skies and snowshoes, tho there was one year when the travellers sure could have used their ice skates! You just never know what you will encounter while you are out there. There are two trip reports posted on my website which illustrate how quickly the conditions can change. The Bouwmeester group headed out on Feb. 3rd 2007, and the Holmes group headed out on Feb. 16th 2007... both encountered completely different conditions resulting in very different outcomes. You can find these reports posted on my website at www.bowronlake.com  follow the path BRM Services & Prices > Winter Time and scroll to the bottom of that page.  

So back to my recent backcountry ski enthusiasts who are enquiring as to conditions.... I will try to keep the winter, weather and ice conditions posted here for your info. As you can see, I do not get to my blog on a daily basis but when there is something pertinent to relate I will post it here.... so keep an eye here, or as always feel free to e-mail me at sandy@bowronlake.com   If there are any skiers or off season visitors out there who have past trip reports they are willing to share, I always welcome any information I can get.... it really helps me to help others plan their trips.

 Today the weather today, Nov. 24th, 2012 is -1 celcius, warm; moderate wind; broken cloud... a great day for a liquid paddle as you can see in the pictures -- the ice and snow is REALLY SCARCE right now, so no skiing or snowshoeing yet!!! LOL  The close up shows Sugarloaf Mountain wearing her cloud veil.  

 

I can't believe it's NOVEMBER already!!

Last post was in June 2012.... and here it is NOVEMBER ALREADY??? Where DOES the time GO??? Regardless we had a wonderful paddling season this last year (2012).... seems every year the paddlers throw some kind of wonder our way! Here are some pictures, friends have shared with us during the 2012 paddling season....

Our first paddler of the 2012 season, most frequent visitor and good friend, Harald Kramer, shared these pictures from his trip, on which he embarked on the 16th of May, 2012... the ice had hardly even cleared from the lakes! The solitude of the Bowron Chain in May is definately evident with this striking photo of his kayak on Issac Lake.

Isaac Lake, Harald Kramer Photo, 2012

As I said, the ice was HARDLY cleared from the lakes.... and according to this picture it was obviously NOT cleared from the portages....


'Portage-Pulling' the Kayak over the Isaac/McLeary Trail, Harald Kramer Photo, 2012

A favorite rock for a lot of Bowron Paddlers... this little cliff face protruding from the edge of Lanezi Lake must be one of the most photographed 'rocks' on the chain. Historically, according to oldtimers from the 1950's, this cliff face is called 'Kaza Point', presumably because of  beautiful Kaza Mountain, which looms over Lanezi Lake.  

Kaza Point on Isaac Lake, Harald Kramer Photo, 2012

 Another magical Bowron Chain pictures from Harald Kramer. Thank you for sharing these Harald! 

Solitude in the Bowron, Harald Kramer Photo, 2012



Todd and Abbey Weisbrot, who paddled the Chain in July 2012, also kindly shared some of their trip with me. There is nothing like an empty, seemingly endless, peaceful Isaac Lake to make one feel like they are the only paddlers left in the world.

Paddling on Isaac Lake, Weisbrot Photo, 2012

Sneaking up on a moose like this is actually quite common in the Bowron. Having been a Provincial Park since 1961, and a Game Reserve before that (since 1925), over the years the moose have come to learn that these strange 'floating animals' they see drifting along the waterways pose no threat to them. Our moose can be quiet calm and may only be a danger to the person, when an anxious paddler wants to get around them, while they feel no need to move out of the way! 



Abbey and Mrs. Moose, Weisbrot Photo, 2012

Sandhill Cranes seem to be becoming more prevalent in the area. They first appeared about 5 years ago in the swamps just outside of nearby Wells. At that time, I had hoped that they would find their way into our fair Park, according to this picture... it looks like they have! Thank you Abbey and Todd for sharing your wonderful pictures!

Sandhill Crane on the Bowron Lake Chain, Weisbrot Photo, 2012

 A big THANK-YOU to Harald Kramer and Todd & Abbey Weisbrot for sharing these wonderful Photos.  



Welcome to our World

European visitor and friend, Harald got to experience a little bit of  the 'other side' of 'our world' on May 28th, 2012, when he decided to go into town with us for a shopping trip. I say 'a little bit' because he decided to go as far as Quesnel -- while we went on to Prince George for restaurant supplies. He was a little bit 'aghast' when we told him to be ready to leave by 5:30am. I think he thought we were 'pulling his leg' because he checked the time with us three times before heading off to his cabin shaking his head.... but when one must travel over 130 miles to stock up... one must start EARLY!! In a nutshell, here is how our day went.

5:00am, up and at em, and out of the house by 5:30am. Harald peeked out his door 'just in case'... and found us ready to go. Too early to eat, the belly rebels, so we plan to pick something up on the road. We arrived in Quesnel at 7am, dumped Harald off at Robins Donuts, grabbed an A&W 'Sausage n' Egger' and headed for Prince George. We arrived in P.G. by 8:30 just in time to shop, shop, shop! Whirlwind trips to Home Depot, Canadian Tire, COSTCO and Shoppers Wholesale. Somewhere in there we grabbed a quick bowl of soup for lunch. This pretty near took care of all of the restaurant supplies, and we turn the wheels south by 1:00pm.

We had arranged to meet Harald at Tim Hortons around 2pm... we were running late... but the dogs can't  stand it anymore, so we took 20 mins. to let them run around at a roadside rest stop. We arrived back in Q around 2:30pm... one/half hour late, pretty good by our standards! Harald is waiting patiently in the parking lot... no doubt completely coffee'd out! We hit the bank, then head off to shop for some stock to fill up the empty store shelves.... but we are bagging out, Harald is looking awfully worried (he peeked at my Quesnel list and just about had a heart attack), and Jenny phoned to report troubles with her car.... an unplanned, but common occurance. Seems we never manage to leave Quesnel without having to look after some kind of 'new' calamity. So I cut my list down to the bare neccessities, Dick spent about an hour on Jen's car.... and we all go out for dinner.

It is 7:00 pm before we are finally homeward bound, at 8:30pm we pull up to the house. This is actually quite early, hey, it was still daylight out! Harald grabbed his meager belongings and watched in awe as we unloaded the back of the truck... which is bursting at the seams. It is another hour and a half before everything is unloaded; parishables are safely stored in the fridges and freezers; canned and dry goods are piled high in the middle of the floor waiting for morning; and we call it a day.

Yes, everyday, we may get to watch the beauty of a crystalline lake from our windows; listen to blackbirds and loons from our porch; watch the deer and bears play from our doorway; hike into the bush at the drop of a hat.... but living in paradise does have it's downfalls.... Harald got to live one of them for himself... the dreaded SHOPPING DAY.... welcome to our world!  

Paddling Season Opens Again!

This year the ice went off FAST!! Within the span of two weeks we went from trapsing over a solid two feet of ice, to breaking thro rotten candle ice, to watching large ice floes break off, collide and crumble, and finally to wind-blown waves on a ice-free lake. The ice-off date for Bowron Lake was May 6th, 2012, pretty near two weeks earlier then 2011. Isaac Lake followed suit and cleared around May 15th... according to the paddlers who ended up waiting on Issac for two days before they could continue around the chain. The earliest paddlers, who attempted the chain on May 5th, had to turn around as Isaac was, at that time, still impassable.... without snowshoes.

Now the chain is open of the season. As of the last report received by paddlers...on May 16th, there was still a good three feet of snow on the shady, closed-in portage along Isaac River, but that should be pretty near gone by now. The Park Facility Operators are out on the chain, opening up their cabins, cleaning up the winters debris, cutting firewood and fighting with reluctant boat motors... seems not everything is excited about getting back to work! 

January Cold Snap!!

I get a real giggle from the news casts on the Radio. Vancouver folk don't know what a real 'Cold Snap' is. They are complaining about minus 10 while we are enjoying our minus 35 (and that is thermometer temps, not including wind chill!!) Yeah I know, even by their accounts they agree that they are somewhat whimpy, but CBC radio had a talk show this morning inviting the public to share.... what they are doing differently to get along during this cold snap? That got me to thinking.... what are WE doing differently during this cold snap??? Well....

Besides his regular clothing, Dick is adding a snowsuit to his outdoor attire, so that he can continue to do his outdoor work, which he hasn't stopped doing all week. Me I'm pretty much dressed the same... snow pants, parka, and insulated boots... my normal winter attire all winter long... except right now I wear my BIG two-layer parka instead of my regular one.

Charly is spending alot of time very contently laying on the couch.... he isn't all that interested in going out for walks, which he usually insists on.... 100 times a day. We did try to put one of Jennys sweaters on him... what a hoot that was! Even though I rolled up the sleeves he kept getting one leg pulled out into the main body.... and falling over on his head! Guess you can't dress up a country dog!!

With that introduction I guess a big difference is that our walks are not very long.... 15 minutes or so.... to the bridge and back.... by then Charly is trying to walk home on one foot at a time. Sweater or no sweater, he is very good at falling on his head!

We put blankets on the horses... and Cataline (the gelding) is trying his best to chew them off. Guess you can't dress up a country horse either? We are also giving them extra grain to keep them 'heated' up.

We are keeping the up-stairs wood heater going as well as the regular wood furnace in the basement... keeps the whole building nice and cozy, but doubles the wood runs.

We had to open UP the cold room door to let some of the mainfloor warmth in.... to stop the food from freezing. But with this.... we haven't had to start the meat freezer at all... self freezing... how handy!

Last but not least... I am able to spend all the time I want on the big computer... the power hungry one that connects to the internet.... because along with this cold snap we are getting sunshine out the ying yang and the solar system is doing GRRRREAT!!

Hope you are all finding ways to manage this cold snap too ;)