The morning view (Photo by: Todd Baker)
After paddling the Callaghan River late in the evening, we all made a quick dinner stop in Whistler Village, then headed to camp at the Cheakamus River nearby. We were unsure were to camp, so Kirk and Trevor pulled the vans up into the trailhead parking lot, while we pitched our tent in between for bear protection (Crazy, eh?) Ya... we were a little nervous about the whole bear thing.
Good Morning! (Photo by: Todd Baker)
Anywhoo... the next morning, we learned we should not camp in the trailhead parking lot, but rather on the opposite side of the river somewhere. Cool. Thanks BC Parks!
After we woke up, we did a quick lap on the Cheakamus River, an easy class III run in the beautiful hills just outside Whistler.
Bryan Kirk Lap 1 of the put-in Falls (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Bryan Kirk lap 2 of the put-in falls (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Cheakamus take-out (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Trevor playin' fetch with Babs (Photo by: Kim Russell)
By 1:00 pm, we were off to the Callaghan River again for a second lap. (I decided to run shuttle this time and save up energy for the last river of the day, the Soo, as I was still getting over being sick).
Callaghan put-in (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Once the boys made it off Callaghan, we headed to the Soo River, but not before heading for a quick scout on 21 mile creek, a sweet little nearby creek with a series of 3 or 4 15-20 foot waterfalls. Picture perfect shots, and beautiful scenery. Sweet.
Hiking around (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Boulder-mess (Photo by: Kim Russell)
The first falls of the series (Photo by: Kim Russell)
After checking out the flow, and debating whether to actually hike our boats up the steep trail, and down the even steeper slopes to the river, we decided to bail on the mission and move onto the Soo River, about 20 minutes north of Whistler.
Unfortunately, we managed to pick the most awesome week ever to be traveling around Whistler! The same weekend as the Pemberton Music Festival! All along the highway from Whistler to Pemberton, BC, there were police checks, and as a result mile-upon-mile long lines. I think we went about a mile in half an hour. Sweet. So much for 3 rivers in a day....
The LINE (Photo by: Kim Russell)
The line kept on moving, and eventually we made it to the Soo River, putting in at a super random road that doesn't even look like a road. Awesome. Being late, no one took cameras on the river, but I will say the Soo is a must-run if you are ever in the Whistler area! It's a boulder gardeney, semi-pool drop, continuous class IV run with great potential. With milky turquoise blue water, and amazing rapids, it's a must do!
The next day, we were on the road driving back to the states, crossing our fingers we wouldn't get pulled over again at the border.
Two hours later, we were safe back in the states remembering the most amazing two weeks any of us had had in a long time.
Two hours later, we were safe back in the states remembering the most amazing two weeks any of us had had in a long time.
Sunset crossing the bridge in Vancouver, BC (Photo by: Kim Russell)
Cheers!
Kim Russell
PS- Don't camp at the Cheakamus take-out or else you might end up with a warning ticket zip-tyed to your tent that looks something like this..... Cheers to our friends from England!
PS- Don't camp at the Cheakamus take-out or else you might end up with a warning ticket zip-tyed to your tent that looks something like this..... Cheers to our friends from England!
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