Oooooh la la – stunning, mesmerising, wilderness and wildlife. British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Mountains are everything you’ve ever dreamed about, and more.
Canada was never high on our list of countries to undertake travel adventures. Thank goodness for a couple of people with passion and enthusiasm from Yoho Adventures (www.yohoadventures.com), whom we met several years ago in Sydney. After years of urging us to come on over and saying ‘anyways, you will have fun’ – we did.
How to get there
So, with a small but enthusiastic group of people along with our two guides, gear and food, our seven day adventure into the Canadian Coast Mountains wilderness began. Starting from Vancouver, we flew to Anahim Lake via Bella Coola – around two hours North West.
Then hooking up with a ‘flying beaver’ (aka float plane), we headed out over a remote ice field into a pristine, lake environment where we were dropped off for four days.
Each day was both stunning and challenging at the same time. The weather tested both our gear and resolve to keep pushing our limits.
From unmarked trails, mesmerising views from atop a ridge, listening to all the bad jokes, through to waking up each morning in a log cabin to plan where to go today – only of course after we had consumed copious cups of coffee.
This was British Columbia at its best – but wait, there was lots more.
From grizzly bear encounters, sightings of caribou and numerous wolf tracks, to hiking up to a glacier and sampling the thousand year old ice (in a glass of scotch if course) through to more hiking and glacial lakes and scenery to die for.
We can’t wait to experience more of Canada – until next time, Au revoir.
Onwards and upwards.
Trevor
Insights
- Plan to visit the wilderness with a well regarded local guiding company – they know all the unmarked trails, get to arrange the logistics and that way you will have more time to relax than trying to do it all yourself. We recommend Yoho Adventures.
- Hiking poles are recommended to help keep your balance on unmarked trails, as well as to help going up or downhill. Make sure your training plan includes some walks over uneven ground to get your ankles used to it before you go. See our post on How to Prepare for a Trek.
- August and September are the best months to explore and encounter the Grizzly’s during salmon spawning season on the Atnarko river, Bella Coola.
- Wear layers and appropriate clothing such as wool or primaloft ie. no cotton, as cotton is rotten!
- Take a ‘flying beaver’ out to a wilderness lake – it’s an experience that you will never forget.
- When trekking the in the wilderness of British Columbia, don’t forget the bear spray – and know how to use it.
