The Mountain Hunting Thread
- Thread starter Ardent
- Start date
An experience no one involved would ever forget. Great outcome too.
Have you ever read "Nahanni" by #### Turner? Seemed like guys regularly got sunk on the river and made their way home somehow with just their wits and the clothes they were wearing.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The best ones, really appreciated that story.
We were once headed into the territory by boat, and it’s a hell of a long ways, 200kms of ocean and then river to the furthest camp. Weather can get severe, and was forecast to go Deadliest Catch that evening. 3/4s of the way there came across a small, old boat with a lone occupant in a place you never see anyone, out of fuel. He was waving, pulled up alongside to meet an American who had travelled up, bought the cheapest old boat he could find, filled the tank and set off after a lost plane crash rumored to be in the area. Trouble was I’ve worked this area for a good while, flown all over up there, and never heard the rumour from any other pilots or guides.
Nonetheless gave him a Jerry can or two of gas, warned him what was forecast and how severe that would be for his boat in its state, and suggested which cove he pull in. We proceeded on the trip and never heard from or of him again. It was a bad night for weather, would have sunk his boat if he didn’t pull in where suggested. About two years later I got an email, “Think I met you in the middle of nowhere” and he told me the story. Turns out he had pulled in where suggested, and enjoyed a hotspring instead of sinking. I’ve made that same call when I really wanted to get out, and seeing what the night brings for weather sometimes is startling. Was for him too I think, he seemed very grateful.
Feels good eh Ted? You remember that stuff more than the boar or bull.
very good memory, i hope i can have of that river ...
The best ones, really appreciated that story.
We were once headed into the territory by boat, and it’s a hell of a long ways, 200kms of ocean and then river to the furthest camp. Weather can get severe, and was forecast to go Deadliest Catch that evening. 3/4s of the way there came across a small, old boat with a lone occupant in a place you never see anyone, out of fuel. He was waving, pulled up alongside to meet an American who had travelled up, bought the cheapest old boat he could find, filled the tank and set off after a lost plane crash rumored to be in the area. Trouble was I’ve worked this area for a good while, flown all over up there, and never heard the rumour from any other pilots or guides.
Nonetheless gave him a Jerry can or two of gas, warned him what was forecast and how severe that would be for his boat in its state, and suggested which cove he pull in. We proceeded on the trip and never heard from or of him again. It was a bad night for weather, would have sunk his boat if he didn’t pull in where suggested. About two years later I got an email, “Think I met you in the middle of nowhere” and he told me the story. Turns out he had pulled in where suggested, and enjoyed a hotspring instead of sinking. I’ve made that same call when I really wanted to get out, and seeing what the night brings for weather sometimes is startling. Was for him too I think, he seemed very grateful.
Feels good eh Ted? You remember that stuff more than the boar or bull.
Get-home-itis has claimed more than a few. If we’re thinking of the same hot springs, I can think of much worse places to wait out the weather!
It sure is, Angus. Many years ago, a friend of mine and his wife set down on a beach to wait out a storm. Contacted a commercial jet with his location, and all was well.
Next day was Christmas Eve. He had slept under the wing, so his wife could have more room in the cab. Thoughtful move, but he evidently didn't sleep well. Of course, they wanted to be home for Christmas. They took off, got up to around 8500, contacted ATC, and renewed his flight plan okay. Great!
About an hour later turned up the wrong valley. Evidently tired and perhaps drowsy, you can guess the rest of the story. I have seen pictures of the plane at the bottom of the canyon. It is still there as evidence to what you and Simon are posting about.
Ted
Next day was Christmas Eve. He had slept under the wing, so his wife could have more room in the cab. Thoughtful move, but he evidently didn't sleep well. Of course, they wanted to be home for Christmas. They took off, got up to around 8500, contacted ATC, and renewed his flight plan okay. Great!
About an hour later turned up the wrong valley. Evidently tired and perhaps drowsy, you can guess the rest of the story. I have seen pictures of the plane at the bottom of the canyon. It is still there as evidence to what you and Simon are posting about.
Ted
So true! Can't remember how big that bull was or how far the shot was. I do remember that my buddy Bert shot it.
Ted
I sure hope it will!! Haha. I was going to be in stewart tonight by 7pm. Sad day, I planned that trip since last september. Well, this fall i may get to go or next spring.
Nice pics. Im in prince george right now on the way to stewart then telegrapg creek. Ill get some pics for this thread. On the way here i added a detour and drove through banff and jasper. Fist time on this side of the country. Im on day 6 of a 18 day drive to telegraph creek adventure from NS
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Right on, enjoy your time here in BC.
Here's a few from hunting Stones sheep last week. It was too short a hunt in a new area but with work that was all the time we had. Got the area figured out now though so I think we have a very good chance when we head back.
Painfully cold creek crossing
Spike camp, this was as high as the water went on this side of the mountain and it was still a long way from here to sheep
On the way up from camp to glassing
Up top
Mountain goat we could have easily enough had if we'd wanted to pack him down
And we got charged by a sow grizzly with two cubs while crashing our way through the brush down low on the way out, happens fast
Painfully cold creek crossing
Spike camp, this was as high as the water went on this side of the mountain and it was still a long way from here to sheep
On the way up from camp to glassing
Up top
Mountain goat we could have easily enough had if we'd wanted to pack him down
And we got charged by a sow grizzly with two cubs while crashing our way through the brush down low on the way out, happens fast
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Beautiful pictures Matt, thanks for posting.
