10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
Here I am in my sleeping bag in my tent. I awoke this morning to the sound of splashing water and Merlin running through camp. The moose cow and calf were making a return appearance, only this time in broad daylight. I don't think he got a good shot but said he talked to a guy at the next campsite who said the moose ran by about 4 feet from him.
We ate breakfast--oatmeal and apple turnovers--and then packed up, broke camp and lined up to run the Chute for real.
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
Merlin and Dave went first, then Susan and me, then Patty and Barry and then Cheryl. We all did really well--I drove with Susan up front. You can see the portion they call the "roller coaster" heading towards the mountains.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
We paddled about 1.5km down the Isaac River on a stretch they call the "Roller Coaster" which took about 5 minutes. It was fun--going down the Chute gave you the same rush of adrenalin you get when you just miss getting in an accident, if you know what I mean? At the end of the Roller Coaster we had a short portage around a logjam and a smaller Cascades waterfall and then some additional canoe skills work learning to "ferry" across the current without losing any ground. Moving water is much more challenging--you have to really pay attention ALL the time.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
This was followed by another portage around Isaac Falls. Both of these were really tough going. The place where you take the canoes out was awful, with very steep, slippery, muddy banks. Our canoe tipped over 2X due to deep potholes on the trail. With help from Barry (who strained his trapezius some time on the trip) we righted our canoe and were on our way again.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
Back in the water--Isaac River to McLeary Lake--a very peaceful, beautiful section of the circuit. The water is crystal clear and calm. Susan and I wouldn't mind going for a swim. We see a moose grazing in the distance and two herons put on a rare aerial show for us. Also see our first bald eagle.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
We enter the Cariboo River from McLeary Lake. The river is swift and silt-laden, looking like a cup of coffee with way too much cream, much colder than the lakes we have been in previously. We stop at a predetermined sandbar to scope out what's ahead. We see the bent canoe--still at the site of the incident in the middle of the river--of some unlucky folks who hit a submerged tree trunk. Merlin and Cheryl instruct us how to negotiate past this river's many sweepers (fallen trees in the river), rocks and submerged tree stumps.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
While on the sandbar, I notice that there are many flowers. I have no idea what this one is called, but it reminds me of a fuschia. There were many flowers that had gone to seed--I wish I had taken a picture--they all looked very windblown, waiting for their chance to be taken on a journey of their own to live again next summer.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
After getting a lesson on river navigation, we head out towards Lanezi Lake. This is our destination, and the Cariboo River gently provides a bit of propulsion as we go single file with the river's current. We eat lunch at about 3pm. Mud is VERY thick at the water's edge, creating so much suction that one of my sandals break. My boots caused minor blisters during portages earlier in the day so I can't wear them so I just flop along with the broken sandal. I only have one other pair of shoes and those I can't get wet.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
We reach Lanezi Lake at about 4:30pm and paddle for about an hour to our next campsite (#33) next to Turner Creek.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
The sun hits the ridge across from our campsite beach.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
It has been a long day with lots of new experiences. We all realize that the Chute wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. We gather around the campfire for a dinner of tofu, tomatoes, feta cheese, and some other stuff that I can't remember over orzo. It is very tasty and we eat it up. Dessert is a kind of cherry layered thing with Dream Whip (I saw the box), a custard like layer and a graham? crust. I also saw this being kept cool in the creek when I went down to refill my water bottle.
So in case you're wondering who everyone is, I'll tell you: Left to right - Merlin, Cheryl, Valerie, Susan, Dave, Barry, Patty. All good people.
10-AUG-2006
Day 5 - Thursday, August 10
Another beautiful sunset. Perhaps a prelude to a beautiful next day? I don't know if you can see it very well but there is a rock cairn or "Inukshuk (singular), meaning "likeness of a person" in Inuktitut (the Inuit language) is a stone figure made by the Inuit. The plural is inuksuit. The Inuit make inuksuit in different forms and for different purposes: to show directions to travelers, to warn of impending danger, to mark a place of respect, or to act as helpers in the hunting of caribou." One of these Inukshuk is the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics that will be held in Vancouver, BC.
