Mid September, the family had planned and hoped to camp at the Frosty trail race and enjoy a last late season camping trip...but circumstances saw us throwing a birthday party for a freshly minted teenager and hauling dirt for the never ending backyard project...
No wonder that when this weekend promised glorious sunshine and dry skies, we were plotting an escape into the back country, tent and kids in tow. Since we are all a bit wound up with the amazing Bagger Challenge, why not try to hike with the family, camp out overnight AND bag some peaks? I had some reservations about being left alone with the rug rats in the cold mountains, while ActionJackson and a few other Fat Asses would be bagging peaks, but I couldn't say no to a weekend away.
Friday night, Wendy Montgomery confirmed that she'll join us and we quickly figured out a menu and a packing plan to avoid hauling up two of everything. I was in charge of dinner, Wendy took on chocolate and coffee. Which worked out great, since my stash of chocolate miraculously disappeared.
The Happy Bus left shortly after 9:00am Saturday morning. In retrospect, that was a tad late, but after a busy week, we all felt we deserved to sleep in a bit. By 10:00 we were on our way from Porteau Road up the Howe Sound Crest Trail towards Deeks Lake. By 10:15 Neil and Caroline Ambrose confirmed that they would be catching up to us and keep Wendy company while bagging Hat and some other mountains. Jackson had committed to climb Hat with us but then had his eyes on Hanover Mountain. But I am getting ahead of myself.
The trail follows a rough gravel road steep up into the mountains. We were moving at a good clip, but my heavy pack soon slowed me down. EJPowderhound didn't like the gravel road and kept me company, but as soon as our path turned into a rough little trail he sped up too and left me in the dust. I was cursing not to have loaded some more gear into the kids packs...mine was definitely too much for me.
After what seemed an eternity of steep uphill along a rushing river (Deeks Creek), countless waterfalls and millions of mushrooms, the trail emerged at Deeks Lake and into some sunshine. I was hoping that my crowd would have waited for me, but I only heard a brief, "there you are" in the distance and continued alone along the lake. My water bladder nozzle was leaking and stopping the cold water from dripping on me was becoming very aggravating. I tried to enjoy the marvelous views of the mountain ranges around Deeks Lake but was too caught up feeling miserable and lonely.
Finally, Ean was waiting at what would otherwise have prompted me to sit down and cry...a log jam river crossing...and the logs were very slippery. Luckily, Ean was kind enough to relieve me of my pack, so that I could elegantly bum slide across and quietly mumble something about turning around. Things looked up from here though. I am not fond of lone hikes and company soon revived my spirits...didn't even flinch when we had to climb up a slippery rock face with the help of some frayed rope. The views got better by the minute and soon we saw beautiful, turquoise blue Brunswick Lake appear through the trees.
We made camp just up from the lake near a tiny emergency shelter. Ean, Erik, Caroline, Neil and Wendy decided to make a dash for Hat Peak. But considering my slow speed and the fact that we were at the snow line, my daughter and I decided to hold the fort and stay put. We had hot soup ready for the cold climbers when they returned from their semi successful mission (I let Caroline elaborate on that). Caroline and Neil said their good byes and returned to their car.
A feast of Mac'n Cheese, peperoni's, chicken and chocolate filled our bellies. We even got a good fire going thanks to some fire starter and the macaroni boxes. We saw the first stars and a full moon but by 8:00pm we were tucked into our sleeping bags. Wendy, JoJo and Erik complained that they were cold, but Ean and I were toasty in our down bags.
It was hard to get going in the morning. Every thing was frozen solid and only a cup of hot coffee finally got us in gear. Wendy and Ean decided to attempt humble looking Wettin Peak to the west of our idyllic spot. EJPowderhound and JoJo and I packed up and then explored the shoreline. Down at the water the sun was blazing and tempted EJPowderhound and me to a brisk dip in the ice cold water. Brr, very refreshing.
Early afternoon, and the two baggers returned full of adventure and bum sliding stories. Our return trip was relatively uneventful: blue skies, more views, a lot of downhill...oh, and the kids didn't even notice that they carried a bit more downhill than they had uphill - it certainly made a difference for me
Mid September, the family had planned and hoped to camp at the Frosty trail race and enjoy a last late season camping trip...but circumstances saw us throwing a birthday party for a freshly minted teenager and hauling dirt for the never ending backyard project...
Friday night, Wendy Montgomery confirmed that she'll join us and we quickly figured out a menu and a packing plan to avoid hauling up two of everything. I was in charge of dinner, Wendy took on chocolate and coffee. Which worked out great, since my stash of chocolate miraculously disappeared. 
After what seemed an eternity of steep uphill along a rushing river (Deeks Creek), countless waterfalls and millions of mushrooms, the trail emerged at Deeks Lake and into some sunshine. I was hoping that my crowd would have waited for me, but I only heard a brief, "there you are" in the distance and continued alone along the lake. My water bladder nozzle was leaking and stopping the cold water from dripping on me was becoming very aggravating. I tried to enjoy the marvelous views of the mountain ranges around Deeks Lake but was too caught up feeling miserable and lonely. 
t was hard to get going in the morning. Every thing was frozen solid and only a cup of hot coffee finally got us in gear. Wendy and Ean decided to attempt humble looking Wettin Peak to the west of our idyllic spot. EJPowderhound and JoJo and I packed up and then explored the shoreline. Down at the water the sun was blazing and tempted EJPowderhound and me to a brisk dip in the ice cold water. Brr, very refreshing.
