Finding the Way Up the Sutlahine to join the Pink Ribbon

Feb 22, 2012 -10 C.   Bryan, Henri, and Vikki.  This is past the Inklin Junction heading up the Sutlahine.
There is River Ice Mosaic along the sides.  This is created when the River breaks up then dames and causes a river of moving ice cutting new ways.  It can happen anytime of the winter but usually in Dec.

 This is the second time here for Bryan and Henri... but Vikki's first time.  The Pink Ribbon Cottonwood.  The 80 km Circle has been traveled... but not on one day yet. 
We turned around and went back to base camp.  

Closing the Distance of the uncompleted Circle Trail

Feb 20, 2012.    Bryan and Henri made the river trail 12 kms down the Sutlahine from Pocket Creek junction.  Above is where they stopped.  This is a big Cottonwood Tree that the River had claimed.  Notice the Moose have been feeding on it's bark and stripped it.  Henri marked the spot with a Pink Ribbon.  It was getting dark so they turned around and went back to Windy Pond Line cabin. Below's photo is the valley looking West from the Sutlahine towards Snake Swamp.

Ruffed Grouse.... photos by Henri

 These Ruffed Grouse survive the cold winter up here by diving at a good speed and hitting the snow bank like bullets.  Once under the deep snow, they walk a foot or so and go to sleep.  Sometimes while skidooing by, you see them fly out of the snow on the side of the trail.

Marten, Wolverine, etc... season done.

February 29.....Bryan and Henri went the longer 58 km Sutlahine/Inklin route taking down the sets.  They saw lots of fresh Marten sign and so much Wolf sign it was distressing.   Vikki went the Walker's Valley 22 km route doing the same.  She also saw lots of fresh Marten, Wiesel sign.  We are resting now...and will go and set some Wolf sets soon.  But now I can show you what we've been up to for the last 2 very exciting weeks.  Bryan and Henri are in the lazyboy chairs watching BBC China DVD.