A rainy day up at Paradise Meadows - the first rain in probably six weeks or more. Still quite a few hikers & visitors though - from Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands... one person asked if the Wilderness Centre has rain ponchos for sale! That would be a good idea - but unfortunately we do not! However we do have single-use packets of bug dope for anyone who forgets theirs - it was quite buggy due to the damp air.
No further sightings of cougars, and a single bear was last seen on Aug. 3 in the meadows. Hikers are reporting good trail conditions throughout the area.
Toby & Emma who are staffing the Centre on weekdays from 9 am - 4 pm are enjoying their time so far - they attended a social event with the Comox Valley Naturalists Society birders group, many of whom recognized the pair from the articles in the Comox Valley Record and Comox Valley Echo.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Botany Walks
The Victoria Natural History Society had a botany walk in Paradise Meadows today - if anyone in the group has any photos, or special sightings to report, please send them along!
White bog-orchid (Platanthera dilatata)The Strathcona Wilderness Institute is offering our own guided Nature Walk on Sunday August 8 at 1 p.m. Join botanist Fred Constabel for Mid-Summer Flowers - experiencing the beauty of a sub-alpine meadow. Fred contributed to the German translation of the Paradise Meadows plant list, which is available at the Wilderness Centre (as is a list in French!)
Common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)
Common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) Thursday, August 5, 2010
Multi-Day Trips
The Comox District Mountaineering Club did a trip to Della Falls over the BC Day long weekend - here is a link to their report.
Jan Neuspiel of Island Alpine Guides (IAG) guided a group up to Mt. Albert Edward over the long weekend. Visit his update for a brief report of the conditions.
Strathcona Wilderness Institute has partnered with IAG to offer Level 3 Hikes which are multi-day excursions. The next trip planned is the Castle Crag Circuit - three days, two nights, from 4-6 September, 2010.
On this Strathcona Park triple crown you can take in three summits on a spectacular circumnavigation of Moat Lake. From a base camp at Circlet Lake the group will do a day long circle walk carrying only light day packs and reaching the summits of Mount Albert Edward, Mount Frink and Castle Crag to return to base camp and walk out on the third day. Participants need only to be reasonably fit to carry an overnight pack to and from the base camp with the peak day being done with a light day pack.
Island Alpine Guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. $375/person : Price includes guiding only. Transport, equipment and food logistics are organised between the guide and participants. (optional catering for $40/person/day). Please contact Island Alpine Guides directly for details at 250 400 2870 or by email . FMI visit the Island Alpine Guides web site.
If you are interested, register by Aug. 14 .
Jan Neuspiel of Island Alpine Guides (IAG) guided a group up to Mt. Albert Edward over the long weekend. Visit his update for a brief report of the conditions.
Strathcona Wilderness Institute has partnered with IAG to offer Level 3 Hikes which are multi-day excursions. The next trip planned is the Castle Crag Circuit - three days, two nights, from 4-6 September, 2010.
On this Strathcona Park triple crown you can take in three summits on a spectacular circumnavigation of Moat Lake. From a base camp at Circlet Lake the group will do a day long circle walk carrying only light day packs and reaching the summits of Mount Albert Edward, Mount Frink and Castle Crag to return to base camp and walk out on the third day. Participants need only to be reasonably fit to carry an overnight pack to and from the base camp with the peak day being done with a light day pack.
Island Alpine Guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. $375/person : Price includes guiding only. Transport, equipment and food logistics are organised between the guide and participants. (optional catering for $40/person/day). Please contact Island Alpine Guides directly for details at 250 400 2870 or by email . FMI visit the Island Alpine Guides web site.
If you are interested, register by Aug. 14 .
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