Back Lane Back-hoe Megrim Blues: Monday, February 15th!

The question is not can they reason? Nor can they talk? But can they suffer? -Jeremy Bentham, jurist and philosopher (15 Feb 1748-1832)

Hello Happy Birthday Boot Hikers! Thanks again to Al and Aarturo, (and Mama T), for leading such a splendiferous outing! Happiest of Happy Birthdays, yet again, to Jud! Trust your dinner at the Hooded Merganser was more than a delight. All the best to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 BRB journal, if interested: Up at shortly after 7:00 am to find Lady Dar on the couch in the living room. Apparently she awoke around 5:30 am and couldn't return to the Land of Nod. When I came upon her she started grizzling immediately as work had started on the empty lot next door and she was quite fussed that this should have started, so early, and in a residential area! Feel sorry for the City Hall bureaucrats as her ire is up. Noise of excavation isn't all that bad but I suppose it may increase as the foundation work proceeds, with trucks coming and going.

Headed for HH at about 8:35 am but not a soul in the a parking lot when I drove by so made for Summerland. Found the gathering at IGA,almsot ready to head out, so I put my gear in the back of Otto's truck and we headed out. madcap Mary Lee and Spumoni in back with me, Jimbo up front again. WE took the Summerland Princeton Highway to just past Km 4, I believe, and parked our vehicles. Road was unbelievably slippery and so everyone had to use extreme caution crossing it. Glad I had my ski poles along.

Once everyone was across the road, we gathered on a level patch of snow for a confab. Al readily acknowledged that he'd  not had time to reconnoitre route the day before and was quite surprised to find the snow as deep as it was. He gave us a few other hiking options but we all decided to head up into "them thar hills" since we were here and ready for anything. Gorgeous day and I was kicking myself that I'd not brought along my shades as sun was bouncing off the snow and I was already squinting. For first bit we followed a snowmobile track and going was pretty easy, though grade was steadily increasing. Then Aarturo and Mama T, under Big AL's instructions, turned left, off the trail and we were into some reasonably tough slogging. While the snow had a fairly firm crust, one often went through it, up to one's calves, sometimes to the knees, so it was best, at least for me, to follow in the footsteps ahead.

Sometimes, ofentimes, easier said than done as the human snowplows blazing the trail both had long, long legs. This meant that the indents required a bit of a stretch to reach and were usually so deep that one had to do the can-can to remove one leg after the other, from the deep depressions, to carry on. Ski poles certainly aided and abetted the process but I found that it was often easier to carry on without them, particularly uphill, where steps were shallower  and when balance wasn't an issue.

One particularly long grade, much through deep drifts, and than a scamble long and over an extended rocky outcropping and we took a brief respite on the flat area just over the ridge. I took advantage of the stop to wolf my snadwiches as I'd only had a blood orange befoer ai left the house. View back, south, was lovely, as was vista towards Apex, lovely snow drenched hills. Caught a glimpse of Okanagan Lake, shimmering tarnished silver, surrounded by royal blue hills. One of the sheer delights of these hikes so I pinched myself to remind myself that I wasn't dreaming!

Everyone enjoyed the short break and then we set off, more climbing in the offing but we had found our rythm, or at least I had, such as it was, so was able to concentrate on trying to step as efficiently as possible, not wasting time nor energy as we slogged on. By this point it was easier going, through a series of small ups and downs, marveling at the remarkable light patterns the clouded sun was painting on a number of crusted snowbanks we passed. Then one more Klondike Trail hill climb so was glad that I had conserved my strength as it was eyes on the step ahead, almost at eye level, up the long, seemingly unending grade above. 

Safe and sound, we stopped to take some group shots and then Indefatigible Aarturo took off, like an Arctic Hare, (His pearly whites are as dazzling as the fur of this polar rabbit, even if his interpretive cortex is smaller!), chased by a Leaping Lollapalooza who quite quickly took a tumble. Fortunately, she was unscathed. The snow cushioned her landing as she sprawled, on her face and tummy, both legs, from the knees, aloft, like some sort of glacial insect, struggling to right itself. Call her lucky that she didn't smash her pretty face or a knee into one of the many rocks just below the snow's surface. Within seconds, her devotees, Aarturo and Antonio, rushed to her aid and she was soon back on her feet and back to reckless ways, slaloming away again.

About 11:30 am Big Al called a halt, claiming we would climb no higher, so we took our lunch break, many sitting on an exposed rock ledge. Chatting and chomping, (Some engaging in hanky panky, thinly disguised as massage therapy!), we spent a very pleasant twenty minutes or so, although the wind, out of the south west, I think, had a nasty bite, given our altitude and relatively exposed situation. 

Once ready to leave, Al suggested we take turns breaking the trail, since the going had been pretty tough, but the Dogged Dutchman insisted that he wasn't even warmed up yet. This being the case, Aarturo continued to lead us, making the way much, much easier, although he did manage to take us higher before being reprimanded by Al and we were soon on the way down. Quite enjoyed the descent even though it required almost more concentration that earlier climbs. Snow helped cushion one's steps but one still had to judge the crust as it was quite easy to break through and lose one's balance, as I found, to my detriment, a couple of times. No bumps or bruises but it took a bit of floundering to get back on my feet, once helped by two companions, as the slope was quite awkward.

Hiked most of last part with Lorenzo and had a chance to chat with him about what brought him to the Okanagan. Originally from near Fort Worth, in North Central Texas, he spent much of his childhood on the large farms owned by both sets of grandparents. Another example of the the wonderful mix of people, in the group, from the four corners of the world to just around the corner. Once back at the vehicles we returned to Summerland to regroup at Good Omens, a great coffee shop much frequented by the gang. It happened to be Jud's 77th birthday and James had put together a couple of cards for him, wonderful snaps of some earlier hikes, along with other pictures he and Aarturo had printed as presents. We sang a rollicking Happy Birthday to him and then enjoyed an hour of more of visiting before we said goodbye to one another.

Al leads an "easy" snowshoe outing on Thursdays, (Three hours, MAX! Cheque's in the mail!), and I'm hoping to finally join the group. Lorenzo did a fair bit in Colorado, when he lived there, but not much since so he and I might "struggle" along together, keeping each other company so as not to delay the speedsters, offering each other both physical and psychological support. Mary Lee has very kindly offered to help me srtap on my gear so I really have no reason not to go! Might even get a massage out of the deal! Who knows? Stay tuned!!!
 
Finally managed to record a complete hike so pleased as punch! Stats for Hike:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1052104308#.VsJf9lzWlcI.email

Truly fantastic photo reportage, thanks! Aarturo the Neanderthaler

Greetings to all GB hikers: There will be another GB snow shoe hike this Th. For change we will not drive to Apex area, but will make a short trip N/W of Agur Lk, W of Summerland, between Bathville Rd and Isintok Creek. It will be an easy hike, approx. 3hrs, not much elevation change, depending on the snow conditions it may be there and back, or a loop. Meeting times and places as usual. Al

Hello to the Culinary woodsman nursing lumberjack sipper and his wife. Glad to hear you are enjoying the BC Interior Lifestyle. We are enjoying being grandparents and hosts this spring. Both my brother and sister are visiting just now except that Warren has taken an overnight bag to stay with a friend near you in Summerland. Being a Barbour he will be drinking rum over wine despite the offerings there. When he gets back we will take them to our hockey arena to cheer on he Blazers Not much else doing this time of year. We have been eating well though, in fact too well.

Hope Corinne is back on her feet. No fun! Thank you too the valentine. Made my day as it prompted Wally to get me one as well. Well..... He was also inspired when a massive flower arrangement was delivered for my sister. Cheers and love Brenda Babysitting is exhausting but fun.

Pat, Sorry about the change in e-mail without the notification. I've had complaints from various sources, the most vociferous from Jim Crowe, now residing back in Sydney and teaching English on a volunteer basis to refugees at the university.

Hope Corinne is recovering well from her ankle injury. Good to see her parents doing so well. Sylvia's observations from Wisconsin were that her aunt was not nearly as robust. She spent the week helping out there and she enjoyed renewing acquaintances with many cousins and other family. Plane was delayed last night as they had to get the ice off before departure, so it was after midnight when we returned home. 

Lazy day today but I might cycle a short distance later on. My last time up 16th to Dunbar was a bit tough on the hill, so I'll have to start riding a bit once the weather improves. 

Spoke with Mike Carter this morning and he is keen for a bit of walking and/or cycling. We were discussing the international rugby from the weekend.

 

I was speaking with a friend about chimney sweeping yesterday. He had the same problem as you. I have the brushes and I've swept a few times but very little soot each time. I think that so much heat is generated with the enclosed stove, that any soot on the sides burns off. I should do it again this summer. Ray

Thanks again for the detailed resume of the bald range hikers and photos and the very interesting letter from yourself "Sir Patrick de la Okanagan"
You have a gift for details and for writing...and a very enchanting photographic memory! You seem to delight in expressing in words!!.. I do appreciate your correspondence as long as OK with Madame!!...:-) I'm sure she is as delightful as you are and I look forward to the opportunity of our meeting one day!

You all seem like in terrific shape for the terrain and weather you challenge every Monday! I do hope I can keep up with the group upon my return at the end of next month!! In the meantime it will be the beaches here,..the gym and the few hikes in the higher terrain!! Take care!! Elle🙏😎