Hiking in Corcovado, Costa Rica

IMG_1344.JPG, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

After my stint working as a Group Leader for Youth Challenge International in Costa Rica, Elizabeth and I travelled around checking out some of the incredible natural areas that Costa Rica has to offer. Becuase of its geographical location as the bridge between two continents and sandwiched by two oceans, Costa Rica is the most biologically diverse place on the planet. As a result of this diversity and its ability to attract “eco-tourists”, Costa Rica has chosen to protect an astounding 23% of their country in parks. Most of the photos in this set were taken in Corcovado or around Volcan Arenal: Costa Rican Holiday.

 Another blog entry by Nathan Bennett of Wild Nature Education and Adventures.

Zoa Peak – Coquihalla Highway

Antony at Zoa.JPG, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

Went for a short jaunt on a beautiful day up Zoa Peak on the Coquhalla Highway. A small skiff of powder on top of a hard crust made for some enjoyable runs. As did the company. From Zoa, saw many peaks and lines that are possibilities for the future (like the sunny peak in the background). For more pictures of this trip:Zoa Peak.

Another blog entry by Nathan Bennett of Wild Nature Education and Adventures.

Bootpacking up Mount Currie

Bootpacking up Mount Currie, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

Matt Gunn and I made an attempt on pencil couloir by bootpacking 7000 feet up the front of Mount Currie from the Pemberton Valley bottom. At 4:00 after 5000 feet of strenuous climbing, we sat in a bank of snow and clouds just below the couloir. Our better judgement told us to turn around to leave a daylight buffer for error. Disheartened, we skied most of the way down through mixed conditions of steep crusty, icy and cement-like snow only to turn around in time to see the sky clear and sunlight glint off the peak. For more pictures please follow this link:Mount Currie – Pencil Couloir Attempt.

Another blog entry by Nathan Bennett of Wild Nature Education and Adventures.

So Many Lines at Steep Creek

So many lines at Steep Creek.JPG, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

Within 100 metres of the road our friends had a broken binding and decided to take the day off. That left Elizabeth and I alone in a big basin full of mountains. We spent this mid-winter spring-like day climbing up into the back end of the valley at Steep Creek where we ate lunch in the sun and then found a soft patch of snow right under the cliffs. One thing that we noticed here was how the silent it was. Still only a few hours from Vancouver but out of the range of internal combustion engines. An incredible day. More pics of Steep Creek: Steep Creek.

Another blog entry by Nathan Bennett of Wild Nature Education and Adventures.

Shoulder of Thar

Shoulder of Thar 2.jpg, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

On an incredibly stable Sunday in December, a bunch of us went out to ski Thar on the Coquihalla Highway, two hours east of Vancouver and just before the toll booths. This was a typical early season coastal run with alders poking up through “variable” snow. After the long climb and lunch, one long survival run down the shoulder was enough. We got what we came for. For more pics: Thar.

Another blog entry by Nathan Bennett of Wild Nature Education and Adventures.

Last Run at Phelix

Climbing at Phelix, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

Spent last Easter long weekend up at Phelix Creek with Todd, Matt and Elizabeth. The conditions were somewhat unstable so we spent alot of time touring up long mellower slopes. Felt like we were in a scene out of the “Lord of the Rings” as we climbed up the Aragorn Glacier to the peak of Gandalf. Got some nice turns. The way out was a typical west coast 3km walk down the logging road with your skis on your back. To see more pictures from this trip: Phelix Creek

 

Orion and Rico

Orion and Rico, originally uploaded by wild_nature_addict.

Dogs are a major fixture in the backcountry. They will doggedly follow you anywhere that you go. They are there as a companion, for excercise and are often justified as increasing your level of safety. But often I wonder who gets more pleasure from the experience: human or dog. If the dog could speak, I wonder what they would say? “Dude, I just love getting out in the mountains for the views and the powder.” This picture, of my older brother and his dog Rico, was taken on the ridge of Mount Patrick looking East out of the Purcell Mountains: The Yurt – Purcell Mountains.