Deeper Shade of Green

Here’s a description of my experiences camping with the folks from the Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) folks at a First Nations Reserve “Sutikalh” over the long weekend (BC Holiday).
Quick background: Sutikalh is a first nations reserve, that our much beloved government tried to give away for a new ski resort to developers eight years ago. The first nations, together with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee blocked that process and won (of course it wasn’t that easy as I make it sound). Since then, the Sutikalh place has a permanent dwelling and many people go there for fun, to reconnect with the nature, and do volunteer work, such as the building of a 40km hiking trail between different first nations villages.

There are also plans to make this a more liveable place and to perhaps establish an educational centre and a rehabilitation centre for addicted people.

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We arrived with Ryan, my activist-friend and his wife Helen in their loaded Toyota Prius to the site Saturday early afternoon. After some orientation, we hauled our stuff to a meadow about 150 meters away.

Although we had a superb day, as soon as we arrived with our stuff, it started to rain. We scrambled to put up our tents, but of course, before we managed to put up the fly, ti rained all over the tent inside.

We then decided to set up the trap between the two tents and established a ‘civilized’ field kitchen. We hauled some tree trunks from nearby and made a lovely setup for many folks. We then started cooking and inviting others to come and join us and cook their meal.

That evening was lovely. We had fun around the fire at the gathering place. We did some light painting photography with Ryan, and then we had some great and deep talks with people around the
fire. I thought for some time now that I knew a lot about the environmental issue…but listening to the folks around the fire was a humbling and great experience, making me realize I know next to nothing. I also forged some alliances between WCWC and a grass roots organization fighting Global Climate Change I am part of.

The folks present at Sutikalh really blew me away. Sure, they were still human and flawed, but they were all genuine, with big heart, polite, and very helpful. I had a great sense of belonging I haven’t had in a long long time. All these people there genuinely cared for our bellowed planet. Some may think they are too hippie like, but I don’t care. These people are more real to me then the hundreds of people I meet every day of my life. These people stop to think. And these people decided to make positive changes in their lives in order to bring about change.

How many people do YOU know do that on almost daily basis?

The next day, Sunday, we went on a hike. We had a choice of: Easy hike, strenuous hike, or uber strenuous hike, reaching the top of a nearby mountain. I opted for the hardest hike. I’m foolish that way.

The hike was very tough, because I haven’t hiked in few months now (having too much renovations going on at home, but I missed hiking!). On top of that, there were no flat sections, the trail was not done yet, so it was pretty tough hiking, I had a crap load of things carrying (the heavy tripod did not help) and the swarm of biting flies and mosquitos were atrocious.

We hiked for about 3 hours and then stopped for lunch on a rock. I snapped some pics – the view was tunning. Then most of the group went back, and 1/3 continued on. I went on as well, but five minutes into it I regretted my decision – but I really wanted to go on. Eventually – Jeff I believe – offered to help me carry my tripod for a bit. As soon as that log came off my back, it was like injecting adrenalin into my veins – I could have ran up the mountain!

Eventually we reached a meadow high in the mountains. Here we had a rest, had fun with the snow and took more pics. Here pretty much everyone turned back – and I almost went back as well. But then I saw how close the top of the mountain was – a mere half hour away – and I could not resist. Another hiker – Phil – decided to join me. We took the radio, made sure we had flashlights, and up we went.

Reaching the top at this point was tough, because we had been hiking close to 4 hours. After half hour, we reached more snow on the top, climbed it, and we were on the top. After almost five hours of hiking, sweating like pigs, being eaten alive by anything that was ugly and had wings, we finally made it. We were very happy, high-fiveing each other.

The view was spectacular. It really was. It was great to be alive, to be challenging ourselves like we did and then have such a reward. Many people talk about the outdoors, the great mountains, the lakes, the oceans…and only watch it on TV. We actually get to see all this first hand, and the only difference is that we got off our butts and hiked there.

Our way back started good, but after the meadow, where the last group left us we re-entered the forest at a wrong place. We knew we were below the marked trail, so we figured if we stuck to going right, we’d cross the trail eventually. However after 45 minutes we still didn’t, and it was REAL tough hiking off the trail…nothing but fallen logs and branches on a steep slope. Not fun.
Eventually we reached the trail and got new burst of energy. An hour later we were back in the camp, a mere 20 minutes behind the last group that we left on the top of the mountain (and we’ve spent an extra hour on the top).

Upon getting back, I proceeded washing myself in the sub-zero glacial water stream. It was brutal, but refreshing. The rest of the night was spent being fed by Ryan and Helen who cooked me a meal and listening to others at the fire. I was too damn tired to even move.

The next day we packed and off we went. This was after many goodbyes and hugs. I was particularly touched when Doug – the first nations man who lives at Sutikalh and takes care of the place – hugged me goodbye. He was really happy we all came. Doug has a big heart.

On our way back, we too the opportunity to swim in a nearby lake – the Duffey Lake. The water was probably 10 degrees celcius (or less). It was refreshing, but really really cold.

After few hours of driving, we were back to reality in Vancouver, full of fresh memories from the mountains, with magnificent views, beautiful colours, and people with big hearts.

I sure will visit soon again.