B.C. trip 2009

B.C. Trip 2009

This trip started, when I met my friend Honza “Zajic” Lasko while working and paddling in Norway. I have been thinking about Stikine for quite a while and Honza was keen to go. We begun looking for a team and were joined by Jakub “Kubos” Drnec, Braden Fandrich and meeting Corey Boux in Terrace. So after some frantic trips to Vienna to get the newly established visa and all necessities, we left to Vancouver in mid-September. The flight and the following drive to Terrace was rather long and we were pretty happy to see Corey after almost 3 days of traveling and super keen for some boating.

The Stikine was pretty high and during the week we were hoping for it to drop. So while we were waiting, the decision was made to paddle around Terrace. I had no idea how many great creeks and rivers are around Terrace. Most of the paddlers just travel up to run the Stikine or stay around Whistler or Vancouver Island area. I reckon, that is quite a shame, as Terrace offers some great paddling. The Stikine was still rising quickly and with more rain to come everyday it was soon clear that we were not going to get on it this year.

Corey became our guide and host and we paddled a different run around Terrace every day. This was my first time in BC and I was stoked with variety of boating all in one hour drive from Terrace. The weather was not cooperating much with loads of rain and sometimes flooded rivers (ruining our multi-day trip plans), but we had a great time with good kayaking and some pretty adventurous bush walks.

I am not used to much kayak bush-bashing and was pretty amazed how thick the forest can get and how hard it is to get through with the boat. I did some kayak bush walking in New Zealand, but paddling mostly around Europe and Norway, where most of the rivers are easy to access, I certainly got some taste of BC experience.

After a week or so we said bye to Corey and headed down south again as Braden and Kubos needed to be back for work. We stayed in Kumsheen rafting for couple nights, helped with cleaning the river on the BC rivers day and paddled some great bigwater rapids as well as some creeks in the area. After that we parted and with the plans for the next year mission, me and Honza left to Whistler and Squamish for some more boating.

This was my first trip to BC and I was amazed with the quality of whitewater and remoteness of the place. During the time I was there I got just a taste of the real BC, but I can't wait to be back in close future for some multi-day trips.