Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 09:59:34 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject: short trip report - Van. Island
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this last weekend we took a trip to a spot on the Nitinat River that my
wife and I used to go to often between '90 and '96. The last time I was
there was Oct '99, by myself and used my mtn bike to get down the
access road.
Access to the river is a small spur off an old logging main. The spur
had been made, and I am guessing, mid last century, maybe even earlier.
It winds along river bottom topography, easy logging for huge Sitka
Spruce and Red cedar. Second growth now, but mostly alder. The large
stumps left in the dark understory are impressive, spring board notches
still visible.
The narrow road has been over grown considerably since we last spent
time there, almost unrecognisable. First part of the road is actually a
seasonal creek, river roack and sand. Then it turns into an over grown
trail, we had to cut some Alder to allow the van to pass. At one spot
a creek again crosses the trail, under an old fashioned culvert (2 ft+
logs laid across, covered with gravel). It used to be passable with
only a smallish section on one side starting to fall in. Now it was
impassable, the small section had grown. But we had brought some 2X8
lumber, and along with some found and cut wood we bridged the hole and
continued down the trail. At the end of the trail, just before it opens
onto the river bank, the trail makes a tight "ess" through clay/mud.
Someone, and I am guessing Chum fishers last fall, had rutted that
section quite deeply and the ruts had filled partially with water. The
were so deep that even if i had a syncro the van would have bottomed
out. We had to steer carefully to one side of the ruts (and there was
precious little leeway), along the "ess" and then up a rise to firm and
dry sand on river bank. Well I didn't make it, the rear end of the van
slid into the ruts just at the exit of the turn. Bottomed out, stuck.
That was around 7 pm Friday night, by 9:30 we had the van out of the
ruts and left it there for the night, the short distance to final spot
would have to be done next morning.
The kind of clay at that spot fills the treads of the tires and is very
slick. I think a syncro may have been able to pull out, definitely a
winch would have helped.
Sat was sunny, the van was positioned in better spot and we spent a
couple of hours cutting some alder and lugging river rock to fill the
ruts for trip back out. Filling the ruts was just insurance for I
planed on making a second attempt to stay out of ruts.
It is so nice there on that river when it is sunny. the thermals
generated by the sun heating the interior of the island draws in marine
air up the Nitinat valley and a good strong breeze keeps the bugs away.
Windsurfers flock to Nitinat lake for that reason, the wind not the
absence of bugs :)
Day spent walking up river, and I do mean up the river. Wading in the
coolish water, crossing river many times, too cold to really swim but a
lot of fun. Lots of Elk tracks and one Black Bears spotted (just behind
oblivious me as I went up river ahead). Still huge spruce standing in
places on sides of river. Some fallen into river where the bank had
been undercut. Its a free stone river and at this spot it spills during
winter to cut new paths and leave huge piles of river rock. In one
place a large jumble of spruce trees and debris has gathered. Quite
amazing to clamber over those spruce.
When the wind dies in the late evening the bugs come out. Years ago I
had replaced all the screening in the van with proper no-see-um
netting, including sliding window screens. I had also stuck a strip of
pile fabric to the edge of the window screen that presses on t he glass
to stop the buggers getting through the narrow slit. This is an
important modification, for at night this time of year, the no-see-ums
gather in clouds.
Sunday was over cast and occasional drizzle. We headed out about 3:30.
I tried to keep out of the ruts but again the rear end of the van slid
in just as i exited the last curve. But the insurance of placing "logs"
in the ruts allowed me to get out with minimal fuss.
Back home with minimal damage, lost one hubcap, 3 flies, and one
sinking tip leader (dropped from open tackle bag, doh!).
Alistair
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/
