The Wilds of B.C.
A much-awaited return to Chilko Lake took place on Sept. 4th, 2018 by TRIPS members: Darryl Spencer and Heather Molyneux.
The trip was supposed to be eight days. Due to smoke in the area we were rerouted to Sunshine Coast (Cortez Island) only to find more smoke. We were given the go ahead to return to Chilko so back tracked up into the Chilcotin, 100 km’s west of Williams Lake.
The group consisted of the Chris Cooper and his Spirit Dancer 37 ft. Montreal Canoe. Six others from the coast: Trevor from Squamish Nation, Jennifer from Vancouver, Bruce, Steve and Charlie all from Pitt Meadows, Haney areas.
When we arrived, the wind was howling at about 25 knots so paddling to the south end was out of the question. The wind howled for six more days. We only paddled twice and found it too difficult and dangerous. The camping and getting acquainted was a real treat. We experienced a local rodeo by the locals and were given three salmon by the band chief.
Chris Cooper is an international adventurer with several trips to the Arctic and Britain. He has a great passion for the Indigenous relationships he has established over the years and is a pioneer with the Vision Quest trips on the coast.
The Chilko trip taught us many things about being in the wild. I will never forget this trip and realized one must bend like willows when dealing with the wilds of B.C.
Darryl Spencer and Heather Molyneux, TRIPS members and organizers
Kamloops, Thompson River Interior Paddle Society, Kamloops, B.C.
