Hi Folks, this is my first post on this amazing list! My German Shepherd and I came out of the bush on Saturday after 6 amazing and incredibly challenging days on Loop 2 of the WUT. I wanted to say a special "Thanks!" to the soloist we encountered in our first hour who recommended crossing the large beaver dam on one of our first water crossings. We took your advice and it worked out really well!
The challenge of our trip was two-fold: firstly the rain & cold - my first time trekking in either rain & cold. My tent leaks - will be getting a new two-man tent for out next foray into the bush! Secondly, all of the quaint, pleasant, little streams and creeks I have crossed many a-time, were non-existent. There were countless torrents, rapids, water falls and really fast, dangerous currents. This was the first week of the delayed opening and it had already been raining for several days before we went in. While we were able to go in across the Oxbow floodplain easily, coming out, after raining 4 out 6 days, meant wading through 3 feet of icy cold waters for the last 150m of our trip. We didn't mind a bit - we'd been soaked head-to-toe for six days straight! I would have crossed anything in my way, at that point to get to my car!
The single biggest risk my dog & I faced all week was hypothermia. I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your core warm! Take more dry clothes than you think you need. And TEST YOUR TENT in the rainy seaon BEFORE your life depends on it. Our last night, with literal rivers of water running through out tent, all clothes, but the last set on my body soaked, sleeping bag soaked, all equipment soaked - I broke out the emergency heat-reflecting blanket and turned my nalgene into a hot water bottle, my dog & I huddled together and shivered our way through till dawn. I know I made many mistakes, and I have learned a lot from this trip and thought I'd share a bit with you folks.
One of the things I have learned is: yes, I can backpack in cold rain, and even subzero temps and snow overnight; I've done it; and at 49 I am ready to pick a warmer, sunnier week, next time.
Last edited by ManandhisDog (5/07/2017 9:25 am)