Rob-n-Hild, oot and aboot eh? Sorry - 2022

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Revelstoke

Breakfast was a bit late (8 am) this morning (a small lie-in). We started on our hiking around Mount Revelstoke National Park by stepping 3 metres behind our Micropod where the trail system starts! Luxury. The lower mountain trail network has lots of interpretive signs to keep us informed - including with questions which are revealed by a "hidden" poster. Pretty neat.

We learnt a lot, and in particular we got an explanation for the mysterious "snow" we spotted in Penticton. No, it was not snow in June and it was not dandelion seeds. Yes, it was cottonwood seeds floating through the air!

We also learnt that Douglas-fir cones have bracts that are longer than its scales. They even describe the bracts as looking like the hind legs and tail of a small mouse sticking out!!

And then there was the white-pine needles that always grow in fives. Just as important we are trying to memorize all the other trees like Alders with pointy leaves and spruce trees having been attacked by gall agdelide (a kind of aphid).

We were also asked to wipe our feet on a brush-contraption to stop invasive plants from spreading between parks. It brought back memories for Hild as we had these at home in Norway - at least in the olden days...

The first goal on our walk was to climb up the historic site of the first ski jump in Revelstoke. It was Nels Nelsen (immigrant from Norway) who spear-headed the efforts to build and use the ski jump. There were lots of information posters that kept us amused the entire huffing and puffing route up the hill.

They celegrated Nelsen's 57 metre record in 1916, Isabel Coursier jumped 23 metre for women's record jump in 1923, and Bob Lymbourne jumping 88 metres in 1993. Nelsen broke and held the world record many times until 1932.

Click here for more information.

The information posters were fun and shaped like old newspapers. Sometimes the old-style adverts in the posters were just as much fun as the facts about ski jumping.

As we all know, Hild is a bit of a wimp when it comes to heights, so she did not look as committed as Rob when posing as a ski jumper at the top. It is a fun art installation called "Nels' Knickers".

On our way back towards the campsite, we took the eastern route of the trail loop. We came past an area where, what looked like, a violent storm had knocked over many many trees. Roots were sticking up on the left and right of us. Some trees were quite small while others were so tall and seemed to be going on until out-of-sight!

At the end of what they called the "Soren Sorensen Trail", we completed the Inspiration Point Trail. It was just a fun loop to walk, and we fear that some people we met will be disappointed because they asked what the lake at the end was like? Well we didn't see a lake so we hope they aren't still out there looking for it!.

The trail was fun with nice creeks flowing fast in several places. Very photogenic.

The ground was quite uneven with lots of tripping-hazards (i.e. tree roots sticking up to catch your feet). As a result we spotted many interesting things on the trees and on the forest floor. This was the day for micro-tourism for people living in Microcube!

Below are two collections: One with many different types of lichen and mosses, and one with many different kinds of mushrooms. We have no knowledge in this area so we are not even attempting to identify any of them. Just marvelling at their shapes and colours.

After lunch we decided to drive towards the Mount Revelstoke Summit. The staff had already told us there is snow at the top, and the road is only open half-way up to Balsam Lake at 1,835 metres. As you can see on the map below, there was alot of switch-backs, just like down to and up from Dalen in Telemark, Norway. The road surface was very good here, compared to Dalen so we (and Mary Jane) were happy. The altitude profile included below shows how we ascended from 600 to 1,100 metres and back down again. Huge fun!

The estimate we were given is that the road will be open all the way to the summit some time in July. One could then walk the 20 km return from Revelstock downtown to the summit. From the summit one can also add another 12 to 20 km return hikes to various lakes. Hmmmmm maybe next time!

Instead we took some view photos from the turn-around point at 1,100, and stopped to hike in to Broken Bridge. We were instructed to not try to cross the bridge because it is infact broken and has only been left there because it is photogenic.

After hiking through the fog and snowlined trail, we arrived at the bridge. Yes, we agree that it is broken. We did not attempt to cross it!

Back at the campsite we enjoyed some time putting together photos and text for today. Rob also did some work and we booked accommodation for some future days including in Grasslands National Park before they get snaffled up.

Rob also cooked dinner. It has been a day of cooking all three meals on our Trangia camping stove: Porridge for breakfast, scrambled eggs for lunch, and RiceARoni for dinner, with pancakes for afters.

Before departure tomororw, we would like to add that we love our Microcube and also the common facilities are great and new (2 years old they tell us). The dish-washing area is spacious and coverd so one can do the dishes while it is raining. We wish that was so in Riding Mountain in Manitoba. We also enjoyed the toilet block and sinks for brushing teeth etc. What we don't quite understand is what the other facilities were for: they have mirrors, a bench, and a desk-like feature. Not many people sit here to put on make-up, and a baby would just slide off it so it can't be a changing table. At least many guests were using it to sit and mind their phones and gadgets while they were charging. Maybe that was their intended use. We are just very lucky to have power outlets in our Microcube.

May/June 2022

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