Alpine Adventure

at the staging area awaiting the morning flights up
M. Koleszar

Not many things top mountain flying in a Hughes 500 with an aviator who knows his business!
– A. Bryant

The older I get, the more I become impressed by the shortening of landing strips and maintenance yards
– D. Bedry

our “home base” for the day was the rock sheet between the helicopter and the lake shore
M. Koleszar

When we suggested “wear appropriate headgear”…we had no idea of your creative variations. And yes the mosquitos were bad at times
– D. Bedry

It was very much a “to each their own” kind of trip
– D. Bedry

This is a juvenile American Pipit Anthus rubescens. Formerly known as the Water Pipit, this is one of those dull brown birds that are rarely seen. Despite a lifetime in the mountains, this was pretty special
– A. Bryant

M. Koleszar

several small alpine ferns were found near the lake
M. Koleszar

Mt Overlook: the highest point of the Triple Peaks ridge – 1975 metres
M. Koleszar

penstemon and saxifrage hugging the ground!
M. Koleszar

Pink Mountain Heather highlighted against granitic rocks
M. Koleszar

an alpine pond set against the Triple Peaks ridge
M. Koleszar

many Saxifrage were still in full flower
M. Koleszar

This is a krummholz (literallly ‘twisted wood’ in German) Mountain Hemlock that is likely hundreds of years old
– D. Bedry

A family of White-tailed Ptarmigan strolled by for a brief visit
– A. Bryant

White Mountain Heather was one of several kinds of wildflowers found
M. Koleszar

The obligatory “gang’s all here” shot
– A. Bryant

On reflection…
– A. Bryant

Alpine Adventure
by Tom Koleszar, 9 Aug 2020

On Sunday, August 9 – one day later than planned due to inclement weather – twenty Malaspina Naturalists enjoyed a helicopter field trip to the alpine country of the South Powell Divide.  Flying from the airport and from a staging area a few kilometers past the head of Goat Lake, we spent the day on a ridge by a small unnamed lake (elevation 1560m) above Carol Lake.  It was good that we waited the extra day, as the weather turned out to be wonderful!

After everyone arrived on the ridge, we spent the rest of the morning exploring the area near the lake and learning about the geology and ecology of the alpine country.  Due to the higher elevation, several kinds of wildflowers were still in evidence, and thought there wasn’t much wildlife (other than flies and mosquitoes!) some of the group did spot some Ptarmigan.  The geology included Coast Plutonic Complex diorites along with Bowen Island Group volcanic and sedimentary rocks.  There were few trees at that level – only stunted and twisted Mountain Hemlock and Yellow Cedar showing how hard life is for them up there!

After lunch, we had some free time to explore as we wished, or just relax and enjoy a beautiful alpine day.  Some hiked a bit, and some just cooled their feet in the chilly lake waters.

Special thanks go to Nancy Pezel for helping with the trip, our drivers who took folks to the staging area over many kilometers of dusty roads (John Pezel, Clive Deary, Nancy Pezel, Cal Smith, David Bedry, and Simon Goede), and also to Pilot Matt Larocque of Oceanview Helicopters for safe flying and interesting tours!