We are climbing the summit of Nimbus Tower, deep in the heart of the Purcell Mountains. I'm clinging to the rock face, 2,500 feet from the bottom of the valley. In a calm, reassuring voice, our hiking guide, Carl Trescher, reminds me to trust my boots.
"I can't . I can't do it" is what I keep thinking. Panic was setting in.
I have wide feet and all I could see to dig my hiking boot into is about a quarter-inch of rock, if that. Was Carl kidding me?
Yet, on his urging, I nudged my boot in and reached for the Via Ferrata metal rung above me. A few minutes later, I reached the summit. I looked down at the breathtaking alpine scenery below me and felt sheer exhilaration.
That wasn't going to be the last time on this magnificent heli-hiking adventure with Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) that I would have to overcome my misgivings.
Our journey began a few days earlier in Banff, Alberta.
We boarded busses in Banff with a group of about 80 adventurers - half of which were headed the Bobbie Burns Lodge and the other group at the Bugaboo Lodge, both run by CMH.
At the end of our two-and-ahalf-hour bus journey, we crossed the Columbia River and arrived at the helicopter landing site. We were now in B.C.'s Columbia Mountains in the Purcell Range. Our tour guide told us CMH has access to an area almost half the size of Switzerland offering some of the best wilderness hiking in the province.
In a matter of minutes, we were introduced to our pilot and strapped in as we listened to the awesome power and noise coming from the rotating blades of the Bell 212 helicopter. There is no experience quite like that of the whirl of the rotors and the deafening sound of the motor as we lifted off the ground. It took the helicopter about 12 minutes, through some of the most breathtaking mountain ranges and awesome peaks of the Columbia Mountains in Southeastern B.C., to reach our destination.
Our home for three nights was the remote Bobbie Burns Lodge, sandwiched between the Purcell foothills and Vertigo Ridge. From our comfortable lodgings, we would head out each day and hike both the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges.
After we checked out our room, we met the rest of our fellow thrill seekers and guides for a short, but important safety briefing about how to stay safe around the helicopter.
Then, we were outfitted with our gear - hiking boots, waterproof pants, wind jacket, gloves and backpack. Then, it was off to lunch.
That day, we took part in a short, four-hour hike. It was the guides' way of assessing our skills.
It was our second day out, when Dennis and I, and a group of 10 other brave souls, took part in the via ferrata hike.
Via Ferrata, meaning iron path in Italian, a mountain route with ladders, bridges and a series of metal cables and iron rungs fixed into the stone, led us through our day of mountaineering. Bright and early, the helicopter landed and we jumped out making sure to stay low in a crouched position, huddled together until the chopper lifted off. Within seconds, the sound of the helicopter disappeared and we were left in the wilderness solitude to begin our adventure. We seemed so small in this immense landscape.
Our group hiked to the first cable; we put on our harness and carabineers that were our life lines as we scaled the cliffs. As the sun shone more brightly and our pulse began to rise, we started our assent. As we climbed to the first summit, our guide warned that "if you do not like heights, look to the right." Of course I had to look left over the 2,000 foot sheer drop to the rocks below!
A few hours later, we were stepping onto the 100-foot long plankand-cable suspension bridge. For a few in our group, this is where fear reared its ugly head, but we all make it across safely, feeling pretty satisfied once again.
Many of us looked up at the Nimbus Tower peak, which is 8,700 feet above the valley floor and asked Carl once again if we are really going to climb "that crest?"
The peak is said to be the highest point along Canada's first fully operational via ferrata. At last we reached the zenith and were rewarded with spectacular views of jagged peaks and glaciers all around us.
But, as the saying goes, "what goes up, must come down!"
Time enough for a quick lunch and then we clipped on for the trek down, which included a 180 foot rappel to the snow ledge below.
The descent is invariably the most difficult stage of mountaineering, and not being able to see where you are placing your feet as you inch downward demands your constant attention.
In all, we climbed 2,000 feet in elevation that day. We experienced at least 10 helicopter rides over the three days, each one offering us unparallel views of verdant meadows, incredible summits, wildlife, snowcapped peaks and crystal clear alpine lakes.
After listening to thunder and lighting all night, the third day dawned bright and sunny. Our guide Sylvie took us on a less challenging, but nonetheless, beautiful hike starting at Vowell Creek. Our final destination that day was a forested trail which led us to a swinging bridge where we zip lined over raging waterfalls, on lines 100 to 650 feet long. What a way to finish a glorious day of hiking!
Meanwhile, after each day spent in the fresh air, we were treated to the culinary talents of executive chef David Weslowsky (For many years, he headed the kitchen at the famed Sooke Harbour House).
Weslowsky served up unforgettable meals that featured some of the finest and freshest of the Pacific Northwest seafood, produce and fruits. Then, the Swiss-trained pastry chef tempted us every day with fresh baked breads, cookies and sinfully delicious desserts. Suffice to say, we never went hungry.
As we left on our last day, I looked around, contemplated what I had just experienced. I will never forget the sheer beauty of this untamed back country land where I unleashed my inner dare devil!
For more information, go to www.cmhsummer.com.
mhopkins@richmond-news.com
