Black Bear on the Mountain

After spending a night in Kagan Bay on the south part of Graham island we decided to hike on the Sleeping Beauty trail to the peak of Mount Raymond. On our way into the Skidegate terminal on the ferry we could see the snow-capped mountains and hoped for a clear day to hike up and get a view of this part of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands).

We were blessed this day with some sunshine and drove to the trailhead about 12 km’s outside of Queen Charlotte. The trail crossed a mountain stream and climbed through a clear-cut into a mature forest of Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock and Red cedar. It was a steep hike that climbed about 2500 feet in two kilometres. It was amazing to see the trails of the Sitka Black tail Deer moving up, down and through this steep and rugged terrain. Moss and lichen clung to the trees and the occasional view through the trees over the Skidagate channel dividing Graham and Moresby islands was amazing. It brought back many mountain adventures to my mind as we looked ‘down on the clouds’ in the valley below.

Soon enough we moved into the sub-alpine and also into the snow. What a feeling to hike into this kind of environment! We scrambled through the snow and climbed higher along the ridge towards the top of Mt. Raymond. There was a Marten who was using this same trail, bounding along in its classic loping pattern.

Just before we reached the top we came upon some fresh bear tracks and were super stoked at this discovery.

The Black bear (of which the Queen Charlottes have one of the largest subspecies) came up a steep valley and proceeded to the peak to have a look around. There were some great tracks in the snow and it felt good to see this animal in my ‘minds-eye’ as it moved through this rugged and wild environment.

Ravens circled and called overhead as we gazed towards the mountains in the western distance and the ocean below to the east. It was a special feeling and a sacred moment to feel the land from this mountain perch. I was thankful to be alive and thankful to be in this place. The traditional homeland of the Haida Nation here on Haida Gwaii. The journey continues………

The Inside Passage

The Ferry ride from Port McNeil to Prince Rupert took 23 hours and covered roughly 274 nautical miles. It was an amazing trip through the inside passage through some of the most beautiful and remote forests on the planet. Made me yearn for a kayak and the time to explore and get to know this area on a more intimate level. Talking with some of the Native people on the boat about their homeland was inspiring and informative. You could spend many life times paddling these countless bays and coves and walking ‘softly’ through these magical forests.

As we past Princess Royal Island I wondered where the closest ‘Spirit’ or Kermode bear was hanging out? A rare white form of the American black bear that lives in these coastal forests. I hope to come back here in the future and paddle these waters and perhaps one day guide wildlife viewing trips in this special and sacred area.
Beside the ferry the white sided Dolphins jumped and swan in their fun and playful manner. They seemed to be heading towards the boat from all directions. We watched as a Sea Lion surfaced for a look at the us as we passed. Was this a Stellars or a Californian Sea Lion I wondered? One of the highlights was seeing two Killer Whales heading towards the boat as they surfaced and flashed their dorsal fins and part of their bodies out of the water.

After a two hour layover in Prince Rupert we left on the same boat for the Queen Charlotte islands. This was a 7 hour passage and roughly 90 nautical miles. The Hecate straight separates the mainland from Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and is notorious for its windy and rough waters. Our sailing was relatively uneventful, but we were blessed with some amazing sunshine on the crossing. By the time we reached Skidegate on the southern part of Graham island we were ready to set foot on solid land and begin the next part of our west coast adventure. We had spent 30 hours on the water and covered a whole lot of ocean. We also managed to dry out all of our wet gear on the boat ride and it felt good to be heading out again dry and refreshed. How long things would stay dry was another question?

Vancouver and Gabriola Islands

Well, we’ve been out west for a month now and I have to admit that island life has been really great. “Slow Down, you’re not on the mainland” pretty well describes the pace here on these west coast islands. I chuckled as I read this on a bumper sticker on Gabriola island.

As you may know November is a wet time here as storms continuously roll off of the pacific. Fortunately, much of the rain has been falling at night, and the days have been relatively ‘down-pour’free.







On Vancouver Island we spent a few days hiking around Telegraph and Bauza coves.
There were beautiful forests of Red Cedar and Western Hemlock backed by the Pacific Ocean. Majestic trees, towering into the sky on these steep hillsides. In the spring and summer months this is a great place to watch migrating whales. We also spent a few days in the Marble River area.

The forest here had a great feel as we camped beside the Marble River and watched salmon spawn in the clean, cold waters.

There were great bear trails following the river. You could see the worn compressions in the thick moss telling of countless passages. You get a certain feel come over you as you walk and crawl down the ‘trails of the bear’. Observing and feeling the difference between these trails and the trails of the deer moving through the same area. There are certain characteristics that help to help tell these two trail patterns apart. What do you think some of differences are?

Before long it was time to board the ferry for the Inside Passage journey to Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands, the next part of our adventure. Just before leaving to head north we ‘bumped’ into a friend from ‘back east’ in the middle of nowhere and went back to their camp to ‘check the crab trap’. No crab, but their was a huge starfish in the 25+ pound range! Our last evening we spent singing and dancing with some ‘displaced’ Newfoundlanders (and other locals) we had just met. A little bit of the east coast spirit and hospitality right here on Vancouver Island! We had a blast until the ‘we hours of the morning…..and then got on the ferry in the middle of the night to head north!

Cross Canada Adventure

It has been 5 days since we left Ontario and have just arrived in Whistler.

Travelling across the country is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. As you move from east to west you travel through so many varied and beautiful landscapes. The rugged and rocky splendour of the north shore of lake Superior is one of my favourite places to visit. As you move west you get into the flatlands and rolling hills of the prairies. Big Sky Country! The excitement builds as you see the foothills approaching with the Rocky mountains looming in the background. The energy shifts as you enter these majestic mountains. Travelling through the various mtn. ranges as you move toward the Pacific Ocean is always exciting for me. I love to look for the subtle and not so subtle clues that define these various strains of western mountains.

I’m looking forward to settling in to life here on the west coast. Slowing down to the ‘pace of creation’ and listening to the subtle voices of nature and spirit. This trip has a lot to do with deepening my relationship to the earth and re-connecting to my Vision as it continues to grow and evolve. Earth Tracks has come a long way in the past year and we have many new and exciting plans for the coming year. Who knows, perhaps a B.C. adventure may be in the cards?

For more photos visit the Earth Tracks Facebook site @ http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61909&id=9304677737

In Light

Alexis

Earth Tracks Update

Hello Everyone

Just wanted to let you know that I'm currently working on next years schedule and will be finalizing dates and locations in the next couple months. I'll be posting the 2009 calender here and on the website by the New Year.

We have some exciting programs planned including the 2nd spring 'Edible and Medicinal Plants' class in May at two different locations, 'The Way of the Naturalist Class', 'The Art of Survival' as well as many new and exciting Naturalist-led canoe trips. I'm very excited to offer these programs and look forward to sharing this information with as many people as possible. I'm currently collaborating with other schools and organizations who share a similar Vision and hoping to work together in helping people re-connect to the Earth. We also have a couple new classes and canoe trips planned, so be sure to keep an eye out for these offerings.

I'll be spending most of my winter near Algonquin Park and look forward to the solitude and stillness that this area has to offer during the 'snow-covered' months. I would like to let you know that I'll be teaching a Winter Tracking class from February 6-9th at Northern Edge Algonquin. It promises to be a great experience full of information and practical experience http://www.northernedgealgonquin.com/wilderness-arts.html . I'm also going to be co-leading a Buckskin Tanning workshop near the Orangeville area January 23-26th. If you are interested in either of these two classes please get in touch with me for further info. earthtracks@gmail.com

Our Canoeing season has wrapped up now and many of the leaves have fallen from the trees. The salmon have mostly spawned in the rivers here in Grey County and the fall breeze is beginning to carry a 'bite'. Cool nights and frosty morning remind us that winter is just around the corner. The Deer are beginning to move into the 'rut' and we have been blessed with incredible weather. It is at this time that we prepare for the coming winter. As I write this I'm getting ready to leave tomorrow for a trip west to B.C. I'm going to try to upload some photos of our cross-Canada adventure on our Earth Tracks Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meaford-ON/Earth-Tracks/9304677737 as well as on this blog. We'll be spending some time on Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, Smithers/Prince Rupert areas and the West Kootenays. Looking forward to exploring new places and re-visiting old ones. I send my best to you all at this beautiful time of year and hope that our paths will cross again sooner than later.

Happy Tracking

Alexis

End of the Season

As the leaves turn thier brillant shades of red, orange and yellow our canoeing season has also come to a close. Our last two trips just came in yesterday and we bid godbye to another season as the leaves slowly fall from the trees. It is a beautiful time in Algonquin Park right now and I feel lucky and forunate to have spent the majority of my summer paddling and sleeping under the stars in this sacred place. There is still time to do some paddling on my own and take in the remaining colours before they slowly fade away. I look forward to the solitude of winter in order to continue to connect with the beauty of this land and get ready for another new and exciting season of paddling. Keep an eye on the website in the coming months to see some of the nclasses and trips we will be offering in 2009!

Magnetewan River

I just returned home from a shorth trip down the Magnetewan River where I paddled to look at a property that I have just purchased. The Mag is a beautiful river with lots of good moving water and with the 'still-high' waters many of the sets are more than navigatable by canoe. Here's a few photos of the river and and parts of my new property. There were many signs and sightings of various wildlife including Black Bear, Moose, Deer. Otter, Beaver, Great Blue Herons, etc..... I fall deeper and deeper in love with this area each time I venture through it. What a special place!