14411 Sheep-Bullion Plateau - 1982
Kluane National Park - pronounced Kloo-Wah-Nee - in Canada's Yukon, is probably my favourite all-time backpacking location. Here's my hiking partner, Kluane Bonnie, taking a break above 48-Pup Creek.
In the distance is Red Castle Ridge. Below "our" hill is a deep creek drainage, where waters flow (right to left) from the green plateau and high ridges surrounding it. That's Sheep Creek, and our hike started way down there, to the left, out of the frame. 48-Pup is a tributary creek not visible here, but it's just to the left. At this elevation there were no more trails, and we were following one of those nonexistent trails up Sheep Mountain, which is directly behind me in (or out of) this photo.
It was a splendid, sunny day in August. Rain and fog would move in that night, but at least we were able to pitch the tent when everything was dry. That is so much more pleasant than doing it in the pouring rain. Make a dry camp and then with only a few housekeeping rules you can keep the interior and all your gear dry.
Wildlife that day included lots of Dall Sheep and one Grizzly. We saw the big bear ambling up a slope we had just vacated, about 200 yards away. It was pursuing its bear interests, which did not include us.
You can see another use for the ice axe here - a prop for my pack...
More to come from this amazing place!
Photographed in Kluane National Park, Yukon (Canada); scanned from the original Kodachrome 64 slide. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©1982 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
14411 Sheep-Bullion Plateau - 1982
Kluane National Park - pronounced Kloo-Wah-Nee - in Canada's Yukon, is probably my favourite all-time backpacking location. Here's my hiking partner, Kluane Bonnie, taking a break above 48-Pup Creek.
In the distance is Red Castle Ridge. Below "our" hill is a deep creek drainage, where waters flow (right to left) from the green plateau and high ridges surrounding it. That's Sheep Creek, and our hike started way down there, to the left, out of the frame. 48-Pup is a tributary creek not visible here, but it's just to the left. At this elevation there were no more trails, and we were following one of those nonexistent trails up Sheep Mountain, which is directly behind me in (or out of) this photo.
It was a splendid, sunny day in August. Rain and fog would move in that night, but at least we were able to pitch the tent when everything was dry. That is so much more pleasant than doing it in the pouring rain. Make a dry camp and then with only a few housekeeping rules you can keep the interior and all your gear dry.
Wildlife that day included lots of Dall Sheep and one Grizzly. We saw the big bear ambling up a slope we had just vacated, about 200 yards away. It was pursuing its bear interests, which did not include us.
You can see another use for the ice axe here - a prop for my pack...
More to come from this amazing place!
Photographed in Kluane National Park, Yukon (Canada); scanned from the original Kodachrome 64 slide. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©1982 James R. Page - all rights reserved.