Winter trip

[Fantom]

Looks like I will be finishing university around the 20th of December. I'm looking at doing some maintenance work on the truck before Christmas and then want to do a trip out right after Christmas. Not sure for how long but a week or so would be nice, spend New Years out in the bush. Depending on the conditions we have I will likely be looking at lower elevation and in dryer areas where there's less snow.
First place that comes to mind is of course Churn Creek and Gang Ranch area. They don't have much of a snow fall there (usually under a foot most winters). Heading west out of there into Gaspard FSR (and even possibly to Gaspard lake) is usually not too bad either. Of course the usual return for a trip like that of Mud lakes is out of the question due to the likely snow fall at higher elevations. I'm open to other suggestions (not into the US though, don't feel like heading there).
Idea of the trip is a light duty, relaxed trip (as relaxing as snow wheeling can be ) with a bit of a focus on trying to get some wildlife and night-time star photography. The plains around the Gang Ranch area have a fair bit of animal traffic around that time of year. The animals get a bit more desperate for food and take larger risks so chances of spotting them are better.
Rob H. has already mentioned he'd join me for a couple days, anyone else interested?
I've got chains for all 4 wheels but no electric winch up front (which does suck, but not enough time to mount one). I do have a hand winch though.
I'm open to suggestions for other destinations especially anything that has either nice scenery or wildlife and is accessible during winter months.
storm's East, I'm going West by fantomdesigns, on Flickr
this was above Gang Ranch in February a couple years back
temp home by fantomdesigns, on Flickr
This was Nahatlatch on that same trip. Didn't have too much snow by the lake.

 

[toynut]

BRRR ! Gang ranch sounds nice, I have camped up there in November and remember it being nasty, and that was sleeping off the ground in a walled tent with a barrel stove in it. I doubt you'll need a winch , if the snow is that wet and deep common sense will hopeful turn you around before you get into a predicament requiring one , still a good investment . a jack all can get you out of a lot of s***ty spots !

 

[Fantom]

Oh I have a winch, it's just attached to the truck that doesn't really work anymore

 

[sailor]

Dude- You really need to get that Pardon....

 

[Tmax]

i'm probably doing a couple of winter camping trips soon. tested out the camper heater this weekend and its mint.

 

[Fantom]

any ideas as to destinations?

 

[wrongway around]

Kelowna area?

 

[Fantom]

Down below it's not bad but most of those areas are inhabited. As soon as you get out of Kelowna it climbs up and you get into the mountains. I've explored a little east of there many years ago during the winter and summer and it wasn't too bad but it all very much depends on how the winter weather performs this year. Gang Ranch is always good for lack of snow but it's a bit of a drive and there isn't a way out of there. It would be nice to find something a bit closer.

 

[sailor]

s*** fly to Maui, rent a mini van, sleep in it on the beach. Done.

 

[wrongway around]

Ya got to admit im usually toyhauler base camp fishin in the new year. Not exactly roughing it out in the snow.

 

[Fantom]

Well I'm going to be done with school so I want to enjoy being out in the wild for a bit to get rid of the city vibe and I don't mind the cold. Also, I'm being cheap so I don't feel like paying for a flight and a vehicle, and I like camping, regardless of weather. If that's ok with you Graham
One of the guys suggested the flats around Osoyoos. Will look into that, it's a nice area.

 

[AJAEbj42]

Mostly private land east of Osoyoos, but you might get into some lower elevation lakes near Oliver, i.e. west of Osoyoos. The Ashnola would be OK too, not a lot of snow in the Similkameen.

 

[sailor]

Lol- Good Luck! Take lots of your typically excellent photos....

 

[wrongway around]

New years at Glenn's? Kill atleast three birds with one stone.

 

[Tmax]

any ideas as to destinations?

nothing far actualy as there is no one around this time of year. usually i hit harrison but this year will be going to elaho valley and hahatlach as i'll be also looking for/hunting wolfs.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

There is no where in Canada to camp outside even remotely comfortably in December. At -20 C, even if you have the world's greatest sleeping bag, at some point - you have to get out to pee.

Being cold all day sucks.

The only place I would go is southern Arizona or California - low cost diesel, food - lots of great wheeling and comfortable night temps.

PS: You can camp in my shop with your RTT extended - night time lows are 65F

 

[Fantom]

Well luckily I have a sleeping bag rated for -40 and really good bladder control
I'll give you a call when in the area.
I was in Nahatlatch in february a while back and it was beautiful. I'll likely pop by there and hang out for a day or so.
Sass, out of curiosity, why hunt for wolves? That's like eating a dog ...if I was starving sure, but if I have choice I'd pass. How is the meat?

 

[Tmax]

Well luckily I have a sleeping bag rated for -40 and really good bladder control
I'll give you a call when in the area.
I was in Nahatlatch in february a while back and it was beautiful. I'll likely pop by there and hang out for a day or so.
Sass, out of curiosity, why hunt for wolves? That's like eating a dog ...if I was starving sure, but if I have choice I'd pass. How is the meat?

that is a good question. they are extremely inteligent animals. sort of like a bunch of huskies or sheperds. you can not eat them as they are very dirty animals. hell you should not even toch the hide till its taned. sounds like a stupid idea all around. however in the conservation point of view, they fxxx everything up. the kill many other game and they have no natural enemies. for every wolf you kill, you ill probably save 10 other animals. becuase of this, wolf is the only species that does not require purchase of a hunting tag. in some areas there is even no limit on how many you can kill. with all this said, i have my own reservations. however would be awesome to just watch a pack doing what they do. pulling the triger is optional.

 

[Fantom]

Well it is a bit of a side track but part of this trip is meant to be able to do some wildlife viewing and observation ...and it's my thread . So...
In Europe, especially during communism people would hunt for wolf as food, to the point of almost causing the wolf population in the northern and eastern parts of Russia to almost extinction. Ironically Chernobyl has been a blessing for the wolf population as it allowed them to recover in numbers due to the lack of people. The radiation poisoning on the other hand is a different issue and has degraded their lifespan, but at least their numbers are up.
Do you know any figures on the wolf population in BC? I would love to observe a pack hunt. They are very intelligent and social creatures with a very interesting social structure. With any luck I'll get a chance to use the 500mm lens and get some nice shots that way ...I'll still bring the .308 though just in case...

 

[BC40]

that is a good question. they are extremely inteligent animals. sort of like a bunch of huskies or sheperds. you can not eat them as they are very dirty animals. hell you should not even toch the hide till its taned. sounds like a stupid idea all around. however in the conservation point of view, they **** everything up. the kill many other game and they have no natural enemies. for every wolf you kill, you ill probably save 10 other animals. becuase of this, wolf is the only species that does not require purchase of a hunting tag. in some areas there is even no limit on how many you can kill. with all this said, i have my own reservations. however would be awesome to just watch a pack doing what they do. pulling the triger is optional.

Wolves are very intelligent and careful. Even with very liberal seasons hunters don't have any real effect on wolf numbers. Like most dogs they don't know when to stop eating and are very damaging to deer/elk/moose/caribou populations everywhere they go, they are a very effective predator, and they are multiplying/spreading.

We saw wolves winter camping at Nahatlatch a few years back. Likely they ate everything they could in that valley and moved on, but good luck on your search anyways. They do recommend wearing gloves while handling if you are lucky.