So this is not my usual blog, this is a history lesson. Full disclosure, I read this story in The David Thompson Highway Hiking Guidebook so i'm taking it as gospel. But, to be honest, it does rate Vision Quest hike as a "steady climb"and my description would be "incredibly steep climb where you will question your existence" so maybe you be the judge.
In 1811 Alexander Henry, a fur trader in Rocky was going to escort fur traders from Rocky to Howse pass but in order to make the trip they had to go through Peigan territory. The Peigan were were intensifying their blockade of the fur traders' direct trade with the Kooteney. The Peigan were afraid, justifiably, that the traitors would arm the Kooteney, thereby making them more formidable enemies. When Alexander Henry left Rocky, he told the Peigan he was headed downstream, and he headed that way initially and then doubled back and headed upstream.
The travellers and dogs, that made the trip, depended on food, left by hunters that were stored in caches as they carried little to no food themselves. If the caches had been "penetrated" or hunters were unsuccessful then there would be no food for the travelers. The snow was deep, so men ran ahead on snow shoes to break trail for the dogs. One man fell in the river, and on another occasion a dog team fell through the ice. One hunter had to be left behind due to swollen knees.
There is stories of abuse, Henry wrote "I awoke my men to prepare for departure, but as they have not slept for more than two hours, fatigue was still heavy upon them. Their emotions were therefore slow; but what grieved them most was having nothing to eat before starting. This made them surly; they first quarrelled among themselves, and then gave full vent to their ill humour upon the poor dogs, which they beat most cruelly" So complete side note - those fuckers. I don't care what your situation is, that is terrible. Suddenly I am hoping for bad weather, broken bones and them getting caught. I can only hope they are reading my blog....in hell! Okay, back to the story...
They were successful with their fur trading with the Kooteney. Now to put this entire story in context, this trip happened in the middle of February when temperatures were well below zero, the distance travelled was 600 km in 11 days, with an average of 55 km per day traveled. The last day of the trip they were camped at Shunda Creek (for those of you who don't know, that's Saunders) the party left at 2 AM and arrived in Rocky at 2:30 PM on the last day which was freezing cold. They travelled 80 km that day alone....ON FOOT!!!
I bitch when there is a slight wind chill and I have to leave the house and get firewood. Ryan and I drove in the motorhome to Preachers yesterday and we were complain about the wind.... We discovered we are running low on toilet paper and we are panicking. I am concerned about the amount of ice in my cooler and whether it will keep our beer and wine at optimal temperature. I have to remember to take our steak out early and season them. We are excited about the great radio station we found. We are spending the day playing bean bags and having (hopefully) well chilled beer. We truly have no idea of the great life we lead. This story (minus the animal abuse)is such an incredible story.
But to end on a positive note, there is no animal abuse on our watch. Riggs just finished his 3 course breakfast after sleeping on the leather couch for the night. Ryan got up at 2:00am, not to start a journey,but to take the dogs out for a pee. Turk is living his best life -chasing birds and hounding Ryan to get him treats. Turks biggest complaint is the allergies he suffers from and his super short haircut! Today is a great day.
And much love to my Bestest Friends who are not having the best day. Ladies, love you so much and you are the most amazing women I know. I’m lucky to have you in my life. 💜
