Cheam Hike anyone??

[Dave]

Late notice but I am thinking of hiking up Cheam again tomorrow in search of ptarmigan (Saturday - 26th) I have the vehicle. Anyone interested? Give me a call (604-794-9986) I am thinking of an early start.

Dave

[Deleted]

Hey, Dave, I would have been interested, but I was in Vancouver all day yesterday for meetings, finished up some work late at the office after returning, and didn't look at this list until now (9:30 Saturday morning). You've probably left behind the shade of Lady Peak and are heading up the switchbacks by now.

Some of us from Abbotsford have been considering going, but it depends on the availability of a vehicle through one of the group and there's nothing definite on that yet.

Do you think you might go next weekend by any chance? With a bit more lead time I might be able to get a couple of guys together.

Also, a weekday, maybe Thursday or Friday, might be possible for one or two of us. Is that a possibility for you? How many passengers can you take?

Fair warning, we are not young fellers anymore, so we would not be setting a blistering pace, which might be frustrating for you if you are young and fit. We have agreed we'd probably need an early start just to ensure we could make it up there.

When you say early, what time would you be leaving Chilliwack?

Thanks,

Stan

[Dave]

Stan,

This coming week is booked solid for me, but Labour Day is open.

Early is leaving Chilliwack at 5-6ish.

Do not worry about being in shape as birding/hiking automatically leads to a slower paced hike. I am sure that making it to the ptarmigan should not be a problem.

My truck easily fits 4, comfortably seats 5, tightly fits 6, and illegally fits more. Considering we are not on a highway, I would prefer going with 4 or 5.

Keep in touch,

Dave

[Deleted]

Thanks, Dave.

I'll check around and see what interest there is for Labour Day.

Did you go today? If so, did you find any ptarmigan?

Stan

[Deleted]

Dave, I emailed about 5 friends to see who's interested. I have one "yes" already, so that's two including me. I'll let you know how many more I get.

Stan

[tmanson]

Dave: I probably would be up for another go next Weekend if there is room. Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B. C

[tmanson]

Dave: Forgot to mention I am leaving this morning for Whistler for a few days, so I will be out of communication until Wednesday, but, like I said, I would be interested in a Cheam trip next weekend if there is room. thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Deleted]

Dave, I now have two 'yes' replies (three including myself), but I don't know how many more I might get. It would be great to have Thor along too.

Stan

[b1schmor]

Hi Guys, two more (my wife Carolynn and I)would be interested in a look for the Ptarmigans on Labour Day.

Please, let me know if there is room.

Thanks
Brent Schmor
Abbotsford

[Deleted]

Well, does anyone else have a suitable vehicle that they could take up on Labour Day? I have three replies now out of the six inquiries I sent out, all a "yes," plus myself, and there are Thor, Brent and Carolynn also. That makes seven of us. It would be a shame to have to turn anyone away. Let's hope another vehicle will be available.

Stay tuned, everyone, and keep your fingers crossed.

Stan

[Dave]

Wow! This is turning out to be a complete and thorough ptarmigan excursion. 8 people looking for ptarmigan. I think we should come back successful .

Let's count on 5 people in my truck, that leaves at least 3 for another vehicle. Rake your brains. We have 7 days to come up with something.

If someone has a vehicle that they don't like, you could take it most of the way up the mountain, and I would drive back down to give you a lift the rest of the way. Maybe Gord knows best how far certain vehicles would make it.

I do have a birding friend with a truck similar to mine, but he is out of town. I will call him right away when he gets back this week.

If anyone has those motorola 2-way handsets/walkie-talkies...bring them along. I have 2 and they are are worth alot when some of us find ptarmigan and others don't. It sure beats yelling across the mountain.

I am in favor of an early start (leaving CHWK 5-530ish), as we will want to be up the mountain before the holiday crowds arrive (especially if it is a beautiful day). We could be back in CHWK by mid-afternoon.

Perhaps it is best if you send me a personal message with your phone # in case something changes/I need to confirm/etc.

We will find a meeting location closer to next Monday.

Looking forward to the trip,

Dave

[Gord]

I think a vehicle like a Pathfinder or similar SUV could make it about 3/4 of the way, but near the end there is two steep sections with deep ruts with exposed bedrock sticking up. Happily, there is a wide area of road at the base of this area where vehicles could park and walk or be picked up with a vehicle with more clearance.

Too bad I cant make it.

[JeffOver]

I'd like to hop on the bus for the ptarmigan trip too. However, since I'm one of the last ones to sign up, I can also be the first one not to go if there's no room. Don't feel bad if you need to exclude me. After all, I might just have to share somebody's bincoculars! (I forgot them on a birding trip to Manning on Saturday!)
--Jeff

[Deleted]

Well, I just heard from another friend and he too wants to go. That's five responses out of six, and four of them are positive. With me, that makes five people. There's still one more to hear from.

I thought there'd be maybe three at most! Add in Thor, Brent and Carolynn, and you, Dave, and we have 9 and possibly 10 people.

So let's hope we can find another vehicle. One of the guys has a small pickup that I think should be able to make it up part way, as you suggest, but it will only take three people, so that would still leave us short.

I agree, we need to start early so the crowds haven't driven away any ptarmigan that might be near the trail before we get there. And Labour Day is the day the crowds will be there, for sure.

One of my friends has a pair of those radios, so that should help.

Gord, you can access our personal profiles, can't you? Can you send Dave a personal email with my email and phone number, and send me one with his? That would give us an option to get hold of each other quickly if necessary.

Thanks,

Stan

[Deleted]

Since I started my last message I see Jeff is now also on the list. Forgetting your binos is a wonderfully useful thing to do Jeff. I can tell you from experience that you don't have to worry about doing it again for some time.

I asked my son if he has any friends with 4x4's but he doesn't. I'll just have to go out and buy a truck.

Let's keep looking.

Stan