Virginia Falls Day 1

Gradually the camp came to life, first Pierre who built up the fire and put water on to boil, then Sam, and then Jason, so we could find where the coffee was - in the bear lock-up. Pierre was very funny, as he stood near the fire with the smoke wafting around him he commented that the mosquitoes were non-existent. We pointed out that wreathed in smoke as he was it was no surprise...!

Breakfast was really good, egg frittata baked in the dutch oven with toast, honey, and coffee. Then we had to move our tent, and finally we were ready for the day’s hike.

We headed across the river in the canoes (one false move would send us over the falls… assuming we were really terrible swimmers) and started on the Sunblood Mountain trail, 8.5 km trail, 900 m elevation to the peak. The first hour or so was through the black spruce and spagnum moss and quite tough going, then we headed up the scree which at least was in a straight line. It started to rain quite a bit, which actually was quite welcome because it kept us cool, then up the ridge, parts of which were pretty steep. We had lunch an hour or so shy of the summit when it had stopped raining, a tasty quinoa salad with bread and cheese.

Near the top we saw two sheep basking in a rocky ledge some distance away.

Finally at about 4 pm we summited and the views were spectacular!  We could see up the Nahanni for several miles, a big slow meandering river, and downriver as far as a four days in the canoe. Fantastic mountains in all directions, what country!  The sky was forever shifting, from sunny patches to dark clouds, but always magnificent.

We headed down, I was getting pretty tired by now as was Edyta and it was a slow haul back to the canoes. We must have arrived at about 6.30, and it was a weary bunch that paddled across the river.

Luke, bless him had cold beers, salami, cheese and tomatoes ready, very welcome!

Afterwards we both had a swim and hair wash which was magical and felt so good, then it was time for chicken curry, potatoes and green beans with some of Sam’s whiskey, followed by a cheesecake tart and coffee - delicious! 

Then time to do the journal and bed, exhausted!