Fun, Fishing And Bad Decisions??

[PeteZahut]

I haven't posted for awhile so forgive the length.

 

Due to other committments we decided to pack a few things in at the end of July instead of the usual August. So this year was a busy one with our annual boys fishing trip followed by a quick trip to the homeland of SK and finally a weekend to camp with only myself and the wife (the kid unit was left behind in SK to have fun at the beach with the grandparents).

 

The boys fishing weekend was a blast as usual. This was our fourth year staying at Castle Mountain, I can't believe that they continue to allow us to come back. A bunch of mid to late 30s acting like teenagers. None of us felt good after that weekend. As usual we fished around the area targeting mostly South Castle and Carbondale. Not great numbers but managed a couple of real beauties on both rivers with both dries and nymphs. I caught a couple of cuttbows with serious attitudes and some definite acrobatic training. The weather was perfect and the water was a bit high and cold but very fishable. Here is a couple of pics of one from South Castle:

 

 

 

I won't bother with the report from SK, no fishing just visiting. SK is still flat and hot. Regina is still growing.

 

The end of our little vacation was spent camping at Mt.Kidd. Great campground, never been there before. We decided to camp there as it was close to the trail we wanted to hit. This was our anniversary weekend so what better way then to ditch the kid and spend some alone time. The past couple of years we have picked different things to do just the two of us. Last year was my choice where we camped at Lynx Cr and did the Barnaby hike which was outstanding. This year the wife decided she wanted to attempt the Ribbon Lake hike. So begins the bad decision, well not that bad. Reading up on the hike I found that you can bike the first 4km and hike the remainng ~7km to the falls. What a great way to reduce the time I thought. And being that I haven't ridden a bike in 15 years I thought what a great idea, let's bike up a mountain. So we rented bikes from K Lodge, great bikes by the way. Anyways, up at 5 am for some breakfast (bad decision, bran muffins...really??) and off to the trailhead. We take the bikes out of the truck and I go for a rip around the parking lot. I could immediately tell that my ass was not going to like the ride and therefore another bad decision. But we did it anyways and I absolutely enjoyed the ride. Not too steep and a really nice path. A short stop along the way to enjoy the view before completing the ride:

 

 

We made it to the falls in only a couple of hours, under 3 I think but can't really remember. We stopped here for a snack and a change of socks as I am a sweaty betty. The falls are pretty awesome:

 

 

So then started the tough part of the hike. It is a pretty steep ascent to the cliffs. We passed over a couple of interesting rock slides and then came to the chains. Not sure if you can see the little yellow sign just above the path on the side of the cliff which read "Cliff Hazard" ...no sh$t.

 

 

We made it up the first set of chains and I was not feeling too comfortable. I got halfway up the second and could not get a comfortable foot hold. No rock climbing experience mixed with stiff hiking boots left me with a very hard decision. Go for it or not. Thoughts of my little girl, getting stuck and the climb down left me with the difficult decision to stop there. Not feeling comfortable enough to move on. It was a tough decision knowing our destination was only a couple more sets of chains away. But at the end of the day one has to make a decision based on comfort and risk. Here are a couple of shots of where the decision was made and a cool shot of the climb down the first set:

 

 

 

Feeling a bit defeated I did manage to enjoy the hike down. But then came the best part of the trip, the bike ride down. I think there was a permanent grin from ear to ear as I raced my wife down, doing a slalom around the dozens of people hiking up. We were careful around corners not to hit anyone of course. I think it only took 20 minutes and don't think I peddled once. So much fun! I think I am going to buy a bike now.

 

The next day, both a bit stiff and sore butts from the seats, we spent it fishing the Highwood and Cataract. Great fish to hands at a couple of places.

 

Overall, a wonderful way to spend time with my wife on our 7 year anniversary! I consider myself the luckiest man on earth. I wonder where we will go next year???

 

A nice little vacation. I better get the running shoes dusted off for our second running of the Spartan Race in August. Perhaps another bad decision???

 

 

[SteveM]

Nice report, sweaty betty!

Thanks for sharing that; pretty sure I couldn't do that climb, either.

BTW, I forgive you for the length of the post; it's the length of time between your reports that bother me...

Feel free to grace us with yer presence more often, dude!

 

[reevesr1]

Im with Rev. Pretty sure I would have bailed on the chain climb also.

 

Great report! Heading up to some high country stuff myself this weekend-and the Castle drainage is one of my favorite places. I'm due for a trip now that I think of it...

[PeteZahut]

Thanks guys. Regardless of the results, the experience is always worth the trip.

 

Bob, I am always around but just not commenting on posts. A lot of posts got just plain ridiculous with arguments and so forth. Turned me off from posting anything.

 

Rick, I absolutely love the Castle drainage as well. Just wished I could have gotten to know the area before the fire ripped through the upper Carbondale area as I imagine that area was unreal. Good luck with your high country stuff.

[grubas]

Hey Pete I've done the chains (both directions) They are sketchy anyway you go about it.Just so you know ribbon lake is nice and all but not worth the hike if you know what I mean. lots of great water out there that doesn't mean taking your life in your own hands.

[bigalcal]

Gravity Sucks!!