Camping & Hiking - May, 2006 – Cypress Hills


In May, a number of our AdventureHers joined some like-minded women on a backpacking trip to Cypress Hills. This was organized by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to teach us the skills needed to independently camp in the wilderness. We spent 3 nights and 3 days trekking in the scenic hills of the West Block. Wild flowers were blooming everywhere on the trails. There was variable weather; sunshine, clouds and torrential rain showers that started on the third night.  
– Susan Bladyko

Enjoy reading the little bits of wisdom that Susan discovered on this adventure as you scroll through the pictures.

 
If you learn to beg correctly others in your group will give you treats such as Eat More bars and Fuzzy Peaches.

Leah feels comfortable taking the lead since no bears live in Cypress Hills.

Tucking your water proof pants into your gaiters is a bad idea as it will cause water to run into your boots...
(Bev, is that a smile or a grimace?)

No wood ticks live in Cypress Hillls (the elevation is too high for them)
However, there are two
families of mountain lions
(eek!)

(l to r: Nancy, Linda, Katryna)
You can conveniently carry snacks in a chalk bag, used for climbing, clipped to your pack shoulder strap.

(View from the Hidden Conglomerates)
Diane, Nicole, Carol and Nancy wringing out the wet things.
 
 
 
That little annoying piece of strap hanging on your trekking pole can be pulled to adjust the strap so it fits your hand size
 
Quality mother/daughter time.
(l to r: Andrea & mom, Monique)
Nancy tiptoes across one of many trickling creeks.
Diane, Katyrna & Nicole
prepare their supper.
 
Memorial to conservationist Charlie C. Blakely. The memorial sits on a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that passes through Cypress Hills.
L to r: Denise, Susan, Nancy, Leah, Diane and Linda.
Overlooking the scenic valley.
 
 

My tent doesn't leak!
(Hooray!) ...

... but my hiking boots
do leak!(bummer!)
Carol, Diane and Nancy stop
for a quick picture break.
 
Lori with her dandy water bag.
The deluxe tent with double entrances, shared by Janice (shown left) and Leah.

There is an ancient South Pacific counting game using 5 sticks I mastered that I would be happy to teach you
 

 

Refraining from the temptation to park our weary butts on the picnic table was next to impossible (standing, l to r: Nancy, Carol, Monique
and Leah).

The objective of the weekend was to become better prepared to camp in the wilderness, so although our first two campsites had fire grills available, we cooked exclusively on our camp stoves.

   
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