Topic: Fernie, BC (Read 4373 times)

mike.online · « **on:** February 18, 2009, 09:16:53 pm »

hello all,

I'm in Fernie, B.C. this week, trying to find some good shooting locations. I was here last year and found one or two logging roads out by Crowsnest Pass, but nothing spectacular.

I have a 4x4 Pathfinder with me here, so I'm not afraid of getting stuck (plus the snow is super thin), so I'm open to all ideas. Really, what I'm trying to find is a good mountain access road where I can get up really high for some spectacular views.

thoughts ??

- Mike

wolfnowl · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:48:21 am »

Haven't been there, but you might want to check out this link for inspiration.

Mike.

P.S. Google Earth has some good photography of the area that show the roads but not conditions. If you're willing to invest $25, you might consider stopping into a bookstore and picking up the Backroad Mapbook for the Kootenays

rcdurston · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2009, 05:23:09 am »

Henry Georgi is based out of Fernie. Great guy and a great outdoor shooter. Might try emailing him.

mike.online · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2009, 09:46:12 pm »

thanks for the ideas!

I went up the Hatley Trail today, as far as my pathfinder would allow.... in fact i got wicked stuck..... no worries, I walked back down the trail and a fantastic person from New zealand in a cabin helped me get a tow (everyone here is SO helpful and really friendly. (I used TJ's ... $105) Expensive mistake.

Anyways after that wonderful misadventure, I found out form a local about the Coal Creek Extension road. What a wonderful road. You can travel up logging roads (with a sign reading "LOGGING ROADS... USE EXTREME CAUTION") and then when the road conditions run out, you can hike up the rest of the hill, and the view is breathtaking.

as always, anyone with more suggestions, I would love to hear them!!

I'll post some of the processed images here after I get back to my home PC.

Cheers,
- Mike

Graham Welland · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2009, 02:44:11 am »

Quote from: mike.online

thanks for the ideas!

I went up the Hatley Trail today, as far as my pathfinder would allow.... in fact i got wicked stuck..... no worries, I walked back down the trail and a fantastic person from New zealand in a cabin helped me get a tow (everyone here is SO helpful and really friendly. (I used TJ's ... $105) Expensive mistake.

Anyways after that wonderful misadventure, I found out form a local about the Coal Creek Extension road. What a wonderful road. You can travel up logging roads (with a sign reading "LOGGING ROADS... USE EXTREME CAUTION") and then when the road conditions run out, you can hike up the rest of the hill, and the view is breathtaking.

as always, anyone with more suggestions, I would love to hear them!!

If you're going to do a lot of solo off-roading then you might consider investing in an emergency pre-paid sat phone ...

I've had a couple of scares like this even with my kitted out Land Rover and had good fortune not come my way it would have been a few 10-15 mile treks for help or cell phone coverage. Since I solo quite often I make sure I'm fully set up with winch/hi-lift jack and recovery equipment. It's no fun when you're up to your knees in mud digging out your rig & the sun's going down. (It must be said, I was surprised to get a pull out of a bog one time by a dude in a decrepit truck collecting firewood way, way out of the way and just happened to pass by! That one was my wake up call.)

mike.online · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2009, 12:20:44 am »

Here are some photos from that week:

Stuck!

mike.online · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2009, 12:22:07 am »

That's all I've processed so far. I know these are small but if you like (or hate) these, please share.

DaveL · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2009, 12:07:35 pm »

Appreciate your post. Mother Nature doesn't always play nice. Can you entice another rig to travel with you?

Regards,
DaveL

mike.online · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2009, 11:26:51 pm »

thanks,

After this adventure and based on the comments above, next time I travel i'll either take more precautionary equipient, or travel with a friend. I didn't think the trail would run out as it did, but luckilly i was on a fairly well used raod (to a point) and got stuck close to the entrance to the gnarly stuff.

a learning experience for sure

one key lesson was to try and get as much local knowledge as possible.... I knew that going in, but after finding little info I charged ahead anyways. finally the tow driver had some great info that lead to the most productve session/location!

Author Topic: Fernie, BC (Read 4373 times)