PENTICTON OUTDOORS CLUB

A winter that was supposed to be La Nina, colder than normal with heavy snow; has turned out to be the opposite. Skiing has been limited and confined to the high elevations of the Apex area. Early in January we checked out the various Carmi ski trails; and found them walk-able! The top Ellis area might have been skiable, if you were careful of stumps and boulders. The Allendale ridge area was similar.

In the Apex area there have been a few route changes:

•  There have been several new clear cuts opened up along the routes south to “Two Point” and the ridges farther south. In the summer we were able to clear ski routes through them, and connect them up with existing trails. This gives us much more in the way of open vistas to the south and west.
• A new route was opened up to the top of Lookout Mountain by following and clearing some old mine exploration roads. This route is well away from the 4x4 roads that snowmobiles too frequently  pack down, making them nasty on the downhill. A circle loop at the top gives great views of the old open pit Mascot mine site.
• The Stray Horse set of trails to the height of land north of Nickel Plate Lake remains the favorite. It has been enhanced by addition of several interconnecting new routes.

Some snowshoeing has been done when snow conditions have been too poor for the use of skis; but no regular schedule of snowshoeing has been attempted.

Hiking has just been arranged by members when weather and ground conditions permit; but again, no regular schedule had been set up. This will await “Spring”.

Brad Houston

Email: bradhouston@shaw.ca