Archive:Beginner Backcountry Hot Springs, Nov 2009

Date

November 7^th - 8^th, 2009

Pre-Trip Meeting

There will be no pre trip meeting. All questions can be asked either on the message board or by email to Artem at [email protected]. Please sign up for a ride, tent, and food group below.

General Information

There is a common misconception within the outdoors community that there is a time, between summer climbing/hiking season and winter ski season, when the rain closes in, and there is nothing to do. This legend of "the off season" persists, but for centuries a (moderately) hardy band of "adventurers" have braved the elements to search out hidden pools of geothermal delight, and soak in the splendour of natural hot springs at a time when it's too wet to climb, too crap to ski, but just perfect for relaxation.

This trip is intented to drive up various logging roads into the wilderness of BC and have an enjoyable relaxing weekend soaking in some natural sources of delightfully hot water. This is a great way to get out of the city and forget all about the midterms and assignments and release all tension, both physical and mental, built up by our busy lives. Though the location of the springs at hand is already known, there will be a minimal amount of bushwacking and exploration to reach them. There are apparently several various pools in the area that can be scoped out.

The plan is to drive up as early as possible on saturday morning, find the springs, and soak for the rest of the day. When our bodies can take no more, off to sleep it is until the morning, when we dive right back into the pools. We can leave back to Vancouver at whichever time we choose.

Location

Keyhole (Pebble Creek) Hot Springs, Lillooet FSR

<googlemap lat="50.667747" lon="-123.455133" width="500" height="300" zoom="7" scale="yes" controls="large" type="terrain"> (A)50.667747, -123.455133, Trailhead </googlemap>

Trailhead: 10U 467836E 5612977N (WGS84 datum)

Directions

UBC to trailhead (km 43 Lillooet FSR). The pullout is located 7km past the Meager Creek turn off.

Bivouac page for the Lillooet River FSR (no recent updates)

Note: Fill up gas in Pemberton, it's a 90km round trip afterwards

• Drive to Pemberton
• At the stop light turn left (into Pemberton)
• At the traffic circle turn left
• Turn right onto Pemberton Meadows Rd (did you get gas?)
• At the Pemberton Farm Rd Stop sign, turn left (stay on Pemberton Meadows Rd)
• After 22 km, turn right. There is a big sign here: "Lillooet River Forest Service Road"
• Cross the bridge onto the start of the gravel road
• At km 9 fork Left (stay on Lillooet FSR, the right fork is the Hurley FSR)
• At km 37 continue straight past the Meager Creek turn-off
• At about km 42, a shallow stream crosses the road (2WD OK)
• Climb a short hill, curving to the right
• The pull out is just past the climb, on the left

How much does it cost?

Wilderness hot springs are free, and way nicer than those fake "spa" places. All you need is $25 gas money (this is subject to negotiation with your driver). Bring cash.

Expectations

While the terrain encountered is expected to be relatively beginner friendly, this is a backcountry hot springs trip, not a walk through Stanley Park. Accessing this wilderness hot springs location may involve a mild level of exertion, steep / slippery hiking if it is wet (which hopefully it will be, because hot springs are best in the rain/snow).

Participants should have overnight camping experience and a good attitude. Some camping skills are desirable. Bathing suits are very optional. Keep in mind that no one going on the trip is a professional guide, nor is anyone responsible for you. The trip is beginner friendly and we will all help each other out when needed, but that does not mean that someone will be taking care of you the whole weekend.

Additional Reading

• Hot spring trips
• bchotsprings.com
• Georgia Straight - Some Like It Hot
• Clubtread discussion
• Previous Trip Report
• soak.net

What Do I Need?

Personal items are in regular font, shared items are in italic font

Essentials

• water bottle (at least 2L, unless you know yourself)
• headlamp and batteries
• sunscreen
• sun glasses and/or goggles
• map
• compass
• backpack
• pocket knife
• whistle
• lighter and/or waterproof matches
• first aid kit
• Toilet Paper
• tent
• insect repellent or bug net

Clothing / Equipment

• hiking boots
• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• long underwear (top and bottom)
• toque / hat
• mitts / gloves
• weatherproof jacket (goretex or coated nylon or softshell if weather is forecast to be sunny)
• weatherproof pants (goretex or coated nylon or softshell if weather is forecast to be sunny)
• hiking poles?
• gaiters

Food

• Lunch and snacks x2
• Breakfast x1
• Dinner x1

Sleeping

• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• ear plugs, because somebody will snore (optional)

Cooking and Eating

• bowl, spoon
• Stove with fuel. If using white gas, for each person bring 75 mL

• Pot and matching pot gripper
• Toothbrush
• water treatment{{#if:|
  

Climbing Gear

• Helmet}}

Other

• Tarp (to put up between trees if it rains)
• Waterproof sandals (for splashing around by the pools without getting your hiking boots wet
• Dessert potluck contribution
• Alcoholic potluck contribution

A tent and/or stove will be very useful, assuming you like to eat, and want to be warm and dry at night (as opposed to warm and wet during the day). If you don’t have one you can arrange to share with others.

Sign-up

Limit is 14 people. The people who have not confirmed yet, please do so promptly.

1. Artem
2. Simeon
3. Greg StAubin
4. Ben Middleton (no word, your email not found on website)
5. Andy Doelker
6. Jennie Thunman
7. andrea bennett
8. Leslie Hundhammer
9. Michaela Figari
10. Svenja Herrmann
11. Hannes Fugmann
12. Omar A
13. justin hall (got the ok so feel free to sign up for a ride)

Wait List

1. Mie Winstrup. Sounds like a really great way to spend the weekend, so if possible I would love to join this trip. I have a 2-persons tent.
2. Jennifer Neve- New to the area and just love hotsprings, especially the natural sort.
3. Stanislaw Nowak- This trip looks really cool. I would love to go, if anyone drops out let me know 778 989 1537
4. Jonathan Faille - I would like to go on this trip too, so if there is any room leftover count me in.

Vehicles

Drivers please post your names here along with your vehicle capacity and departure info.

• Vehicle (number of spots spots) (leaving from)

Justin 4wd - 5spots (large truck tons of space for gear 35-45 for gas that should be a high estimate) 778 928 6627 please be at the ubc bus loop between 6:30 and 6:45 this will reduce faffing

1. Jennie Thunman
2. Simeon Burgenmeister
3. andrea bennett
4. GREG Staubin
5. Stan Nowak

Artem - 4 "cozy" spots (Leaving from UBC) 604 329 2109

1. Michaela Figari
2. Leslie Hundhammer
3. Andy Doelker
4. Jennifer Neve

Tents

Tent owners please post your tents here with tent capacity and other important info (about spooning, snoring etc)

1. andrea: i've got a "two-person" tent -- it's COZY for two people but has vestibules for gear. + JEN :) I'm pretty tiny, so i'm sure we'll fit
2. Mie: I've got a tent for two persons as well. (but I'm still on the waiting list...)

Stoves

Stove owners please post your stove here.

1. andrea: i've got a trangia stove that runs on methyl alcohol; i'd be willing to share (it comes with pots & a pan). + JEN, I can get some extra fuel at mec if you'd like too.

• Food group