Little Mountain Outdoor Gear, Nakusp, B.C.

LITTLE MOUNTAIN ON FACEBOOK

2012-02-23T12:09:00.002-08:00

Hi everyone, yes long time no blogging but great things are happening at the store!!!

And we are now on Facebook so for updates on new gear, specials, log onto our page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Mountain-Outdoor-Gear/180036842019498

we did a couple of trips recently so more to come on gear updates; the winners, the not so good, and other great adventure places.

Stay tuned,
Marie

SOL MOUNTAIN - 4 days in paradise

2011-09-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

On August 8, a group of 21 people convoyed to Sol Mountain for a 3 night trip of backpacking in the high alpines. Our friends Wulf and Bianca organized the expedition and we were lucky enough to be invited to join their group.

For those reading this and are not familiar with the Kootenays, Sol Mountain lodge is located in the Monashee Mountain Range, about 2 1/2 hours North West of Nakusp, on the West side of the lake, and just south of Revelstoke. In the summer, it is accessible with 4 wheel drive and the driving directions are well marked and easy to follow.

In the winter months, it is an extremely popular area for back-country skiing, including a nordic track set, but in winter, it is only accessible by helicopter. We saw some pictures and we are definitely planning a trip there this winter so we can let you know all about it! Judging by the pictures, I'm sure it won't disappoint. The powder looks incredible and there is so much terrain.

Our group arrived around 11:30am and Aaron, one of the owners, was there to welcome us at the parking lot, and to pick up our luggage and food for our stay. (The lodge also offers catering and guided trips but our group chose the option of self-catering and self-guiding. )
There is a short 1.8km hike to the lodge from the parking lot but without having to carry anything, it is a nice introduction to the spectacular scenery we were about to witness.

The lodge is beautiful; it's location is perfect because even if you prefer not to hike, it is in the meadows, and is surrounded by mountain peaks wherever you look. It is absolutely stunning.

SOL Mountain lodge is extremely comfortable even for a large group like ours. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you need for cooking; there's plenty of washrooms and one hot shower on demand, so we can all have a hot shower after our hikes. There's even a beautiful sauna right next to the lodge. All the bedding and towels are supplied; all you need is your hiking gear and comfortable clothes to hang out at the lodge. Forgot your wine or beer? No problem, the lodge is fully stocked with a great selection of both. (and the prices for accomodation are extremely reasonable)!

After getting settled in, we were all anxious to go outside and explore our new surroundings; since it was already late in the day, we opted for a short hike to Sol Lake, (about 30 to 40 minl hike), and only about 200m elevation from the lodge, and continued on the Mission Ridge.

For those who are not keen hikers but like to explore without having difficult terrain, this hike is perfect. And of course, the views do not disappoint. This is what we found was the greatest thing about staying there; no matter what level of hiker you are, there is something for everyone. And since the lodge is so high in the alpine, there is always a view to look at.
This small hike was just the right thing to do on our first day; we headed back to the lodge around dinner time, to gather with Aaron and our news friends and share a mea, a laugh, and planning the next day hike.

Tuesday, August 9th -
August started with a bang weather wise, so we woke up to gorgeous blue skies and a few puffy clouds; our goal for the day, S0l Mountain range. We had a chat with Aaron before leaving and his only advice was to bring mosquito repellant; he mentioned that they were very 'friendly' in some parts of that trail. Just after 9:00am, 1/2 of our group decided to venture to that peak

The great thing about hiking at the lodge is that they provide guests with radios so at anytime, should anything happen (or if you want to brag to everyone once you've reached the top of a mountain), there's a direct link to the lodge.

The hiking program is still a new project for the lodge so the trails are marked to a point, and then guests must make their own trail to summit. (this isn't difficult; you can always see where you are going, so it is a matter of finding the best route to get up there).

Sol Mountain trail starts just to the left of the lodge on the west side, and the first section is a 600 feet descent; we understood very quickly Aaron's advice to carry mosquito repellent; they were viciously attacking us! Then the trail climbs back up to reach the ridge on the other side (about 900 feet) and from that point is a steady climb but not very steep to the 2nd ridge; this is where we had to scramble a bit to find a route and eventually made it up to a plateau, where we could see the summit of Sol.

Once we reached that point, a few hikers decided that this was enough challenge for one day so they stayed on the plateau to wait for the few of us who decided to push to the summit.

The final climb isn't technical or difficult but it is rocky and steeper in parts but no one had any difficulty making it to the top. And there was still snow up there! The views did not disappoint; we saw two more peaks that we would have liked to climb, Pride Rock and Twin Peaks, but we didn't have enough time that day. From the mountain, we could see t many other mountains we can't name but wanting to climb!

What an awesome first day. And the best thing is knowing that we are going back to a comfortable lodge, with all the amenities of home and comfy beds, and oh yeah A HOT SHOWER!!! To us, that is absolute luxury in the alpines. (we usually sleep in a two people tent, stinky from our hike, on a 2" neo-air thermarest, still comfortable but staying in a lodge was a real treat!!!)

Wednesday, Aug 10
The night before, Mike and I had decided to climb Mt. Fosthall but no one in the group was interested in coming with us; some had done it previously and others were a bit nervous about the possibility of hiking 8 to 10 hours, which is what we had heard it could take to get there and back from the lodge. Although sunny when we woke up, the weather forecast called for thundershowers mid-afternoon so I was definitely nervous about leaving for that long should the weather change.
Before heading out, we spoke to Aaron and he suggested that we take a different route, one that would keep us lower on the ridge to a bench just under Fosthall where we could find our best line to summit. He said it would be steep, but it could take off some time off the predicted 8 hours.

By 9:10am, we were ready to go, geared up and radio at hand. The first part of the hike isn't difficult, walking mostly through meadows with some altitude gains but nothing drastic. It was spectacular. We listened to Aaron's advice and once the marked trail ended, we just kept staying low until we could see the bench he had referred to. He was right; the bench was just under the peak so we had a good view of where we could go from there to reach the peak.

This part was definitely more difficult; there is a lot of loose rocks, especially as we made our way higher up; we also found a couple of short cuts that were extremely steep but did cut a lot of time instead of having to go around. we did make the decision though that we would not go back that same way on the way down; it was way too steep. We had to cross a large snow section diagonally and the hiking poles sure came in handy there. and from that point, it was all rocks, mostly loose so we had to be careful with our footing but it was manageable.

I was just ahead of my husband and reached the summit at 11:50am, which, we were told when we got back to the lodge, was a record so far. The clouds were a bit menacing by this point but we stayed about 1/2 hour to enjoy our well deserved lunch break and take in the amazing panoramic views of all the mountain ranges that can only be seen at 2690 meters. what a day! what a hike!

Our friend Bianca and other hikers were just below us on a different ridge and were able to see us ascend to the top; she was on the radio right away to congratulate us on reaching the summit.

We loved this hike, beautiful, moderate hiking in parts to challenging to reach the peak. We made it back well before the storm, just before 3:30pm, and we were SO glad we didn't get caught in the high winds and rain that started around dinner time.

After dinner, a few games, exchange of hiking stories and laughs, we fell asleep immediately. what a great getaway.

Thursday was the drive home day; sadly, we had to leave but we have made lifelong memories there. Now we want to share with everyone reading this how beautiful this part of our Province is, and how worthwhile it is to explore the amazing accessible terrain we have.

So thank you Aaron and Dave for having this vision and supplying hikers, nature lovers, and skiers with such a beautiful place.
WE WILL BE BACK~~ your hospitality was incredible, we felt at home and well looked after.

If you want more information on either hiking, (or just relaxing if you wish), or back-country skiing, please visit their website at www.solmountain.com.

Happy Hiking! As always, stay safe, enjoy the wildlife and scenery, and leave no trace.... only footprints.

City Chase in Kelowna, BC

2011-06-08T16:00:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, June 4th, Mike and I raced in the Mitsubishi City Chase in Kelowna and had an absolute blast.

For those who have never heard of this event, it's a mini 'Amazing Race' but done in a day instead of a month - here's a brief description:
The Mitsubishi City Chase is an urban adventure; participants must be able to show teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they search for ChasePoints scattered in unknown locations throughout the city. ChasePoints are designed to test teams with a variety of physical, intellectual, adventurous and humorous challenges.

Team of 2 will run, walk and use public transit to navigate their way throughout the city - The first team to complete the required Chase Points and cross the finish line before the 6 hour timeframe WINS. This race takes places in major cities across Canada, and is also on the worldwide scene. (check their site at www.mitsubishicitychase.com)

Kelowna hosted more than 100 teams that day and the weather was absolutely amazing. We were slow to start since our knowledge of Kelowna was limited, except for driving through on our way to Vancouver so we were definitely at a disadvantage from the start. Once we figured out some of the chase points, the race was on.

We had a few firsts that is for sure: I rode an ATV through an obstacle course, Mike had to learn to knit, pull a car (with me in it!) and scale down the Sandman Hotel from the 14th floor.

We want to thank our friends who sponsored us for the Right to Play Charity. Part of the event is a venue to raise money for Right to Play. By raising money, this gave us the advantage of having one chase point ahead of time; we just needed to show up at the proper chase point to get our credit.

Our biggest challenge was figuring out the transit system; we misread the schedule so although we did all our 10 chase points, we were 10 minutes late to cross the finish line. But now, we know Kelowna much better.

We're hoping for a few friends to join us in the fun next year. We are definitely entering again.

This wasn't our first event; when we lived on the coast, we participated in the Vancouver City Chase in 05, 06 and 07. So we're thrilled that Kelowna is now hosting an event.

At the finish line, a nice cold Molson Canadian was waiting; nice! And cookies from Subway and Nestea soft drinks. This whole event is really well organized.

There is an after party which we missed; we were so bagged that we went out for dinner and went back to our B&B; we sipped delicious wines while watching the sunset over the lake and mountains, a nice way to finish the day.

Stay active, have fun!
Marie

Update on Zumba fundraiser

2011-06-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

On May 28th, a group of us participated in the Zumba funraiser for Relay for Life. It was SO much fun, we had 5 amazing instructors, each taking turn showing us some great moves.

Instead of being 1 1/2 hour class, we danced for 2 hours non-stop. The weather held up until the last song, then the grey skies moved in - what great timing.

This event raised $1400 for Breast Cancer research, so on behalf of Sharon and her friends from the Okanagan, thank you SO much for all who participated and donated.

It was a blast. Let's try to raise twice as much next year.

See you then.

5K and 10K Running Clinics starting soon

2011-06-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

For those who missed out on the first clinic given by Kari Tithecott, you are in luck!

Kari it putting on 2 clinics for a 5k and 10k run.

So, who can join in ?

The 5km intro/novice program is suitable for anyone from the complete novice to those who are looking for a safe and rewarding environment to begin running again. The clinic goal is to guide motivated individuals through a 10 week run/walk program to safely complete a 5k run at the end of the clinic. (*Prerequisite: ability to run 4 min continuously)

The 10k clinic is a novice program suitable for anyone who has been doing some run training and is looking for a safe and rewarding environment to begin running longer distances. The goal is to guide motivated individuals through a 14 week run/walk program to safely complete a 10k race (road or trail) at the end of the clinic. (ability to run 10 min continuously)

During the clinics, Kari introduces us to a variety of topics that will be beneficial to our growth as runners. Clinic leader(s) will be on hand to ensure you are running properly to help prevent injury and to help answer any questions you may have.

CLINIC TIME AND DATES:

5k clinic - July 5th to September 6th, 2011 - $55.00
10k clinic - June 20th to September 29th 2011 $80.00

How does it work?

the group meets once a week 'as a clinic', then each runners must dedicate other times during the week to keep up with the training schedule -
can't make the clinic time? No problem, you can still join the group - Kari will keep you in the loop every week with the training schedule and tools to help with your running, and then you also get access to the emails of all the other runners. You can then email other runners and let them know what time works for you and more than likely, you'll end up with a few people to run with you.
So even if you don't live in Nakusp, or the clinic time doesn't work for you, YOU CAN STILL JOIN THE CLINIC!

I cannot say enough good things about Kari's ability to lead a group to success; running with a group provides motivation, camaraderie, and support to keep you running and help you meet your fitness goals. It is FUN and at the same time healthy and rewarding.

All the forms are available at the store so you can pick up anytime.

Happy Running!
(Note: for those who don't know yet, the May 8th 5k run and 2k walk on mothers day ended up raising over $3200 for charity; way to go everyone!!!)

May 8th Photos available here

2011-06-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

If you were at the run on May 8th and are interested in seeing the pictures who were taken by Deb booth of Deb's Photography & Framing, we have the preview book at Little Mountain. It's easy to order; look in the book, when you see something you like, write down the number beside the photo and decide what size you would like. You can leave it with us with your phone number and name or call or email Deb directly:
t: 250 265 3045
e: shutterz@telus.net

Her prices are competitive and right now, orders under $99 get 20% off and over $100 get 25% off. Great deal!

Riding the trails in Kalamalka Lake Park

2011-05-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2011

It is fun to mix business and pleasure and since we had to go to Vernon to take care of some business, we decided to take our mountain bikes and go for a ride in the area afterwards.

I am very new at Mountain Biking so although I like to find something challenging, I'm definitely in the 'beginner' category. We were told to try Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.

What a beautiful place. The trail system is well developed and with more than 3700 hectares, the trails vary from wide trails to accomodate cyclists, hikers and horses and also offers single lane trails for mountain bikes.

We were gone for over two hours and the trails went from easy, to steep uphill to scary, fast single lane downhill (well for me it was!) - but what a thrill, I think I'm hooked. Along the way, there are benches placed strategically to enjoy the most spectacular views of Coldstream and Vernon and the lake. Our start point was The Red Gate but there are other parking areas within the park to choose from.

It is always fun to try a different area; the scenery there is quite different than what we're used to in the Kootenays, but we loved it.
The best time to see wildflowers is early spring to June and the Arrow-leaved Balsamroot (Spring Sunflower) was in bloom everywhere. (click on picture to make it bigger).

We found that there was something for everyone there and if you stay on the wider trails, most of them are not too difficult.

If you venture in the single lane trails, then there are some definitely more difficult, steeper and challenging trails. Bring lots of water!

I can't wait for our next mountain bike ride.
Til then, happy trails.

2011-05-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Zumba takes on
Relay for Life

Raising money for
Breast Cancer Research

Saturday, May 28th
5:30pm to 7:00pm
in front of the

LELAND HOTEL

Boys and girls,
WEAR YOUR PINK !!!!

Minimum $5.00 donation for Cancer Research to participate in the class - or you can watch and cheer - come and see what the buzz is about! Zumba is the most fun you'll ever have exercising. (www.zumba.com)

5 HOT instructors including our very own Sharon Metlewsky and 4 of her Okanagan friends who'll be riding in town on their Harleys.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT

Let's have fun raising money -
everyone is welcome

LIVE MUSIC WITH BLINDSPOT AT 9:30PM

SLOCAN LAKESHORE TRAIL

2011-05-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 15

Since the snow pack is still low in the alpine, we decided to find a lower level hike (so we wouldn't need snowshoes) and our great book 'Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenays" delivered in offering a few options for shoulder season hiking.

We opted for the Slocan Lakeshore trail; it sounded interesting and with a name like 'Lakeshore', we figured it had to be pretty since we'd be hiking along the Slocan Lake. The hiking book described that although we wouldn't gain much elevation, it had rolling hills which made the trail a bit more challenging. The round trip would be approx. 16km, and would take about 4 1/2 to 5 hours.

Under sunny skies and a balmy 20 degrees, we left Nakusp in the morning and arrived at the trail head just before 10.

Immediately after entering the trail, we knew we would like this trail; the large boulders and Douglas fir along the way reminded me of the West Coast a lot. Being early spring, everything was just starting to bloom and the fragrance of all the wild flowers was intoxicating. It was lush and green everywhere and quiet.

We were told we might hear the trucks on the highway just across the lake, but since it was a Sunday, we didn't hear anything but birds and squirrels.
We saw beautiful butterflies, a very tiny bird which we had not seen before, many squirrels, and no bears. Actually we did see a bear but it was on the side of the road on our way to Slocan.

The hike isn't difficult but rocky in some parts; and it is 8km one way so if you're not in shape yet from winter hibernation, then you may want to shorten the trip a little. There are plenty of great spots to have lunch and enjoy the view.

The trail leads to Evan's Creek/beach, which is a provincial campground, and includes a few tent spots, 2 fire pits, a toilet, and food cache. And of course, a trip to see the waterfall is a must; it is spectacular. There's a bridge across the fall so if you're not afraid of heights or rushing water below your feet, you're in for a treat. A camera is a must.

We had lunch on the beach in the sunshine; we figured it was at least 25 degrees. We thought about a 'dip', but the icy cold water made us change our mind. It looked inviting, but very glacial.

There are other trails available at this point to continue further but we made that our stop for the day. Unfortunately, we had to come home the same day but we give this 'early hike' the thumbs up. Nothing beats going up in the alpine, but for a low level hike, we highly recommend this one.

We can't wait for summer to be here - come by the store if you are ever interested in joining us for a hike.

Until then, Happy Hiking!

5K Run on May 8th

2011-05-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

May 8th, 2011 (Mother's day)
5km group

What do people do on Mother's Day?

For over 120 people (plus those watching) in Nakusp, they decided to either walk 2km or run a 5km course around the streets of Nakusp.

Everything was organized to perfection AND the sun decided to show up. We couldn't have asked for better.

Kari Tithecott, founder of the Arrow Lakes Running Group and event organizer, had all her volunteers ready to go; many showed up to set up tables and tents , get last minute registrations and the event started and
finished with a bang.

Mayor Karen Hamling was at the finish line handing out carnations to the runners, tables full of sliced oranges, muffins, water was there when finishing the run or walk. The baked goods sale was a huge success; Shannon, your granola bars are out of this world.

The silent auction had some amazing items and for those who were really hungry, the BBQ was on for great hot dogs with all the trimmings.

There was a demonstration of Parcour or Parkour, which is a non-competitive, physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, using only their bodies. Parkour can be practiced anywhere, and is quite popular in urban areas.

The event benefited the newly-formed Arrow Lakes Medical Aid Society, a charity that will raise funds to help families facing financial stress as they travel to receive medical care in larger city centers.

A group of 12 runners from Kaslo came to the event and a group of us in Nakusp are planning to go to Kaslo in October to participate in the Suffer Fest event. We are developing a great relationship with the town of Kaslo and in turn we can support each other in our efforts to bring events to our communities.

I hope we double the amount of people next year. The energy and excitement was palpable.

The Arrow Lakes Running Group, founded by Kari Tithecott, has provided a way for all of us to enjoy running while doing it safely. We have created new friendships and it has been an amazing experience. We are all awaiting anxiously for the next clinic which will hopefully start in June.

Thanks Kari for your amazing dedication and support.
(all photos courtesy of Mayor Karen Hamling - thank you Karen!)

SNOWSHOEING IN MAY

2011-05-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2011

We woke up again to sunny skies with a chill in the air. Mike had been anxious to go hiking, but with the snowpack this year, we can't get too far in the alpine without having to strap on the snowshoes.

We opted for something easy; just off Hot Springs Road, there are cross country and snowshoe trails, and Mike knew of an area that he wanted to explore a bit more. So off we went, and of course, not even 100m in, we had to strap on the snowshoes. But it was warm and most of the trail was in the sun so that was great.

We made it to an un-serviced forest road to lead us to a mountain range behind the Hot Springs but we ran into an obstacle; a raging river that was wide enough and too slippery for us risking crossing it.

It was really fun though, and with only a 15 minute drive from home, it is so great to get out and explore the Nakusp area.

We will go back when the water is a bit calmer and bring more equipment to be able to cross the river this time.

Happy trails.

Paddle to the Bahamas

2011-05-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 24th

If you don't live here, don't be fooled by the title - we DO have a beautiful sand beach on Arrow Lakes that we commonly refer to as "The Bahamas" - why? well, for one thing, it gets the most sun; and the sandy beaches becomes an island in the summer when the Arrow Lakes is at its peak (Arrow Lakes is a reservoir - the levels are quite low in winter months but quite high in the summer months).

It was a gorgeous sunny day, so we decided, why not! Let's go for a paddle. We just purchased new racks and were anxious to finally fit both kayaks on the same car.
We left our house in the sunny, warm weather and drove to Bayview to launch the boats. It was a bit of a different story by the water; suddenly, I was wearing about 3 layers to stay warm. But that didn't stop us, we rowed to the Bahamas slowly,and paddled around the inlet and in the area.

The Bahamas is very quiet at this time of year; and with the low water levels, the normally fairly small island looked so big. We had a picnic on the beach, but with the cold wind blowing, we didn't stay very long.
It was so great to be out in April, after such a long winter and paddle the wateways of the Arrow Lakes.

For those wanting a short trip, this is great - we launch at Bayview but be courteous, there are people living next to the launching area. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the Bahamas (at a leisurely pace).

we can't wait to do more trips this summer. Stay tuned.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIKE DEALER

2011-05-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

It is now official, Little Mountain is a dealer for Rocky Mountain Bikes.

If you've never heard of the company, they started about 30 years ago. Rocky Mountain has developed a reputation for quality and innovation. And the best thing, it's an all Canadian company.

Rocky Moutain tests and ride their bikes in the harshest conditions imaginable. And being a BC born company, the challenge of the different terrain available has made it a playground to build the best product possible.
Since the early 90's, RM has been at the forefront of cross country racing with pioneer riders like Alison Sydor, Andreas Hestler, Chrissy Redden, and Bruce Spicer.

From pioneering the sport to winning races, Rocky Mountain Bicycles has a lot to celebrate from the past 30 years.

Come and see us for your next bike. It's an amazing ride.

IT'S RUMBA TIME

2011-04-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

What time is it?
It's R U M B A TIME !!!!RumbaTime began with the simple idea of making time keep up with your life, instead of the other way around. They make time weightless with silicone watches that feel like a second skin. Smooth, bright, water-resistant & durable - in styles and colors as diverse as personalities.
Retails between $24.99 and $27.99 - check their website: www.rumbatime.com
Join this new revolution!

GO LOUD. GO SIMPLE.

DO WHAT YOU DO,

& DARE PEOPLE TO WATCH.

NAKUSP HAS A RUNNING GROUP

2011-03-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Spring is 'almost' here and then it's bathing suit season.
What better time to get in shape than right now.

Kari Tithecott started the Arrow Lakes Running Group recently and it is gaining popularity. A group of about 10 to 12 runners meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00am for training and tips and the enthusiasm of the group is catching.

It's been so popular that Kari has decided to put a running event in Nakusp on

SUNDAY, May 8th in and around Cenotaph Park

THIS EVENT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A RUNNER!

5k Run - starting at 9:30am

2k Walk - starting at 9:45am

100m Kid's Run - starting at 10:45am

CHARITY BBQ - Starting at 11:00am

Draw Prizes (post-race)
Event T-shirts
Music

This is a family Event. Registration forms are available at our store (Little Mountain) or at People's Pharmacy.

Registration fees are:
$15.00 - for the 5k run
$10.00 - for the 2k walk
$15 - event t-shirt

All event day proceeds will go to the Arrow Lakes Mountain Trust. This will support a variety of local causes such as a new charity being developed that will assist Nakusp residents with costs related to out of town medical treatment."

So come and join in the fun
and get in shape at the same time.

For more information on the race or to join the running group, please contact Kari at klwheels@hotmail.com or arrowlakesrunninggroup@gmail.com

HELI-SKIING WITH CMH -

2011-02-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

If you like to ski but have never tried Heli-skiing, you must put a trip with CMH in the Kootenays on your bucket list.

On Friday, February 25, Mike and I had the amazing opportunity to go heli-skiing with CHM (Canadian Mountain Holidays).
For our blog fans living far away, CMH operates a Heli-ski lodge out of Nakusp. People come from all over the world to experience the amazing powder that our vast mountain terrain offers all winter.

And now we know why.

It helped that Friday was the sunniest day we've had in weeks, and the absence of wind meant that it was WARM!!!

CMH is ran by professionals. Their primary goal is to give you the best experience possible, while doing it safely. Their track record for safety is unblemished, and I felt very safe all day; and judging by all the smiles on everyone in our group, I think that feeling was shared by all. The guides know the terrain well, and won't take you where your safety is at risk.

They also make the entire experience as comfortable as possible; water and juice is available in the helicopter, along with snacks to keep your energy up. And they serve an amazing lunch, including hot soup and beverages, in the alpine.

Mike McKenzie, our pilot for the day is ranked one of the best in the world, having 35 plus years experience with heli-skiing. We ski in groups; ours was 10 people, most of them from Germany and our guide Dan. We skied almost 6,000 meters (or 18,000 feet) that day. After it was all over, my legs were screaming but you couldn't wipe the grin off my face. That was by far the best day of skiing of my life!

One thing to keep in mind though is that the terrain is not easy; although CMH does run clinic on how to ski powder and trees (or glades), it isn't offered on all trips so if you are an average skier, it might be overwhelming on your first day. (check their list on the website "are you ready for your first time? - it'll give you a good idea if you can do this or not). But for those looking for powder, CMH delivers; no one skied someone elses tracks all day, unless you chose to.

There is one bad thing about it.... it is ADDICTIVE! We are hooked.

We ended the day at the Nakusp Hot Springs with some of the skiers; a warm lunch and beverages awaits skiers, and shuttle buses are available at different times to take them back to the lodge. We met some of our new friends from the day back at the lodge to share a beer and a few stories.

So thank you Ken, Cheryl, Patrick, Dan and everyone at CHM for making this ski day the best we've ever had. From now on, we'll have to put aside holiday money to do this at least once a year.

For more information on CHM and the different lodges they operate, visit their website at: www.canadianmountainholidays.com. For those who don't ski, they also offer summer adventures.

HAWAII ADVENTURES

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

On a previous blog, we mentioned that our November holiday was cut short due to a Hurricane in St. Lucia and we re-scheduled our holiday for Hawaii in February.
We're back, and our rating for the Big Island of Hawaii is definitely thumbs up. There is so much to do, we didn't get to explore everything on our list (*that just means we'll have to go back), but we hiked, snorkeled, swam with dolphins, and giant turtles, and ziplined in the rainforest, walked to an active lava field, learnt about the amazing gods, legends and myths of this beautiful place, went up to 14,000 feet at Mauna Kea,met great people and ate yummy food.

The Big Island boast 11 of 13 climate zones in the world; from the desert sunny side of the Kona Coast (where we stayed) to the rainforests of the North and east side of the island, and freezing conditions at the top of Mauna Kea, it makes for a diversified eco-system depending on where you end up.
We found many advantages of hiking in Hawaii; no bugs, no carnivores, no snakes, and if hiking in the rainforests, it is particularly nice and cool.

There are 2 hikes we'd highly recommend; Polulu Valley and Waipi'o Valley located to the North of the Island. The 2 valleys used to be connected by a trail but the rains has washed out a lot of the trail, making its passage too dangerous, and we were also told that this is sacred land to the Hawaiians and there are no trespassing signs everywhere. There are lookouts at both trail head if someone doesn't want to hike down to the black sand beaches, and back up the other side. We went as far as we were allowed to go on either side and the scenery was breathtaking. Wear decent footwear; it rains a lot and the treck down can be hazardous at times.

This picture is on the Polulu valley trail. The hike isn't very difficult, and once we got to the end of the beach, the trail continues to another peak. The weather was partially overcast that day, which made the hike very comfortable.

The above photo shows the black sand beaches on Hawaii. we continued on past the beaches and ended up on the other side of the peak showed above.

The accessible trail ends at the bottom of this cliff. There are few hikers venturing this far so the trail was nice and quiet. A group of 4 arrived as we were making our way back, and were the only people we ever saw.

The picture on the left is at the lookout of Waipi'o Valley; the great thing is that if you are not a hiker, this is what you see from the lookout, it is spectacular.

The road down to the beach and waterfall is steep; you can drive down with a 4 x 4 or pay a tour company $50; we hiked down, it wasn't that bad. Our goal was to reach Hi'ilawe falls, which at over 1400 feet are the state's tallest falls. we were warned that bad weather had made the trail almost inaccessible. The trails also meanders through private properties so we were careful to stay close to the stream and not venture inland.
We didn't make it to the waterfall but very close; at the second pool, Mike ventured a bit further but it involved carrying our packs through water and bolders, and we didn't have any waterproof bags with us. So we turned around but the hike was fun and beautiful.

Photo above is walking through the rainforest in search of the waterfall.

Photo to the right is trying to find a trail at the first pool we encountered.

And below, the beautiful falls in the distance.

Most of the island is very rocky so if you are looking for white sandy beaches, there are a few of them but most of the coastline is rugged. Lava fields are present in many places and we walked for miles on the black landscape that it creates.
Sea turtles, and all sea creatures are protected in Hawaii; if you are caught touching a turtle resting on the beach, like the one pictured below, you will be fined up to $10,000. From what we observed, it seems tourists and locals alike respect the law. Humpback whales were also all around the island while we were there, we could see them breaching from a distance and were lucky enough to see them on a couple of boat excursions we did.

If you want to see a few more pictures, scroll down to the very bottom of the blog. Hawaii is definitely a worthwhile place to visit.

Happy trails, anywhere you end up in the world and remember, life is an adventure.

WINTER SALE CONTINUES....

2011-02-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Since mother nature has decided to continue bringing us winter conditions in the Kootenays, no one is thinking spring clothing yet, so we are extending our winter sales for at least another 2 weeks!

There are still great deals in ski jackets and pants:
50% ALL SKI WINTER JACKETS (Men/Women and kids)
40% ALL SKI PANTS

We also have items at 60% off. Molehill for small kids are all 50% off.

So come on in, get warm, and grab a few last minute great deals before it ends!
See you soon.

LITTLE MOUNTAIN WINTER HOURS

2010-12-31T11:51:00.000-08:00

Little Mountain is changing their hours of operations for January and February ONLY -

Our hours will be:

Open - Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5:00pm
Closed - Sundays
Closed - Mondays

We will resume our regular hours in March:
Open - Monday to Saturday - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Closed - Sundays

Thanks everyone!
Mike & Marie

SUMMIT LAKE SKI RESORT

2010-12-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

Photo: The Zinselmeyer family enjoying a great day of Skiing! All in the gear from Little Mountain!!!

Week of Dec 27, 2010
Summit Lake mountain opened its door on Dec.27 with a bang!
I've had the pleasure to go skiing twice this week to great snow conditions. It is hard to beat being able to ski in a less than a 20 minute drive from Nakusp. And better yet, it is affordable!!! ($23 for a full day for adults).
The beautiful log ski lodge has room for all the skiers, there's great hot food and hot beverages available, the staff is super friendly and in no time they know who you are.
We were lucky to get a good 4 to 6 inches on the night of Dec 28 which made for powder conditions on Thursday. It was simply amazing. According to the staff, they've had record days for attendance which is so great to see. It is so important to support our local ski hill, and the many volunteers who put so many hours to keep it running each year. We are still blown away that we have this resort in our backyard.
I am still amazed that when I show up for a day of skiing, I know so many people. Kids are skiing on their own, parents do not have to worry because everybody knows their kids. Summit Lake offers such a great community feel, we'll probably be there this weekend again and whenever we have some time off over the winter. See you all there~!~

For more information, check their website at www.skisummitlake.com.

FIRST SNOWSHOE OF THE SEASON

2010-12-31T10:18:00.000-08:00

Winter in the West Kootenays started early this year; we saw snow in November which got everyone excited for winter sports. There is nothing worst living here when it is raining. We know the snow will come and we all wait anxiously for it every year.

So on a cloudy Sunday in November, we decided to go for a nice hike with the kids. Our friends Jodee, Maia, Zoe and Dawson and of course, dog Jewel were all part of the expedition.
We opted for a wide trail close to the hotsprings; it is low elevation and easier for the kids.
We had a blast~ the kids were running in their snowshoes, finding hills and just having a great time.
Snowshoeing is great exercise and cheap! The initial investment is a pair of snowshoes (we sell the MSR Evo at $159.99 for adults, kids version at $65.99). We've had our MSR for almost 10 years and they're still working just fine. These snowshoes fit just about any boots and are light and easy to carry. THere is so much terrain to explore around Nakusp, we plan to do a lot more this year.

If you're not ready to invest in a pair of snowshoes right away, we have adult and kids size available for rent. $15 for the day so it's a great and inexpensive way to try it before buying a pair. And if you rent a pair and decide on the same day to purchase snowshoes, we will put the rental fee towards your new snowshoes.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR HOLIDAY GETS CANCELLED

2010-12-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since our last blog so it's time for an update.

At the end of October, we were en route to go and explore the beautiful island of St.Lucia. We were excited to hike in a tropical paradise, and also do a bit of diving. It wasn't meant to be: the Island had been hit by a hurricane when we were in transit from Calgary to Toronto. Upon landing to make our connection, we were advised of the situation. After spending a night in Toronto, we were told no one was flying in or out of St. Lucia, apparently the damage much worst than we thought.

We decided to fly back to Calgary and reschedule our holidays.
On our way back, we started to think that we were still free to use some of that time to have some fun, and since Banff was on our way home, we decided to spend a night or two there.

It was the best decision ever. We woke up on November 2nd in Banff to blue skies and fairly warm temperatures for that time of year. We decided it would be a perfect day for a hike. We didn't have much warm clothing with us or gear so we decided to stay close to the area.

What we like about Banff is the access to trails without having to drive very far. On our first hike, we did the easy and popular Tunnel Mountain Trail. Although it was in low season, the trail was busy. We can see why; a short hike took us high enough to enjoy spectacular views of Banff and surrounding mountains. We normally would venture to more challenging hikes but we highly recommend going on this hike. Take a picnic and your camera! You won't regret it.

The next day, we decided to go up Sulphur Mountain by Gondola; we normally opt out of the overpriced 'tourist trap' attractions, but this is definitely worth it. The boardwalk at the top is simply amazing, it was bitter cold and windy when we were there. At the top, there is a restaurant with 360 views. If you don't have a lot of time in the region, I would put this as one of the things to do while there.

On our last day, we decided to hike to the Hoodoos. What are Hoodoos? It is a column of weathered and unusually shaped rock. The trail is extremely easy. If you don't feel like hiking, you can drive to the site. It is very unusual and beautiful. Although it was November, we saw a couple of kayaks landing on the shores of the river below us. The trail is beautiful, you might see climbers on the trail; the rock face of Tunnel Mountain is a popular site for climbers. We highly recommend this easy hike for the whole family.
Our two nights in Banff ended up being 4 nights. It was so beautiful we didn't want to leave. This made us realize how lucky we are in Canada, especially on the West Coast, to be living just a few hours away from such natural beauty. Things definitely has changed since I lived there during the 88 Olympics, but it is still one of the most spectacular places we've been.
And if you are wondering, yes we were able to get a full refund on our trip and have rebooked for Hawaii (Kona). We've already mapped some of the hikes we definitely want to do and some diving trips so stay tuned for an update end of February.

IO/BIO MERINO UNDERWEAR RED MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT PROMO

2010-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

We are SO happy that IO/BIO is offering the same promo as last season.

This offer is for one (1) single day pass voucher for Red Mountain Resort that may be submitted in person at Red Mountain in exchange for a lift ticket in any age category for this season for each IO/BIO Merino wool item purchased.

Once we give you the voucher, all you have to do is go online, register and your first day of skiing at Red Mountain is FREE!!! Yes, FREE.
Many of our customers were able to take advantage of this great promo last season.

We have lots of great IO/BIO Merino underwear colours this year and different weight.

For more information on the amazing IO/BIO products, check www.io-bio.com

SUMMIT LAKE AREA SKI PASSES

2010-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to let everyone know that we are now selling Summit Lake ski passes at Little Mountain.

Get your passes early to get the early bird pricing: (before December 1st)

( REGULAR PRICE IN BLACK EARLY BIRD IN RED)

ADULTS 19 and up $275. $230

STUDENTS (13 to 18) $225 $185

CHILD (6 to 12) $150 $130

SENIOR (60 to 65) $150 $130

FAMILY RATES *(MUST INCLUDE ONE ADULT!)

ONE ADULT $275. $230

TWO ADULTS 485 $415

STUDENT $180 $130

CHILD $130 $110

Note: we only sell the ski passes and not the punch cards.

See you on the slopes!!

COLIN ANGUS IS COMING TO NAKUSP

2010-10-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

We have some exciting news to share.

World renowned Colin Angus is coming to Nakusp!!!

When: November 27th 2010
Where: Nakusp Secondary School (GYMNASIUM)
Time: Door open at 7:00pm - presentation 7:30 to 9:30pm (with intermission)
Price: Kids and students FREE - Adults: $8 advance ticket and $10 at the door
(Tickets available at Little Mountain and Advantage Travel World, 412 Broadway st)

(link to http://www.angusadventures.com/tour.html for more information)

For those who haven't heard of him, here's a brief bio of his achievements:

Colin Angus completed the first human-powered circumnavigation of the world when in 2006 he cycled into Vancouver after 43,000 km of travel. During the course of two years he rowed across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, trekked and cycled through 16 countries, endured winter in Siberia and searing heat in the tropics.

Colin has made a career exploring remote parts of the world and sharing his adventures through bestselling books, films and presentations. He has navigated the Amazon and Yenisey Rivers from source to sea, sailed the South Pacific Ocean, and rowed thousands of km in waterways around the world. He has co-produced four documentaries which collectively won ten awards at international festivals including the Dijon and Telluride Festivals of Adventure Films. His work is published in numerous publications including the Globe and Mail, Reader’s Digest and Cruising World.

Outside Magazine listed Colin as one of the top 25 “bold visionaries with world changing dreams” for his work in promoting lifestyle changes to help the environment. Colin and Julie continue their efforts in promoting zero-emissions transportation as a healthy way to maintain a healthy world. (For more information check his website www.angusadventures.com)

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT! Our store now has his best selling books and DVD's available for sale. This is a great event for the entire family. we hope to see you all there!

GIMLI RIDGE (take 2)

2010-10-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

Sunday, October 17 2010 We woke up to sunny skies and decided to squeeze in one more hike this year, before the snow starts in the alpine. Mike had done Gimli earlier this summer, but it was foggy and raining and he barely saw the beautiful peak, so we decided to go there again. (see below) From Nakusp, it took us exactly 2 hours from our house to the trail head, packs on and ready to go.
For those who like to have their 'eye on the prize', this massive rock can be seen from the parking lot. It's an easy to moderate hike through the forest, with some steeper parts so good footwear is recommended. It's a national park so no dogs are allowed. This is one impressive area, all the peaks are jagged rock cliffs, it is spectacular. To the left, more peaks towering over us. We had lunch at what seems to be 'base camp' for climbers and hikers.

We didn't see any wildlife on this trip, but we heard picas in the distance. After a quick lunch break, we continued to the left to view Mulvey Basin. Ice has already started to form on the big rock, and while we were sitting enjoying the sun, we heard this loud crash - it was the ice melting, and landing below (right on our path to get back down). This was another amazing day hiking in the Kootenays. Pretty soon, we'll slap on the snowshoes and keep exploring nature's wonders. Happy trails.
(scroll down for more pictures)

CUSTOMER REWARD PROGRAM

2010-09-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that we opened the store almost a year ago (October 21st). We want to thank our community for their continued support. Your comments are always appreciated, and we are dedicated to continue changing the store to accomodate your needs.

We wanted to introduce a reward program for our customers and by discussing it for a while and getting input from my friend Corinne over coffee, we came up with a Customer Reward Card which will be available this week! Here's how it will work:

Next time you come in, we will start a card with your name and phone number and keep it on file at Little Mountain

For every $20 dollar spent (before tax), we will stamp your card according to your purchases that day
(i.e. if you spend $120 before tax, we would stamp your cards 6 times - 6 x $20=$120; if you spend $130, you would also receive 6 stamps, and so on)

The card has 25 squares each worth $20 - IT MUST BE IN INCREMENTS OF $20 (if you only spend $15, your card will not be stamped )

Once your card is full, you will receive a $30 credit towards your NEXT purchase in our store

Minimum purchase to use the card is $30 before tax - the card has no cash value.

No stamps given when redeeming gift certificates or using a store credit.

This is our way of saying thank you for choosing Little Mountain as your favorite store.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

NEW LINES FOR FALL

2010-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Little Mountain is very excited to introduce a few new lines for fall:

Ultimate skateboards Distributors; yes, Little Mountain is now in the business of skateboarding. Ultimate represents the top brands in the sport. The guys who own it, and started it, are all skaters, and they support over 200 skate events a year. we carry a small inventory however, if there's a board you like, we can probably order it.

O'Neill: O'Neill was started by Jack in 1952 as a surf shop in a garage. Today, it's a leading brand in wetsuits, swimwear, and casual fashion. we're expecting our fall order any day, the prices are very reasonable, it's young, fresh and vibrant. It'll be a nice addition to our already very popular Billabong line.

Isis: this is a great line of clothing developed for women by women. (95% of the company is women). Their goal is to develop attractive performance clothing that FITS women who are inspired to live an active life; fit to them is more than just a number on a size chart, so they have adjusted their clothing to fit different body types. (some styles are available up to size 16).

Kuhl: Kühl® uses not only innovative style and features but exclusive fabrics with their unique weaves and vintage washes that create authentic character. Their designs as well as the utmost craftsmanship provide a fit that is pure comfort.

Fig: A truly Canadian company based in Montreal, FIG is an elegant solution to athletic wear, essential for comfort and busy lives of women. Cotton, and organic hemp/cotton blends with a little bit of lycra are what they mostly use and it is so comfortable and easy to wear. we have limited selection for fall and winter, but have a full inventory coming for spring.

Merrell Apparel: Merrell has branched out and is now in the business of clothing, and we are very impressed so far by the quality and styles. It's been selling well, the prices are reasonable. Come and check it out!

Our fall and winter stock are arriving weekly! Whether you need a warm jacket or pants, or simply a great pair of jeans or hoody, or a sleeping bag, tent, ski gloves, ski poles, helmets, come visit us! Our winter hours are now: Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30pm and Saturday 9:30 to 5pm.

PADDLE ON UPPER ARROW LAKES

2010-08-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 15

I love where we live! Sunday morning, we decided to go for a paddle, but didn't want to venture far so after loading the boats, we drove 5 minutes to launch the kayaks at the Marina in Nakusp. Within half hour of having breakfast, loading the boats and leaving our house, we were on the water.

This is one of the great bonus about living here, it is beautiful everywhere and we don't need to go far to find a quiet beach all to ourselves. All we did is paddle across from the Marina and found a nice little beach, easy access to land the Kayaks and we stayed there all day, had a picnic, we only saw the odd power boat driving by slowly. The lake was so calm that day. From our little beach, we could watch the village and activity going on while relaxing on our chosen piece of paradise for the day. So this wasn't really a big adventure, but I am so glad to be living here. There is so much to do even when time is an issue, there are so many quiet, beautiful places to paddle to and it takes no time at all to reach your destination.

SEARCH FOR UPPER HOT SPRINGS

2010-08-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Friday August 13....

On a beautiful Friday afternoon, Mike & I and our friend Mark decided to find the Upper Hot Springs. Everyone knows about the Half Way Hot Springs, and we were told the Upper Hot Springs was on that same road, to just keep driving to about 22 km and that although difficult to locate, we should be able to see the trail; so after looking at a map book, we ventured on what we thought was the correct road.... we drove for a couple of hours at least on for the most part easy logging road but with definite treacherous parts. On our first try, we drove to about 22km, only to end up at a dead end, the road washout out by debris, fallen trees, and definitely no sign of a hot spring anywhere.
Not wanting to be defeated, we back tracked for a while and found another branch on the road which we though for sure must be the way. So again driving another 10plus km on that road, which was also a bit crazy in parts, we came to another dead end, but this time, it looked like it could be a hot spring area. we searched the area for signs of a stream... with no luck. By then it was almost 5pm, so we decided to drive back to Half Way hot spring for a soak, and wondered where we went wrong.
After talking to locals, they told us we were on the wrong road... but we don't regret it ! we finally know where the Half Way road goes to and it is beautiful up there - definitely a 4 x 4 road, we had to move rocks in one area to be able to go through. But another adventure, not much exercise but a fun trip nonetheless.

FINAL SUMMER SALES

2010-08-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

School starts soon, shorts and t-shirts will be put away soon so we're having our FINAL SUMMER SALE! All must go:
30 to 60% off summer clothing
30 to 40% off all sandals (kids/adults)

Our fall orders are coming in so we must make room! Take advantage of some great prices for great quality products for next season.
But come soon, at those prices, it is selling FAST!!!!

See you all soon! Thanks for all your great comments on our new store and for your continued patronage.

Gimli Ridge / Mulvey Basin

2010-08-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday Aug 8 it was just Mark and I heading up to Gimli ridge, this is hike #16 in the book "Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenay". The road was good going up to the trailhead and obviously 4WD is not needed by the appearance of a Volkwagen golf at the parking lot.

Again we have another iffy weather day, as we start up the cloud ceiling is low, it takes us about 45min hiking through the forest before we break out into the alpine, with clouds still in, we continue up with the weather breaking every so often to tease us with a few seconds of mountain views. As we approach the saddle there are many marmots and pika running around,

other hikers have told us about a couple of Mountain Goats further ahead, we did not see them. As we reach the saddle, Gimli Peak is covered in a blanket of cloud and every so often we get a glimpse of this stunning peak, I am absolutely amazed by this rock spire. After lunch at the saddle we continue on to the ridge with the weather starting to break up, we now have views of Gimli peak

and other surronding ones, what a magnificent area, every direction you look are stunning vistas. From the saddle to the ridge the trail narrows and skirts around the base of Gimli, once we reach the ridge we are rewarded with spectacular views of the Mulvey Creek Basin, for those of you afraid of heights stay back, the edge is straight down many 100's of feet.

But what a spot, we dont want to leave. We continue along the ridge to try and get down into the basin but at the end is a steep drop where you would need the proper rope and equipment to get down. As we start back many of the peaks are now basking in a brief period of sunshine but don't be fooled, 30 minutes later the sky darkens and we are drenched in a downpour of hail followed by rain which lasts until about 10 minutes from the parking lot. Eventhough we are soggy our spirits are high, another great trip, definitely one to re-do on a sunny day.

ALPS ALTURAS, Goat Range Provincial Park

2010-08-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 1 -
I am going to start running out of adjectives to describe some of these hikes but again, what a spectacular hike!!!

I would say one of my top 5 so far.

We woke up to rainy skies, and risks of thunderstorms but we decided to head out anyways, and if the weather got that bad, we'd just turn around.
Our friends Jodee and Don decided to join us for the day.

The 27km logging road to get there is simply amazing. It's very well maintained (but I still wouldn't venture out there without a 4 x 4), and if you are afraid of heights, well this isn't the road or hike you want to do. It is narrow in places, and sheer 90 degree vertical drop on one side.
I would highly recommend the book "Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenay by Kathy andCraig Copeland (which we sell LOL) or the Back road BC Map book for the Kootenay area to find the trail head, there are many intersections to cross and not all of them are marked.

If you're a hiker who loves to get above the tree line quickly, and have panoramic views of mountains, this is the hike to do. After only about 2 km in the trees, the trail opens to meadows full of beautiful wild flowers, rocky peaks, and mountains as far as you can see. All of us were mesmerized by the views.

The trail meanders from valley to valley, at each corner you turn, another spectacular valley appears. There are only a couple of trickier parts where it is still snow covered, but with hiking poles and good boots, it is fine. We made it to the lake but it was raining quite hard and very cold. It took us just over 2 hours to get there. (My Mountain Hardware Gore-Tex jacket kept me dry and comfortable the whole time! Great gear is so important when you venture out to do some of those hikes)

I would highly recommend this hike - it feels so remote, we didn't even hear an airplane. And I know what everyone wants to know, did we see any bears? Well no, we saw bear scats, but our only trail companions were little pikas, marmots and squirrels.

And since this hike is near Rosebery, we ended the hike at the Wild Rose Restaurant for some great mexican food and a few margueritas. (And of course, by then, the sun was shining and it was hot! ) Oh well, maybe our next hike will be under sunny skies.
Until next time, happy trails! Be safe,respect wildlife and leave no trace...

MOSQUITO CREEK PADDLE

2010-08-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 25

Due to a late start, we decided to check out a short paddle our friend Pat told us about. We launched the boats at the small boat launch beside Arrow Lakes Ferry.
Under beautiful sunny skies, we packed the boats, lunch and all, and paddled across the lake, which is a very short distance.
Upon entering the creek, it is very wide, and quiet... what a beautiful creek. It's extremely easy to paddle, and the view is spectacular. We saw eagles, osprey, many ducks and geese. Kayaks can easily go all the way to the end of the creek, where a river meets with the creek. Power boats can't access this area, it is very shallow.

We parked the boats on the little beach, and enjoyed the sounds and smells of nature. Upon arriving, we were sharing the beach with beautiful butterflies. What a nice place to escape when you don't have a lot of time but want to get away for a few hours.

(see more pics below!)

JULY SALE

2010-07-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

On sale now -
Orage hoodies and select clothing 50% off reg price
Arson hoodies - 50% off reg price
Friksn tshirts - 40% off reg price
Orb spring jackets - 50% off reg price

OUR GEAR PICKS FOR SUMMER

2010-07-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Marie's picks:
- Kayland Apex rock mountaineering boot; After 10 years with Meindl,(which I still have), I decided to try a lighter hiking boot, versatile, rigid but comfortable. Kayland delivered on all the above. So far, it has thumbs up for me.

- Thermarest NeoAir mattress - I cannot remember last time I had a 'great' sleep outdoors, unless I collapsed from being exhausted after a long hike and could basically sleep anywhere. Well, we splurged this year and each got "the world's most advanced engineering in ultralight comfort" from Thermarest. It is worth the price - the matt inflates to a good 2 inches thick, the large one weights 1 pound 3 ounces, and packs down to the size of a 1 litre bottle - it is SO comfortable, I couldn't go back to a regular air matt now. It is also the winner of many outdoor awards, and we can definitely see why. If you do any type of overnight backpacks, or any other types of overnight outdoor trips, you will love this mattress.

Outbound Acapulco beach chair - this mesh chair is amazing, not to take on backpacking trips (a bit too heavy) but with friends by a campfire, or at the beach - it is very comfortable because it has arm rests and the frame is steel so more durable.

Mountain Hardware Butter topper - this is a winner for me. I'm always cold, so this piece of gear for me is awesome. Lightweight, wicking, fast drying stretch fabric with a hoody, extremely soft - I've been wearing them (I have one in every colour...)all fall, winter and spring, even this summer on colder nights. I do not leave home on trips without bringing one.

Deuter Futura Pro 34 SL - Deuter has figured out that women need a pack to fit a woman's body. What a difference, this pack felt so good on even before I adjusted all the straps. Their pack colours are great too (not that fashion is that important in the middle of nowhere - but it is nice to have such great selection). We have a special on with women's backpack: buy a women's fit SL pack from Deuter and receive a free gift (pack rain cover, or fanny pack). You can see my pack on one of the pictures below these posts.

Mike's Picks
Tecnica cross training shoes - Tecnica has produced a new style of cross trainer built with a rolling sole so as to transfer your energy more efficiently when you are running. These shoes were built for trail running but can easily be used for the road as I do. They are also a great choice for those of you who have to stand or do a lot of walking at your job. This is the best pair of shoes of this type that I have ever bought, the cushioning in the sole and insole are to die for. Once you try a pair on you wont take them off.

Buff - What is a Buff, no you are not hiking naked, maybe that guy I saw a number of years ago hiking in the buff got it wrong, and there were many mosquitos, ouch. A buff basically is a tube of micro-fibre designed to fit over your head in many different ways to transfer perspiration away from your skin and to quickly evaporate. It can also be worn under a helmet or by itself for extra warmth in those colder days. It has now become an essential part of my pack list when I go out. For those of you who watch survivor this is where the Buff became famous as that is what all the participants are wearing.

Suunto Vector wristop computer - I am really excited about this one, it has been many years since I have had an altimeter watch, and so far I am very excited about the new Suunto. We have just received them in the store and after only two weeks of owning mine I am very impressed. This watch has a compass, barometer, stop watch, altimeter with log features and a few more options, plus it is water resistant to 30M. The settings are easy to adjust and simple to use.

WRAGGE BEACH PADDLE, SLOCAN LAKE

2010-07-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

July 3/4
Our first overnight paddle since moving to Nakusp 2 years ago. Our friends Jodee, Don, Wayne, Mona and kids Zoe and Maia and dog Jewel were camping for the weekend, so after closing Little Mountain on Saturday, we decided to paddle over from Hills to join them.

Again, under questionable skies but warm enough, we had an incredible paddle across Slocan Lake. We launched the kayaks around 7pm, and arrived at the beach 45 minutes later, so a very easy paddle.
They had chosen a beautiful site, and luckily, we didn't get any rain over night. THe rain came in the morning so we packed up earlier than we wanted and paddled back to Hills.

The site although busy felt remote, it's very well maintained and clean. It is accessible by vehicle, however it was fun to just have a quick paddle across. Our kayaks were so loaded for only one night - we still can't believe we were able to pack so much, including a coleman stove and my great beach chair from Outbound that goes everywhere I go now.

I just got my kayak this year, a beautiful Riot Brittany and so far it's been great. We've only done a few quick trips, a few hours here and there and at sunset. We're hoping to do a longer paddle overnight soon, stay tuned. If you're interested, you can join us.

We also recommend the Chamber website where a set of paddling maps are available for downloads. They are amazing and well done, lots of detail with all the coordinates to find the proper beaches, point of interests, etc... (www.nakusparrowlakes.com) if you're traveling and don't have access to a printer, we sell them at the store (to cover our printing cost only).
Happy paddling, it is spectacular to paddle here.

WILSON LAKE FALLS

2010-07-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mid June -

On a somewhat rainy afternoon, friends, Mike and I decided to drive to Rosebery for a quick hike to the falls and continue afterwards to the Wild Rose for dinner. This is a very easy hike, we had 2 kids with us ages 8 and 5 and they had no problem there and back. It's very beautiful, in the lush forest and at the end, the waterfall is spectacular, a lot bigger than I expected. The kids had fun walking on the logs, we hiked up a little bit above the fall - a bit slick with muddy areas but it was nice to be so close and feel the mist on our faces.

Finishing with a great Mexican dinner and a most excellent marguerita at the Wild Rose to celebrate our friend Don's birthday was the perfect closing for another amazing day.

Highly recommend as an easy hike, beautiful and well worth the short hike to get there.

SADDLE MOUNTAIN

2010-07-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 11, 2010

After moving here 2 years ago, we finally did the Saddle Mountain Lookout trail hike. WOW! WOW! WOW! What an amazing trail. Under somewhat questionable weather conditions, (sunny/menacing clouds, possibility of thunderstorms), we decided to go for it. The drive was easy, with a four wheel drive, definitely easy climb to the trail head. We started the hike at 1:45pm, and took 2 1/4 hours to the top. The views are spectacular ~ and aside from one small area that was steep with a bit of snow left, we had no difficulty on the trail (I was very glad to be hiking in my new Kayland Apex Rock - what an incredible boot!) - it is well marked, just one area with a bit of overgrown brush, whoever has been looking after maintaining this trail is doing an awesome job!
However, if you are afraid of heights, you may have trouble going all the way to the top; the trail is very narrow, steep, and you have to navigate your way through the rocks but the prize is the views. And the lookout is still there, we walked around for a while, it was really windy and definitely we needed our fleece jackets.
We highly recommend this hike! I would NOT take a dog, the rocks are not that stable and could be slippery and hazardous. And on a hot day, the rocks are really hot and it could hurt the dogs paws. Plus there is some really nice wild flowers, so better leave the pooch home on this one.

Let us know if you've done it. We may have to go back, we wanted to do the second peak but it was getting late.
Happy trails!
And as always, Be safe, and respect wildlife and nature!

UPCOMING HIKES

2010-07-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Little Mountain has been asked to let others know of upcoming hikes that Mike and I (Marie) plan to do. we will post upcoming hikes if you'd like to join us. This is for those who would like to hike but have no one to go with, so let us know if you'd like to come. You must be a medium to advance hiker, have all your safety gear and proper attire for hiking. Little Mountain takes no responsibility, this is simply to accomodate those who want other people to go hiking with. Email us if you are interested.

Next hike: Sunday, August 1st - Alps Alturas
Departure time to be determined.

September long weekend (Saturday and Sunday) - we're going back to Alps Alturas (hopefully under sunny skies) for an overnight trip. You must have all your own equipment (tent/sleeping bag/cooking unit etc...) - let us know if you're interested. we want to explore a bit more of the area on day 2.

GRAND RE-OPENING

2010-07-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Little Mountain Outdoor Gear, in Nakusp, B.C. has expanded ~ we are still on the main street, (Broadway), but now have 1100 sqf of retail space.
We have a large inventory of outdoor apparel, casual fashion, footwear, tents, backpacks, equipment, accessories and more.
Brands like: Mountain Hardware, Sierra Design, Deuter Backpacks, Billabong, Fox Racing, Orb, Arson, Keen, Merrell, Tevas, and more. Camping equipment from Mountain Hardware, Outbound, MSR, and more.
Come visit our new store - if we don't have it in stock, we'll order it. Visit our website at www.littlemountainoutdoorgear.com for more information.