My Klinaklini
Dalton's Hideaway in the Klinaklini Valley, BC (Photo by NCC)
(The Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC’s) Peter Shaughnessy looks after some of NCC’s most remote projects in British Columbia. Our conservation areas in the Kilinaklini River Valley in the west-central part of the province top the list of hardest-to-access locations. These are not tourist destinations; they are remote wildnerness areas that provide undisturbed habitat for wildlife. NCC’s conservation work here is helping to keep it that way. In this blog post, Peter shares a glimpse of what it takes to get in to the valley to undertake stewardship activities, such as removing old human-made structures and treating the knapweed infestation, so that we can ultimately leave this land to the bears, moose, wolves and other creatures that thrive here.)
So, you want to join me in exploring the remote Klinaklini Valley? By helicopter, we’d be there in 15 minutes. But that’s too easy. We are going in the hard way — on a 100-year-old wagon track from hell. There are a few things I need to tell you beforehand.
First, you are in for an unrivalled treat. This fabulous place — home to grizzlies, wolves and wolverines — follows the Klinaklini River from where it falls off the Chilcotin Plateau and winds its way through the Coast Range to the Pacific.
Second, do not take this trip lightly. It is a challenge even if all goes well. You must be self-sufficient. There is no cell service — only spotty radio contact — and there’s no friendly rancher nearby to bail you out. My advice? Expect to run into trouble. This place will chew you up and spit you out.
Peter Shaughnessy walks the wetlands at Dalton's Hideaway (Photo by NCC)
Third, be prepared. Make sure you bring a sturdy companion (or two) who can handle adverse conditions. Double up your critical equipment: not one but two ATVs, a chainsaw, a Swede saw, some tow chain, heavy rope, extra fuel, two radios with extra batteries, plenty of full-strength bug repellent and an assortment of outdoor wear to handle everything from snow to sweltering heat (all in the same day). Toss in a few tools for breakdowns and a tent and a sleeping bag in case you have to overnight. Top up your kit with a couple of tins of sardines for emergency rations. And don’t forget the bear spray, bear bangers and whistles!
Now make sure you have a spare battery and an extra card for your camera, because you are going to need them. The Klinaklini Valley is a photographer’s rapture — an uncompromised wilderness area that shows little trace of the few humans who tried, and mostly failed, to eke out a living here. This is a trip you won’t forget!
NCC’s most recent conservation acquisition in the Klinaklini Valley is the 300–acre (120-hectare) Poet Place. Learn more about our work in the remote Klinaklini area here >
About the Author
Peter Shaughnessy is the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s former project manager for BC’s West Chilcotin area.
