Fire in the mountains
West Kelowna firefighters take two men with disabilities on an outdoor adventure trip. It’s something they do every year. They tell their own story here.
The third annual Fire in The Mountains provided Bob and Kyle, two Okanagan residents with disabilities, with the experience of a lifetime.
The multi-day trip is sponsored by the West Kelowna Professional Firefighters Local 4457, in partnership with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS) Adaptive Travel program, which provides wilderness getaways to some of B.C.’s most majestic backcountry locations, for people with disabilities.
“This past fall, an epic four-day paddling expedition on world renowned Murtle Lake, in Wells Gray Provincial Park, provided a break from the everyday realities of life and civilization and the opportunity to be immersed in the serenity of nature.” said firefighter Ryan Onyschuk.
Murtle Lake, the largest freshwater, paddle-only lake in the world, requires outdoor enthusiasts to portage 2.4 kilometres along a wilderness trail just to reach its shores.
“2016 was the first time that Fire in The Mountains provided this type of experience to two individuals at once.” said Onyschuk.
Bob’s wife couldn’t thank the firefighters and the organization enough.
“He has a new lease on life and is looking at things through a different lens, in terms of what is possible, since his return,” she said.
After travelling five and a half hours along the scenic Yellowhead Highway with kayaks and canoes in tow, a quick fuel stop at Blue River, a small community in the central interior surrounded by glaciated mountains, provided a glimpse of the views to come.
The final leg to the Murtle Lake portage parking lot included 25 kilometres of narrow, twisty, dusty mountain road.
The stage was set for Bob, Kyle and their guides to go miles into the backwoods.
The Fire in the Mountains team tirelessly assembled “Trail Riders” (all-terrain, one wheeled versions of wheelchairs, that enable CRIS to take people with mobility impairments on mountain trails), and loaded up kayaks and canoes filled with supplies onto creaky portage wheels.
Just accessing the water’s edge of Murtle Lake required support personnel to make several trips on a slick, muddy 2.4-km route.
With the muddy trail behind them, Bob and Kyle climbed by moonlight into their custom-fitted tandem kayaks. With a push off from the rocky shores, the group were greeted with the silence of the still mountain air and a calm majestic lagoon that would lead to the mouth of Murtle Lake.
As the bows of the kayaks glided gently into a sandy shore, the group had arrived at what would be their wilderness backcountry camp for the next three nights.
A late dinner of hot pineapple chili was served under moonlit tree boughs.
The morning provided the group with their first daytime glimpse of Murtle Lake’s Bob, top, Kyle, right, and all the participants in 2016’s Fire in the Mountains, above. vastness. After breakfast by campfire, the group prepared for the daunting task of paddling up the outstretched west arm. Leaving camp involved heading straight into the stiff late morning breeze. With whitecaps breaking over their bows, the crews of both Bob’s and Kyle’s boats were constantly challenged to stay on course.
As minutes grew into hours, the winds subsided, which encouraged the group to reach Fairyslipper Island, which was once only a distant view up the west arm.
A island with pale yellowish brown sand covering its beaches is a no-camping zone, but a great rest stop to give weary arms and sore bottoms momentary reprieve.
Under the warmth of the sun’s rays, the group relaxed and ate a show-stopping lunch, which involved the backpacker’s version of Japanese sushi salad. Looming clouds appearing over the tree-covered ridges to the south were indication of imminent changing weather conditions.
Led by CRIS guide Troy Becker, the group grabbed a few last photos and pushed off from the island’s tranquil shores to conquer the two-hour paddle back to camp.
As the clouds moved north and grew thicker and daylight began to darken, it became obvious making it to camp in front of the once far off weather system was futile. The clouds released their fury on the mountains first with a bright display of streaking lightning forks followed by tumultuous thunder, that would skirt the shores of Murtle Lake and continue north along the shore, keeping a nervous, but safe distance from the group.
Thoughts of forest fires rang throughout the group, but were suppressed by dark sheets of rain that immediately followed.
The storm drifted north, leaving the group to complete the crossing back to camp under dry skies and calm waters.
With headlamp beams reflecting off the night’s dark waters the group arrived back at camp. The trip also had some antics, of course. “When our trip leader offered up the challenge, it was intriguing, but vague, too vague,” laughed firefighter Bob Durham. “But he got the better of our competitive and curious sides.”
Becker systematically lured some of the firefighters, knowing the rest would follow. As he corralled the group and herded them towards the lake, nagging suspicions became tangible concerns. Once at water’s edge there was no turning back.
“Once I saw Kyle was going in with us … that was the tipping point for everyone. If he was going, we all were going,” said Capt. Trevor Bredin.
The group’s next adventure would take place above lake’s shores in the rivers that fed the lake. Slowly gliding and weaving through the winding lagoon channels that was home to an abundant of wildlife foraging in the buckbrush and marsh grasses, the group made its way up stream. Shallow waters required creative navigation, prompting boats to be heaved over small critter dams and fallen vegetation.
Sheltered from the afternoon’s lake breeze, the stillness allowed every chirp and rustle to be heard from the unconcerning marsh critters.
“I thought I would never be able to see and feel places like this again. It has opened my eyes to the magnificent opportunity you guys are making available,” Bob said.
The last evening saw everyone indulge in fine dining, with fresh cut fir logs burning and a lot of story telling.
“It was a powerful moment seeing Bob sharing his past stories and experiences while relating it through his emotions to the last three days, what it meant to him to be there in that moment we may never fully be able to relate to,” said Bredin. “This truly gives us all a time to reflect on how lucky we are to share in this experience that will be life changing for all of us on so many levels. Truly an experience we all will never forget.”
West Kelowna firefighters are accepting applications for the 2017 Fire in The Mountains. People with a disability should write a letter explaining why you would like to participate in a wilderness trip, and what it would mean to you. Letters can be emailed to info@adaptivetravel.ca or mailed to Box 25141 Mission Park PO, Kelowna, B.C. V1W 3Y7. Submissions must be received by March 31.