So, Having got the basics of our shelter together, we turn to fire and food gathering in the second part of our 1st day in a Survival Scenario in the Canadian Mountains.
The plan was to hit a mountain area of British Columbia where we could test out theoretical skills (this was my first trip) and carry a backup kit if we needed it. I brought simple items (emergency blankets for my dad and myself, flint strikers, survival fishing kit, a cheap rain poncho, aluminum pot and a hand axe and Aegis folding knife (provided by SOG). I also took a small panasonic camera to film all our adventures. Video below!
My dad acting as backup, also brought a pot, plate and cup, in addition to a regular fishing kit. We headed up to a lake on crown land at about 800 meters where nights were below freezing and where snow in the day was not uncommon.
DISCLAIMER: I’m an untrained and unprofessional amature. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. I am NOT responsible for any harm that comes from anyone trying to imitate me.
On the second day out, we had a guide and started up the original trail we had ventured down on our first day, but we went much further and saw so much more.
This time, as we were hiking along, i noticed a licorice like smell that had me searching for a plant I had seen on a trip to Sorata the previous year. It turned out to be wild anis that the guide didn’t know was in the area and when you rub it between your fingers it lets out an amazing aroma. It can be used to make a tea (mate in Bolivia).
The kids were more interested in the flowers and mariposas (butterflies) and getting a free ride over the puddles (thanks to the guide).
Again, they crossed the bridge without concern and then led the way up the trails. We saw lots of plants and flowers, including an amazing tree that smelled like perfume. My favorite was the phosphorescent lichen growing on the rocks near the waterfall.
Our first sgoal was a waterfall. Superstition says that drinking from it will grant you wishes! The kids, wife and I were all happy to just be allowed to climb it and enjoy the cool, refreshing spray. The kids then proceeded to wade through pools, soaking themselves as they headed down river.
Our second stop was the better of the two falls. It was much bigger and we had to clamber through the pools and river to even see it. It gave the kids (and me) a chance to distract ourselves and get soaking wet in the process.
I ended up having to carry my son back as he was completely tuckered from all the walking. We were really looking forward to lunch after a change of sopping wet clothes.
There are a lot more trails then we went on and they are even working on a much larger Tibetan bridge that crosses the larger river as well. If you have the energy you could have passed the whole day trekking up the mountain side and getting closer to seeing bears, pumas, porcupines, deer and other wildlife. While the hotel was a disappointment, the trails are definitely worth a look if you have the time.
In a previous post I mentioned a trip down to the Bolivian tropical region called “Los Yungas”. We stayed in an 80 year old castle, but the real interest was in the trails.
When we unpacked we headed straight for the path that borders a small village and heads down to the river. There were a bunch of butterflies, lots of grasshoppers and other small bugs, but surprisingly very few biting bugs. The kids loved it and even though the path teetered on the edge of the abyss at times the trotted along without fear. Even the bridge made of rebar and fencing wire (which my son claimed was tin foil) was crossed with more trepidation from us parents than the 3 and 5 year old.
We passed about 20 minutes with the kids playing in the pools before heading up the trail for a nice lunch.
That afternoon my daughter and I headed off to another trail that lead us through fields of flowers, through jungle, past coffee and orange-like plants until we hit a “Tibetan bridge” (read 2 wires with some square boards stapled to it and 2 more wires for hand rails). My daughter wasn’t daunted by it at all. She trotted across over the rushing torrents and merrily went on her way.
The rest of the trail was somewhat uneventful as we came out at the river and wandered around looking for tracks (human or otherwise) in the sandy areas between the rocks.
Having satisfied ourselves with our accomplishments, we headed back for some board games inside and a tour of the antiques and history of the castle.
Check out this short video of my trip with my daughter across the Tibetan bridge.
Thanks to our reviewers and writers, you probably haven’t noticed that I’ve been in Bolivia for a while now, even if I’ve kept quiet about it. I figured I’d start to tell a bit about our adventures abroad, starting with a recent trip we took to an area of Bolivia called Los Yungas.
Although technically pretty high up (6000+ feet or 2000 meters) because of its location close to the equator, los Yungas is a semi-tropical area that boasts lots of butterflies, rainforests and if you’re lucky enough to see them parrots, spectacled bears, deer and more. The real appeal for us was that it is only 2-3 hours out of La Paz.
The only problems you are likely to face are related to wash outs, but as long as you don’t hit the rainy season you should be ok. Even if you do though, they’ll have crews out there to fish it ASAP (as was the case when we visited).
The Trip
Once we left La Paz, we started our ascent to a mountain pass where we crossed the Cordillera Real. At close to 5000 meters and with jagged peaks and deep valleys, it makes quite the trip.
If you’re not used to the altitude of La Paz, or maybe even if you are, you’ll probably get light headed at this point. Take photos of the high mountain lakes and water reservoir that serves La Paz. Or, take a gander at the locals herding llamas (pronounced Yah-mahs) and alpacas around.
Once you hit La Cumbre (the summit) you’ll start to see cyclists heading down on their way to the Death Road to Coroico. Its amazing trip and you end up passing through a long tunnel to get there. If you brave the traffic and crazy drivers you’ll definitely be rewarded.
When we got to Unadavi we had to turn off the nice, paved road and onto the gravel path that is littered with small streams and boulders (it was good that we bought new tires). In less than an hour you descend from the summit down to about 2000 meters and it’s astonishing how much it changes from barrens to thick jungle forests where parrots fly across in groups and butterflies can be seen everywhere.
It’s the only Castle in Bolivia and despite how it looks, it isn’t that old. The President of the Country back in 1935 had it built as a family home and place to invite foreign dignitaries. The problem was that this was the same president that started the war with Paraguay. He used prisoners of war to open access to the area, drag stones out of the river and then put together this fancy, 5 story building.
Well, after foreign nations stepped in and helped Paraguay Bolivia lost the war it started and the then president was forced into exile. He locked the doors and it stayed unused for some time. It wasn’t until the government started giving land back to the locals in the 50s that it became used for anything.
Currently, they are renovating it to turn into an adventure tourism center with lots of trails to waterfalls and precarious bridges across fast flowing rivers (look for the follow up article to see some videos of that).
While we didn’t think much of the hotel, the food was decent and we really enjoyed what we came for: the hiking.
Take a look at the video of the trip from La Paz to the hotel:
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