Flathead Valley: a Wild thoroughfare
Recap from last week: The trio has crossed the Wigwam headwaters and climbed Couldrey Ridge. At last, they enter the Flathead Basin …
DAY FOUR
Descending from the high peaks toward the wide Flathead valley, the air gets warmer, and the snow grows heavier. Soon, we are trudging with great clumps of ice packed beneath our skis. Dropping our heavy packs, we once again tow them behind us on plastic toboggans and continue south.
A single yellow marker appears, protruding from a deep snowbank, with the number 95. It is a kilometre marker; referred to in the bush as “bar” or “board.” (i.e. “Headin' south at 95 bar.”) We are almost 100 kilometres from the nearest road head, which might not sound like much, but for those who travel the backcountry, anything over 30 is rare and noteworthy. And the numbers are still going up!
