North America

Highest Concentration of Grizzlies in North America – An Argument with a Big Rock – Flight in Bighorn Helicopter

The day started well; very cold but turned out to be a sunny day. Camping in the deserted Pollock Creek camp ground was a bit surreal especially when I found a loo with a view.

Loo with a View
Loo with a View.  I know what you are thinking, what this picture is lacking is a naked man in a bowler hat, reading The Times, but I just didn’t have one to hand at the time.
Camping at Pollock Creek and hanging our food out of reach of the bears
Camping at Pollock Creek and hanging our food out of reach of the bears on the provided bars, although I am pretty sure that most bears would be able to climb up if they wanted to, at least it was away from the tent.
Pushing over an overflow streambed
We had a steep climb this morning, up over Cabin Pass, 1719m over 10 miles, and very rough going in places where the river had overflowed.
Despite cycling through an area with the densest population of Grizzly Bears in North America we have yet to see a bear. This may have something to do with our bear bells which make quite a noise as we shake, rattle and roll over the rocky tracks.
We have seen quite a few deer and lots of small mammals which I think are ground squirrels and goffers
Most of the bridges have suffered from the flooding last year
Most of the bridges have suffered from the flooding last year
The route is framed in flowers
The route is framed in flowers
A fire had burnt out the tree a few years ago
A fire had burnt out the trees a few years ago
The paramedics Trevor Fairweather, Simon Pine and the pilot Taylor
After my accident. The paramedics Trevor Fairweather, Simon Piney and the pilot Taylor
Bighorn Helicopter that came to the rescue
The Bighorn Helicopter that came to the rescue

Once over the top of the pass we started to pick up speed, which as it turned out,  was a mistake. I had an argument with a large rock and lost, I believe this involved flying off the bike which then landed on me. Bernie was able to try out the first aid he had learnt at our ‘Far From Help’ course given by Wilderness Medical and having decided that I did indeed have concussion pushed the emergency button on our Delorme “In Reach” which summoned a helicopter. This arrived pdq.

Bernie and the paramedic Trevor Fairweather had to stay behind as there was no room in the helicopter, so they spent time hiding the bikes, which Trevor later kindly drove out for 2 hours eachway to collect and put in his garage. Thank you Trevor. Also thank you to the pilot Taylor as it was difficult flying conditions in the strong winds.

I was taken to the hospital in Fernie where Dr. Virginia Robinson did a great job fixing my broken thumb. I was then sent in an ambulance for an hour to Cranbrook Hospital where they had a CT scanner as they were worried about my concussion.  All OK.  I would also like to thank the nice police lady who gave us a lift to a nearby hotel at midnight, sorry for throwing up in your car.

Thank goodness for medical insurance. We now have to go, on Tuesday, back to Calgary, where we started, to visit a plastic surgeon to have my thumb put in a cast as it keeps sliding out.

The rest of me is generally OK apart from 6 stitches in my arm,  although the side of my hip and the back of my shoulder look like raw steak from the bruising.

Once we have seen about my thumb we will have to see if we can continue the trip on bikes, or if we are going to drive a bit then ride the rest.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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