Up into the Air

In spite of the hot tub and masseur, I know this lodge-to-lodge heli-hiking trip will be physically more challenging than anything I’ve ever done, and I am excited.   Fortunately I come to find out there   are energy-saving tricks I will learn as I make my up and down the mountains, along the trails, and into the woods.

Canadian Mountain Holidays (http://www.canadianmountainholidays.com) provides a lot of gear for their patrons who may not be fully prepared for summer in the Purcell mountains (The Purcells are west of the Rockies.)  I *think* I’m prepared---I have wicking clothes and fleece, a rainjacket, and am prepared to wear (or remove) layers as needed. 

A typical day:  We wake up in a cozy room under a snuggly comforter,  peer out the window in awe at the view, and roll over.  Or maybe we get up to start our day with morning stretches (if we feel like it) and then a hearty breakfast, pack our lunch, and  choose groups based on the level of activity we think we can handle.  I wisely choose an ‘easier’ group.  If I think it’s too easy (ha ha), I’ll change on the next hike.

And we’re off...our helicopter awaits....

Janet and David's helicopter

Um....  that’s not the one we use to get to the trailhead.  

After I first wrote about heli-hiking, a friend called me and said, “I was there!"  Since then we’ve had a few conversations about how much we enjoyed it and how unusual it is to know someone else who’s done it.  At one point we noted that most people have never been in a helicopter.  We, on the other hand, can’t be sure just how many flights we took on our hiking trips... at least 3 a day?.... every day....

in one of these:

Helicopter Take Off
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