The Incomappleux Expedition: Part 1 - A Walk in the Woods.

~5 km into our river descent and we’ve already encountered three newly formed rapids. Caused by violent washouts on several tributary creeks, we begin to fear what the next stretch of river may bring. From what we know, the valley’s gradient is about to increase. Combined with the higher than expected flows, there’s a good chance we’ll be in for some grueling portages. A broken radio transmission indicates Steve is miles behind, likely getting slaughtered by one of the valley’s incredible slide paths. Another recent washout is before us now, and a dribble of rain is beginning to fall. Camp is called in a mossy thicket with celebratory swigs eventually passing around the fire. Concluding an exhausting three-day hike with a satisfying dose of unexpected whitewater, Sven’s birthday adds another reason to warm our gullets, pitching ourselves into a well-deserved sleep.~ 

In most regards, our nine-person, 55 km exploratory descent of the Incomappleux River in BC’s Selkirk Mountains was a temperamental success. There remains however, much to be accomplished before anyone can claim a full first descent. For this to happen, one would have to contend with the long staircase of grade V+ rapids responsible for 2003′s first attempt tragedy. They would also have to run the upper box canyon, a seemingly navigable yet committing feature gated by a technical 40ft waterfall, both of which our team portaged due to exploding levels. The fact remains that while this river begs another valiant attempt, ours was an unforgettable adventure full of incredible encounters. Here then is the first of a three-part report.

Day 1, Sept 3rd: Intro to Flat Creek Pass.

Christian Foster and Sam Ewing - Gorilla tape blister pros.

We rise early after an entertaining night of packing our boats and clumsily testing our loaded rigs. Varying in form, everyone’s kayak pack set-up must successfully carry approximately 100 pounds of gear for three days over the remnants of a century old, 13 km back country route. Following in suit is Steve Ogle, professional adventurer/photographer and our soon to be self-appointed motivational coach during our 8 km masochistic push for the pass.

Driving Hwy #1 50 km east of Revelstoke we arrive at the head of the Flat Creek valley. After snapping some photos and bidding our lovely drivers farewell we set forth into the lower valley’s magnificent woods. After some confusion we locate the trail, but not before a few hundred metres of sweating the reality of what bushwhacking will be like with our punishing loads. The thought of this lasting for multiple days and through much rougher terrain is as real as ever now.

By the early evening, an estimated 5 km of surprisingly navigable trail is traversed, albeit with a few disintegrating knees and a lacerated ankle hiding under a blood soaked sock. The warm night does little to calm the fear that some members’ emerging pains may challenge our ability to complete the expedition either all together or on time.

Day 2, Sept. 4th: Making the pass & descending Slick Creek.

Lunch at 'Fortitude Cabin', Flat Ck. Pass.

By noon, members of our team begin reaching the cabin at the top of the pass. Once all together, we celebrate this milestone with heaps of wild huckleberries, and lunchtime presentations of scarlet red shoulder rashes and pillowing foot blisters. Steve incidentally made it to this point the evening before, conveniently flagging what parts of our trail he could summon out from the matrixes of alder-brush. Proving golden for us, the trade-off for Steve would be a sleepless night on the porch of the locked cabin in the company of a lonely grizzly bear.

Starting our descent, we enthusiastically trade backpacking our gear for good ol’ dragging. Without a trail now, we soon take to careening down a narrow gulch funneling us into a slippery slog down Slick Creek. Tempers eventually flare when three trailing members lose all sense of the lead’s ridiculous route. Once reunited, we resolve to ditch the creek for the trees, stick to an obvious route and keep everyone in sight. Not long after, camp is called in the less hostile company of plump huckleberries and wild mushrooms. Barefooted and solemn, we make our evening meals while praising the dry, warm weather and another day’s success. Despite some masked divisions existing within the team, we are actually on time and sure to make the river by noon the next day.

Part 2 – To be continued…

Photos by Carl Jacks, Randy Speers, Sven Perschmann.

Day 2: Looking down Flat Creek Valley (we started just below the farthest peak in the background).

Enjoying the views during the warmest part of our trip. 

Early into our hike on day 1. The forest was spectacular.

Sven near to reaching his limit.

Dito for Randito.

Stephan battling the alders.

You should have seen what some of the other guy's shoulders looked like.

The team dropping into 'The Gulch" that would lead us into Slick Creek.

The team makes contact with Slick Creek.

Keeping an eye on the drying racks, evening of day 2.