1997 Home to Headwaters Expedition proposal
There is an old Tibetan saying that states "A journey well traveled is better than any destination." Researching and writing this proposal is the beginning of our journey. Location and Route Because there are so many great places in North America that would meet our goal of exploring the Columbia watershed, we didn't know exactly where to start. After reading one of his books, the decision was made to contact noted mountaineer John Roskelley for advice. He was very helpful and suggested the remote Northern Selkirks of British Columbia, Canada, as a destination. After researching the area further, and conferring with Mr. Roskelley, we came up with an expedition to Mount Sir Sandford. The journey begins in our hometown of Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River, with an epic road trip along the river through the Columbia Gorge, north through Washington, into B.C. and finally to Donald Station, British Columbia, where the real adventure begins. Traveling this way would enable us to raise public awareness more and bring us past many interesting points that influence the Columbia River before it flows past our home, such as Multnomah Falls, Hanford, Grand Coulee Dam, and finally the headwaters of the river. At the Canadian border we would turn east and head north towards Banff. The route would continue north through Banff, stopping at Lake Louise and Columbia Lake — the true headwaters of the Columbia — to spread our message. The adventure starts with a 50-mile paddle north from Donald Station, British Columbia, along the west shore of the Columbia Reach (the lake behind Mica Dam) using two-person touring kayaks. At an unnamed inlet below Mount Adamant we would cache the boats and supplies for our third leg of the journey. This portion of the trip would take approximately three days to complete, depending on the winds encountered. From the landing site it is a 15-mile bushwhack using topo maps and GPS to the northeast face of Mount Sir Sandford. This section of the expedition would take one to two days and include devil's club in riparian areas and some of the best grizzly habitat in B.C. From an established base camp we would take scouting trips to find the optimal route up the mountain since there are many approaches to Mount Sir Sandford we may need to create temporary camps as needed. The climb is said to be similar to Mount Rainier, including traversing glaciers with crevasses requiring roping up. We plan on making our final summit bid approximately eight days into the expedition. In the event of bad weather keeping us from the mountain we will be able to try again on the days we have allotted for caribou. After a successful summit bid (if one is made) we would take a day of rest and two days to explore and look for caribou or signs and other wildlife. The third leg of the trip involves a four-day continuation of our paddle northward to Mica Dam, approximately 60 miles. The trip should take 15-16 days barring extreme weather, plus three days driving there and two back. At Mica Dam we will be picked up by the van which would have to be shuttled from Donald Station. The return trip would head straight south and follow the Columbia back to Astoria. The expedition including road trip would be from the 13th of July to the 1st of August. We chose this time of year because of extenuating circumstances, first I am leaving for Finland on August 18 and William will be leaving around August 14 for Malaysia. We feel the relatively early date will be of little hindrance. There will be more snow on Sir Sandford's slopes because of this year's record accumulation, but we feel we are prepared for that. Training Team member William Gunderson is in charge of training. We have access to a complete gym and have many great trails in our area on which to build our stamina. Emphasis will be put on endurance and upper-body strength. Physical training will include swimming laps and strength training twice a week and on weekends. The first major training expedition would be a shakedown hike, followed by a climb of Mount Hood in late May to practice snow and ice travel. There should be at least one day on the Columbia, near Astoria to orient ourselves to the kayaks and practice emergency procedures. After that there should be at least two backpacking trips of at least 25 miles each. Why we want to go New experiences enrich one's life, and they build interesting and tolerant individuals, something we are lacking in the world today. I love nothing more than the feel of the weight of a pack on my back and the freedom it brings. Perhaps the deep-down reason for wanting to mount this expedition is the freedom inherent in any kind of backcountry travel. The reason the northern Selkirks were chosen is that so few people go there; there are so few trails, roads, and the trappings associated with human settlement. The group comes entirely from the Columbia River region and three of us can see the river from our homes. We wonder what is the source of this water? What routes must it travel on its journey to the sea? What did this basin look like before European settlement? What was it like for early explorers such as David Thompson and the Lewis and Clark expedition? This expedition gives us a chance to find out for ourselves, not just read it in a book. In addition, this expedition will improve everyone who takes part in it both physically and mentally. We hope to raise awareness about the endangered and dwindling population and habitat of the southern Woodland Caribou. This adds another positive benefit to the expedition: not only the great personal adventure, but knowing you have made a difference. We work well together in a group. Our qualities often balance out, keeping each other in check. We all have a desire to get away from the city and try new things; this trip is definitely one of them. Also there will be no communication problems on the expedition as the whole team speaks fluent Canadian. Environmental aspect The Selkirks are such a remote, unknown area we had a hard time identifying specific environmental concerns. While researching the region we stumbled upon an endangered and little known species of caribou, the Woodland Caribou. The southern Woodland Caribou population is suffering from a loss of habitat. "People in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario are unaware that we are in danger of loosing the Woodland Caribou — perhaps because of the media focus on the big northern herds" (Caribou Awareness Site on the World Wide Web). Unlike their northern cousins, Woodland Caribou migrate very little and are dependent on their resident habitat. There is even a herd that takes up residence in isolated areas of northern Idaho and is considered an endangered species. One reason the caribou are declining is their prime food source — ground and tree lichens — are declining. The lichens grow only in mature (100 to 150 years) forests which are being logged at a rapid rate. Caribou numbers are also dwindling due to an excessive mortality rate which is caused by poaching and late development of the females. It would be the highlight of the expedition to observe the Woodland Caribou in their natural habitat. We would like to raise public awareness of the plight of this noble creature. Any publicity we receive before, during, or after our trip will include information about this marvelous animal. Morgan will also bring the message to Finland where caribou and reindeer populations are also in danger. We will carry self-made buttons and pamphlets to distribute among people we meet along the way. We will travel from the mouth of the Columbia River in our home town, Astoria, Oregon to the headwaters in British Columbia. An exchange student, an artist, an Alaskan, and an Eagle Scout, together as a team would like nothing more than to have a great adventure.
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