First climb complete.... into the interior

After a three day trek through the mountains we have arrived in Princeton, BC. After some preliminary reconaissance on our drive out to the coast, we decided to avoid climbing the Coquihalla Summit by travelling South East on the Crowsnest Highway. The distance was approximately 120km including the ascent to the Allison Pass (4400ft) and Sunday Pass (4200ft). The climb was gruelling but the carts to haul the canoes behind the bicycle handled well and we were able to make good time on both the ascents and descents. On April 23 we made it 75km through the mountains and had our first extremely physically demanding day. It felt excellent to challenge ourselves physically and mentally. It was also a necessessity: the forecast was for heavy rain/snow on April 24 and we knew that lingering at high elevation in the coastal mountain ranges would be very risky. We pushed to get out of the mountains while we could. The weather has changed but at our present elevation in a rain shadow, we are only experiencing light drizzle. Our crossing was not without event: A slip sent Whitney over the handlebars of her bike. With the exception of a few scrapes and bruises, she is in good spirits and ready to keep on chugging. Tomorrow we will rest for a day and then continue on the Kettle Valley Railway to Summerland, BC. <Ross>