natural resource extraction which characterize many northern Canadian towns. Not that BC towns aren't beautiful, surrounded as they are by incredible natural scenery - they are, however, often dominated by a mill, a smelter or a mine.Shortly after leaving Smithers we entered the Kitamat Stikine Regional District and I felt like we are at last truly in the north.
At Moricetown the members of the Wetsu'wet'en band were tagging coho salmon as they headed up the fish ladder where the Bulkley river drops through a narrow canyon near the reserve. At the entrance to the ladder two men caught the fish and passed them to a runner who took them with his net up to a tub where the fish were measured and tagged before being dropped down a chute back into the river.
It was about 30 meters over a rocky way between the stations and the runner had no rest as he raced with one gasp
ing coho up to the measuring station and back down to where the next was thrashing in the net. We pulled into a lookout above the station and joined a group of spectators to watch the action. It really was like a sporting event and we all had a laugh at the expense of the runner who was giving his level best flat out for at least the half an hour we were there.
Respectful, even envious laughter, really. Almost cheering. But still glad it wasn't us doing the running!
4 comments on "Hazelton... heading for Stewart and Hyder"
Hi Ethan, Hope all is well on your journey. Just heard on the radio this morning that Highway #37 is closed due to a mud slide. Be sure and check it out.
See you
Barb
It's where we got out Fiss this year!!!! mmmmmmmm....was just there too.
p.s Wet'suwet'en
Hi Ethan, well it seems that you've disappeared into the far reaches of the North where the amenities of civilization are still few and far between. I wonder if you remember your first trip to Telegraph Creek in the late Spring of 1977. You traveled up the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek. At that time Highway 17 was nearly impossible to navigate in the Spring and Fall. Long sections on the South end were turned into miles of mud and water, necessitating a bulldozer assist to drag cars and trucks through the huge bogs that could engulf them. It was a year or two before the road was finally stabilized with a hard surface. For many years potholes and washboard and miles of dust hovering over the road were the norm. The best traveling was in the Winter when minus 20 degree or colder temperatures and the dry air created a smooth hard surface with surprisingly good traction. In the Summer, broken windshields and flat tires were the norm. Seasoned Northerners carried several spares a good set of tools at all times. A breakdown could mean days of hitchhiking to find parts and makeshift roadside repairs. On the positive side, local residents and even the highway department would extend their hospitality by offering food, shelter and assistance. It will be interesting to hear how far the pavement extends now and where you find a connection to the 'outside' as your journey unfolds. Your observations and photos bring a flood of memories. I look forward to your next installment as you connect the past and present. David.
Too...many...treeplanting...flashbacks... you may as well stop and plant a block.
Nice tease on the bear w/o pics btw. You know you can buy an inverter for your car, right? Plugs into your lighter socket and converts to 120 volts? Mind you that far north... you will be hard pressed to find a Crappy Tire.
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