2017 Trans Canada Trail
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5 weeks riding Spanish Mustang 'Chocolate' through southern BC.
From south of Merritt along the Kettle Valley Railway to Midway, then along the Columbia & Western Railway to Castlegar. Highlights included riding all 18 of the Myra Canyon trestles (!), and surviving the 910 m long Bulldog Tunnel. The whole trip was about 550 km. This trip was published in Canadian Horse Journal March/April 2018 issue as 550 Kilometres on the Trans Canada Trail. The final Facebook post is below, too. If you want to do horse trips but aren't sure how, buy Go Horse Camping. |
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June 30 2017 Facebook post:
And, we're done. From south of Merritt to west of Castlegar on rail trails. 550 km in 5 weeks. Choc's mustache intact :)
I'm now in Nelson while Choc's hanging out waiting for a massage near Fruitvale.
Tunnels = about 20
Trestles = about 30
Travelling days 36 - 11 rest = 25...
Rides in strange horse trailers = 4
Temps = frost to 35C
Days with rain = 4 (!!)
Tick total = 21 Choc; 3 Tania
Average hrs sleep/night = 5
Average hrs grazing/day = 9
Nights thermarest stayed inflated = 3
Weight lost = not enough
Worn out = 1 pr pants, 1 pr socks, 4 horse shoes
Horse shit-fits = 2
Times Choc got loose and ran down the back trail = 1
Days rode with friends = 6
Wildlife we missed = bear, cougar, rattlesnake
Random acts of kindness received = 5
Surprising activities enroute = telecon; chicken butchering; barefoot trimming; driving a one-horse cart; eBay shopping; gymkhana
Repeat trip? No (too many trails too little time)
Recommendation? Ride the section from Beaverdell to Greenwood. Lovely!
And, we're done. From south of Merritt to west of Castlegar on rail trails. 550 km in 5 weeks. Choc's mustache intact :)
I'm now in Nelson while Choc's hanging out waiting for a massage near Fruitvale.
Tunnels = about 20
Trestles = about 30
Travelling days 36 - 11 rest = 25...
Rides in strange horse trailers = 4
Temps = frost to 35C
Days with rain = 4 (!!)
Tick total = 21 Choc; 3 Tania
Average hrs sleep/night = 5
Average hrs grazing/day = 9
Nights thermarest stayed inflated = 3
Weight lost = not enough
Worn out = 1 pr pants, 1 pr socks, 4 horse shoes
Horse shit-fits = 2
Times Choc got loose and ran down the back trail = 1
Days rode with friends = 6
Wildlife we missed = bear, cougar, rattlesnake
Random acts of kindness received = 5
Surprising activities enroute = telecon; chicken butchering; barefoot trimming; driving a one-horse cart; eBay shopping; gymkhana
Repeat trip? No (too many trails too little time)
Recommendation? Ride the section from Beaverdell to Greenwood. Lovely!
