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| Messages 1 - 14 of total 14 in this topic |
Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 20, 2016 - 05:54pm PT
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Here in the US dispersed camping is legal on much of the Forest Service and BLM lands. You can just pull off on a dirt road and camp for the night. In the past while traveling in Canada we have stayed in campgrounds. I'd like to save a few loonies here and there on the trip we have coming up, and I was wondering about the policies of both the government and wandering vagrant climbers.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Aug 20, 2016 - 06:14pm PT
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is that camper ... wood? No.
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Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2016 - 06:21pm PT
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The camper is western red cedar strips covered with epoxy and fiberglass like a canoe. I have been saving that stuff for years after ripping it out of old condos in Mammoth. Finally got enough to build something.
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nah000
climber
no/w/here
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Aug 20, 2016 - 07:51pm PT
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yeah would like to see some close ups of that camper... from afar it looks dope.
in alberta, for free random camping you want to head to the forestry trunk road [hwy 40] that skirts the eastern foothills of the rockies from coalspur in the north to crowsnest pass in the south. except for the kananaskis portion just south of the trans canada, it's almost all free camping, especially if you get off of the road a bit. there are good backcountry road guides so that you can find your way around. that said it is also mostly the domain, especially and dependent on what time of year you are there, of rednecks and hunters. i say this not necessarily as a bad thing, as i have some redneck tendencies myself, but just so that if that's not your thing, you can't say your weren't forewarned.
and in case you're looking to climb, the ghost is one of the best areas that the canadian rockies limestone has to offer, imesho. and it is just a bit off the forestry trunk road near to the 1A highway.
and the camping there is all free, as well. and due to basically no enforcement deep into the area, virtually indefinite to boot.
enjoy your travels...
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Outside the Asylum
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Aug 20, 2016 - 08:21pm PT
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Dick: "Dispersed" camping is probably not an option in the national parks, unless you're prepared to walk/hike. That is, in Banff, Yoho, Jasper, and Glacier National Parks. Even if you're willing to walk, parking may be limited. Likewise provincial parks. The foothills/front ranges of the Rockies on the Alberta side may provide options, between the 'private property' and 'national park' lines. As nahoo outlined.
Camping off forestry roads in BC is often possible, particularly if you're willing to drive some distance, and keep a low profile. Most forestry roads are dirt/gravel, can be rough and muddy, and at least Monday - Friday may feature logging trucks traveling at considerable speed. And, as Jim B says, be prepared for company, often of the less-civilized sort, particularly at spots closer to towns, and popular sites.
Nominally over 80% of BC's land is government owned and managed, but much of it is inaccessible by vehicle, and forestry roads can present challenges.
Private property is always a concern, and it's always worth asking locally. Likewise, there's currently an open fire ban in most of southern BC, and it's likely to become more rigid over the next few weeks. About every ten years there's a full forest closure, usually in late summer, due to high fire hazard. No public access.
As a general rule, the farther you are from civilization/humans, the better the chances of undisturbed camping.
Jody: It should be turning towards autumn in Alaska/Yukon in the next week or two. Wayne M would know much better, and it depends a lot on the weather and season. As you come south, you'll be heading into late summer. The weather is often very stable at that time of year, but can quickly change. The leaves on the deciduous trees in southwest BC tend not to change until mid September or later, and autumn sometimes doesn't arrive until well into October.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 21, 2016 - 08:01am PT
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Dick, that camper does look fabulous. Have a great trip!
Jody, if you 'swing by' Waddington you can go a few miles further south and fly down
Chilko Lk for some amazing views. If memory serves there are a number of dirt strips
on the east side of the lake but probably not with gas - but worth looking into.
Keep the shiny side up!
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Aug 21, 2016 - 08:08am PT
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Hey Dick, we climbed together in J Tree about 15(?) years ago. Email me and maybe I can help show you around or give you suggestions.
Places like the Ghost River are great for climbing and free camping. Many areas in BC are good due to free forest service campgrounds, but not so much near climbing areas. You can camp out of your truck in some areas at Squamish.
In general we don't have that great BLM camping situation like in the US
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Gunkie
Trad climber
Valles Marineris
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Aug 21, 2016 - 02:20pm PT
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That is a SWEET camping setup and beautiful. Just gotta bolt surf racks to it in some fashion. Well done!
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Aug 21, 2016 - 03:56pm PT
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Dick is quite the craftsman. Saw that rig in person--amazing. Have a great trip, Mr. Erb. Bring back some pics to share with the Bishop crowd.
BAd
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TomKimbrough
Social climber
Salt Lake City
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Aug 21, 2016 - 04:41pm PT
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Erb - As you know Barb & I have been doing one and two trips into northern Canada each summer for the last 10 years. We leave for the Nahanni on Thursday. Mostly we are in the flat lands of Alberta and the NWT. There we usually stay in the very nice small town campgrounds. They don't cost much and we are supporting the local economy.
Where are you going? Might we run into each other?
Cheers,
Kimbrough
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Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 22, 2016 - 11:44am PT
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Wow this is great to hear about what I've been wondering about. Thank you all for lots of useful information. We will be leaving June Lake in a few days and traveling through OR and WA, probably get to Penticton about 9/10, wander through the Kootenays and then the Rockies, taking pictures and hiking.
Here is a close up of the camper's roof showing the solar panel which powers a refrigerator lights and USB charger. When we get back home in October maybe I will get some sort of super topo article together about building it.
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Gerg
Trad climber
Calgary
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Aug 22, 2016 - 12:35pm PT
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Hey Dick,
I met you, your wife and friend atop some small dome in Tuolumne about 6 years ago.
Looks like Al has got you covered, but if your in Calgary you could park in my driveway for a night if ya like/chat/use bathroom/plug in to outlet.
I live about 3 miles from the downtown core FYI but in a safe neighborhood.
-Greg
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