Trip Report
Springtime in Skaha ###Live!###
Friday April 24, 2015 10:22pm
top left corner top right corner
Credit: Big Mike
bottom left corner bottom right corner
Sandra wanted to get away for her birthday, and Skaha was on our minds.

Darkness found us on the 97c last night, blitzing through frozen star wars.

"Can you even see the lines Mike??"

"Relax hun I can see..... Barely..."

"Maybe you should slow down a little" Pei called from the backseat.

"Affirmative. Dropping to 30 k/hr, I can't see sh!t."

"Maybe we should go back to Merritt!" Sandra cried..

"Fvck that. I'm going climbing tomorrow if we have to crawl to Penticton..."

Just then lights appear in the rearview. A semi.

"Oh good. Someone to follow."

I hugged the edge of my lane straining to make out the the white line on the black pavement through a sea of stars.

The slush splashed up on my door as he passed and I now had a beacon to follow.

The road turned white with a fresh light fluffy blanket stained with his black tire tracks.

"Would you please get off his ass Mike!" Cried my poor terrified girlfriend from the right seat.

"I'm off the gas and I don't want to brake too much down this hill hun. He obviously doesn't want to miss this corner. I'm backing off. Just chill out will you? I'm trying to drive here."

After another half hour of white knuckle driving at 90 it started to clear up a bit.

"Oh good there's road markers now on the right side"

"Uh, there were before Pei, but we just couldn't see them!" I said with a nervous chuckle.

This only encouraged the trucker to match the 120 limit, which didn't make Sandra any happier.

"Please slow down Mike!"

"Hun, we still have winter tires on, we're in 4x4. I haven't slipped once. You don't want me to loose him if it socks in again do you??"

"No!"

She started panting like a siberian tiger when it inevitably returned...

Another hour or so got us past the summit and white turned to black again.

All was calm as our guardian angel left us for brake check and I picked up the pace to make up for lost time.



After a late arrival it was tough to rise this morning. We dragged ourselves out of our toasty warm fart sacks to face the chilly yet beautiful day.

After some oatmeal and a flurry of activity, we found ourselves headed up the dirt road from Banbury. Through the vineyard and off to another fine day of climbing beautiful incuts in the northernmost tip of the Sonoran Desert.

I texted Rolf to let him know we were a running a tiny bit late. He was cool.

We found him chatting up a visitor who was cooking breakfast in the parking lot. He invited him to join us for the day. "Cool, I'll see you guys out there. After i finish up cleaning up here!"

It was a pitch heavy photo light day, but you know I got a couple pics..

Pei on belay

Visit on staticflickr.com


Rolf aka "The Hood"

Visit on staticflickr.com


Like a fuvcking toothpick.....

Visit on staticflickr.com


Sunset on the lake at Camp.

Visit on staticflickr.com


60 percent chance of precip tomorrow.... Cross your fingers for us!!

  Trip Report Views: 3,502
Big Mike
About the Author
Big Mike is a trad climber/sci survivor who really needs to climb more of this crimpy sport stuff to make him stronger!!!



Comments
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Apr 24, 2015 - 10:28pm PT
I gotta get up there.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 24, 2015 - 10:33pm PT
Come on up bud!
Todd Eastman

Social climber
Putney, VT
  Apr 24, 2015 - 10:38pm PT
Must get done with current work binge...

Have fun!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 24, 2015 - 10:43pm PT
Thanks Todd! Let's tie in this summer!
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Apr 24, 2015 - 10:54pm PT
[Click to View YouTube Video]
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
  Apr 24, 2015 - 11:03pm PT
hey there say, big mike and sandra and all...

whewwwww... glad you got up there safe...

have a great trip!!! :)
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Apr 24, 2015 - 11:10pm PT
Good times and Happy birthday!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 24, 2015 - 11:17pm PT
Wattup Biotch!

Thanks Neebs!!

I will tell her you wished her well monsieur Gnome..
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Apr 25, 2015 - 03:57am PT
Beautiful country Mike, glad you survived the drive!!!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 09:16am PT
Thanks Ezra!

I awoke to the pitter patter of light rain on the fly, just spitting but certainly threatening more...


On my way to the washroom the ducks were loving it.

I texted Rolf to see what the weather was like on his side of the lake. He said it was just starting to rain and the ground was moist, and cancelled for the day..

It's supposed to clear up, but I guess we will see. I hear more drops on the fly than i did earlier...
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 09:21am PT
I would say, it's... Just Ducky! Lol
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Apr 25, 2015 - 11:42am PT
Wise Kwacker, eh!

I hope the clouds cooperate soon...if not there's always beer!

Happy Birthday Sandra whenever the Day arrives!

Keep the hope and the candles burning...
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Apr 25, 2015 - 12:34pm PT
Nice little white, knuckle, write up.
Stoked we got a Mike's special live TR going.

Hopefully you guys get some climbing in and tell Sandra happy birthday from myself and Mindy.

Oh yeah, that lake pic is top notch.
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
  Apr 25, 2015 - 12:03pm PT
I like the first pic...like a lot! :)
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 01:00pm PT
Thanks Steve! We went for brunch.. It's clearing up now, but it's supposed to rain later.. Beer is starting to sound real good.

Justin! Thanks. I put a bit of time in that. Skaha lake does kinda look like the ocean hey?

Thanks V!


Some random shots from Camp.

I think I might qualify for a few of these.


Local Flora
moacman

Trad climber
Montuckyian Via Canada Eh!
  Apr 25, 2015 - 02:35pm PT
I've heard a lot of good things about Skaha would love to get up there some time and it's in wine country too, how bad is that?... Thanks for sharing your TR.....

Stevo
PhilG

Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
  Apr 25, 2015 - 02:48pm PT
Great "live" trip report! Makes me feel like I'm almost there (well, actually I am almost there).
Hey, remember the best Indian food in the area is in Oliver (short drive south).
Good luck with the weather. Predicted better for tomorrow.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 03:13pm PT
Thanks Steve! The okanagan is a pretty special place..

Hey, remember the best Indian food in the area is in Oliver (short drive south).

Phil, do you know the name of the place? I've never ever ventured that far south!

South Camp

Skaha lake from the dock.

Yes there is some rock over there.
Killer K

Boulder climber
Sacramento, CA
  Apr 25, 2015 - 03:21pm PT
"toasty warm fart sacks"

I've never heard this terminology for a sleeping bag before however it is extremely accurate. And funny.

BC looks so good. If I could ever get out of climbing in Nor Cal and make the trip I'd be so down..... If it's not raining.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, Bozeman, the ocean, or ?
  Apr 25, 2015 - 03:39pm PT
Boy o boy does that sound like a pretty great trip.
Beautiful ruggedness with just the right amount of civilization!


Susan
Eric Beck

Sport climber
Bishop, California
  Apr 25, 2015 - 04:07pm PT
Worthwhile to go for ice cream at Tickleberrys, Okanagan Falls, south end of Skaha Lake.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 06:19pm PT
Killer you'd totally be climbing today. We're slacking hard.


Susan you'd love it up here! If we could get you away from the wineries!! ;)

Eric- Thanks! Great idea if it wasn't 10 degrees out! Lol
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 06:18pm PT
Some Canada Geese came to visit but they weren't sticking around for a closeup..

Penticton in the late afternoon sun

PhilG

Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
  Apr 25, 2015 - 07:08pm PT
Big Mike: The name of the place is "The Best of India." The family that runs the restaurant grow their the food on their farm, including the chickens in their buttered chicken and the goat meat used in their goat curry.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 09:14pm PT
Thanks Phil!! Sounds rad!

This is why i love doing live trip reports. On demand beta is awesome! ;)


Goose Rainbow


Double rainbow man!!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 25, 2015 - 09:41pm PT
Fire!!


Double Rainbow pano.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 26, 2015 - 01:21pm PT
It's absolutely gorgeous today.

What a spot..
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Apr 26, 2015 - 01:50pm PT
Nice! Keep it up Mike!

Bringer of the stoke....
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 26, 2015 - 02:29pm PT
Ya Bruce! Just trying to give back a little!!

Kyle and Rolf on duty

Pei and Nina getting it done.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Apr 26, 2015 - 03:18pm PT
Just gorgeous country Mike!!!
You are a lucky man!!!
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
  Apr 26, 2015 - 07:19pm PT
Beautiful day! Livin' large, fo sho.

We had a good day at the crags, too.

Life is good.

BAd
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 26, 2015 - 09:20pm PT
Amazing country for sure Ezra.

Good to hear bad! Hope you're healing up well.

We had some visitors this morning

Then went for a walk

Rolf getting some

Hey Ladies!

Bluffs Vista
Darwin

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Apr 26, 2015 - 10:33pm PT
v. nice and thanks for the photos.
My wife's mom lived up the lake from there in Osoyoos back in the 20s or
30s, and we made a pilgrimage up there a couple years ago.
We missed it, but I'm told to check out the Blue Mountain Pinot Noir winery.
sac

Trad climber
Sun Coast B.C.
  Apr 26, 2015 - 11:06pm PT
Hey Mike. Cool TR!

Say, what's the name of the "Camp" you stay at?

Planning a family trip. Good spot? Looks good.

Thanks... carry on.

Andy.
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Apr 27, 2015 - 07:52am PT
What the duck?
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 27, 2015 - 08:07am PT
Cool Darwin thanks! I'll have to remember that for next trip.

Andy! It's called Banbury Green RV park and it's pretty sweet. Best camp in Penticton for atmosphere imho. All the others are downtown. It's just off the highway headed towards Okanagan Falls.


Ducks galore John. They are a daily fixture here. Lots of waterfowl love Lake Skaha.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 27, 2015 - 11:55am PT
Sticking your feet in the lake at the end of the day is such a treat..


Nina is Ready to Strike. Without the offending bolts.
bites

climber
Vancouver
  Apr 27, 2015 - 01:17pm PT
Awesome pics, I actually saw my pack in one, over at Hiking with Howie. I think I was climbing above you guys on the upper level.

Sunday was a beautiful day!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 27, 2015 - 02:00pm PT
Les Fleurs

Kyle a little chilly in the wind


Nice bites! Sunday was rad.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Apr 27, 2015 - 04:14pm PT
^^^ cool looking rock, all the holds are upside down....must be stout!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Author's Reply  Apr 28, 2015 - 01:15am PT
We just dropped off Pei. Wow, What a day. Time to hit the hay.


A couple more pics from today.


Gorgeous Colours

Diamond Back

Kyle sent this crimpy 11a

More Skaha in May?
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
  Apr 28, 2015 - 11:38am PT
Always enjoy your never ending TR's Mike. Stoke acquired!!!
Go