Mum's birthday camping trip

For Mum's 77th birthday we flew into the Niut Mountains to Jamison Basin for an overnight camping trip. Here are some photos of the trip. Apologies for the long post but there were so many neat pictures.

For those that use Google Earth I can send you a link that will show you where we were and the path of our flight, our camp, etc. I don't know how to attach a file to this post.

While we waited for weather good enough to go into the mountains, Mum spent her time as productively as possible.

She volunteered at the banding station one morning. This is Steve Ogle our birder-in-charge measuring a bird that he just caught in the mist nets.

We decided to take a chance on the weather. Mike King is the pilot.

Pahokee went along of course.

Mum sat in the 'bubble'.

We all had headphones so that we could communicate during the flight.

Co-pilot and co-co-pilot.

We flew from West Branch up over the spine of the Niuts to the Tatlayoko side. This is the divide looking east towards Tatlayoko.

Approaching the lake where we camped.

Steve Ogle took this shot as the chopper left. He was along for the ride and to take photos. He titled this photo 'Last known sighting'.

After we were dropped off we had to find a good camping site and mover our gear. Mum had two walking poles to help get around on the uneven terrain.


Two views of our camp.

Mum found a spot to sit with a good view. Pahokee stands on guard.

Some people from NCC flew in to meet with us on the mountain. This is my first alpine meeting. Pahokee chaired the meeting.


That evening we had a small fire and Pahokee got his mandatory hug from Mum.


The weather was absolutely perfect. That night the stars came out like I have never seen them before.... no moon, the Milky Way, lots of satellites and then a bunch of shooting stars. You should enlarge this photo to see the stars. The light in the tent is Roma's reading light and the light from the side is from what was left of our camp fire.

The next morning Pahokee got another of his mandatory hugs.


The chef begins to prepare the morning's repast. Pahokee is waiting for an opportunity to make his move.


Gourmet breakfast on the mountain. Pahokee did manage to steal a piece.


Mum found another spot with a good view.

Taking a quick nap.


We went for a hike along the lake and Pahokee found a hole where a grizzly bear had tried to dig out a marmot. How many of you think he went in the hole voluntarily?


When we reached the other side of the lake from our campsite we consulted the map.


We took a shot with the self timer while we waited for the helicopter to pick us up.