Tour de Suenos: Summer Time British Colombia

Summertime BC

“A river is a river, always there, and yet the water flowing through is never the same and is never still… Are people like that? Am I like that? Always me, always flowing, but always different? Do I change like a river? Sometimes eddying back on myself, sometimes bursting my banks from so much life…”

Summertime, a word with so much meaning. The sun is out, the sound of the river, tall tales of amazing adventure, a warm cooked meal seated with a bunch of friends, laughter and dancing, all of this is real. This summer like many others has had its far share of adventure and good times. I came somewhere new, Squamish, discovered new rivers and a beautiful part of the world and became a part of another amazing community.

The refugee camp

Our Home for the summer. I find myself using the term “home or house” when I describe where I live, even though it is more of a camp than anything. There was about 11 full time people living at our camp as well as friends coming and going. Our family consisted of mostly international raft guides and a few other friends that work in Squamish. Australians, Kiwis, frenchies, Americans, and a few token Canadians made up our family. Over the summer we have contributed and been a part of daily dinner parties, wine nights, river days, working, concerts and many good memories. We share a tented camp kitchen area, tented living room, washrooms and our actual “house” may be a tent, a van or a homemade cabin. Thank you to the many who have been a part of refugee camp, we love you all.

The Rivers

My first month here I was on full kayak mode and chasing as many new rivers as possible. The actual first week I was here I think I paddled a new section of river each day and sometime 2 new sections a day. Ashlu box canyon, mine run, Elaho “Fear Canyon”, Callagan, Soo, Upper Cheakamus, all rivers that soon became classic summertime runs. With a slow first month of work, we rallied our crew down to Washington for a sweet week of American runs. The kayak charged lasted for a solid month or so while work was slowing pick up. Once we got into full time rafting work the kayaking slowed down a bit, but we always found time for a few Box laps a week, along with maybe a check or Callagan, then some big water fun on Fear Canyon.

This area of BC is a mecca for kayaking and outdoor sports. It has been great to have some amazing friends pass through town and also meet new paddlers from all over. It is crazy the amount of talented paddlers that are in the area, it is always good to see the sport of kayaking being pushed and enjoyed by people from all over the world.

Sometimes Life does not go as planned...

And your face hits a rock, more to this story later.