b_kloos88 wrote:Well, I've been waiting to comment on this thread for awhile, but my account was deactivated when I updated my email address. Anyhow, I hope I can get the Kintla-Bowman Route. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard to find a ride up there, since we'll only have one car...or is that a dumb thing to bank on? It seems I've heard HOL is a hard camp to get too...
It's not a dumb thing to bank on depending on how patient you are, and maybe the weather at the time.
Kintla Lake CG is a much smaller CG than Bowman and hence far less traffic in and out. But imo, if you end at Kintla and can get a ride back to the junction for Bowman Lake(or Polebridge Ranger Station) there will usually be a good bit of traffic headed out to Bowman Lake, the much more visited CG. This all depends on the day of the week and the weather.
The reverse of that is...ending at Bowman Lake gives you a better shot at hitching back to the road junction, but then you'd have to wait for a ride to the less visited Kintla Lake CG.
It's not a crazy idea, but you could spend a lot of time waiting around...so not a good idea if you have a tight schedule.
I got drawn last year for this hike, but had to cancel. I had some local friends who were going to take me out to Bowman after following me to Kintla where I would leave my truck.
I gave the BC Office a 2 week window and so I would recommend you give them the widest possible window of dates. Also be willing to do the hike in either direction. That improves your odds a LOT if you get drawn.
August is going to be a very busy month for me this year. Lots of people coming out.
IF, you get drawn, and
IF I'm not busy, or out of town , etc. I'll help you out. I did it for some folks last year because it is such a difficult area logistically.
Please don't bank on it though. There's many days i don't know what I'll be doing the following day.
I don't plan much in life anymore...by choice!
pocketlint