#2: [18-Jun-07]

07-Aug-2002 -- I attempted this confluence with my 11-year-old son Andrew while on a hiking visit to the Rogers Pass. My map showed the confluence to be on the S side of the Illecillewaet River, E of Revelstoke, so we got off the TransCanada Highway and crossed the river at Greeley - on a makeshift bailey's bridge: just a week earlier, the usual bridge had collapsed into the river while a large truck was crossing, and the two occupants scrambled for their lives! We were lucky to arrive after the temporary replacement had been put in place.

The map, and our GPS, showed the point to be up the side of a mountain, so we were thankful to find a new logging road heading up the same mountain. Closer and closer we got: 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 -3 km... When the GPS said 2.65 km, our heading was 90 degrees off the bearing to the point, so we knew we would have to get out and climb through through unbroken timber to reach the point, which lay some 1500m up the mountain!

Seeking another alternative, we continued up the logging road as it climbed higher, hoping that it would eventually wind back around in the right direction. It did finally turn the corner of the mountain, but our hopes were dashed when we reached construction equipment, and the end of the road. The crew told us that it will take at least two more years to finish the road, and it will not reach the top of the mountain in any event. They also told us that another road climbs the same mountain from its S side, via the Incomappleux River and then a subsidiary creek, but that road also does not reach the summit.

The best approach plan that we've come up is to drive up the ski hill in Revelstoke, take off in a paraglider, then fly the 10 km over to the confluence and land in alpine meadows atop the moutain and hike down to the point. Of course, you'd need to be a pilot to carry this off...

Picture 1 looks toward the confluence, which lies atop the ridge you see in the background above steep mountain slopes. Picture 2 shows the forest you will have to climb through to reach this point. Take a bivy sack, food, water and clothing with you - it may take more than a day! Picture 3 shows the GPS screen at the closest point of approach.

Good luck if you wish to attempt this confluence! Contact me if you need further information.