1969 - Upper Slesse Creek & The Golden Ears

Slesse Creek Explorations and Golden Ears Trips
Location of Mt. Slesse with Slesse creek on its west side
My Flickr site for more pictures - 

Greg and Keith making dinner.

Greg Leino, Ken Willis, and I had heard about Slesse Creek and its views and approaches to such mountains as Slesse, and the Canadian and American Border Peaks, so we packed up my mom and dad's 55 Pontiac station wagon and headed for Chilliwack. We turned south through Vedder Crossing and soon found ourselves driving up the Chilliwack River Road.When we turned off onto the Slesse Creek road, the views were magnetic. The mountains were a step up or two from the Golden Ears! Slesse itself appears forbodding, especially with its history of having an airliner crash into it. The American and Canadian Border peaks are equally impressive, but they at least have more snow on them, making them appear more attractive.We were soon impressed by the number of waterfalls plunging down from the Plaides and Larabee and headed in that direction.For us, we were exploring new territory and the adventure in that cannot be beat.

Ice cave at the base of the Pleiades.

Did we do anything significant? For us, yes. Looking back on this trip, it was the beginning of a new chapter in mountaineering. We were going beyond our own backyard and venturing into new and more challenging territory. It was exciting.

Keith Rajala

Ken Willis

Golden Ears Trips
Location of the Golden Ears
Proper names for the various peaks of Mt. Blanchard

Dan Lamb

Dan Lamb was a neighbour in Webster's Corner and we did quite a bit of hiking together. Here we have just crossed Gold Creek after going part way up the Golden Ears. Note the technology of the time, including the back breaking packs and open cell foam.

Mt Edge in the background.

Greg Leino and Ken Willis pictured here are on the saddle between the top of the Golden Ears and Mt. Edge in the distance. We made a lot of day trips like this. We must have had a lot of energy. ;-)