08/06/2026
We spent the long weekend in the Mackenzie Range to climb ‘Permanent Structures’.
We were treated to an amazing viewing of two bears living off the blueberries growing abundantly up there and minding their own business, and a sunrise so special we have kept the photos for ourselves. It is an incredible hike, to an incredible climb and incredible swim spots.
What is unfortunately, not incredible, is when people mistreat the backcountry as if it’s their immediate backyard to utilise at their disposal. It was disappointing to see how many rings of fire pits were scattered around the lake, as well as to be jarred awake by the booming of fireworks being set off up there. Not only do both of these things ruin the peaceful backcountry tranquility for other users, it also puts the area, wildlife, and people in danger of a fast spreading forest fire. Yes, even on a lake.
We are in a complete province wide fire ban, and if the fires across Canada alone, aren’t enough to remind you of that, just look at what is happening all around the northern hemisphere! Our world is burning and the quick attention grab or thrill of setting off a firework can be left for a time and place that won’t have such dire repercussions.
Please, if venturing into the backcountry, respect the 7 commonly known rules of Leave No Trace (a quick internet search will give you this in plain sight) and PLEASE, if you didn’t already know, fires in our sensitive alpine environments, even when no ban is in place, should be used as an emergency measure only. The growing cycle of this ecosystem is so short that any intentional harm placed upon it can be detrimental to its survival. You are up there to see and be in the beauty of this exactly. Let’s keep it that way.
If you do venture up there, you will get to enjoy beautiful places such as these and we would love to show you how you can recreate within them safely and with as little footprint as possible.
