In a previous article, we met Paul Glover of Smithers who takes long multi-day hikes across local mountains, most often solo and guided only by maps and compass.

In July 2000, Paul teamed up with Smithers lawyer Tom Buri to make a four-day trip from the Rocky Ridge in the Kitseguecla Lake valley north to Brian Boru peak and then on to the Blue Lake hiking trail just south of New Hazelton, a distance of 25 km measured on a map and many times that distance on the ground.

They started by climbing a steep path to the east side of the "Nipple", a rocky thumb easily seen in the Kitseguecla Lake valley to the northwest of Smithers.The pair tried to keep to an even elevation but crossing numerous ridges and basins meant hiking up and down repeatedly for much of the way.

The pair chose to hike from south to north for a good reason. The heat of the sun on the southerly slopes melts all the snow and the bare ground is good for climbing. The snowy north slopes are in the shade much of the day and make for a quick sliding descent on the snow.