Stein Valley - The Long Way

I'm starting to get my running mojo back.  This one has been on my list of "To Do's Before I Die" for some time. 

Anyone interested in running this from Lilloett Lake to the Stein Valley Trail head (the entire watershead) on a late August, early September weekend, pls drop a comment here.

Hey Ean,

Hope all's well.

We too got our asses kicked when we ran the Stein back in 1997, I think it was. We were driven up the road to the Gates of Shangri La but had to walk the final few km's because it was undriveable. We went in very light (too light it would prove) with the intent of moving fast. We had done this successfully on the West Coast Trail but the Stein is a whole different kettle of fish.

There was myself, Frank Wolf and my wife Nicky. We started off well and made good time over the alpine section. It's very technical in parts with steep scrambing on rocky side-cut slopes. We were nearly pulverised by a large boulder from above at one point, likely dislodged by an animal that heard us, but other than that the section went smooth. We made it down to Stein Lake in excellent time but this is where things took a turn for the worse. We had heard there was terrible blow-down for a km or so from Stein lake down the valley and weren't too surprised to see it. It was worse than we'd imagined with us barely touching ground for hours. But then the blowdown started to change to charred blowdown and fire debris. What we didn't know (and there were no signs at the start to warn us) was that a huge forest fire had ravaged the area the previous year and the trail was actually closed through this section. It had been deemed impassable. We were slowed to 1 km per hour for countless hours, moving from charred tree to charred tree, scraping at the bark to fing the moleten lumps of metal that used to be trail markers. It was absolutely brutal. I remember us running down one steep slope and catching up to two hikers with humungous backpacks. They were startled to see us (they had been the first hikers we had seen to this point) and looked at us blankly saying "where's your camp" to which we replied. "we're running, we stared the trail about 7 hours ago" To see their faces were priceless. "we started there seven days ago"

We made it through but nightfall caught up to us and we were still 30km out. We were forced to make a debris hut and huddle together for a very cold and fitful night. The next day we hobbled out with our tails between our legs...spanked!!

At the end there was a large sign stating that the trail was closed in the upper section and i mentioned to the ranger that he better get one in at the other end before someone really gets in trouble. We hobbled the 10km into Lytton (we had no one picking us up) stumbled into a local bar, drank what we'd earned, hopped on a bus back to Van and didn't run again for a month!

I've had a decade to lick my wounds. I'd be interested in another go :) Keep me in the loop.

Cheers,
Kevin

Regarding the Cabin, I assume you mean the Lizzie Lake Cabin? That was the only one I remember. Very rustic and crawling with mice! Better under the stars! Neil

Anyone who attempts this is a sick and twisted individual who should really consider seeking professional help.

Geoff

PS Count me in.

Are you considering doing this in one push!? We believe it can be done in 24hrs or less and would like to give it a go! The problem is when to start from Lizzie Lake in order to be hitting the toughest parts in daylight. When we did it last year, it was unsupported other than the Coronas and Chips waiting at the Lytton end! Lots to consider and plan, count us in - including Pat Walsh who did it with us before and is familiar with the trail. I guess I better inform Randy and Pat they are in! Neil

Hopefully we won't have the logistic problems of this past year. Mandatory gear check at the start .Still think starting from the cabin should be considered. des

Me too!

I'm on it...like Oprah on a cheeseburger!