I left Liard Hotsprings late yesterday afternoon feeling oddly fatigued. Having an interview today with Stewart McLean I had to hike at least 60km or so to reach the next phone. This meant I needed to make at least 30-40km some of that was to be by headlamp In the dark. (Ill keep you posted on the interview, which was awesome, as it wont be aired for awhile) As I hiked my headlamp lit up big shinning disks spaced far apart. I knew right away they were Bison grazing in the ditches. It was an eerie feeling as the glowing eyes rose from the ground levelling to a stare curious as to what I was. I couldnt see the whole beasts only their bright floating eyes. They were close only meters away near the tree line. They just stood and stared through the darkness silent and still. I walked past with a racing heart and the hope one wouldnt decide Im a threat and run me over. Yes that fear was unlikely but you never know because nature and wildlife doesnt care what we think. It can be unpredictable at times and must be respected. Bison are HUGE and when they square off you feel very insignificant. As I pass my nerves are tense but I walk with confidence trying to ignore them as if to say Hey Bison Im no big deal just go about your business nothing to worry about here. But again they dont care what I think. I find a flat grassy spot just off a side trail that would make for a nice camp. I had hiked 38km and was tired. I set up as is routine with food in a tree 100meters away. As I threw my bag filled mainly with various meal replacement and protein bars up to the branch a Wolf begins to howl. Ive heard that sound countless times in my life but what struck me this time was how loud it was which meant it was close, really close. Then other Wolves from various locations near and around joined in on the moonlit choir. It must have been awhile since I heard that sound as it struck me. Most of the howls heard lately were Coyotes who have a higher pitched howl. These were tuned low almost aggressive as though they were in protest of my intrusion. I assure you they knew I was there. I had no real fear however as Wolves seem to have made an uneasy peace with man even though man still wages war on them from time to time. They are humble creatures who have intelligence enough to know that fighting back will spell disaster for their species so best keep distance. Yes they frequent ranches but not out of spite but out of necessity. Hunger during a hard winter would make any creature take bigger risks for survival. They kill to live and often we kill for fear, spite, or profit. We all deserve to live in peace. Though I must say I didnt sleep in peace as they howled late into the night. I awake to the sounds of something heavy approaching followed by a loud snort of something exhaling. I talk to it through the thin walls of my tent as a gentle warning that something was alive here. When I unzipped my tent it was staring at me with blinking eyes. Both of us were startled I scrambled to get the camera and it scrambled to the road. We both quickly realized we meant each other no harm so I sat and watched it for sometime as it just stood there. Its a magnificent beast with tremendous power but gentle as the morning fog we were both immersed in. It plodded along very slowly, so slow in fact that I got up and packed catching up to it just down the road. Ive never felt so close to a wild creature this big before. It belonged to no herd anymore wandering the road all alone just as I do. I felt a strange kinship come over me. As I walked next to it I realized it had a limp. I couldnt see any visual damage but the limp was obvious. Thats why it was so slow it appears its right hip hurts. I felt an ache in my right hip as I often do. Again I felt for the beast we had much in common. I was amazed that it just carried on no complaints grazing as if I wasnt there. I assumed it was an old Bull who had lost the battle for herd supremacy and now was banished to wander the forests alone. Maybe this insight says more about me than the real reason it was alone but my imagination soared. At first I felt a pity for the giant lumbering beast but that faded away when I realized it felt no pity for itself. I wont feel pity for myself either, I thought as I straitened my back and levelled my chin. One day I will be an old lumbering beast having lived out my life serving its purpose. I can only hope I carry on with such dignity as this magnificent old king of the forest. Fare thee well my friend. When the time comes I hope you die asleep, and in your death you may offer life to those howling Wolves who wait...
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 02:46:02 +0000
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