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When I did this trail long ago I got to meet Monique (since passed) who ran a very tasty burger joint at the mid point. She had quite the operation going with

When I did this trail long ago I got to meet Monique (since passed) who ran a very tasty burger joint at the mid point. She had quite the operation going with a sizable garden and food boated in regularly. Exchange students ran much of the kitchen. I must admit, I had not been prepared to find myself arguing over esoteric details of Python with her. Monique was a very interesting person who was still going to school into her 70s. I fondly recall looking back to see her resting on the beach. While I wouldn't call it a "death hike", I've had several broken bones and been involved in a number of rescues over the years, and yet I still remember the fright from almost losing multiple fingers crossing a river in a cable car when a group up ahead thought they'd pull the cable to help us... it's a rather unique trail with quite a variety of uncommon points of interest.

evilsetg 3y ago
Years ago I volunteered at Monique's for 3 weeks with my brother. It was a great and interesting time and I met a lot of cool people in Monique and her family and other hikers and volunteers. We used to sleep in a shack in the back and their red cat named Mess would sleep on my face. One scene I will always remember is eating porridge for breakfast and watching for whales in the bay. What a wonderful place!
Stratoscope 3y ago
Oh, I wish I could have had the chance to meet Monique. What an interesting lady! Please, if you have any other stories from those adventures, I would love to hear them. Is there a particular Python discussion with her that sticks in your mind?
- arecurrence 3y ago
  She had been a Pascal programmer (at least for a bit) before moving to BC. I don't remember the details unfortunately but I do remember the surprise. :) As nice as the route is (and it is spectacular), the characters on the trail were probably the highlight. Each of the 13 campsites are unique and since the trail has steady entry from both ends, you'd meet a new group of fun people each night. There was a diver running a Crab and Baked Potato operation at Nitinat, and the Carmanah Lightstation was handing out XL chocolate bars to anyone knocking on the door. Here we are on the edge of the world and yet there's humanity throughout.
51Cards 3y ago
Thanks for letting me know Monique (and now her husband) have passed. A lot of fond fond memories there. For those who want to know more I just found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p90FYyTJbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p90FYyTJbs
smallbluedot 3y ago
Chez Monique saved my ass. Despite doing my best to plan and ration my food, I burned through it at an alarming rate. I re-upped hard at Moniques and it got me through the remainder of the hike.

evilsetg 3y ago

Years ago I volunteered at Monique's for 3 weeks with my brother. It was a great and interesting time and I met a lot of cool people in Monique and her family and other hikers and volunteers. We used to sleep in a shack in the back and their red cat named Mess would sleep on my face. One scene I will always remember is eating porridge for breakfast and watching for whales in the bay. What a wonderful place!

Stratoscope 3y ago

Oh, I wish I could have had the chance to meet Monique. What an interesting lady! Please, if you have any other stories from those adventures, I would love to hear them. Is there a particular Python discussion with her that sticks in your mind?

arecurrence 3y ago
She had been a Pascal programmer (at least for a bit) before moving to BC. I don't remember the details unfortunately but I do remember the surprise. :) As nice as the route is (and it is spectacular), the characters on the trail were probably the highlight. Each of the 13 campsites are unique and since the trail has steady entry from both ends, you'd meet a new group of fun people each night. There was a diver running a Crab and Baked Potato operation at Nitinat, and the Carmanah Lightstation was handing out XL chocolate bars to anyone knocking on the door. Here we are on the edge of the world and yet there's humanity throughout.

51Cards 3y ago

Thanks for letting me know Monique (and now her husband) have passed. A lot of fond fond memories there. For those who want to know more I just found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p90FYyTJbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p90FYyTJbs

smallbluedot 3y ago

Chez Monique saved my ass. Despite doing my best to plan and ration my food, I burned through it at an alarming rate. I re-upped hard at Moniques and it got me through the remainder of the hike.