The


North Stein STEEP & CHEAP


The quest for the back door to a B.C. classic story by David Norell B Uhhh.....Safety??


The North Stein was no different. People had been talking about it for years—locals, travellers, pro boaters, you name it—eyeing it as a potential creek access to its famous bigger brother, the Stein River. The North Stein too, had the usual story of some Germans paddling it years ago and saying, “don’t go back.” Luckily, our group didn’t hear this story until we had our minds set on the adventure, whatever it was to hold.


34 www.rapidmag.com The main Stein is a classic two- to three-day run in


southern B.C.’s Coast Range. The normal put-in is Stein Lake, accessed only by floatplane. The flight to Stein Lake is nothing short of incredible—huge moun- tains laced with shining glaciers, amazing cascades, multiple creeks and lakes of varying colours, and a patchwork landscape. Unfortunately the cost of flying into the lake doesn’t fit into a kayaker’s budget, except on rare occasions.


photos by Braden Fandrich


British Columbia is a tough place to explore. Not because of access, grizzly bears, or deep canyons. No, it’s the Germans. It seems as though every river you scout or even mention in B.C. turns up the same response: “Oh yeah, I think some Germans pad- dled it a long time ago and said it was no good.”


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