We awoke to more snow, about two inches that had covered camp. Just a few hundred yards upriver from the plane camp we found a fresh grizzly track - possibly made that morning or the night before. The track was of a decent size bear as seen by the pad mark in the soft mud. Stan and I discussed switching gears a bit and try a more patient, and deliberate approach to this hunt. We packed up enough gear to keep us on the mountain for a couple days and headed upriver to our first spike camp.

Our original plan was to spike in an area with bear sign, but since we were having a difficult time finding any sign we decided to just watch the river from a high vantage point. Stan brought a light tarp for a tent. You really couldn't even call it a tent, it was nothing more than a sheet of nylon and a poll. We packed just the bare necessities for survival; sleeping bag, cook stove, freeze dried foods, and warm clothing.

Our ultralight camp allowed us to get up high and glass a substantial portion of the river.

After finding a suitable spot on the ridge overlooking the river, we began glassing the river bottom. After several hours we spotted a group of caribou running full speed downriver. We both became excited - hoping that a bear was in hot pursuit. But it turned out to be a wolf that was casually strolling along the far bank. It was amazing how differently the caribou acted around the wolf. They did not stop running until they were out of sight.

It was obvious to us that the wolf is the supreme predator in these parts.

The wind has started to pick up around midnight. The weather is not looking good. We're bracing for a tough night ahead.