Hedley Monk Cave (BC, Similkameen)

[@kevindowdell8394]

Go kids go!! Raising kids without fear is good. Up to a point, thinking that you folks have nailed that point. Well done.❤🙏✌

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Thanks!

[@sammccleary6314]

I miss that hike ! Leon ( the monks name ) was so kind ! He always knew you were there some days you had to wait for him to finish meditating. If there was a diamond in the window he was meditating and would be out to visit as soon as he was done . The hike was a whole lot easier when all the bridges were up . Every once in while you’ll see him walking around Penticton . Thanks for sharing this !!

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Interesting! I never knew it was common for Leon to meet/chat with hikers.

[@sammccleary6314]

People used to bring veggies to him . I remember going up one time with a friend her some of her family and sitting in his cave and just listening to the conversation. He’s so unbelievably smart and kind ! I believe he is out near Princeton now the last I heard anyway . I remember a friend of mine had to go up and remove a pack rat for him and relocate it so it would stop bothering him lol . His cave started to erode so he had to leave . Definitely memories I’ll never forget and I love seeing people’s reactions when I tell them about Leon !

[@SatiDevi444]

don't say 30 or 40 years ago it makes me feel old LOL I came here as a child starting at the age of 7. My dad was best friends with Leon, the monk. We did this hike at least 6 to 8 times a year. There would be lots of South Asians coming to give him offerings from all over the world. It was very nice and cozy and surprisingly clean. He would use a pulley system to bring water up and he would grow his own food and store his food in the ground outside. He moved when I was a teenager to the Native reserve outside of Hedley. I visited him just last winter but he's since moved to Penticton. He'd come over to my house a lot and my dad would drive him to Penticton and him and I would bake bread. If you have anymore questions just ask.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Fascinating! Thank you.

[@mountfairweather]

Where was his washroom?

[@willowwhip69]

Why did he meditate up there???

[@SatiDevi444]

@@willowwhip69 to reach enlightenment. He sat there and meditated for like 10 years straight while people brought him food.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

I love that you took your kids with you. Thanks for this vid of the cave

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Thanks! Definitely a good challenge to bring the kids.

[@lifeofluke]

Awesome, I had no idea about this, and it's great to see kids out there exploring!

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Definitely a fun one! The kids are just about old enough to attempt some other gems I've got on the list. Until then I always enjoy seeing what you and Nina scrounge up.

[@kodikodi9948]

amazing. really amazing. thanks for sharing this.

[@keithburt2858]

Looks like a great day out in a pretty area .Be a great place to live as a Monk.Thanks for posting the video and nice to see happy kids out there.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Thanks! Always looking for adventures like this to take the kids on. Let me know if you have any tips!

[@michellebishop8743]

Moved there in late 1990's and Leon was still relatively young. We gave him a ride to Penticton and back once in a while.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

I still think I’m going to run into him one day along that stretch.

[@lucasreid6335]

I've seen so many people's photos of here. Must be incredible to visit it in person

[@kevindowdell8394]

I spent a night in Hedley while hitchhiking to Ontario. Great night,great people. Met a black bear, and her cub. Didn't know about the monk though.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

😂 Hedley is a great town with lots of interesting history and exploring to be had.

[@nettnutt]

Fantastic hike AND video.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Thanks so much. Definitely a good adventure!

[@alexinnewwest1860]

That looks like a old narrow track rail bed and tunnel, I’m curious of where it went too

[@kadoj]

Hells yeah. That how you raise some kids, my guy. Keep it up. 🤘

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Well... edited out all the complaining / screaming haha

[@kadoj]

@@LifeIsAdventureChannel ehhh, that’s just the sound of them growing a spine and surpassing 98% of other kids in this country. Don’t worry dude they’ll thank you for it later. You’ll see. 🧐

[@SatiDevi444]

It definitely made me tough. I had a tick in my head after this hike when I was 7... That kinda sucked.

[@SheriffofYouTube]

pretty amazing journey for those amazing kids

[@lancebaptie2165]

i lived there in 1980 and remember the rumor that a old monk lived up the creek 7 miles from town,

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Such an interesting story! I would love to learn more.

[@aaronamerica968]

Thank you

[@weepfile]

I’m a photographer and I want to take some pictures here. Do you have directions?

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Sure. In the town of Hedley BC, head north on Rogers Ave to the very end. Start following the path and river and with some perseverance, you will get there eventually.

[@theblueearthlingextraterre2921]

A reeeeeeal Adventure Allways wanted to go there!

[@canuckprogressive.3435]

Your girls are so adventurous!

[@bushman2512]

Confidence builder for the kids.

[@jupiter1014]

Cool parents!!

[@davidt4407]

Great job dad and kids. 🧙‍♂️

[@ThisTall]

Nicely filmed and edited little adventure. I wonder what happened to the monk?

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

There is some info online. Try searching for Leon monk Hedley. Last thing I heard he still lives in the region (in something less interesting than a cave I think).

[@sammccleary6314]

His cave began to erode so Leon is now out towards Princeton the last I heard . Every once in awhile if you are lucky you’ll see Leon walking in his bright orange robes with his walking stick in Penticton . One of the nicest people and definitely the most interesting person I have ever met

[@SatiDevi444]

His house was octagon shaped.

[@anakerose]

Pretty cool 😎

[@davejbueckert1577]

Is that 5hrs 1 way, or round trip ?

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

For us it was 5h round trip

[@corywilliams4659]

My zuki would make it up that trail

[@marcosramos4596]

Any signs of bears for anyone who wants to go?

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Didn't notice any signs but there is always a chance!

[@DonHavjuan]

What's inside? You didn't show?

[@chloescarf4097]

I wonder if it was a Sasquatch growl that sent him hi- tailing it out of there?! According to a recent Native man from the Indian reserve up on the bluff, above town , Hedley is a Sasquatch crossing where they come out of the hills down to the river to drink and hunt.

[@johnlavers3970]

i went up there a couple of times when the bridges were intact

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Was one of those bridges that elaborate suspension bridge? I couldn't believe that was in the forest at one time.

[@giuliom8520]

Wow, those are some tough adventurous kids! Either that, or those are some tough, hard driving parents.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

I think a bit of both!

[@therebex23]

Miss the Nickle Plate Restaurant in Hedley...was a stop on every summer family road trip on our way from East Koots to Penticton then to Lower Mainland. Haven't seen it open for the past few years on HWY 3 drives back to the EK. It used to be decorated with artifacts etc. but what always stayed with me were the giant wasp nests on display! Since I was a child I remember thinking "wow that wasp nest is so big!" having only seen tennis ball sized nests in my hometown.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Interesting! Thanks, I love hearing these anecdotes about Hedley.

[@nicholasdispenza1958]

There is danger every where even at school these days so it is just as safe to be with Mom n Dad as to be at home with a baby sitter and the girls are tuffer for the adventure that they Loved to be out in nature all you can do is pray just think about the women that followed their men across the plains in hope of a new life Indians would shoot flaming arrows with no warning and scalp you for travling accross the land God love a couragious people and rewards them acording to his will Love your outing didnt look to dangerious to be unless getting wet and dirty is danger

[@ojsefg]

Leon wasn’t a bhuddist. He moved out in 2006 and now lives on the Indian reserve near wolf lake.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Interesting, thanks! Do you know what teachings he followed, if any?

[@chloescarf4097]

Is that the reserve up above the town on the bluff? Not Ashinola, down by the river ...

[@ChaseHybridCanada]

That is negligent behaviour by the parents

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

better footware needed badly for that terrain; and leg protection. wear gloves.

[@CrustyAbsconder]

I think Elon Musk lived in this cave in the 1300's when he was daydreaming plans to build Starbase in 2021.

[@johnboyshort5143]

2nd video iof yours that I have watched and that spot is pretty cool--I seldom comment on youtube videos but here I make an exception again and have to say you are putting those kids in an extremely dangerous position on these trails.Will you still post a video when one of these kids takes a fall? get real ! one false step and they are going to be seriously hurt.Any drop of 4-5 feet or more onto river rock let alone 20-30-40 feet straight down a cliff side to the river bed is potentially fatal. The majority of comments think it is pretty cool to bring the kids up this way and toughen them up-and in some ways I agree-in other ways I think you need to re-asses what you find entertaining.

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

Thanks for your concern! I think it's pretty difficult to gauge danger from watching videos. Many people have ventured here and have not noted anything particularly dangerous.

[@chloescarf4097]

​@@LifeIsAdventureChannel yes, except that you say it yourself in the video that it is NOT SAFE FOR KIDS. so why do it ?? with all due respect , it looks like your using your kids for a sensationalistic video.

[@jimksa67]

Thats dumb and risky to expose your family to those hazards imo All you needed was one fall or injury for you all to be in deep doo doo because of misplaced trust.. I am a hiker and have been in the bush for many years...$hit happens.

[@SatiDevi444]

I did it when I was a kid and I'm still here. It made me tougher.

[@chloescarf4097]

@@SatiDevi444 yes, but it is kinda different if you were on your own or with friends taking dumb risks. I find it troubling that the parents don't so much as saying one cautionary word.

[@SatiDevi444]

@@chloescarf4097 I went with my dad when I was 7