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Are you looking to get more comfortable with planning backcountry adventures? Do you want to find, plan, and explore remote areas?! This course is designed for folks who want to expand their backcountry adventure skillset over 4 field days in the Purcell Mountains.
Course Dates: July 9-13 (July 9 is an evening pre-trip in Radium)
In this course, we will learn the following: All aspects of planning, from finding the correct maps & online research, planning food for the team, gear considerations, and emergency preparedness. Creating a route plan, basic map & compass skills, and digital navigation. Emergency communication devices, how to use them and when to use them. Navigating BC forestry roads, how to prep your vehicle to travel rough roads and prevent porcupines from chewing your break lines. Picking a remote campsite, key components of wilderness camping, bear safety, cooking area and the latrine all following leave no trace principles. Off-trail navigation, using mountains, valleys, and cols for navigation, and picking the path of least resistance and least impact in sensitive alpine and subalpine terrain. Scouting peaks and planning the best and safest route up.
While this trip will build backcountry skills necessary for remote climbing trips, the team will stick to non-technical terrain (no helmets, harness, ropes or high hazard scrambling).
Participants will be encouraged to take the lead in navigation and decision making while coached & mentored by experienced ACMG hiking guide Susan Twitchell. Let’s learn together by doing!
Included in course price: Backcountry tents - we prefer people from the same "bubble" share tents as some areas have limited tent areas. Strangers will not be paired together unless requested to help decrease pack weight. Full menu of delicious food from dinner on day 1 to lunch on the last day. The expertise, navigation and learning from an ACMG Hiking Guide, Susan Twitchell. All group gear - stoves, pots, food storage materials, water treatment All safety equipment - bear spray, first aid kit, emergency communication device, etc.
Participants are welcome to bring along any of their own gear they’d like to use.
Course Cost: $650 per person
* Day 0: Virtual pre-trip ~ 2 weeks prior to the trip to discuss packing, planning, and logistics. This will be a 1 hour discussion. TIming TBD based on participant’s availability.
* **Day 1 (July 9): Pre-trip meeting in Radium Hot Springs, BC.** Meet at 6 pm (location TBD) to meet your guide, review last-minute details, receive group gear, and discuss trail conditions and weather.
* **Day 2, July 10: (5 km, 400 m gain)** Drive on backroads to the trailhead in Templeton Valley. Hike through lush forest into an open valley with expansive views. Navigate boulder fields and climb a steep section to reach a Templeton lake and rustic campground. Learn about site selection, bear safety, and leave no trace camping.
* **Day 3, July 11: (5-8 km, 800 m gain)** Enjoy morning coffee by the glacial lake and a backcountry breakfast. Ascend to a landscape recently shaped by glaciers and discuss the unique features. Climb a rocky moraine to a col overlooking Shangri-La. Descend into a sub-alpine meadow with lakes and wildflowers. Set up basecamp and work together to plan the next day’s adventure.
* **Day 4, July 12: (10-12 km, 700 m gain)** Leaving our tents set up as base-camp, we can explore the area with lighter packs. We’ll check out Shangri-La and ascend further to admire Mount Ethelbert and the surrounding flora and fauna. Discuss the terrain, navigation, and understanding the landscape with your guide. Participants will take turns leading the group off trail into unique areas.
* **Day 5 July 13: (9 km, 450 m gain)** Retrace your steps and head out, enjoying new perspectives of the incredible views. Congratulations on your wilderness experience!
To join this trip participants should have: Fitness to hike for 6-8 hours a day carrying a 40lb pack for multiple days Access to a vehicle capable of driving on forestry roads (AWD or 4WD preferred, ideally with moderate clearance - e.g. a rav 4/honda crv or similar). Carpooling among participants will be encouraged so not everyone will need their own vehicle.
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