Experience the Wilderness and Backcountry as we like to see it.
This is not a technical skills learning day but a day to experience what it is like to get off trail, eat some wild foods, cook and eat from an open fire and share some wilderness stories.
Depending on the weather and time of the year the itinerary will vary but a typical experience day will involve:
A short walk off the beaten path and into the woods. Your guide will identify and interpret for you some wildlife signs. This could be a watering spot for Elk or a beaver chew and lodge. Possibly even a wolf scat and territorial markings. Your guide will identify some edible and medicinal plants and show you some woodsman skills. You will have the chance of trying out some of your skills should you choose. A lunch will be prepared for you and a fire will be made to brew some cowboy coffee (or tea.) Your guide will then give a frontier story and some history of the area as you eat your lunch of hot stew and fire-baked sourdough biscuits.
The afternoon might be spent fishing in the creek or paddling a backcountry lake in a traditional cedar canvas canoe. Or, it will be exploring the woods and coming back to the fire. you might find yourself carving a wooden spoon. Or learning to stalk a deer and shooting a bow and arrow. (no actual hunting will take place)
A short walk and return to civilization as the evening draws in. Hopefully leaving you with a lust to return to the woods and mountains to explore further what they hold secret.
If this sounds like something that you would enjoy.
Details
Pick up from Nelson at 8.30 and return around 5.30.
Pick up outside the Canadian Pacific Rail
What you need to bring
- Water bottle Full
- Strong sturdy footwear (no flip flops or sandals)
- Raincoat or jacket suitable for the weather
- Small daybag
- Sun hat/sunglasses or Wooly hat and gloves
Please bring the following items to this day course course. Ideally they should be packed in a backpack, large day pack or multiday pack. Please line the inside of your bag with a large contractor garbage bag. It will keep all your belongings dry without the need for expensive bag liners.
Tools / Equipment
Optional (this is all provided but we recognize people sometimes have personal preferences and gear)
Fixed blade knife (for more information see Article about Knifes)
Folding pruning saw (optional, these are provided)
Essential
Back pack (that will fit a sleeping bag, water bottle and some extra layers)
Headlamp and spare batteries
Watch ( or phone in a waterproof case/bag)
Lighter
Water bottle (wide mouth and preferably stainless steel, Nalgenes are just fine)
Plate or large bowl, spoon, mug (plastic or tin, non breakable)
Sunglasses
Toque, wool hat, sun hat, cap or Stetson
Clothing and Personal Items
All clothing should be wool, fast drying synthetics, bamboo or similar. No cotton please! Please use a level of judgement if the course is running in august you might not need your thick base layers. Take a look at night time temperatures or the daily low and bring clothing suitable for that temperature. If your not sure please contact us or just bring the extra layer. Always bring waterproofs! More details in the Article on Clothing.
Waterproof pants and jacket
Insulating layers (fleece, wool tops, synthetic puffy/insulating jackets)
Work gloves or garden gloves
Warm gloves
Neck Gaiter or scarf
Toque, wool hat, sun hat, cap or Stetson
Base layers top and bottom
Wool socks
A full change of clothes (t shirt, pants, underwear, warm layer)
A wool jacket or old shirt for sitting around the fire. (It will protect your nice synthetics from melting, this can be cotton!)
Hiking boots (break them in prior to the course please, you will be a lot more comfortable)
Personal medications, glasses contact lences etc
