This guided multi-day epic will take place in a remote area near Whistler far from the crowds of more popular backpacking destinations. We’ll spend 4 nights / 5 days in the remote backcountry, each night making camp at a new, awe-inspiring location. You'll hike through flower-filled meadows, summit pristine peaks, traverse glaciers, and swim in turquoise alpine lakes. Expect to do up to 12km of travel per day and up to 800m of elevation gain per day. The trip will be roughly 40km in length. A strong level of hiking fitness will be required.
DAY 1
7 AM - 9 AM
Meet at the Squamish Adventure Centre and depart to trailhead.
9 AM - 10 AM
Run through gear check and review route.
10 AM - 1 PM
Begin your adventure! While backpacking, begin learning about essential outdoor wilderness skills - animal safety precautions, how to hike to maximize energy, foraging for local plants and fauna etc.
1 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM - 2 PM
Cover route finding and off-trail navigation techniques.
2 PM - 3:30 PM
Continue backpacking and learn about the history and geology of the area.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Enjoy free time to relax and swim in a turquoise alpine lake.
4:30 PM - 6 PM
Continue backpacking and learn how to choose a 5-star campsite based on current and future weather conditions.
6 PM - 8 PM
Set up camp, cook, and eat dinner. Review information and skills taught throughout the day.
8 PM onwards
Enjoy free time to relax, stargaze, converse with your new friends, and enjoy the incredible world-class views!
DAY 2-4
7 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM - 9 AM
Review route and continue honing your off-trail navigation skills.
9 AM - 12 PM
Backpack and learn more essential outdoor wilderness skills i.e. how to conquer your fear of heights and steep slopes, proper hydration techniques, backcountry first-aid and emergency protocols, and more.
On Day 3 & 4
Learn glacier travel and self-arrest techniques on snow with ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and ropes.
12 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM - 1 PM
Review route and continue honing your off-trail navigation skills.
1 PM - 3 PM
Continue backpacking and have the choice to drop your pack and summit nearby pristine peaks (or simply take time to rest and relax!).
5 - 6 PM
Travel to camp and learn more about wildlife safety and precautions and leave-no-trace principles.
6 - 8 PM
Set up camp, cook and eat dinner, and review information and skills taught throughout the day.
8 PM onwards
Enjoy free time to relax, stargaze, converse with your new friends, and enjoy the incredible world-class views!
DAY 5
7 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
9 AM - 1 PM
Travel to the designated shuttle pick-up area
1 PM - 2 PM
Return to the Squamish Adventure Centre
2:30 PM - 5 PM
Return home or meet at a local restaurant for post-adventure drinks and food (optional).
5 PM onwards
Suffer from serious post-trip blues and regret life choices.
Before this trip, my husband and I had done a few overnight backpacking trips, but only on well-marked and well-used trails without any sections labeled as “route”. We were too unsure to go too far or on less well-known trails in case we got lost, and avoided routes in case they were too technical.
Now we have no concerns about any of those things (or rather, reasonable concerns that can be managed using our newly acquired knowledge and skills). This trip has given us deep confidence in our trip planning, map reading, route finding, and technical walking abilities (not to mention some bonus glacier travel skills as well!). We feel ready to venture out on longer and less well-known trails and routes, and to find our own way navigating off-trail.
For me personally, the trip was so rewarding because I went from a place of fear (fear of not knowing what was around the next corner or over the next ridge; fear of exposed slopes; fear of wild animals; fear of not being able to do it) to a place of excitement to see what comes next and confidence that I could do it. I can’t thank Nick enough for organizing and Dave for his calm and patient guiding and guidance. I would do it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone looking to take their wilderness backpacking to the next level!
- Megan C.
I have always wanted to go on a backpacking trip since I started hiking here in BC. However, due to the lack of knowledge, I was never able to do so. I have done car camping and day hiking trips so far where the skills you require are not very much the same as you need for multi-day backpacking. I had zero knowledge about reading a map, hiking off-trail while using navigation and packing skills. I was scared of going off-trail, thinking I would get lost. These were the most certain factors that blocked me from going on a backpacking trip.
After this trip, I can very well say that my confidence in going on future backpacking trips has increased tremendously. I can now look at a map and understand which routes I can take and which ones to avoid. This trip has boosted my confidence in what to pack, how to plan, how to place your feet while you are ascending and descending off steep slopes, how to use an ice axe if at all I'm sliding down on a snow patch. I also possess knowledge of whom to call in the event that something happens to me or someone from my group to get help. A bonus lesson that I learned was traversing a glacier - so now I can confidently do some beginner-level glacier walking. With these newly acquired skills, I'm less fearful and more confident in making future backpacking trips happen.
As the days passed by, I felt more rewarding. The way the course was designed was really amazing. It started with the basics on day one and we started doing more technical hiking/walking as the days passed by. We covered every single aspect of the email that Nick sent out about the BC Wilderness Adventure. Kudos to Nick and our instructor Dave for meticulously planning and making this dream trip happen. Special shout-out to Dave for patiently guiding us and sharing his immense wealth of knowledge through all five days of our trip. I would 100% do this course again and would recommend it to anyone who is willing to take their backpacking skills to the next level. If dreams come true, then this trip is a perfect example of it. My joy knows no bounds! Thank you Nick and Dave for making this happen!
- Rajiv K.
Level of this trip - medium
On this trip, we require some experience with backpacking and camping. You should have backpacked before and been on backcountry trips. Regardless, we will set up the trip based on the experience of the group so that everyone has a great experience. On most of our trips, there are opportunities to split up into groups based on the participant's desires and prior experience (i.e. taking a moment to rest or dropping your pack to summit a peak). If you're wondering if this trip is a good fit for you, feel free to contact us so that we can help you find the adventure that best fits your wishes and needs - whether you're a beginner or are very experienced.
Safety and risk - in general
We take safety seriously and on all of our trips we train on handling different situations that can occur in the remote backcountry. For us it is important that you as a guest and participant learn all of the essential skills required to thrive in the backcountry. It contributes to learning, a sense of achievement, and increased safety for all. It's also why our trips are considered to be backcountry courses. Feel free to contact us to discuss.
Equipment/packing
Backpacking equipment is required for this trip. That means a 3-season sleeping bag, tent, backpack, 3-season sleeping pad, personal stove, and appropriate clothing based on the conditions. We have gear that can be hired through us if you let us know beforehand. Crampons, ice axes, ropes, and harnesses will be included in the trip. We do not expect you to buy lots of new equipment to join any of our trips, so, use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, try to purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment, buy quality items that will last. One month before the trip, we will have a Zoom information session and provide gear recommendations and a detailed packing list so you have plenty of time to prepare before departure.
Food and cooking
On our trips, you will be responsible for carrying and cooking your food. Feel free to contact us for food and meal recommendations to ensure you maximize the enjoyment of your trip.
What we expect from you
You must be open to contributing to our learning sessions and participating in discussions, as well as opening up a bit socially. We have many different people with us on our trips, and most people get along very well. Our experience is that doing things with others out in nature, and with new people with different personalities is what creates the best, more interesting, and memorable adventures!
What kind of people join this trip - and how many will we be?
Many come alone, some travel as couples, and others travel as groups of friends. The common denominator for everyone is that these are fun and interesting people you will become friends with almost no matter what. Sharing grand experiences creates strong ties! Many people wonder about the age composition of our trips, but this isn't so important to us. It doesn't matter if you are young or old as long as you want to go on a trip and intend to contribute to our learning and discussion sessions.
Environment and sustainability
Alpine and backcountry trips are environmentally friendly activities. Furthermore, we teach and encourage leave-no-trace principles on all of our adventures. We encourage participants to travel as environmentally friendly as possible, and we use local ingredients and resources as much as we can. Philosophically, hiking and backpacking is an exercise in sustainability: we move through the mountains leaving little to no trace.
Minimum number of registered participants
We need a minimum of 3 registered participants to run this adventure. We can tell pretty early on whether a trip will be confirmed or not. If we have to cancel, you will get reimbursed or offered to join another trip. Since we need a certain number of registered participants to confirm a trip, please do not book your travel (ferry, train, bus etc.) before you have confirmed your trip.
From Vancouver, you can either drive or take public transportation up the Sea-to-Sky highway to meet at the Squamish Adventure Centre. From here, we will take the shuttle to the trailhead.
The shuttle will pick you up from the exit point after you've finished your adventure, and drive you back to the Squamish Adventure Centre.
As with all activities, there is plenty of specialized equipment and clothing for remote wilderness backpacking. You are not expected to buy lots of new equipment to join any of our trips, so use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, try to purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment - buy quality items that will last.
One month before trip departure, you will be asked to participate in a Zoom information session where our lead guide will cover all of the recommended items to bring on your adventure.
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