As our first group hike, we head up Mount Crumpit which is a popular hike in Squamish. It has lots of technical moments but overall a good-paced hike to start off the year. We all have lunch at the top of the hike and get to know each other as we will be spending lots of time together. This hike has a beautiful view of Squamish from the top.
The Elfin Lakes hike is a four-day experience. The hike is eleven kilometres up to camp. Then we set up our campsite and did some team building. On the second and third day, we break into smaller groups and do some day hikes with amazing worthwhile views. On the last day, we hike back down as a big group. Well, we are up there we learn about the weather, plants, tarps, tents, and efficient packing skills.
Howe Sound Crest is a very steep and technical hike. It is three days where you have the initial hike up and down and then a day hike in between where you can choose and plan a hike to do within your group. This hike requires a lot of endurance and persistence, but it is worth everything once you reach the summit and see the views. This trip helps build strong bonds and friendships along the way as it is on the tougher side for the hiking portion.
The 40-hour wilderness first aid course is either done over the span of 5 days in person or 20 hours online and 20 hours (2 days) in person. The days are around 8-10 hours, all done at HSS. You learn many valuable skills, and at the end of the course, you receive your first aid certification.
Our PSIC Level 1 Training was done up on Whistler Mountain, where we spent three days going over how to properly teach basic skills to beginner skiers. During our time spent teaching it was also spent learning. This is something that not only helps others but helps you in the process.
We spend a day either ski touring or snowshoeing up at Mount Seymour or Whistler Callaghan learning about avalanche training. We learn all the skills we need to know and we do real-life scenarios.
Whistler bobsledding hosted a day for us to come up and try being a passenger and a driver on their Olympic bobsledding course. This bobsledding track is 1700 meters with 16 corners and a top speed of 157.06 km/hr. It is the longest and most advanced bobsled track in Canada. Even though we didn't do the full track, we still got the full effect of the course.
In our outdoor education program, we have the incredible opportunity to go into the forest up on smoke bluffs just behind our school in Squamish. This is where we spend multiple days learning how to rock climb with experienced instructors. These sessions not only teach us the technical aspects of climbing but also build our confidence and skills in a hands-on, immersive way.
In spring we go on a five-day camping trip to Tofino, where we go on day hikes as well as have professional instructors come teach us how to surf each day. We spend hours out on the waves every day. We go into town, do day hikes, have fires on the beaches and many more memorable activities. This trip is a very special one that most people enjoy the most, the team building is wonderful and creates a lot of long-lasting memories. As well as having a chance to surf in one of the best surfing places in Canada.
For our final trip of the year, we embark on an incredible sea kayaking expedition around Quadra Island. Over the course of five days, we navigate the coastal waters, experiencing the beauty and challenge of multi-day paddling. Each morning, we pack up camp, load our kayaks with everything we need, and set off toward a new destination, where we set up camp for the night.