Wilderness Redefined
Are able to respond to emergency situation when you venture out? I’ve written a guide to the 10 Essentials which covers all the vital items, like navigation tools and a first aid kit, that you might need in the backcountry.
4 Best hiking trails in Vancouver
There are quite a few reasons you should visit Vancouver, a city that is often considered to be one of the world’s best places to live. As the best-known city in the province of British Columbia, Vancouver has a very interesting official motto: “By Sea, Land, and Air We Prosper,” and it happens to be very descriptive of the quality of life you can find here. Hiking Note by TracksAndTrails : Hikers, after you are inspired by this article and want to explore the beauty of Vancouver, BC, review the 10 hiking essentials. The downtown area of Vancouver is clean, sleek, and ultra-modern, but it happens to be surrounded by pristine natural scenery that simply begs to be explored. If you are curious about hiking opportunities in Vancouver, the first thing you should know is that there are dozens of trails near the city and hundreds more just outside of the urban centers. Vancouver hiking is one of the many outdoor activities regularly enjoyed by locals, and it can be a great experience for visitors. Vancouver hiking trails range from leisure strolls around lakes to challenging mountain paths that require patience, stamina, and trekking experience. The following recommendations for Vancouver […]
Camper Van Rentals Canada
Camper Van Rentals and Touring Canada Camper Van rentals in Canada give tourists the best way to enjoy a self guided tour of what Canada has to offer. Canada is a country with borders on three of the world’s five oceans. This means that if you are used to traveling in Europe, Canada will require a completely different strategy to complete your tour. This article provides a few strategies that will allow you to have an epic Camper Van tour in Canada and has image and video that will leave you with a thirst for more! The following Canada Tour options have a variety of time required for each. The least amount of time is at the #8 Camperv Van Tour option and the most amount of time required to complete the Canadian adventure is #1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeRKhQFdoUY&feature=emb_logo Canada Self Guided Camper Van Tour Option #1 Cross Canada and visit as many provinces as possible! When planning an across Canada adventure itinerary, you will have vast distances to travel in your campervan to get from one side to another. Beginning by camper van in Vancouver, it requires at least 60 hours of solid non-stop driving to cross Canada and dip your […]
The Great Divide Trail
The Rocky Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, one of which is the epic Great Divide Trail. Beginning in Waterton Lakes National Park, the trail ends near Kakwa Provincial Park. The trail follows the crest of the Rocky Mountains which separates Alberta and British Columbia. It is a whopping 1100km walk! The route is not well marked, leaving you to explore the trail as you wish through the vast wilderness and incredible sceneries. Hiking the Great Divide Trail is not for the faint of heart and can be a challenge for even the most experienced hikers. Walking long distances in the wilderness can take a toll and you’ll be wise to remember that many wild and dangerous animals call this their home. You’ll be passing through five National Parks and eight Provincial Parks, as well as wilderness areas, so you’ll need to be alert for signs of black bears, bobcats, and wolves as well as other dangerous wildlife like Elk and Moose. If you get into trouble along the trail, help is not always close by and you’ll most likely be hiking in complete solitude so keep this in mind when preparing […]
Saddle Mountain Lookout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p5sNy-ieh8 Reaching the summit of Saddle Mountain (locally known as Saddleback)
Report on Lynx in the Okanagan
This post includes a link to the PDF complete report. I have uploaded the report because many hikers and adventurers in the Okanagan have never seen a Lynx. This report will answer many questions. Thanks to Ray Derickson who hosted the researchers at his trapping cabin which, I am sure, made the gathering of accurate data much easier. Sustainable take of Okanagan lynx (Gooliaff 2021)[1975]
Oyama / Streak Lake Channel
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ejc9Acu3Cs9eYHbBA Oyama / Streak Lake channel is about 1.5 km long and offers a smorgasbord of outdoor zen delights. Just float and listen to a multitude of bird calls, paddle and hear the swoosh as you gently push through the reeds and paddy lilies. Keep a close
The Ultimate In Flannel
Flannel image used with permission from the Rocky Mountain Flannel Company. Known as the vacation destination of the Rocky Mountains, Banff is located at an altitude of 1383 m above sea level. By contrast, Kelowna, known by tourists for its sunshine and Okanagan beaches is at an altitude of 344 m. So how is one to dress for the perfect summer vacation? A common BC tour could find one touring the Okanagan on the way to Banff and I’ve come across the perfect addition to your vacation wardrobe for this summer. Typically, I’m not one to comment on fashion, but when a logical choice like flannel can be fashionable, why not weigh in?. Whenever I leave for the hills to camp with family, it is common to remind everyone to prepare for significant temperature swings from our hot temperatures in the valley to the high altitude temp drops in the Rocky Mountains with clothes that can be worn in layers. The interesting thing is that I’ve always liked plaid (not the same thing as flannel) and now I’ve noticed that flannel shirts are more a trend and I’m feeling a bit fashionable as I consider my pack with a long […]
How to Survive a Forest Fire while Hiking or Camping
Forest fires have become five times more frequent and six-time more destructive in recent times due to global warming and climate change. Take your ten hiking essentials such as Binocular, Two-way radio and Compass along with you even you are on a small day hikeForest fires are based upon something known as the fire triangle. A forest fire needs heat, oxygen, and fuel to spread. Destroying the supply of any one of these elements will help extinguish the forest fire. Ground fires occur at the ground level beneath the branches. Surface fires can be about 1.3 meters high. Crown fires generally spread through treetops. These are very dangerous. They might be fuelled by surface fire. A larger percentage of forest fires happen due to human neglectSeek professional medical help immediately after reaching a nearby town. You might have unnoticed burns, or you could have inhaled the smoke, both of which needs to be assessed properly by a doctor — victims of traumatic experiences such as getting caught in a wildfire tent to suffer from anxiety disorders like PTS. If you or anyone you know who has recently survived a wildfire is experiencing symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety, make […]
Stocking Derickson Lake
Stocking Derickson Lake with 2000 fingerlings hs by helicopter.
Camping Etiquette in BC Mountain Lakes
The wonderful thing about this place we live in is the incredible beauty and the ability to get away from it all. The solitude and privacy we find when trekking in the British Columbia outback is lovely and coveted by folks worldwide, when so many of we humans live in communities sandwiched together like the proverbial sardine! So, when one throws ones gear into a boat and find ones own bit of peace and quiet, leave me the #u@*! alone! Oops, not that my partner and I have ever been interrupted enjoying some alone time at a discreet location on one of the many Oyama Lake islands or anything! Here are a few unspoken rules that will make everyone’s outdoor experience sweeter when camping for free on our crown land. Especially on the private uninhabited islands speckling our mountain lakes where we should be able to claim them for a night or two and be left the hell alone! If you see a camp. Keep going and pass it by til you find your own space. Don’t be invasive. There’s literally hundreds of other areas to explore. And you too will enjoy your space if all respect this simple rule. […]
23 Ways Hiking Makes You Healthier
23 Ways Hiking Makes You Healthier The best way to expand your management skills is with hiking expedition. Discover yourself with the magical experiences you obtain with hiking outdoors. There are many pieces of research which have proved that hiking even helps to fight against cancer. It even helps the patients who are fighting hard against the deadliest of illness such as lung, colon as well as endometrial cancers. The team from the International Journal of Sports Medicine has analyzed the levels of antioxidants in the patient’s body who are suffering from breast cancer prior to and also after hiking. The levels were seen to be boosted after hiking. If the antioxidants in the body are increased, then the chances for the body to fight against the infections will be higher and so will be the catalyze recuperation. So in short, we can say that hiking in nature will help to cope with every disease in a very effective manner since trekking and hiking are considered as the best “body friendly” workouts. In addition to this, hiking also helps to increase the lung capacity and increase the heart rates. Making hiking a regular habit will help in lowering your blood […]
Okanagan High Rim Trail Association
Extra Extra, Read All About It! The Okanagan High Rim Trail Association has been born! A group of hard working enthusiastic outdoors men and women have been keeping the High Rim Trail open for years now. Having an official incorporated non-profit organization allows them to lobby for funds to provide a safe working environment and fulfill many more requirements to complete the onerous task of clearing and marking the trail every year. Learn more about the High Rim Trail Association and join the efforts that are providing this unique recreation corridor from Kelowna to Kalmalka Lake.
A Real Canadian Trapline
A day in the life of Derickson Trapline by Ray Derickson. A trapper in the Okanagan. Gentleman this is an update on Derickson Family Trap Line Saturday March 04, 2017 Thumper & Amber drove me to the trapper cabin and met my friend Stan there and we unloaded wood brought from property of Derickson family below home of Arron Derickson and piled in front of trapper cabin, cuz we had no use for the wood in fire shed this wood is in slabs and good for developing table tops beside the steel chairs to sit around out-side fire pit this can hold the coffee & beer, etc. Now for an explanation of snow conditions at trapper cabin the snow is ab out (5) feet deep crusted & frozen & fresh & powder, etc. Thankfully it is not summertime and raining but if it were, we would be sure to purchase a good rain jacket! Stan & RND went up Two John Trail and the snow quickly became powder & hard & crusty & etc, I got stuck in the snow about half way to Two John Creek bridge and took us about (30) minutes to dig the ski-doo out of […]
How to fillet your fish
Filleting a fish can provide a boneless tasty meal from your catch of the day. 2 minute video shows you how. Don’t gut your fish, fillet it!
Campfire Effects and Fun
Chemical/ Mechanical Starts and Special Effects REMEMBER: Check all fire ban notices for your area. Have water for putting out hot-spots. When leaving your camp, make sure your fire pit is cold to the touch. SAFETY FIRST Fires are dangerous – chemicals in fires are even more dangerous – BE CAREFUL If you must use corrosive, poisonous, or inflammatory material, always mix and use chemicals outdoors, Follow instructions to the letter. Do not experiment, mixing chemicals can be dangerous. Never throw a lighted match into a mixture to ignite it, Avoid large quantities – more is NOT better. ALWAYS PRACTICE FIRST Try out any campfire effects before the actual campfire event. LESS IS BEST Use ONLY the minimum amount needed to achieve the effect you are looking for. When you practice your effects, check reaction times between activation and ignition; especially if you are planning a story or activity to coincide with ignition. The ambient temperature will affect the times. Usually warmer weather will result in a faster reaction. Also, there are often noises or smoke that will indicate when the chemical is activated. Always have a “Plan B” ready if “Plan A” fails – because it will, sooner or […]
Wápupxn (Lynx) Transboundary Monitoring Trial – Derickson Trapline – West Kettle River, BC
Okanagan Nation Alliance wildlife program is pleased to say that we’ve concluded our lynx live-trapping and collaring effort for the 2015-16 winter. Each cat is permanently ear-tagged with small matching blue swing tags marked with a unique number and the letters “WDFW”.
Where to camp in the Okanagan?
In the southern interior of BC there is an outdoor experience lying in wait. The unsuspecting refugee does not know the true expanse of its domain. The aged native Canadian has
Kelowna Boat Rentals
Renting a boat in Kelowna can help you reach various Okanagan Lake points of interest that most tourists (and residents) that are only driving through the valley will never see up close. Rattlesnake Island is my favourite natural tourist attraction that nature provided free of charge! It is historic for a number of reasons. Eddie Haymour and his misplaced efforts to claim the Island and turn it into a tourist attraction complete with a pyramid and other attractions added a colourful page to Okanagan’s history. The remains of his misplaced efforts can be viewed on the island. In 2003 the Okanagan Mountain Park fire began very close to the Island and many folks thought the fire started on the Island, which always amused me. 🙂 When I canoed to the Island several years ago, I launched from near Peachland and docked at this beautiful location: Rattlesnake Island Cove If you check out this video you will see rock cliffs to climb on and dive from. Rattlesnake Island is not the only Island on Okanagan Lake. There are two island that I know of. The second island is less known and can be visited by boating near Carrs Landing or just off shore of Kopje […]
Sportz Truck Camping Tent – Styleside 5.5 Bed
I just ordered my new motorhome! I searched on my laptop and while I searched my wife and son searched via smartphone for best prices on Ford’s tent accessory package option. I was surprised to see that there are not too many websites with deals on this tent in a box. I found the price on a few websites but when I called my local Ford Dealer their price was about the same, $289. I ordered it and it will be here in a couple of days. After we use it for a trip to the east Kootenay’s I will update this post and write up a review. http://accessories.ford.com/exterior/sportz-tent/sportz-truck-camping-tent-9054.html
Kelowna Physiotherapy at home for the hiking season!
While you plan an awesome summer adventure, you’re probably considering every risk factor known to the outdoorsman / woman and then some. Every thing from chapstick to an ultra lite first aid kit to prepare you for the unexpected. The thing is, many of us who like to hike go a little farther and a little higher every year as we seek out new backcountry challenges and we haven’t found our limit. We risk a catastrophic end to an epic trip or in the least a really annoying injury that will require us to abruptly end our trip and limp back to the beginning or to a painful end. Take my friend for example; he planned, prepared, jogged and thought he was ready for the West Coast Trail only to find himself flying via helicopter after a knee injury. I believe pre trip training and preparation of the hamstring, hip flexors and gluteal muscle groups (a long way to say the “Core”) will go a long way to keep you healthy and realize your dreams. Ignore the core and you may be calling your doctor or physiotherapist after your summer adventure for relief of one of the following types of […]
BC Forest Service Roads
BC Forest Service Road Condition and Updates – Please Post your information via the comments below. I promote getting out into the woods and the backcountry of BC. Many British Columbian recreation sites can be enjoyed with a bit of planning and luck. Often, I will go to find a recreation site or trail and find that a forest service road or FSR is decommissioned or simply impassable. Other times I will find large washouts exist on parts of the road but usually see that the dangerous areas are flagged. Some of the washouts will stop an RV from reaching their camping destination or other times if one is speeding, a washout or other dangerous road condition could lead to a catastrophic end to an otherwise exciting adventure. The following British Columbian Road Condition links will be helpful to you if you are heading for a weekend adventure regardless if you have a 4X4 or not. Please check the links for regular updates to find if your back country route is safe and open. The following links are updated by individual forest service districts. First, this BC Forestry Regions link may help find more than what I have found below. All […]
Big White Hiking
While the school strike is on in British Columbia, I need to find more things to do for the kids. I thought hiking on Big White while the ski hill is shut down might be a nice change. I sent the Big White folks an email: ” I’m taking take five kids up hiking on the mountain on well marked trails only. Is there anything I should be aware of as far as parts of the mountain being closed etc?” I asked. Here is the reply I received and thought someone else may find it helpful: Subject: hiking Clayton: We have only one trail that is actually open to hiking. The trail is marked with orange Inukshuks from the Village to the top of the cliff and back down to the Village again. The rest of the mountain is essentially closed. Please be advised there is no patrols on the hill so be sure someone knows where you have gone and when to except you back. Regards, Debbie Big White Reception Receptionist Big White Ski Resort Ltd. Direct Line: Fax: Email: bigwhite@bigwhite.com Website: www.bigwhite.com
db Paracord
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Rail Trail Map – Vernon to Kelowna
The Rail Trail quick stats: 49.9 km in length max grade of 1.3 percent 24 km of lakeshore along Kalmalka, Wood and Duck Lake Connects Kelowna, Winfield, Oyama, Vernon and Coldstream Safe access to UBCO 23 Parks within 500m 22 points of interest within 500m Green Transport Corridors More Rail Trail Information, images, resources, studies and reports
Rail Trail, Dream Trail, help make it your trail!
Okanagan, lets all support this incredible rail trail which will connect Kelowna, Winfield, Oyama and Vernon with a dream trail that offers every type of outdoor non motorized enjoyment and nature viewing possible!
Inexpensive staycation where you can meet tourists and be an ambassador of Langley?
If you have a motorhome and have a few weeks to spare between July and Thanksgiving, why not consider being a campground host at Fort Langley National Historic Site?
50 Top Camping in Canada Posts
1. Mission Creek Falls clarification from a Tracks And Trails Visitor. 4 comments 2. Westside Regional District – Black Canyon – Follow up 4 comments 3. Hiking Trails – other than Canada 4 comments 4. Paul’s Tomb – Knox Mountain – a Kelowna City Park hiking destination. 4 comments 5. Terrace Mountain Vista – drive to the top and get the best 360 panorama of the Okanagan 4 comments 6. Mission Creek Trail and Mile Zero on the High Rim Trail 4 comments 7. Bush Tea 4 comments 8. Hiking eBooks – free and fully downloadable! 4 comments 9. graystokes…as self guided as it gets 4 comments 10. Free Camping at Dunn Lake North in Kamloops 4 comments 11. some okanagan fsr trips 4 comments 12. Heaven on earth 4 comments 13. cougar canyon in okanagan 4 comments 14. Camping at Tamihi Creek in Chilliwack 4 comments 15. Camping at Wragge Beach Kootenay Boundary 5 comments 16. Camping at Lundbom Lake West in Cascade District 4 comments 17. Christie Falls between Kelowna and Vernon – A Spectacular Okanagan Gift 4 comments 18. Free Camping at Narrow Lake E in Prince George 4 comments 19. High Rim Trail Hiking from Vernon’s […]