Winter Camp in Strathcona Park INFORMATION:

DATES: March 4 - 7, 2024

TRIP DESCRIPTION:
On the Winter camping trip, students will travel on touring skis or snowshoes from the trailhead to a camping location in the forest. Students will camp on the snow in tents, build snow kitchens and tour the area on skis/snowshoes. Temperatures range from +5’c to -20’ c. Students must be well prepared for cold weather.

EXPEDITION OBJECTIVES:

Educational/Academic Objectives: The academic lens of inquiry for the Strathcona winter camp will be Physical Geography and Earth Science. Students will do pre-trip learning related to geomorphology, rock types, glaciation and plate tectonics, which they will explore in the field. Broadly, students will study forces that have shaped the landscape and environment they will be travelling through. 

Outdoor Education Objectives: Winter camping and backcountry travel. Students will spend an overnight in Strathcona Park, camping in winter conditions. Students will travel by snowshoe or ski. Students will develop camping skills, including backcountry cooking, pre-trip preparation and packing, tarping and shelter building. Other backcountry skills will be embedded related to snow safety and avalanche conditions, leadership and survival scenarios.

TERRAIN/TRIP LOCATION SELECTION:

We have selected the area between Mt. Washington resort’s Raven Lodge and Lake Helen Mackenzie for this trip. The location includes groomed cross-country ski trails, small forested hills and low-angle slopes. Those elements make it well-suited to provide an introduction to winter camping and ski/snowshoe touring while avoiding avalanche hazards. We will also provide students with an introduction to and training on avalanche safety equipment in this very simple terrain. The following excerpt from the Parks Canada winter terrain classification system identifies our trip location as simple terrain.

Simple (Class 1) terrain requires common sense, proper equipment, first aid skills, and the discipline to respect avalanche warnings. Simple terrain is usually low avalanche risk, ideal for novices gaining backcountry experience. These trips may not be entirely free from avalanche hazards, and on days when the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is rated ‘Poor', you may want to re-think any backcountry travel that has exposure to avalanches – stick to groomed x-country trails, or within the boundaries of a ski resort.

PROPOSED ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather conditions, etc.

ACTIVITY PRE-REQUISITES:

Students should be physically fit and prepared for a challenge.

TRANSPORTATION DETAILS:

Students will be traveling to and from activities in a SMUS school bus or a school van driven by one of the instructors.

ACCOMMODATION:

Students will spend the first two nights in Bear Lodge at Mt. Washington, and the third night will be camping in tents in the snow in the backcountry. Students will be sharing 3 or 4-person tents with other students.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

Please see the winter camp equipment list for details. In the Outdoor Education equipment room we have a large assortment of excellent outdoor gear to lend to students. All students will be prepped and provided with gear to ensure they are safe and comfortable. This includes backpacks, winter clothing (jackets, fleeces, snowpants), winter sleeping bags, foamies…

GEAR CHECK:

Students will complete a gear check at Derby with guides prior to the trip. Students should bring everything they do have, even if they aren’t sure if it is quite the correct thing. The guides will check their gear and then outfit students with any missing items.

FOOD:

Students should bring money/bank card for meals en route to Mt. Washington Alpine resort. All other meals will be provided. Students will be cooking meals over camp stoves.

STAFFING:

Each group of students will have a minimum of 2 adult guides/instructors with them. External (non-SMUS staff) guides are professional outdoor guides. There will be a SMUS faculty member with the group at all times. The area falls under the Simple Terrain classification as used by the National Parks.

GUIDE CERTIFICATION:

Lead Guides have as a minimum: Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certification, AST2 avalanche certification and extensive winter backcountry touring experience. SMUS OED Instructors have as a minimum: significant winter backcountry experience, extensive experience working with youth and first aid training.

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIO: 1:6

EMERGENCY MEDICINE:

Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment with the guides prior to the trip.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense. 

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT:

The Leader-in charge is responsible for carrying the following: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information.