Self propelled adventures in its purest sense…
Tent based backpacking adventures in the remote wilderness of Western Canada. Join a certified guide for a multi-day trip into the pristine backcountry, enjoy alpine meadows, aesthetic ridges or scramble to a nearby peaks. Browse our regular programs highlighted below or contact us for more info and a custom trip.
Our West Kootenay based programs take place near Nelson, Kaslo and New Denver. The area provides a diverse array of established wilderness trails for beginner walkers to very experienced hikers. Enjoy the pristine and rugged mountain scenery on or off trails in Valhalla Provincial Park, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Goat Range Provincial Park, and many other unique destinations. We offer a number of backpacking hikes, each different from one another, choose from one of our classics below or visit our favorite trails page for inspiration.
Gwillim to Mulvey Traverse (Valhalla Park)
A 3-4 day off trail advanced traverse in the heart of Valhalla Provincial Pack. Surrounded by iconic peaks, plentiful alpine lakes and rugged wilderness.
Cariboo Ridge Traverse (Kokanee Park)
A 3day off trail advanced traverse in the Northeast corner of Kokanee Provincial Park. A relatively unknown gem with numerous alpine lakes and amazing alpine hiking with vistas of Kokanee and Woodbury glaciers.
Earl Grey Pass Traverse (Purcell Wilderness Conservancy)
A 4day on-trail classic! The Earl Grey Pass Trail, which traverses over a 2,256-metre pass in the Central Purcells to link East and West Kootenay, is one of the few historic routes not replaced by a road. It remains one of the region’s premier wilderness, adventure experiences.
The Floe Lake Rock Wall (Kootenay National Park)
A 3-4day on-trail traverse. The Rockwall trail is a 54 km traverse hike that starts and finishes on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park. The trail includes several waterfalls, numerous creeks, many glaciers, alpine lakes and of course the famous Rockwall itself.
Berg Lake Loop (Mount Robson Park)
The classic Berg Lake Trail is a 3-4 day program in mount Robson Provincial Park. It is a moderate 42 km hike, with possible side trips, through diverse landscapes including turquoise lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and around the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies – Mount Robson.
We will meet the night before any of our trips start in the town located closest to the starting point of your trip. The complete itinerary is somewhat flexible and will vary depending on participant needs, weather, conditions, and location. Our backpacking programs vary in length from 3 to 5 days. Contact us for more details.
Programs are beginner to advanced. Guests are responsible to self evaluate their skills as groups need to be matched together based on prior experience and ability.
Good physical fitness and ability to carry a pack is required. Please contact us to discuss your background and what kind of backpacking location would suit you best.
Off trail program require significantly more experienced than on trail programs.
Trips initiate in the town nearest to the start of your trip location. Our local backpacking programs occur in the Valhalla Mountains, Goat Range, Selkirk and Purcell Mountains near Kaslo, Slocan City, Nelson and New Denver. We can also organized a custom trip in a remote location of your choice in Western Canada. Contact us with your ideas and recommendations.
Due to the higher elevations, proximity to dominant winds and weather conditions, mountain weather is difficult to predict. It is most often worse than the weather in the surrounding valleys and can change quickly as it is really hard to predict for more than 24hrs ahead.
In summer you expect temperatures to be from 10 C to 28C in the day while overnight temperature can drop dramatically in the high alpine, even below zero. Temperatures are much colder at higher elevations, even in the summer. It is not uncommon to have overnight freezing temperatures in the alpine, outside a mountain hut or near a back country camp.
It is always an interesting challenge to know exactly what you are going to get, therefore is important to be flexible with timing and not too attached to a particular goal or objective. Be prepared by bringing all required items, this ensure you will be dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind, precipitation.
How experienced do I need to be?
On this backpacking program will benefit from previous hiking experience. Good physical fitness is a must, comfort and experience with carrying a pack is very useful.
Is it safe?
On all backcountry programs, we provide you with fully certified IFMGA / ACMG Mountain, alpine and hiking guides. This gives you the highest safety standards in the industry. While it is impossible to eliminate all the hazards, our guides will maximize your experience and greatly minimize the risks involved.
Can I rent some of the equipment needed during the programs?
On the overnight tenting programs we offer participants access to hiking or camping equipment at no extra charge however, you are welcome to bring your own. This includes hiking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, stove, pots. Contact us for specifics and availability.
Where can I rent/buy outdoor equipment?
Here are a few outdoor stores in Nelson that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment and gear rental, please ensure you rent gear well in advance.
Rivers Oceans and Mountains www.roamshop.com
Valhalla Pure Outfitters www.shop.vpo.ca
