Juan de Fuca Trail Map
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Here is a basic list of gear you will need for the course. You may have some of these things already. I will be contacting local retailers about discounts for our group.
WRCA already has: Tents, Tarps, Sleeping pads, Stoves, Water Filters, Headlamps, Hiking Poles, Gaiters
1.
Sleeping Bag: Synthetic insulation (not goose
down), Mummy shaped and around -7 to -9 C temperature rating. The reason I am excluding down is because if it gets wet it won't retain heat and will be a pain to dry out - and the Juan de Fuca trip has the potential for being a little wet. Synthetics are less expensive as well!
Footwear:
2.
Hiking Boots: Must be waterproof and at least a mid-cut (not a low-cut style
shoe). You will need the ankle support. We have a class set of gaiters (waterproof covers that attach to the middle of your boot and go up your shin). Try to avoid boots that are mostly mesh.
3.
Hiking Socks: 3-4 pair. Non-Cotton (Wool is best). Cotton soaks up moisture and doesn't dry out so avoid anything with cotton. I would recommend a pair of socks per day (4).
Optional: a pair or two of liner socks. These help wick moisture away from the foot as well as provide a little more cushion.
4.
Base Layers: Minimum 2 tops, 1 bottom. Non-Cotton. You will be hiking in the base layer tops. Many of you might have polyester or nylon tops already - you can bring these but I would prefer if you had at least 1 full-sleeved base layer.
5.
Middle Insulating Layers: Fleece & Polyester
types. 1-2 tops. Non Cotton.
6.
Sleeping clothes (cotton OK)
7.
Rain Jacket and Pants: Should be shells capable
of layering with your other clothes. Must be Waterproof (not resistant).
8.
Toque + Gloves. Gloves can be liner-style gloves, they are just something to put your hands in at night.
9. Undergarments (personal preference for amount)
Miscellaneous:
11.
Bowl, mug, utensils: (bowls can hold soups and
meals and your food won’t cool down as quick as if it were on a plate. Your
choice whether you want to bring a Thermos for hot drinks or just a cup (I’d
recommend the Thermos!)
12.
Water Bottle or Camelback water bladder: Need to
be able to carry 2L of water – whether that is two 1L Bottles or one 2L
bladder.
13.
Toiletries: Toothbrush, Deodorant, Toilet Paper,
Chap Stick
14.
Camera (highly recommended)
15.
Journal
16.
Stuff Sacks for clothes, gear (optional, but it's nice to have things like a waterproof sack
for sleeping bag)
17.
Zip lock bags and garbage bags for waterproofing
gear
18. Fox 40 Whistle
19. Small pack towel (for drying hair, tent)
“I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Friday, 3 January 2014
Greetings Outdoor Education 2014 students!
I hope you have all had a restful Christmas season. We are at the one month countdown to the beginning of our second semester and that means Outdoor Ed is nearly upon us! I have created this blog to serve as our primary means of communication for the course. It will have trip details, day-to-day stuff for class and other relevant information to do with our experiences and class discussions.
The Outdoor Education Program at WRCA has a young but impactful history. No doubt students of all grades have heard stories about class trips and experiences. Trust me, as someone who has been involved in this program for the past five years, words cannot express some of these experiences. And they shouldn't - Outdoor Education is about a personal journey that is at its best when it's being lived. I am excited for the opportunities that await us as a class and as individuals.
Speaking of experiences, there will be two major trips during this course as well as a few day experiences.
After some deliberation, I've decided that our first trip will be a backpacking trip to the Juan de Fuca Trail on the south coast of Vancouver Island. It will occur in mid-March, before Spring Break. The dates are tentative (not set in stone) for March 6-9, with a possible 5th day (could be 6th or 11th). This all depends on how much time we can be away from school.
Our second major trip will be kayaking in Desolation Sound. The trip has already been booked with our guiding company and so the dates are firm at May 19-23.
The Juan de Fuca trail is a 47km coastal trail just south of the world famous West Coast Trail. It will feature the same type of terrain and incredible views (and beach camping sites!). Here are a few teaser pictures of the Juan de Fuca:
I hope you have all had a restful Christmas season. We are at the one month countdown to the beginning of our second semester and that means Outdoor Ed is nearly upon us! I have created this blog to serve as our primary means of communication for the course. It will have trip details, day-to-day stuff for class and other relevant information to do with our experiences and class discussions.
The Outdoor Education Program at WRCA has a young but impactful history. No doubt students of all grades have heard stories about class trips and experiences. Trust me, as someone who has been involved in this program for the past five years, words cannot express some of these experiences. And they shouldn't - Outdoor Education is about a personal journey that is at its best when it's being lived. I am excited for the opportunities that await us as a class and as individuals.
Speaking of experiences, there will be two major trips during this course as well as a few day experiences.
After some deliberation, I've decided that our first trip will be a backpacking trip to the Juan de Fuca Trail on the south coast of Vancouver Island. It will occur in mid-March, before Spring Break. The dates are tentative (not set in stone) for March 6-9, with a possible 5th day (could be 6th or 11th). This all depends on how much time we can be away from school.
Our second major trip will be kayaking in Desolation Sound. The trip has already been booked with our guiding company and so the dates are firm at May 19-23.
The Juan de Fuca trail is a 47km coastal trail just south of the world famous West Coast Trail. It will feature the same type of terrain and incredible views (and beach camping sites!). Here are a few teaser pictures of the Juan de Fuca:
The JDF is a beautiful trail but expect it to be wet!
"Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God."
George Washington Carver
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