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Skyline Hikers
Camp
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| Sketch of White Man Mountain - 2009 Camp @ Whiteman
Pass |
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In the early years : Camping
conditions were very different. The camps moved every day – premised on
the idea that participants should use the trails as if they were hunting or
exploring parties. One can readily realize the inconvenience entailed by having
to pack and unpack each day and move the teepees and kitchen. Yes, teepees were
the accommodation in the camps during the period 1936-1969 (see
photo). The meals were rather
rudimentary compared to today's fare. And, the biffies were a log nailed
between two trees with no enclosure.
Today : Within a couple of
years the impractability of the moving camp was dispensed with in favour of
establishing a fixed base camp from which participants would conduct day hikes.
This change allowed for upgraded facilities to be made available to
participating members of the Skyline Hikers camps.
The facilities at a Skyline Hikers camp
consists of
- sleeping tents : prospector
style tents that sleep 2 - 4 individuals, that come with a wood buring heater
and 3-inch sleeping foam pads. Participants bring their own sleeping bag and
moisture-resistant ground sheet to place under foam pad.
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Why doesn't my tent have a floor? In cooperation with Parks Canada, we work to
ensure that our camps have the least possible impact on the wilderness
environment. We use a waste-water filtering system and manage garbage so that
nothing is left behind, and we set up the camp to minimize damage to the
delicate mountain plants. Open floored tents allow the plants to breathe and to
recover between camps, while a plastic ground sheet has little effect and is
sufficient to keep your bed dry. |
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- dining tent : contains
kitchen and dining hall with bush-camp style tables and seating.
- "donut" tent : used for
meetings/briefings and evening entertainment, with campfire in center (smoke
escaping through hole in top center, hence term "donut").
- washup tents : male and
female, with hot water made available at scheduled times throughout the
day.
- biffies : enclosures
containing a toilet seat common in most campgrounds.
- electrified fence :
surrounds perimeter of camp site to keep unwelcome visitors at bay.
- satellite telephone : for
emergency use only.
- GMSR radios : two-way
General Mobile Service Radio for each day-hike leader to communicate with the
chief leader as required or in event of an emergency.
To provide an enjoyable wilderness camp
experience for participants, each of the five annual camps has the following
in-camp staff.
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| Diner-theatre menu @ Camp 5, Molar Pass 2010 |
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- Camp host / hostess : in
charge of all inside camp perimeter activities, including liaising with hired
staff on issues and problems raised by participants.
- Chief leader : in charge of
all outside camp perimeter activities, including the hike
programme.
- Camp medic : takes care of
medical needs of participants.
- Camp musician : provides the
musical entertainment and accompaniment.
- Hired staff : experienced
cooks and camp handyman provided by the outfitter.
Meals : Hearty, hot breakfast
and dinner is served each day in camp. Bag lunches provided for the day hikes.
Special dietary needs can be accommodated, but such requirements must be
identified at time participant registers for camp. |
