Coast Mountain News Thursday, September 27, 2012
$1.00 + HST Vol. 28 | No. 20 Thursday, September 27, 7, 20 2012 1
Serving the Bella Coola Val Valley llleyy and the Chilcotin
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Hiking in Tweedsmuir Park.
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Tamara Hynd photo
Sir Alexander Mackenzie Outdoor Ed. class reached its height above the Crystal Lake trail overlooking the Rainbow mountains to the East and the Grease Trail to the Northwest.
SAMS Outdoor Education students break new ground ALEX BOILEAU AND TAMARA HYND Our largest group to date (20 students) hiked over 55kms to the Rainbow cabin in South Tweedsmuir Park via the Crystal Lake trail from September 14 to 17th. Each student should be very proud of their individual and group accomplishments. We had incredible weather, with warm blue bird days and crisp starry nights. Amazing sights included alpine vistas, volcanic and crystal rocks, wildlife and hiking down and up a thousand feet in elevation from Boyd
Pass to the Rainbow cabin from an absolutely stunning campsite above the Mackenzie Valley and the historic Grease Trail. Students were in small leadership groups and had to plan, cook and prepare their own meals and shelters. Here are some comments from the students who thoroughly enjoyed their experience (the hard work and challenge was worth it I think!!). Here are three word descriptions from our fall hike. “I’m wide awake.” Kasey Karran “Great fun, awesome.” Kelly
Harrison “Just plain awesomeness.” David Brooks “Great Canadian morning!” Ashley Moore “Different levels of endurance and fun.” Carrigan Tallio “Give, receive, appreciate.” Andrew Christensen “Just giver, you know.” Dominic Winning Students had many great experiences and learned more of their capabilities and potential. Many learned (or commented on) to be patient and tough, as well as simple (light weight) is better.
Highlights for some of the students were cresting the hill just before reaching Lester’s camp as we were close to the finish of the hike for the day, the hike to the Rainbow cabin, sliding down the snow to the rocks and water, packing my sleeping bag, the morning hike to the highest peak of the trip, the evening hike to the peak to watch the sunset, jumping into Crystal Lake and “sleeping under my own shelter.” Some challenges mentioned were keeping their kiva (pole and groundless light weight tent) dry, packing Andrew’s
pack, the hike up from the Rainbow cabin, focusing on the destination and hurting feet rather than the mountain views and keeping a steady pace with the group. There are many people to thank for this trip. We would like to thank School District 49, Alex Boileau (instructor), Williams Lake and District Credit Union, the Bus Garage, Jeremy Baillie, Heather Ross, Norma Hart, Board of Directors (SD 49), Leonard Kozak, Hagensborg Mercantile, Tamara Hynd (chaperone), and BC Parks.