This is a chance for Fianna teens and their friends to set their leadership and wilderness skills to the test with a cold weather backcountry expedition along the Comox Valley’s iconic Forbidden Plateau.
In the adventurous spirit of the animals, the old-time explorers, and land-based peoples everywhere, we’re going to head out into the elements and explore some essential skills for thriving in winter.
This is a chance for Fianna teens and their friends to set their leadership and wilderness skills to the test with a cold weather backcountry expedition along the Comox Valley’s iconic Forbidden Plateau.
Fall is a time when all the animals are moving, fattening up on the last nutrients of the year and journeying either to mate, over-winter or hibernate. It is a beautiful time to be moving through the landscape alongside them, taking in the last colours, scents, and stories of the productive time of the year. If we are lucky we may have the first dustings of snow to reveal the tracks and trails us of those who we’re sharing the mountain with.
Over 2 days and one night the group will navigate from Strathcona Provincial Park’s popular Paradise Meadows subalpine hiking area out onto the lesser travelled Forbidden Plateau, in the eastern reaches of the park - this is a rolling plateau of smaller lakes, open rock, and thick stands of old growth douglas fir, mountain hemlock , and yellow cedar. The group will wild-camp in the region of Panther/Johnston Lakes, practicing essential backcountry skills of setting camp, hanging bear caches, working together and keeping warm!
The youth will plan, navigate, and direct the expedition together, sharing various duties whilst experimenting with governance and leadership. Fianna director Kes will provide guidance as necessary to support a safe and memorable learning experience for the group.
This trip will give youth the valuable experience of a one-way expedition, journeying from one point to another, exiting the trek via the old Wood Mountain Ski Area on Forbidden Plateau Rd. Our goal will be to connect as a group and support each other in the challenges of wilderness journeying. We will learn of Strathcona’s diverse ecology and cultural significance, and reflect on our relationship to these lands as protected, even sacred, areas of great beauty.
Participants must be prepared mentally and physically for this trip. We will be hiking for 6+ hours (12km) each day. There will be plenty of time for breaks along the way, but every youth must be responsible for their own gear. Please consider this before registering, and reach out to us with any queries. We expect it to be a challenging but greatly rewarding expedition.
Participants must provide all sleeping/camping gear and their own lunches/snacks.
Temperatures will likely be around freezing. A sleeping bag rated for at least -9C, ideally of down, will be necessary. Sharing a tent with another participant is ideal both for warmth and also sharing the weight. We will put all families in touch before the trip to figure out tenting arrangements.
Breakfasts and dinner will be provided, and participants will help with camp duties such as cooking, dishes, packing in/out supplies etc.
In the event of dangerous weather conditions on the mountain we will use a backup location at a lower elevation.
*IF REGISTRATION IS FULL PLEASE ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITLIST SO WE CAN CONSIDER ADDING STAFFING TO EXPAND THE GROUP*
Where:
Forbidden Plateau
Drop off: Raven Lodge, Mt Washington
Pick up: Wood Mountain Parking Lot, Forbidden Plateau Rd
Day and Time:
November 11-12, 2023
9am Saturday – 5pm Sunday
Ages: 12-17
Cost:
$239 + GST
Join Fianna’s core instructors Allie and Dani for 3 days of winter fun this Winter Holiday season.
In the adventurous spirit of the animals, the old-time explorers, and land-based peoples everywhere, we’re going to head out into the elements and explore some essential skills for thriving in winter.
Over 3 days we will learn about shelter, fire and expeditioning.
Through games, challenges, stories, songs, questions, curiosity and a whole lot of exploration, we will dive into one of these themes each day. If you know Fianna programming, you’ll know we teach by having FUN, so with laughter, teamwork, and heaps of discoveries along the way, we’ll aim to pick up some skills and come into appreciation of the incredible resilience of the animals and the land in this season, as well as our ancestors and Indigenous peoples, who have learned the lessons of winter for thousands of years.
If your kids love exploring the natural world, or could use some outdoor time this holiday season, send them out on our winter adventure - they might even bring back some knowledge for the whole family.
Our aim is for kids to come home full of stories of the mysteries, beauties, and lessons of winter.
Where:
Japanese Town Historic Site, Cumberland
Day and Time:
December 27 - 29
10am-3pm
Ages: 8-13
Cost:
$205