Strathcona Teen Expedition

After last year’s epic trek along the Elk River valley (see our pics below), this year we will be exploring the core area of Strathcona Park, and heading up into its peaks. This is a chance for Fianna teens and their friends to set their leadership and wilderness skills to the test with a backcountry expedition to summit Mount Albert Edward. 

Over four days and three nights the group will navigate from Strathcona’s popular Paradise Meadows subalpine hiking area of lakes, meadows and lush forest, up into the alpine tundra of Mount Albert Edward, and back via a circuitous loop. 

The youth will plan, navigate, and direct the expedition together, sharing various duties whilst experimenting with governance and leadership. Fianna co-founder Kes and an assistant guide will support a safe and memorable learning experience for the group. 

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. 

Most hikers complete this route in three days, but we are including a day for rest and exploring other areas of interest along the route. We will complete the challenging and rewarding ascent of Mount Albert Edward as a day trip from a base camp at Circlet Lake. 

Participants must be prepared mentally and physically for this trip. Days 1 and 4 will involve hiking for 5+ hours with all of their gear. 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 personal camping gear and their own lunches/snacks. Breakfast and dinner will be provided, and teens will help  packing in the supplies. 

We recommend sharing a tent with other participants, and can put families in touch to coordinate this.