FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTION'S
Why
should I come on a guided trip?
There
are many reasons for joining a guided trip. First, you will be
able to enjoy the great company of like-minded folks. Hard and
fast friendships are formed on these trips and the camaraderie
is instantaneous. Second, NO PLANNING! Forget trying to figure
out routes and maps and food and gear. Leave your obligations
behind and let us treat you to a truly relaxing holiday. Great
food, great accommodation, great itinerary and no effort on your
part! Third, at this price ($113-130 / day Canadian or $75 - $80/
day US) it would be difficult to find a good meal and a hotel
any where in the country let alone a high quality, fully catered
trip in a spectacular wilderness area. The fourth and perhaps
best reason is the guides themselves. Offering in depth knowledge
of these wild places, they will help you to experience and appreciate
the mountains in a way that would be difficult to do alone.
What
does the price include?
The
price includes great meals and snacks, your chalet stays, an expert
and informative guide, local transportation and all equipment
on the canoe trips except a sleeping bag (which are available
to rent at a nominal cost). Basically, once you arrive in Clearwater
you are our guests for the duration of your trip,
What
is the food like?
We
are fairly flexible in our menu, and our meals are simple and
healthy. We can easily accommodate a vegetarian diet and if you
have food allergies or any other dietary restrictions be sure
to let us know when you book so we have enough time to adjust
the menu. Our menu includes the highest quality breads (organic
whenever possible) vegetables and fruits. For breakfast we will
have either cereal, fruit and bread or eggs, or pancakes. Meals
usually consist of a main course like chicken or spaghetti and
include veggies and a fresh salad. For lunch, there will be a
variety of meats, cheeses, whole grain breads, fruit and baked
goods to choose from. You make the lunch in the morning and put
it in your pack for the day.
What
kind of fitness level do I need to do the hut to hut hike?
We
offer three, five and seven day hut trips. The seven day trip
is the most demanding, not only because of it's length but because
the route has the longest hiking day as well. We will describe
the two longer days on this trip here. If you feel like you could
handle these days, you will be fine on the trip. The first long
day is on the third day of your trip. On this day you will hike
between the first and second chalets. The distance covered this
day is not long, but you will be hiking through the alpine and
for about 45 minutes in the forest without a well-defined trail.
This sort of hike can require a bit of extra attention that may
be tiring for folks used to a large, wide trail. This day is the
longest day on the five-day hike. On the seven-day hike, the longest
day is between the second and third Chalet. On this day you will
cover about 15 km (9 miles) and it will take
about 6 - 9 hours. All of these times include any stopping on
the trail for pictures rests and lunch.
Remember
that despite the distances you have two advantages. The first
is a light pack. The second advantage is the itinerary. On the
hikes you will spend one day moving between chalets and then one
day exploring the environs of each chalet. The guide will lead
a day hike from the building on these days. If you prefer, you
can take it easy and rest up for the next day when you move between
cabins. You may decide to take photos, read or draw, it is up
to you. So, if you feel like you can carry your pack on the hikes
between the cabins, you will be fine. For more information, look
over the itineraries carefully and ask us to send you a FREE copy
of the topo map. Also, feel free to call our toll free number
and we will be happy to give you more information.
What
if I am the slowest person?
This
is a very common question!! Don't worry, there are other people
on your trip who have asked the same thing! The people who come
on these trips feel that it is the discovery in the journey that
is important, not rushing to the chalet! Your guide will also
emphasize this theme. We find the people who come on these trips
are fit and strong but not competitive. There is so much to see
that the faster hikers have plenty to experience and are always
very happy to hike to the pace of slower folks.
How
many people come on the trips?
On
the hiking trips, there is a maximum of 10 people. On the canoe
trips our maximum is 11 people. .
What
is the best time of the season to come?
If
you are interested in wildflowers, Wells Gray is one of the premier
places to experience the profusion of bloom that occurs in the
short alpine summers of British Columbia. Each day offers a different
and wonderful experience. We think the best plan is to choose
a time that is convenient for you to travel in and enjoy what
the mountains has to offer when you come. Every day of the two-month
flower season offers a different character and on your hiking
trip, you will see the color and life of the mountains evolving
and shifting as the days progress.
From
July 1 to mid July. The first bloom follows the melting snow.
As the beginning of July approaches and the days lengthen and
warm, the snow starts to recede. Blooming behind the retreating
edges of the snowfields are the spectacular avalanche lilies,
spring beauties, pasque flowers, marsh marigolds, arnica and valerian.
These flowers create the freshest vistas possible carpeting the
ground with yellow and white. Because they over winter as bulbs,
these flowers have all the reserves they need to grow quickly
and can often be seen blooming after pushing right up through
the snow. The landscapes in early spring change daily as the warm
sun frees up the ground. The animals and birds are frantically
trying to fit a family in before the next snow and lovely fresh
water streams rush headlong down the mountainsides to fuel the
river valleys. The whole atmosphere of the mountains during this
time is charged with exuberant energy.
Mid July to end July. Middle spring brings the rare mountain avens,
clinging to the tops of the highest rides and glowing brightly
as the sun streams through them. The indian paintbrush, lupine,
and golden scenicio are budding and on the well exposed southern
slopes beginning to show bloom and give the hikers a taste of
what is to come. This is the time when you can spot the largest
number of different flower species as the northern slopes are
just losing the last of the spring bloom and the southern slopes
are starting to show a bit of the summers promise.
Beginning
August- third week August - As August begins it is truly summer
in the high country. Now the ridges are lush with the fragrant
but delicate boom of the heathers. Wet spots provide homes for
the beautiful and fragrant rein orchids. All of the meadows seem
to be moving toward the final major bloom of the summer, which
occurs, between the first and third weeks of August. During this
time, you can walk through flower meadows as deep as you waist
in places. It is truly one of natures most incredible sights.
End
of August and beginning of September - September is our driest
month. You can expect clear, warm days and cool evenings. By now,
there has often been a first frost which has killed any bugs that
are left and put an end to the flower riot. The flowers are fading
now but as they do, they make way for a more subtle palette of
rich russets, golds and reds as the sedges, grasses and small
shrubs take their turn on the mountain stage. Birds of prey soar
over the meadows, and the animals of the high mountains are busy
making final preparations for the long winter which they know
must come. The heady rush of summer is gone and in its place a
hush as profound as an ancient cathedral steals over the mountains.
This is an incredibly inspiring time to be in the high country.
Will
there be mosquitoes?
Through
out the summer, the insects are also trying to complete their
life cycle. The mosquito population will ebb and flow through
the season largely dependent upon when the rain last fell and
topped off the puddles of still water required for their egg laying.
For the most part, the mosquitoes are not much of a worry on the
Wells Gray traverse during the days in the higher mountains or
on ridge walks as the almost constant breeze keeps them away.
In the evening however when it can be much more still, they can
be very pesky and you will be grateful to be looking at them through
the window of the chalet while you drink your tea! There will
be some dates where they don't make an appearance at all, and
others where the lower more sheltered valleys and the evening
will bring in enough mosquitoes to warrant long sleeves and long
pants. Unfortunately, it is not possible to know ahead of time
which situation it will be! After the first very hard frost, usually
around the end of August and beginning of September, they are
gone. So, if you would absolutely prefer not to deal with any
mosquitoes, come in September!
What
repellent do you recommend?
More
important then repellent, we recommend appropriate clothing. Have
light and loose long sleeved shirts and pants with you. We have
bug hats for you to use if the air becomes still or if we are
hiking through a forest after a hatch. Most folks say that anything
with DEET as the active ingredient is good. It is very strong
stuff, so we prefer to apply it on a hat or other outer clothing
What
weather do I expect?
September is usually the driest month of the year. You can expect
warm days and clear cold nights with chances of frost. Mountain
weather is unpredictable and it can also be cold during July and
August, but it is more likely to be warm enough for a quick swim
in even the colder lakes. Most of the precipitation during these
months is in the form of thundershowers toward the late afternoon
and evenings. Raingear is always necessary as well as warm fleece
or wool sweaters. A hat and gloves are sometimes welcome during
a cool rain. For the most part, we do not get long storm episodes
in the summer months and it is good to plan for sunny days by
bringing sun-hats and sunscreen.
What
animals will I see?
If
you are lucky you will see some of the shy animals who live in
this demanding environment. Wells Gray is home to one of the most
southern woodland caribou herds. These incredibly beautiful animals
run in loose, same sex associations this time of the year. If
we are quiet and vigilant, we will see them on a mountain slope
or grazing in the remote bull valley on the other side of 52 ridge
where Fight Meadow Chalet lies.
This
area is also home to the grizzly bear though we are more likely
to see signs then the actual animal. The grizzly has a huge territory
and wanders through it continually. They are also extremely shy
of hikers and will go out of their way to avoid you so we have
to be very watchful, looking out over the long horizons to be
lucky enough to catch a glimpse.
Not
so elusive are the cheeky martins, which are very inquisitive
and will often allow us to photograph them or the slow porky pines
who don't care if we photograph them! Marmots and pikas whistle
at us from their lookouts. You will need a good telephoto lens
to get a decent picture of these well-camouflaged animals. The
bird life in the mountains is amazing, and the ptarmigans, grouse,
and birds of prey are always an inspiration to see. The sides
of Battle Mountain often have golden eagles nesting there .
When do the trips start to fill?
Some
trips fill way in advance of the departure date and some can be
booked the day before! If you have a very specific time in which
to take your holiday than we recommend that you tentatively reserve
space on the trip that suits you while you make your travel arrangements.
In this way you will avoid the disappointment of having your preferred
date fill before you get a chance to book it. .
Can we hike through the huts on our own?
Sorry,
but no. All of the hiking in this system is guided. There are
many reasons for this. Perhaps the most basic one is that the
trails between the chalets are very indistinct and hard to follow.
You are in a true wilderness here and a guide who knows the country
well is very handy! Also, by taking reservations and guiding your
trip, we are insuring that there is plenty of room in all of the
buildings and that there are never more than a pre-specified number
of folks on the trail. Having someone who knows the system with
you means that you will get the most out of the chalets and be
guaranteed the highest possible quality experience. The most important
reason that all of our trips are guided however, is the environment.
This system was built to provide access to this incredible wilderness
but to minimize the effect that access could have on the sensitive
alpine. Your guide knows how to lessen the impact of your visit.
Guided visits insure that the water remains potable, trees are
not cut, inappropriate fires are not lit, waste is looked after
properly and the animals remain truly wild. This means that you
can hike in this area and know that it is the same as it has been
for millennia. Please let our extremely friendly and knowledgeable
guides add to your experience and understanding of this incredible
park by sharing their knowledge and love for the area and guiding
you safely through it.
What time will we be back on the last day of our trip?
You
will usually reach the trailhead by early to mid afternoon. This
of course is subject to many things, and we normally recommend
that folks don't make any hard and fast plans for the afternoon
that they return! After your pickup at the trail or lake head,
your guide will drive you to see the world famous waterfalls of
Wells Gray Park, a spectacular and truly unforgettable sight.
If you must absolutely be back by a certain time, make sure to
discuss it with the reservation agent before hand so they can
arrange the logistics if possible.
What
are the sleeping arrangements in the Chalets like?
The
chalets are two-story buildings. The sleeping area is upstairs
and the living area and kitchen is downstairs. The sleeping arrangements
in Fight Meadow and Trophy Mountain Chalet are semi-private. The
rooms are divided by walls and have a curtain as a door. There
is enough space for everybody to have one of these berths to himself
or herself and there is no extra cost for it.
The
middle cabin is called Discovery and it does not have a full upstairs,
it has a loft. In this building most of the
sleeping is open and dormitory style. There is a set of bunk beds
downstairs for folks who would like more privacy. There are duvets
and pillows in the buildings. Most folks bring a sleeping bag
liner or, for a couple, a double sheet set; a fitted sheet and
a flat sheet. There are pillows as well, so bring pillow cases.
Carrying a sheet to make your bed with instead of a sleeping bag
will help to keep your pack light.
What
size pack do I take?
We
always tell people to take a good look at the equipment list,
decide what to bring, fill a backpack and if there is room for
two to four pounds of group food on top then you have a great
pack size! Also, it is better to have a bigger well fitting pack
with a good waist belt that is comfortable then a lighter smaller
pack that is not comfortable! How you carry your gear is as important
as how much you carry! If you have a light pack that is ill fitting
or not offering the support for the load that you need you will
be much more tired than if you had a well fitting, more supportive,
bigger pack.
How
much will I have to carry?
The
chalets are outfitted with the idea of having everything you need
for a comfortable stay and a light pack! You are not carrying
a sleeping bag; (you carry a sheet to make your bed with). There
is no need to pack extra shoes; there are hut slippers for inside
and rubber boots for quick trips outside. Most of the food is
in the chalets as well; we just supplement the menu with fresh
food. So, if you are conservative with your personal belongings,
the packs can be quite light. Normally, you would expect to carry
2 to 4 pounds of group food on the travel days between the chalets
and your lunch on the days around the buildings. This is not a
hard and fast rule however, and we often have enough folks on
the trip who take enough of the group food that some one who is
not up to carrying any extra weight is free not to. Basically
it seems that most packs range from about 10 to 30 lbs and it
depends on what you consider necessary!
Thanks
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