Experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking with Trevor Builder and Emma Huffam of Sydney, Australia
A Journal from behind the scenes of Australian Hiker Trevor Builder with Yoho Adventures in the wilds of British Columbia.
Standing amidst an ample amount of pointy short pine trees, a grandiose landscape filled with an endless view of craggy ridge lines, snow-capped glistening peaks, and the sparkle of deep blue coming from our nearby pristine glacier-fed lake. Nothing man-made, only the perfect creation of nature itself — I could get used to this…
Nothing man-made, only the perfect creation of nature itself as we experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking.
A group of six of us complete strangers, except my wife Emma and I and our two wilderness guides Ben and Cristina, are taking on the literal trip of a lifetime together, into the deep Canadian Wilds of British Columbia’s remote Coast Mountains. Now we’re not anywhere near the lower mainland, we’re in the real deal wilderness of the remote Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region, an area seldom ventured into by visitors to Western Canada.
I feel really excited. My wife — well, she’s just as into the idea of being flown into an area only capable of being reached by a trusted float plane or a good seven-day walk in from the nearest small town of Nimpo Lake. Let’s just be clear here — Nimpo Lake consists of a few lodges, ample numbers of fishermen and nothing but the pristine wilds of British Columbia to the North, South and the Great Bear Rainforest to the West, nestled amongst the mighty Pacific Coast Mountains. We are already pretty remote.
Landing on the surface of a glacier lake deep amongst the Pacific Coastal Range as we experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking.
We’re gearing up with our provisions for the next four days. Our guides have organized everything we will need to enjoy some luxury while we’re in the backcountry. Boxes are packed to the brim, with fresh vegetables, homemade curries and delicious baked goods. I also spot a nice large box full of local wines and beers — let’s not forget that one.
Our final destination after our 45-minute scenic flight over the ice fields, glaciers, and gigantic peaks, is on an alpine lake nestled between a beautiful cirque of snow-capped mountains. We’re planning on three nights and four full days in this beautiful wilderness setting, where our days consist of day hiking and exploring the expansive wilds that surround us.
We’re going into the true wilds, no running water — but fresh glacier-fed run-off from a nearby glacier. No electricity, except solar panels that charge the cabin’s lights, no computers, no mobile phones, no one to bother us, not even other hikers or passersby.
I learned how to tune inwards and feel the feeling of what raw nature and the wilderness offered my senses.
It sounds so simple, something we would have done before the era of fast-paced technology, computers, and lengthy emails. However, nowadays it’s harder than you think to truly unplug. You’ve got to plan it and schedule it in.
I kept thinking to myself, how good it feels to not be attached to any kind of to-do list or having to check my phone to ensure I was reachable. No one was going to find us out here and that’s when I felt the true essence of where I was.
Waking with the sun and walking with the deer as we experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking.
The following days consisted of waking with the sunrise, as the sun gleams into our cabin’s windows. Sipping fine coffee over a delicious homemade breakfast, and discussing the current day’s adventure ahead. Gearing up with the feeling of excitement of the unknown and the deep wilderness that surrounded us. Walking in the footprints of Cariboo tracks, and the odd wolf print which followed. Detecting local scat and coming across fresh bear tracks.
Then there was a moment I actually felt the connection of the environment around us, learning how to read the movements of the clouds and judge the wind that whispered above us on the snowy ridge. I learn how to tune inwards and feel the feeling of what raw nature and the wilderness offered my senses. It was awesome.
Go wild in nature when you experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking.
We hiked through challenging terrain, through a hidden alpine paradise. Who knew such remote beauty existed?
Each day the group followed our wilderness guides Ben and Cristina through challenging terrain on a Canadian wilderness hike. Each day we explored a hidden alpine paradise. I never imagined the feeling of being one of the exclusive few to set eyes on such remote beauty.
We pushed ourselves within the comfort of knowing our guides were there to ensure we were safe and within an area where we would enjoy the push to the views we were about to experience. We trusted them as much as they knew the importance of taking the time for such inspiring experiences in the wilderness was for people.
Experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking and the connection with nature and your inner self.
I couldn’t help but realize there was no place I’d rather be — amidst the true Canadian Wilderness.
At the end of the day, we found ourselves happily, although slightly sore, arriving back at our cabin base. We are amongst stunning vistas. A well-earned cold beer or wine awaits, chilled by our local waterway from the glacier. My beer never tasted so good.
Everything we eat and drink tastes like it has more oomph. It’s as if the hard work and the true wilds added to my taste buds. I am in sensory overload.
In the evening after a good meal and many laughs about the day’s adventure, our eyes get heavy in the sunset. I felt comforted by the roar of the fire in the wood stove in our cabin. The sounds of the voices of our guides as muffled as they tell us the weather is getting better.
As I drift off…
The wind ripped through the roof of the cabin, and the sound of its strength allowed me to tune inward again, feeling the power of the wilderness that surrounded us. As the stars shined their immense light across the sky, and the moon set its cast across the lake, I couldn’t help but realize there was no place I’d rather be than where I was right at that moment. That was exactly what I’d always wanted to do. I was there at last — amidst the true Canadian wilderness.
Exactly where I’d always wanted to be — amidst the true Canadian wilderness.
For the Yohos, it’s about stepping into experiences that touch the heart and leave your soul feeling inspired and invigorated. Join this priceless opportunity to journey into the Canadian backcountry. Take a small group guided hiking trip with Yoho Adventures. Experience remote Canadian wilderness hiking and some of the best hiking terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Expand your horizons beyond the tourist routes with Team Yoho. And enjoy the most unique adventure experience the summer has to offer.
Yoho Adventures guides Canadian wilderness hiking experiences in the untouched, pristine terrain of true British Columbia backcountry.
To experience one of Yoho Adventures unique Canadian hiking vacations, contact the Yoho Adventures team for details about how you can join them off the trails.
2018 August and September dates available | British Columbia
November – May dates available | New Zealand
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