Powell Forest Canoe TRIP NOTES

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1 1 Powell Forest Canoe TRIP NOTES Location: Meeting Location: Activity: Accommodation: Length: Physical Rating: Technical Rating: Powell River, BC, Canada North Vancouver Seabus Canoeing/Camping Tent 5 Days, 4 nights C - Be prepared to sweat over a few long days. 1 - This trip is not technical. Min Age: 14

2 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Trip Facts 4 Introduction 4 Trip Highlights 5 Rough Itinerary 5 Itinerary disclaimer 6 Trip Cost Includes 6 Trip Cost Excludes 6 Personal Kit List 8 Equipment supplied by us 9 Outdoor Explore on the Trip 9 Travel Insurance Recommendations 10 Emergency Evacuation 10 Trip Specific Safety 10 Wildlife 10 Weather 11 Illness and Injury 11 Water 11 Forest Fires 11 Emergency Contact 11 Passport & Visa 11 Flying to Vancouver 12 Upon Arrival in Vancouver 12 Accommodation in Vancouver 12 Accommodation on trip 13 Meals on the trip 13 Water in B.C. 14 Electricity 14 Time Difference 14

3 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 3 Mobile Phones, Internet and Wi-Fi 14 Feedback 15 Tipping 15 Booking Conditions 16 Cancellation 16 Luggage and Packing 17 Training for the trip 17 Vaccinations 17 Next Steps 17

4 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 4 Trip Facts Group Size: Small group Groups of 2-4 clients per trip plus 1 guide. Groups of 5-8 are possible on special request. This trip will only run once 3 or more participants have joined, unless a private trip is requested. Trip Timing: May - September The summer months offer the best weather in the West Coast mountains of BC. Location: Powell River, BC, Canada Powell River is a town located on the Sunshine Coast in BC. This area is well known for its beautiful canoeing, kayaking and hiking. There are many lakes in this area which form a perfect circuit for multi-day canoe trips. Introduction Multi-day canoe trips in Canada are a perfect way to get deep into the wilderness while enjoying peaceful and relaxing settings. Canoe across crystal clear lakes, surrounded by steep, snow capped mountains and lush forest. Camp on scenic shorelines with a roaring campfire while watching the sun set over distant peaks. The Powell forest canoe circuit takes us 5 days, departing from, and returning to North Vancouver. We will take 2 ferry crossings which offer incredible views of the ocean and surrounding islands and mountains. If you re lucky, you may spot a Whale or Orca! The Powell Forest Canoe Circuit is approximately 57 km, covering 8 lakes split by 5 portages. A portage is a short hike where we must carry the canoe from one lake to the next. Canoes are lightweight and can be

5 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 5 carried by 1 or 2 people. Portages range from 0.7 km to 2.8 km, and paddling stretches from 1 km to 28.5 km. Campsites are well equipped with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. This is the perfect setting to view wildlife. Common sightings include bald eagles, black bears, beavers and deer. The forests are laden with Cedar, Spruce and Fir trees, including some ancient old growth forests. This trip is aimed at those with a moderate level of fitness. While canoeing can be relaxing, you will be required to hike short distances with a heavy pack and/or portage a canoe from one lake to another. Days can be quite long, with lots of paddling. Trip Highlights Canoe across crystal clear lakes Camp on peaceful shorelines Campfires and all the amazing food that comes with them Peaceful wilderness settings Wildlife and bird watching Ferry crossings with spectacular views Lots of opportunities for swimming Fully guided adventure Rough Itinerary Day Activity 1 Early departure from North Vancouver (Lonsdale Quay) Ferry crossing to Sunshine Coast Ferry Crossing to Powell River Pick up canoes, prepare and load up 8.5km canoe 1.7km portage Set up camp 2 Pack up camp 6.5km canoe

6 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 6 2.4km portage 1km canoe 0.8km portage 1km canoe Set up camp 3 Pack up camp 7km canoe 0.7km portage 2.3km canoe 2.4km portage Set up camp 4 Pack up camp 20km canoe Set up camp 5 Pack up camp 8km canoe Unpack, clean and store canoes Pick up vehicles Ferry Crossing to Sunshine Coast Ferry Crossing to Horseshoe Bay Celebration drinks and dinner (not included in cost) at a North Shore craft brewery Return to Lonsdale Quay for drop off Itinerary disclaimer Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee that we will stick to this plan. Weather conditions and the health of participants can all contribute to changes. The trip leader/guide will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset! Trip Cost Includes All breakfast, lunch and dinner while on the trip, prepared and cooked by the guide. Experienced and knowledgeable guide Canoe rental (one canoe per 2 or 3 people) Insurance for the guide Tents (price is on a sharing basis) Transport to and from the trip location Ferry fees

7 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 7 Water purification throughout the trip Stove gas for cooking Park permits and land use fees Emergency equipment (Comprehensive First aid kit, satellite phone etc.) Solar charging for electrical devices while on trip. Trip Cost Excludes Tipping for the guide Breakfast on the first day of the trip Dinner on the last day of the trip (we may stop at a restaurant on the way home) Rental of sleeping bag and Thermarest/sleeping pad, if required Travel to and from the pickup location International air fare to Canada Any visas required to enter Canada Your personal insurance Personal expenses e.g. if we stop for coffee on route to the trip. Accommodation before and after the trip. Personal trip equipment e.g. clothing, rucksack.

8 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 8 Personal Kit List Clothing Comfortable trail shoes for portages (will get wet) Camp shoes/sandals Breathable/wicking t-shirt and 1x spare Fleece / padded mid layer Hiking pants (ideally ones that zip off at the knee) Underwear and spares Puffy/down jacket Waterproof Jacket Waterproof pants Warm Hat Warm gloves Buff/scarf Belt Sleeping 3 season Sleeping Bag (0 deg. Or colder is ideal) Sleeping pad/thermarest Inflatable pillow Base layers/moriones for cold nights Toiletries Toothbrush Toothpaste Travel Towel (light and quick drying) Biodegradable soap (optional) Ear plugs Equipment Hiking bag - 50L +, adjusted to your height Dry bags/stuff sacks to keep personal gear dry Head Torch / flashlight and spare batteries Water bottles/platypus (2L) Knife / multitool Sun protection Sunscreen (SPF 45+) Sun hat Sunglasses Lip Balm Misc

9 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 9 Personal medications Camera and spare batteries Book Cards / games Any snacks you would prefer (we will provide some) Official Passport (if coming from overseas) Money and wallet ID (drivers licence or similar) Any trip documentation e.g. signed waiver Equipment supplied by us Canoes, PFDs, paddles Large dry bag Satellite phone for emergency use only Wilderness medical kit Emergency Shelter Solar Charger for personal electrical devices Tents Cooking equipment, gas and eating utensils Water purification Maps/GPS NOTE: You must have all of the above personal gear, clothing and equipment. It may be possible to buy some extra equipment in Vancouver, or rent from us for an additional charge. Outdoor Explore on the Trip We re here to make sure that you have the trip of a lifetime. Our staff are at hand to answer any questions leading up to the trip, and to make sure that you are properly prepared. Whilst on the trip, you will be well looked after by our trained and experienced guides. They can advise on what equipment to bring and how to properly pack your bag for maximum comfort. The guide will help to put up/take down tents and prepare the camp each day. They will designate a toilet spot, and a kitchen/eating area a safe distance away from the camp. All meals while on trip will be provided by Outdoor Explore and cooked/prepared by the guide. Every effort will be made to cater to any dietary requirements and allergies.

10 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 10 Our guides are all first aid trained and are there, first and foremost, to ensure your safety. If you are feeling ill, have sustained an injury or are struggling with the pace of the team, please let the guide know as soon as possible and they will take necessary actions. In the case of a serious illness or injury, the guide may choose to evacuate you, or the whole team. It is important that you coordinate with the guide and act accordingly to their instructions. There are many variables in the mountains, including weather, wildlife, route conditions, exhaustion, illness etc. Please note that these may affect your trip and could alter your plans, potentially cutting a trip short. This is the decision of the guide and changes will only be made when the guide deems it is unsafe to continue with the original plan. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. After your trip, we d would love to hear from you! Please give us any feedback, good or bad, so that we can continue to improve our service. Travel Insurance Recommendations Participants visiting from outside BC are required to have travel insurance for BC that covers medical expenses and helicopter evacuation. Please ensure that your chosen policy provides cover for the activities within this trip, with a guide in a wilderness setting. We recommend trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment, as well as baggage/equipment loss or damage insurance. Emergency Evacuation Helicopter rescue services are available in this area. Helicopters require a good weather window to land so be aware that a fast evacuation may not be possible. Our guides are trained to deal with these situations and provide shelter until it is possible to evacuate. Emergency evacuation costs are not included in your trip cost - see Travel Insurance section above. It may be possible for mountain rescue teams to reach us on foot depending on our location and the conditions. Trip Specific Safety Wildlife There is a wide variety of wild animals in the mountains of BC, some of which can cause safety concerns. It is important that you listen to the guide and abide by their instructions, especially regarding food and

11 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 11 scented items while in camp. Your guide will explain how to be bear safe, and how to properly set up camp. Weather Unfortunately we can t always predict what weather is going to come our way while in the mountains. Forecasts often change, and weather can move in quickly and unexpectedly. Rain usually doesn t cause any safety concerns for us - it just means the views aren t quite as nice. Thunderstorms are rare in this area, but are still possible so if a big storm is moving in, this may be cause for evacuation. Please always drink lots of water, especially in hot conditions, and bring extra warm layers. It gets cold in these mountains, especially overnight. Illness and Injury If you have any prior injuries or illnesses that could have any chance of affecting you while on trip, please inform your guide before the trip starts. If you sustain any new injuries, or fall ill, please tell the guide as soon as possible so the proper actions can be taken before the situation gets worse. Water All water will be filtered before drinking, and boiled before using to cook. Forest Fires Sadly, wildfires are common in BC, both naturally and human-caused. We monitor any local wildfires throughout the summer and make any alterations to our trips if necessary. In the event that a fire causes a risk the team while you re on trip, the guide will work out an evacuation plan to the nearest safe location. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact us while in Canada, here is our contact information: Outdoor Explore Phone No Outdoor Explore info@outdoor-explore.com Please note - if you need to contact 911, please do so before contacting Outdoor Explore.

12 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 12 Passport & Visa If you are visiting from outside Canada, you will need to bring with you a valid passport (which expires 6 months or more after your scheduled departure date) and acquire any relevant visas to enter Canada. Certain countries (E.g. USA) do not require visas. It is your responsibility to research what type of visa you need, and to take the necessary steps before arriving in Canada. Please send us a scanned copy of your passport if you are visiting from outside Canada. Flying to Vancouver Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the nearest international airport to where we operate. YVR is a very modern and clean airport, easy to navigate and has friendly staff. There are direct flights to Vancouver from many cities in Europe, Asia and USA. Please make sure you have your passport and the relevant visa paperwork when passing through immigration. Vancouver is a popular tourist destination in summer and winter. Please allow plenty of time to book your flights as they may book up fast in these seasons. Connecting flights can be made in Calgary, Toronto, Montréal, or many of the major cities in the USA It is also possible to fly in to Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), then get a connecting flight to Vancouver. Alternatively you can catch the Greyhound bus from Abbotsford to downtown Vancouver. Upon Arrival in Vancouver If you arrive at YVR, you have a few options to get to downtown Vancouver. Taxis are available right outside the departure gate, and will cost between $30 and $40 CAD to downtown. The SkyTrain is a very fast and efficient way to get around Vancouver. Follow the transit signs from the departure gate to get to the Canada Line SkyTrain station. You will need to buy a Compass Card, or get a single use ticket. Please note that YVR airport adds a $5 CAD fee at this station,on top of the regular SkyTrain ticket fee. Accommodation in Vancouver Vancouver has many hotels and hostels to choose from, and prices range dramatically. It is up to you where you would like to stay before and after the trip, but please note that we pick up all clients from the SeaBus terminal (The Quay) in North Vancouver, so please make sure your accommodation is within a convenient distance from this location. E.g. Downtown Vancouver.

13 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 13 Accommodation on trip Our tents are supplied by MountainSmith and are lightweight and weatherproof. They are very roomy to give you the most comfortable camping experience. We can provide either 2 or 4 man options, depending on the number of people in your group. Please bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad/thermarest. If you are unable to bring your own, please contact us and we can arrange a rental. Meals on the trip All dinners are provided by our partner, Nomad Nutrition. They are non-gmo, organic, gluten free, soy free, dairy free - basically good for anyone to eat, and super tasty! Packed with nutritious ingredients and high calories to replenish your energy levels after a long day in the mountains. Breakfasts will usually be a high energy option such as oatmeal or granola, with a selection of toppings. Lunch will vary from day-to-day and can include wraps, sandwiches, cheese, salami, hummus and vegetables. Let us now if you have any favorite lunchtime meals! Snacks are provided by CLIF bar. They are packed with energy to keep you powered through the day, and made with organic and non-gmo ingredients. Please note that these are not suitable for people with nut allergies. Please let us know if you would like an alternative.

14 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 14 Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements, or any allergies to certain foods. We will do our best to accommodate for all food requirements but we must know in advance of the trip. Food weight is a big factor when we choose what to take on trips, as is shelf life, so certain requests (e.g. a steak dinner) will not be possible. Water in B.C. Water is safe to drink from taps in B.C. However, all water on trail must be treated or boiled in order to make it safe to drink. Your guide will boil and/or treat all water for cooking and drinking while on the trip. Electricity Electricity 120V 60Hz Electrical Plugs North American plug with either two parallel flat pins, or 1 circular and 2 flat pins in a triangle. Electrical Device Charging There is no way to charge electronic devices while out on the trip. If you have a portable solar charger then please feel free to bring this on the trip. Time Difference The time in B.C. is equal to GMT Minus 8 hours Mobile Phones, Internet and Wi-Fi There is cell reception in certain areas of the BC mountains, but it s safe to assume that you will not have any reception. This is good! The best part of going to the mountains is unplugging and ignoring all those s and notifications. We encourage you to totally switch off your phone, hide your watch, and don t even check the time. This will give you a truly immersive wilderness experience, disconnected from daily life. Wi-fi will not be available once we leave Vancouver

15 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 15 Feedback After your trip, we want to hear from you! Your feedback is vital for us to enhance the quality of our services and adventures. Please help us to improve our services by filling in the feedback questionnaire, which will be provided to you at the end of the trip. The best quality service is our foremost priority. We also really appreciate comments and reviews on Google, Trip Advisor, the Outdoor Explore website, social media etc. Tipping Tipping for your guides is at your own discretion but is customary and common throughout adventure travel and tour operators. Suggested Tip Amounts: 10%-20% of the trip cost, depending on how satisfied you were with the guides service. Please remember, the guide cannot control the weather! If rain put a damper on the trip, don t let that affect how good a job the guide did.

16 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 16 Booking Conditions For up-to-date booking conditions, please visit Cancellation Cancellations must be made by the same person who initially made the booking. If you are not yet confirmed on the trip then you will be eligible for a full refund. We will you a notice of confirmation once we have received your payment and added you to our trip participation list. From this point on, you are classed as confirmed and will only be eligible for a part refund, depending on the amount of time before the start of the trip. The cancellation date is defined as the date that Outdoor Explore receives your cancellation request. Please see table below for cancellation charges. Period before scheduled start of the trip when notice of cancellation is received Cancellation charge per person as percentage of total booking price Before receiving a Trip Participant Confirmation form Outdoor Explore Full refund More than 60 days before departure date Loss of deposit (or 20% of total trip cost if no deposit was taken) unless booking (and deposit) is transferred to a new booking for a different trip. Between 60 and 40 days before departure date (inclusive) 50% of the trip cost Between 39 and 20 days before departure date (inclusive) 75% of the trip cost 20 days or less before departure date (or failure to join the trip) (inclusive) 100% of the trip cost

17 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 17 Luggage and Packing Please have your bag packed and ready to go when we pick you up from the pickup location. Make sure there is some room left in your pack for some of the group gear including tents and food. Packing can be a huge time drain, and can often cause a delay in the schedule. Your guide can show you how to properly pack a bag for maximum comfort but arriving to the trip packed and ready is a huge help! Training for the trip There are many ways to train for a trip to the mountains. If you would like more information on training for this trip, please get in touch with us at: info@outdoor-explore.com Vaccinations We recommend you contact your travel doctor well in advance of travelling to Canada. They can give you up-to-date information on what vaccinations you require. As a guideline, we recommend having the following vaccinations: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Hepatitis A and B Rabies Next Steps If you would like to proceed with this trip, please contact info@outdoor-explore.com We will ask you to complete the following steps in the lead up to the trip: Fill in the booking form/sign the waiver and return to us Pay for the trip. If this trip requires a deposit then we will send one once your booking is confirmed. If visiting from abroad, us a scanned copy of your passport Book your flights Start training! Contact us if you need more advice on how to train for this trip Acquire travel insurance as per the information provided above Get your vaccinations and medications for the trip

18 Trip Notes - Powell Forest Canoe - BC, Canada 18 Buy any necessary equipment which you may be missing Pay the remainder of the trip cost if necessary (we will send an invoice) Turn up, go exploring!