 Hi
Its pretty definite that I will be going to Canada for a year on a working holiday visa this december.
I think I will in the Vancouver region for most of it.
Any tips on walks, trails and camping out there?
Also what gear should I take? Is a down jacket a good idea?
Cheers
|
 |
 You just have to do the drive from Calgary to Banff to Jasper then down to Vancouver...AMAZING!!
I was there back in '98, what a country.
Also go to Vancouver Island, you lucky thing!
As for being there in December, even though its milder on the West coast, it will be cold, I would defo take a down jacket.
|
|
 Sorry to disagree, but I'd take a fleece and a shell as the west coast stays milder, but wetter and a down coat will soon become a sodden mess.
Check out http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/canada_e.html
|
|
 Weather in Vancouver very like Manchester.....'Damp', but even tho they did get a good dump of snow for a few weeks last winter Darrrens probably fight about fleece and shell, unless going up in the mountains a lot.
Vancouver Island is great to drive across, to see Pacific Rim Park/ Tofino etc.
Get the Greyhound bus on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler .Top place!
Come back down the mighy Fraser river and go white water rafting...
Do the trail up Grouse Mountain, and the Inside Passage ferry trip if you can.
The drive Ian recommends is awesome in the true sense of the word
buy your gear out there too if possible its a lot cheaper ..
Oh you lucky so and so I wish I could go for a year too, all I've got to look forward to is a fortnight in October!
|
|
 on the subject, when's the best time for trail walking/trekking in Bannf without getting squashed by avalanches, falling through snow etc or eaten by bears/bugs etc.
|
|
About now. Hence the reason I'm going there form Saturday
<rub, rub>
|
|
<git>
|
|
Julian,
What work will you be doing in Vancouver?
Will you been there on your tod?
|
|
Ian
No idea what work I will be doing yet. Doing civil engineering at the moment, so anything thats not that!
Yes I will be going on my tod as I can't find anyone willing to come along.
|
|
 Pacific coast is where all the temperate rainforests are. Synthetic over down all the way.
|
|
 Julian Beech, I have been to Canada many times with the forces and if I were you, I would wait until you arrived in the Maple state, and buy your gear then. There are plenty of bargains and the gear is pretty good. I had my Duvet for about 15 years until the fantansic civilian baggage staff lost my pack.
|
|
 Don't take anything with you. Buy it out there from the wonderful Mountain Equipment Co-operative.
|
|
Buy some skis and go to the interior. Amazing hills, snow and really cool people.
|
|
Hiall
Where abouts did you go exactly?
I haven't skied for a while as snowboarding seemed more fun at the time, but I would love to do some cross country skiing.
|
|
 Just did 3 weeks in the Rockies last month, mainly at Athabasca Glacier and Lake Louise.
Perfect time to go. No midges, no traffic, few people yet enough to keep the place interesting and snow on all the peaks. Trekking Wilcox Pass on my own in snow was great fun, shame we don't get snow in September.
Have to say it rained nearly every day, torrential at times, so I'd haave to say, from what the locals told me, a fleece and shell is a better bet than down on the West Coast in winter. If you need any new kit, buy at the Mountain Equipment Co-operative shops, good kit that works, espesh the waterproofs.
I was on my own for the most part, just a few days with friends from home on the Glacier, but you'll find the Canadians easy to get on with, very un-american and generally pretty cool.
KoKaNee Lager is awesome.
Have fun.
|
|
Kokanee is indeed very good. I was mostly in Fernie, but also Lake Louise. My skiing was all downhill though, but I gather the back-country trips are pretty cool too.
|
|
 Lucky, lucky man, Julian. A whole year!
Just spent September again on the West Coast, it's addictive, huge, varied, awesome. Can't get enough of it, so much to do & see. Landscape & wildlife to blow you away. Cheap, too and great people. Everything said above is spot on. Try The Schooner in Tofino!
Working in Juneau in May......Yay!
Expect the odd spot of rain.
|
|
Home grown Canadian here. I live in Alberta. I have done extensive multi-day hiking in BC, Alberta Rockies, the Yukon and NWT. I would echo what people say here about buying your gear in Canada, I would especially give a huge thumbs up to the Mountain Equipment Co-op. If they have it it'll be cheaper than anywhere, if they don't have it that's a clear indication you don't need it. Questions?
|
|
