Frequently Asked Questions?

Can I do this?

Distance and elevation for each program are outlined on our trip pages. If you’re not sure how much distance and elevation you can cover in a day, we recommend you go out and test yourself before booking. We usually travel 13 - 25km(8-15mi) per day with up to 1000m (3300ft) of elevation on both our backcountry programs and day trips. We cater to intermediate and advanced hikers who enjoy the Euro-style comfort of a lighter pack, a mountain lodge with a cozy bed, and a hot meal after a full day hiking in the alpine.

Group size

Our scheduled backcountry programs on the Skyline Trail, Tonquin Valley, and Fryatt Valley, the Skyhike, and our Day trips/Custom trips have between 4- 9 guests. Participants in our programs have a lot in common and a lot to share while on trails, at happy hour admiring the incredible surroundings of our exploratory bases, or while sipping tea and playing cards at our backcountry lodges. Connections made on the trail can lead to lasting friendships and tend to be an unexpected highlight of our trips.

Risks / Hazards

Participating in wilderness activities involves many risks, dangers, and hazards. On our summer hiking programs, those risks, dangers, and hazards include:

• slips and falls

• wildlife encounters

• exposure to the elements (sunburn, heat stroke, cold, wet, hypothermia, etc.)

• rockfall

• equipment failure

• other users

• infectious disease

• etc

Participants must sign a waiver of liability prior to commencing any programs. Minors must have a parent sign a consent & acknowledgement of risks form. Please read these documents carefully well ahead of your trip and make sure you agree with the terms and conditions outlined in these documents. A paper copy will also be signed before trip departure.

Lodging\accommodation

The Skyline trail program is based out of a backcountry lodge with propane heating\lighting\solar panels, comfortable beds, sheets, duvet and 3 fully catered meals per day.

The Tonquin valley program is based out of an alpine hut with a wood stove, propane cooking/lighting, sleeping platforms with thick mattresses, and 3 fully catered meals per day. Guests will need to bring a light summer sleeping bag (0-10C rated).

The Fryatt valley program is based out of an alpine hut with a wood stove, propane cooking/lighting, 4 sleeping platforms with thick mattresses, and 3 fully catered meals per day. Guests will need to bring a light summer sleeping bag (0-10C rated).

The Selwyn Range program is based out of a backcountry lodge with a wood stove, propane heating\lighting, comfortable beds, and 3 fully catered meals per day. Guests will need to bring a light summer sleeping bag (0-10C rated).

*All lodges and huts require the use of a well-maintained outhouse.

Food and cooking

All meals will be prepared for you. We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, please inform us at the time of booking. A typical menu looks like this:

• Breakfast: Omelette & potatoes, crepes & maple syrup, sausage , banana bread, yogourt, fruit & granola

• Lunch/Snacks: Sweet potato patty wrap, quinoa salad, soups, crackers, smoked salmon, veggies & dip

• Dinner: Asian Power Bowl, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Pasta Extravanganza, Green Curry Couscous, Loaded Pizza.

*coffee, tea and chocolate with breakfast and dinner
**Your guide will carry a water treatment\purification system and emergency tablets to refill your water throughout the day.

What will my guide bring?

Safety gear and equipment that will be available to the entire group:

• InReach (emergency 2-way communication) and\or Radio

• bear spray

• first Aid kit

• emergency tarp

• fire starter kit

• water treatment

• small emergency stove

• map \ compass \ GPS

• binoculars

• guiding \ coaching \ organizational & cooking skills

• Positive energy and leadership for a remarkable experience

  *Your guide can provide some equipment. Ask us for more details.

Weather

Our backcountry trips run through July-August-September. Mountain weather is unpredictable. Our hiking trips are based out of backcountry lodges\huts which are located at about 2000m of elevation, approximately 1000m higher than the town of Jasper, which translates to maximum\minimum temperatures approximately 10C lower than in the Jasper townsite. You can expect maximum temperatures around 20C and minimum temperatures around 5C. Jasper being on the East side of the continental divide, our climate usually receives less frequent and smaller amounts of precipitation. It can snow year around in the high mountains surrounding Jasper. Weather is an uncontrollable variable and some of the most challenging and rewarding trips happen in the face of weather adversity with good planning and preparation.

More questions?