with Eureka Peak

Details of the Trips

For July and August 2005

A five day journey in the Eureka mountains, one of the Cariboo-Chilcotin's most spectacular and ecologically diverse mountain ranges.

Daily Activities:

• Fireside Circles: Morning and evening traditional offerings.
• Drumming/singing traditional, Secwepemc (Shuswap) and other pow wow songs. Learn to sing and drum in a new way even if you've never tried!
• Mountain horseback riding and packing skills. Even if you've never sat on a horse by the end of these five days we'll have you trained in all the basics of western riding and packing.
• Craft projects: Every day will provide opportunities to work on certain primitive technologies around camp. Make your own spoon, bowl, cook your food in pit the old way, or twist cordage into a useable substance and form for a medicine bag or other implements.
• Shuswap language and place names. Learn a traditional dialect with new sounds, words and interpretations that will be sure to expand your mind, increase your awareness and take you on an adventure into the humility and beauty of this ancient language.
• Relaxation: Don't feel obliged to follow a strict schedule. We have created this time and space to allow for certain things to happen as planned and certain things to happen as mother nature dictates. We are here to serve your needs and request. Free yourself from the constraints of time and destination and let the earth's hour beat in your heart.
• Traditional morning bathing. Greet every morning with a fresh dip in the cool clear waters of Eureka creek and pool. Cleansing your body and mind and freeing yourself to the experience of a fresh and adventuresome day of learning.

The Five-Day Trip

Day 1:  Arrive by 10:00 am. We will have horses and camp gear ready to go when you arrive and following a 1-2 hour pack up and horse/rider/trail orientation we will be ready to hit the trail! We leave our corrals on Crooked lake by noon and ride to our base camp in the Eureka Bowl. After a brief Shushwap send-off, day one will be the perfect day to get a good feel for your horse, look out on some breathtaking views, and enjoy our stops along the way as your guides explain some of the landmarks, natural history and cultural interpretation which you will become immersed in over the next five days.
3-4 Hours riding.

Day 2:  Breakfast at 7:30 am. You may wish to rise early, take in the sunrise, go for a walk, photograph local mule deer that come close to camp or bathe in the nearby falls that cascade out of the basin. Each day begins with a hearty and healthy breakfast and, before moving out on the trail, we will gather at the “fire circle”, an important and unique aspect of our trips. Day Two's adventure will explore the massive finger and alpine flora and fauna of the Birds Nest Plateau. Birds Nest Mountain boasts some of the finest mountain flora and fauna in the Cariboo Mountains, arguably some of the finest in North America. It is also home to Mule deer, mountain goats, Grizzly and black bears. Riders will learn traditional place names, tracking and nature observation, as well as ethnobotany - from a local Secwepemc perspective.
Eureka Bowl to Birds Nest return. 3-5 Hours riding.

Day 3 & 4:  Days 3 and 4 will present an opportunity for individuals to spend some solo time and relax into an ancient rhythm of relaxation and inner sanctity. These days are for you and our guides and team will be available to cater to your interests or intentions. You may wish to go riding, stay around camp, exploring the landscape in the micro or macro.

Through the guidance of elders, you may choose to spend some solo time in a safe place where you can reconnect with yourself, the land, and the greater mysteries of life. This will also be a time for the crafts and skills of indigenous technologies for those who choose to stay around camp. Opportunities to work on such crafts as drums, rawhide making, rawhide tanning, cradles, moccasins and many other fascinating primitive technologies will be emphasized on this day. Or, if you choose, one of our knowledgeable guides can take you on a short hike/ride to explore the animals, plants, tracks and other intricacies of the local natural history. With respect for tradition and the elders, the evening of day 3 would also be our time for a cleansing, sweatlodge ceremony and feast under the guidance of elders.
Eureka Bowl to Eureka Peaks. 3-4 Hours riding.

Day 5:  Day five will be the wrapping up of our experience with a final morning fire circle, offerings, songs and a special give-away. The views and terrain traversed on day 5 will be fresh and new whereby our return route circles back around through the Eureka Peaks and basins, and past Broken Nose Lake, where steep and wide basins present views to a diversity of wildlife.
Eureka Bowl to Crooked base camp. 3-4 Hours riding.

A note about our schedules and locations

We are here to both serve your needs and provide the best experience possible given all circumstances. Travel by horseback in mountain terrain can present certain logistical challenges due to weather, animal behaviour and human needs. Therefore we are committed to providing you with a clear but flexible schedule. Three meals will be served each day, breakfast and dinner at base camp, and lunch on the trail. Our base camp is equipped with communal tipis (which we encourage you to sleep in!) as well as one large community tipi, which will serve as a gathering, eating and weathering location. Our base camp is also equipped with a clean and well maintained outhouse and outdoor washing facility. Hot water for washing will be available on request in a specified area. Even if the weather does not cooperate for one day we will have lots of options for you to have a great experience right in camp if you so choose. There will be crafts and interesting cultural material available which you are free to pick up anytime or ask one of our knowledgeable guides to assist you with. Guides will also present interesting options for evening storytelling, drumming, or entertainment. If you are a musician bring a small instrument or drum, lets make the most of our experience!

Available Dates for July and August 2005

• July 21-25
• August 18-22
• August 26-28

Transportation

Fly to Vancouver International and take a flight to Williams Lake. There are daily commercial flights available from Vancouver to Williams lake by Pacific Coastal Airlines (604 273-8666 or toll free 800 663-2872) and JAZZ Air, an Air Canada affiliate (800 663-3721). If the group is large enough, we can arrange a special charter for a cheaper price. We will provide transportation and return from Williams Lake to our base camp no extra charge.

Driving? Contact our office for detailed directions and accommodation in the area.

Detailed map of British Columbia

Cost

Can$1,295. Includes horses, tack, food, guides, accommodation and transportation to and from the airport. If you wish to stay an extra night after the ride, other accommodation at our lodge or elsewhere can be arranged at an additional cost.

Safety and Contingency

Our guides are trained in wilderness first-aid procedures and are equipped with radios and/or satellite telephones in case of emergency. Also we have contingency plans in the event of the unexpected events to which mountain adventure travel can be prone. Because of the nature of our trips we do not depend on technology or adhere to tight schedules and rules, except in the event of an emergency.

Additional Information

Riders are responsible to bring their own duffel bag, sleeping Bag, air mattress or thermal pad, personal belongings, rain gear and tobacco (if desired). Respecting First Nations culture, alcohol is strictly for bidden.

Participants are required to pack all of their gear, including their sleeping bags, in a duffel weighing no more than 30-pounds. Sleeping bags, thermal pads and duffel bags are available for rent with advance notice for $20 a day.

Note: All trips are subject to a 7% Federal Goods & Services Tax

A 40% non-refundable deposit, along with a completed application form, is required to confirm your trip, with the balance due 30 days before the trip begins. Although non-refundable, your deposit is transferable to another date during the 2004 season. Any money paid on deposit over and above the 40% will be refunded in the case of cancellation. Payment must be made in the form of personal or business cheques, money orders, or bank drafts.

Upon booking we send our guests a detailed list of recommended items to bring.

For further inquiries, contact our office.