Camping Culture

In Canada, camping is a huge part of the culture. Spending time in the forest, in the mountains, by the ocean, on a lake, ANYWHERE in nature. This blog post is very special and is a combination of Mike's City Talk and Talya's Photography and Blogging. We all spent the past few weeks researching the best places to go camping, visiting the best equipment shops in Vancouver as well as learning how to set up camp first hand. It was great and a lot of fun! We hope this inspires you to take advantage of this beautiful summer and the wonderful places British Columbia has to offer the adventure seekers out there!! Now go gear up and GET OUT OF THE CITY!!!

BACKPACKING CHECKLIST

While gear can add to your wilderness adventure, it is possible (and some say better) to take as little as possible. Add or subtract items to match the weather, and your trip plans. (MEC)

THE ESSENTIALS
Map Compass Sunglasses and sunscreen Food Headlamp/flashlight First-aid kit Water		Matches – in waterproof container Fire starter Knife Repair kit Trip plan – left with a friend Whistle
CLOTHING
Hiking boots Gaiters Socks (liner and outers) Base layer top/bottoms Insulated top Long-sleeved shirt (for sun protection) Underwear		Rainwear or outer shell top/bottoms Short-sleeved shirt Insulating hat Pants Shorts Gloves or mitts Sun hat
CAMPING GEAR
Backpack Tent Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Stove and fuel		Cooking and eating utensils Water treatment or filter Toiletries (including toilet paper) Garbage bags
EXTRA ITEMS
Binoculars Rope Camera and accessories Notebook and pencil Deck of cards Sandals		Biodegradable soap GPS Watch or alarm clock Change of clothes – at trailhead Vaccuum Flasks (Also known as Thermos Bottles) Insect repellent or bug shirt

LIGHTWEIGHT PACKING

Tips and tricks to help you lighten your backpack to travel faster and farther take a look at the MEC (Mountain Equiptment Coop) website here: http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673992033&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302887158

SETTING UP CAMP
by Zdenek, Derek & Yuping 
Instructions

 TO GO CAMPING!

Let us introduce you to some of  the methods to set up camp. Follow steps below:

1. Unpack - tent, canteen, stakes(pegs), poles, cooking equipment, lamp, axe, LED light, chairs, folding table, sleeping bag, fishing tackle, etc.  Unpack to make sure you have everything to set up your tent and other things for the night.

2. Fire building -  axe (to chop woods), blocks of wood, kindling(small sticks/twigs), matches, fire starter, paper, blow on the fire to start fire


* How to start a campfire *:

- you should chop the blocks of wood 
- you need an axe/ hatchet
- crumple up paper before you build kindling
- you need a match or lighter to set it on fire
- when you blow air, be careful not to inhale the smoke.


3. Bear proofing - bear mace(spray), rope, bear bucket, hoist bucket up the tree.
- hang your food pack from a tree limb that is at least 10 feet off the ground, or suspend it from a horizontal pole set between two trees. Some campsites have a "bear pole" which everyone uses. 
- don't leave food in your tent, ever!
- leave tent flaps open so that a bear can walk in and check the place without resorting to violent.
- when you encounter a bear, use bear Mace and then back away slowly

4. Cooking - tinfoil, grill/ stove, charcoal, water, pot or frying pan.* Always bring a cooler for your food so it doesn't go bad or bring food that has preservatives to keep for a few days.
Recommended food: potato, sausage on a stick, smoked chicken, sweet potato, beers, soda, vegetables, sangria, marshmallow and s'mores = roasted marshmallow, chocolate between two graham crackers, they are a delicious Canadian tradition!

Jinhee roasting marshmallows.

You can cool your drinks in the river.
( but do not leave them there!!)

PLACES TO GO

Bella Pacifica Campground

Location : 400 Mackenzie Beach, Tofino, BC.

Price : Off season : $ 28 ~ $32 / Peak season : $ 42 ~ $52

 

Bella Pacifica Campground is a great destination for families visiting Tofino, Long Beach and Pacific Rim National Park. It has private oceanfront campsites and the wilderness setting enables you to experience the wonder of the Old Growth forests and the clean beaches famous in the area.

 To be honest, I have never been there before~. hahaha. But I found some information on many websites( I will write the address in the end of this post). It is located near MACKENZIE BEACH and surrounded by a huuuuuge forest( I don't know the name, sorry)!!!!!. So you can enjoy the water and the mountains at the same time!. I am planning to go there maybe in 2 weeks, after that I can show you guys pictures that I will take here. ALSO, I will describe more details and try to make you able to imagine like it is happening in front of your eyes.......I hope hahahahahaha
And if someone knows this place well or has been there, please leave some comments or tips for me. It would be very helpful for me. PLEASE. 
THANKS FOR READING.  -KI

 Porteau Cove 
Location :North of Vancouver on Hwy 99, 20 km south of Squamish,             
 Price : 30 dollars (per group /night)

Porteau Cove is situated on the most southerly river crossing in North America, the park features waterfront campsites with a view over Howe sound to the mountains beyond. An old ship has been sunk to provide interest for scuba divers and to attract ocean life.There are special facilities for divers. *Close train tracks are active and occasional noise disturbance may occur.

 I think it's a good place for student camping because it's close to downtown Vancouver. It's not expensive for group camping, we can swim in the summer  and kayak as well.As you can see in the picture it's a really beautiful place, the scenery is nice and we can feel the real nature.This place is a really famous place for camping and many people want to go so you must reserve right now!!


ROCKY MOUNTAINS
You can stay in Golden at one of the local campsites, or explore the surrounding areas between Banff and Revelstoke in British Columbia's Rocky Mountains on the Trans Canada highway #1, some of these are:

• Burges & James Gadsden Provincial Park
• Yoho National Park
• Lake Louise
• Marl Creek Provincial Park
• Glacier National Park
• Bugaboo Provincial Park
• Kootenay National Park
• Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park
• Banff National Park

Add caption

/  Equipment shopping at MEC, 3 Vets, and Sports Junkies  /

/ ! NOW GET OUT THERE AND EXPLORE THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY! /

Special thank you to Mike and his City talk class who made this collaborative project so much fun!!!