Duke of Edinburgh Preliminary Training The Adventurous Journey component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award is intended to develop self-

reliance and encourage participants to develop an awareness of the natural environment, and the

importance of protecting it. One aspect of undertaking the journey is appropriate training in a variety of

disciplines. In order to make the most of your time at Strathcona Park Lodge (SPL) we’ve prepared some

information and a worksheet to cover some of this training.

The following pages form part of your required Preliminary Training and the accompanying worksheet

must be handed in to your instructor or school sponsor prior to the overnight trip. You’ll find all you

need to complete the worksheet in the following information. There is a bit more of the Preliminary

Training that we’ll go over when you are here. In order for your instructor to sign your record book you

must hand in the attached worksheet and complete the other required preliminary training.

Safety Precautions & Emergency Planning Before undertaking an expedition or backcountry adventure you need to take some time to consider the

trip, make plans and take a few basic precautions. While pre-planning doesn’t guarantee everything will

go as planned it certainly increases your chance of having a successful and safe trip. And in the event

that things don’t go as planned you have the plans in place to deal with it.

Essential planning includes:

Filling out a route card and leaving it with a responsible person.

Having a list of emergency contact numbers.

Getting medical info for members in your group.

Knowing the allergies and any medications members of your group have.

Using appropriate safety gear for the trip you are on and bringing an appropriate first aid kit.

Reading guidebooks, trip reports or talking to others who have been on the same trip.

Make sure you have the skills and training necessary for the trip you are undertaking.

As part of your pre-trip planning when you are at SPL you will fill in a detailed Route Card outlining the

planned route and time table of the journey.

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First Aid Basic first aid knowledge and knowing how to prevent common injuries are important skills for anyone

undertaking a wilderness trip. While this is not a first aid course and we will not provide specific first aid

training as either part of the preliminary training or during the trip, there are some common minor

injuries that participants can learn to prevent and how to deal treat.

Staying hydrated and eating – Many problems in the backcountry can be prevented by simply drinking

enough water and eating. When we get dehydrated and hungry we are more prone to headaches,

irritability, mild hypothermia, being clumsy, and generally making mistakes that can injure us. You know

you are drinking enough when you have to pee frequently and it is clear not dark yellow.

Blisters – Prevent them by making sure boots fit properly and are broken in. Wear a thin liner sock under

a heavier one, try to keep feet dry, apply moleskin or micropore tape before blisters occur. Hot Spots are

sore, red areas that are the precursor to a blister. Deal with Hot Spots or small blisters right away by

taking a piece of moleskin and cutting a doughnut hole slightly bigger than the sensitive area. You may

need to use a few layers to get it higher than the blister to prevent further rubbing.

Minor cuts – Stop bleeding by applying direct pressure over the wound. Clean the area by brushing away

any loose debris and washing the wound with clean water. It is important to thoroughly clean the wound

to prevent infection. A simple band-aid is enough to close very minor cuts; larger ones might require

wound closure strips.

Abrasions (road rash) – Often embedded with dirt, gravel or other debris which, if not removed, can lead

to scarring or infection. It is important to do a thorough cleaning (often more painful than the injury

itself) before applying a non-adherent protective dressing.

Minor burns – First degree burns (like sunburn or most hot water burns) only involve the outermost

layer of skin. There is redness of the skin and pain but no blisters. Cool the burn with cold water or a wet

compress (do not use ice directly). If you have it you can apply aloe vera gel.

Hypothermia – Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature due to exposure to a cold

environment. While mild hypothermia is rarely life-threatening, like dehydration and hunger it can

contribute to injuries resulting from poor judgment and poor coordination.

Even in above freezing temperatures a person can become mildly hypothermic by losing body heat to

the cooler air temperature, through touching cold objects, from wind chill, and from sweat or water

evaporating. Even breathing in cold temps contributes to this heat loss. You can prevent hypothermia by

wearing appropriate clothing (especially a hat and neck coverage), sitting on your pack rather than

directly on the ground, blocking the wind with windproof clothing or shelter, adjusting layers to prevent

getting too sweaty, and wearing waterproof clothing to keep insulating layers dry.

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Mild hypothermia can be recognized by the person feeling cold and excessive shivering. They will remain

conscious, alert, and their coordination will be normal or only slightly impaired. Treat them by getting

them into shelter, insulating them from cold ground, replacing wet clothing with dry layers, give them

warm food and sugar water to drink, wrap them in a sleeping bag or huddle with another person.

Heat illness – Heat illness ranges from minor heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke. The most

common heat illness, heat exhaustion, is marked by malaise, headache, weakness, nausea, loss of

appetite, dizziness, vomiting is common, sweating, normal coordination and mental state. Painful cramps

or muscle spasms are another heat illness that is common after exercise. In both of these and other heat

illnesses dehydration is a significant contributor.

Dehydration limits the body’s ability to produce sweat and cool itself. It is important to drink lots – you

can sweat out 1-2 litres per hour during exercise on a hot day. Exercising during early morning or evening

to avoid the hottest part of the day, acclimatizing to hot weather, wearing loose fitting and light colored

clothing, and taking advantage of spots to cool off are all ways to manage the heat.

First Aid kit – Each participant should bring their own small personal first aid kit to treat minor cuts and

help prevent blisters. A great kit is the Coghlan’s Pack II first aid kit available from Mountain Equipment

Co-op and other retailers for about $5.50. It contains:

General first aid guide.

Adhesive bandages (21).

Knuckle bandage.

Sterile gauze pads (3).

Alcohol pads (3).

Antiseptic pads (3).

Moleskin.

Travel towels (2).

Steel needle.

A handy addition to these

contents is a pair of Coghlan’s folding

scissors for cutting moleskin (for blister

care).

We recommend that participants take a basic first aid course or wilderness first aid course for more

comprehensive training before undertaking significant personal trips.

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Maps Map Reading – Maps are two dimensional representations of three dimensional terrain. Using maps for

navigational purposes requires accurate interpretation of symbols used on paper and relating them to

actual features in the field and vice versa. Fast and accurate translation from map to field and field to

map is a primary navigation skill. To make this chapter more visual it is a good idea to have a

topographical map nearby to look at.

Types of Maps – Simple maps such as road maps or trail maps provide limited information about natural

features such as occasional elevations and location of major features. They can be useful for access and

general overviews of large areas.

For mountain navigation, topographical (topo) maps are required. These maps give more detailed

information on natural features such as relief, glaciation, vegetation and hydrography, as well as man-

made features such as roads and buildings. When traveling on the ocean you should carry a nautical

chart. In addition to the heights of land it displays the depths of water. It also gives detailed information

about the features of the seabed, the coastline, hazards and tides and currents.

Scale – Scale is the proportion between a distance in the field and a distance on the map. A scale of 1 to

50,000 (1:50:000) means 1 unit of horizontal measurement on the map equals 50,000 units of

measurement in the field. For example, 1cm on the map equals 50,000cm (500 metres) in the field. The

greater the scale, the less detail a map will contain.

For overview purposes, especially for planning long trips, specialty maps covering specific areas (e.g.

National Parks maps) and 1:250,000 maps are useful. The large scale of these maps makes them of

limited use for detailed planning or navigation in the field.

Interpretation of maps – To assist map users with interpretation, a variety of symbols, colors, contour

lines, and, in some instances, shading are used. Symbols and colors vary somewhat but a legend is

printed on most maps to assist the user.

Contour lines – Contour lines represent elevation above sea level and can be used to indicate incline or

slope. They connect points of the same elevation and are continuous, that is, they form a closed loop,

although in many instances they close on themselves only after passing through more than one map

sheet. Only darker reference contour lines have an elevation marked on them, the elevation of unlabeled

lines can be determined using the contour interval. Contour interval refers to the change in elevation

between two contour lines. For example, a contour interval of 20 metres indicates the elevation

difference between two contour lines on the map represents 20 metres in the field. The height of a point

located between two contour lines, a lake for example, can be estimated as being half the distance of the

contour interval.

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If contour lines are closer together, more elevation change is represented in the same distance, thus the

incline of the terrain is steeper. Whether the difference in height is upward or downward must be

interpreted by the map user. By carefully examining water drainage for example, it is often possible to

differentiate up from down on the map. Reference contours have the elevation printed on the line and

can also be used to assist in differentiating up from down. Here an example of the different variations:

Features such as ridges, valleys, passes, peaks, etc. can be identified and even relatively small features

will show as variations in contour lines if carefully interpreted. You will find examples for that below.

Shading is an additional aid to interpreting contours on a map and often increases the speed and

accuracy with which they can be read. Unfortunately most North American maps are not shaded and it is

wise to become proficient at reading unshaded contour features.

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True north, grid north and magnetic north - Concerning navigation north can mean three different

things:

True North - This is where the North Pole actually is. You can go there.

Grid north - Because the earth is round geographers had to come up with an idea how to put it onto

something flat like a map (have you ever tried to lay an entire ball out flat on the ground without missing

any parts or creating any gabs?) Because this is very tricky north on a map varies slightly from true north.

It is called grid north.

Magnetic north - This is the magnetic field your compass needle points to. The area which attracts the

magnetized needle of a compass lies some 2200 km from the North Pole. This has to be taken into

account when you combine map and compass work.

Dating information – Particular attention must be paid to the age of the information used to create a

map. Many mountain areas have not been surveyed or photographed for a number of years and the

information will be dated. This is especially true of features such as the extent of glaciation and changes

in roads, buildings, and other man-made objects. The age of the information given on maps can be

ascertained by looking for dates of air photographs, surveys, and culture checks used to produce the

map. This information is generally printed on the map border.

Latitude and longitude – Latitude and longitude are the east/west and north/south worldwide

measurements from the prime meridian and the equator respectively. They are commonly used in other

types of navigation (e.g. sea and air) and may be useful when communicating with other professions

(e.g. pilots). This is especially useful if calling for rescue: by giving the pilot or rescue team a position

using latitude and longitude, they can proceed to your position directly using a Global Positioning System

device (GPS).

Latitude and longitude are marked in degrees, minutes, and seconds on the border of maps. A simple

means of determining latitude and longitude is:

Fold the map horizontally and vertically through your position at right angles to the border.

Read the latitude and longitude where the folds cross the border.

Grid references - A far more precise and easier system to identify your position on a topo map is the

Universal Transmercator (UTM) System. Often, maps (e.g. Canadian 1:50,000) have a light blue grid

imposed on the features. Each of these grid lines is numbered at the edge of the map. Numbers increase

from west to east (left to right) and south to north (bottom to top).These numbers refer to the Universal

Transmercator (UTM) grid system. Each square formed by the grid on the map represents an area of

1000 by 1000 meters in the field. Using the UTM grid reference system, locations on the 1:50,000 series

can be described to an accuracy of 100 meters (i.e. 1/10th of a square on the map = 100 meters in the

field) using a six digit number. To plot a UTM grid reference:

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1. Note the two digit number

of the grid line to the west

of the location.

2. Count tenths of a grid to

the east until aligned with

the location.

3. Use the number of tenths

as the third number of the

reference.

4. Repeat the process from

south to north.

5. The saying, “In the door

and up the stairs” might

help you remember to

measure left to right then

bottom to top.

In the illustration at right the point where the creek flowing out of the northern tip of Rossiter Lake starts

would be designated 309125. A complete grid reference includes the map name, map number, and the

six digit grid reference number.

Declination – The area which attracts the magnetized needle of a compass (the magnetic north pole) lies

some 2200 km from the North Pole and therefore a similar distance away from grid north, our reference

point on the map. The difference between grid north (the north that you work with on the map) and

magnetic north (where your compass needle points to) is called declination.

The north indicated by the magnetic needle of

the compass and the north indicated at the top

of the map are aligned only at certain places. In

North America those places are on a line

extending from off the east coast of Florida

through Lake Michigan. This line is called the zero

declination line. To the west of this line the

magnetic needle of a compass will indicate that

magnetic north lies to the east of grid north. This

area has an easterly declination. The opposite is

the case east of the zero declination line.

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Declination for a given area is noted on the border of the

map (as shown to the right). It will be given as a bearing in

degrees and minutes with a date, e.g. 18 degrees 18

minutes (18° 18’) in 1975. (60 minutes = 1 degree). The

annual change is noted as increasing or decreasing (e.g.

annual change decreasing 1.4 minutes). Before the

declination for a given area is used to adjust map bearings

for use in the field or vice versa, the declination has to be

corrected so it is accurate for the current year. For example,

if the declination for a given area in 1975 was 18° 18’ and

the annual change is decreasing 1.4’ per year the

declination for 2010 (close enough for our purposes) is

calculated:

1950 declination – (annual change times years of

change) = 2010 declination.

18° 18’ – (1.4’ x 35 years) = 17° 29’

Compass A compass stripped to the core is a magnetized needle that

responds to the earth magnetic field and is there fore

pointing to magnetic north.

To make it more useful for navigation different features have been added. If you have a compass at home

or available at your school it would be valuable to have it for this chapter.

High quality compasses with a sighting mirror are recommended for most accurate results; however a

compass without a mirror will suffice for casual use. A compass with a declination adjustment is

suggested.

Why do you need a compass? A compass helps you to find where you are and find your way; this is very

useful but can be critical if you get lost and visibility is poor. The main ways you use a compass are:

Orienting the map with the compass so that it matches what you see on the ground

Taking a bearing on the map and using it to identify features or to follow it on your trip. (map to

field)

Taking a bearing in the field to have it set for your trip or to follow it on the map (field to map)

Identifying your own position using 'by following multiple bearings of known features on your

map (field to map)

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Compass features – Compasses come in many designs, but most compass features are the same

regardless of model. You need to make use of some or all of the compass features for different

tasks.

Before you can use a compass to navigate you need to be familiar with the main features.

1. Baseplate - the plastic base. Used to align the compass with the points on the map between

which bearings are to be measured.

2. Compass housing - also called just the housing, rotating dial with a mark every two degrees

covering 360 degrees, and N-S-E-W (the 'cardinal points').

3. Magnetic needle - floats in the housing and red end points to magnetic north.

4. Orienting lines - rotate with the housing and are used to align the compass to the map when

transferring bearings from the field to the map.

5. Orienting arrow - fixed and aligned to north within the compass housing. Used to align the

magnetic needle to magnetic north when taking bearings in the field.

6. Bearing indicator - where the bearing is read. The spot on the circle where the N on the housing

is aligned. Where extension of the direction of travel arrow. Often depicted as a line or narrow

rectangle on some models.

7. Direction of travel arrow - the big arrow at the end of the baseplate.

8. Map scales 1:25 000, 1:50 000 and metric measurer.

The main working part of a compass is the magnetic 'needle' that floats on a central pivot. The red end

always points to the Earth's magnetic north pole and the outer ring is marked with the cardinal points of

the compass (N-S-E-W) and every 2 degrees. These markings are used to get bearings (the direction from

where you are, to where you want to go or from what you see to where you are).

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Working with your compass - The compass is little more than a specialized protractor: it simply

measures angles. These angles are called bearings in navigational terminology. The main working part of

a compass is the magnetic 'needle' that floats on a central pivot. The red end always points to the Earth's

magnetic north pole and the outer ring is marked with the cardinal points of the compass (N-S-E-W) and

every 2 degrees. These markings are used to get bearings (the direction from where you are, to where

you want to go or from what you see to where you are).

On the map, bearings are calculated using grid north as a baseline from which the angle is measured. In

the field, magnetic north is the baseline. The declination given must be reconciled when transferring

bearings from the map to the field and vice versa. Bearings are always measured in a clockwise direction

from north.

Where is north? There is, however, a slight complication (remember that bit about declination?);

magnetic north is not the same as map grid north because magnetic north (where the compass needle

points) changes in different areas of the world, and also changes over time. In fact, the rate of change is

increasing and currently moves about 60km each year!

To get a completely accurate reading you have to adjust the bearing to take account of the difference

between grid north and magnetic north. The degree of declination is printed on topographic maps but as

a rough guideline, for British Columbia you should adjust by 17 degrees. An easy way to remember

whether you need to add or subtract the declination amount is with the following mneumonics:

MOGS – Map onto ground subtract: when taking a bearing on the map you need to subtract the

declination (in our case 17 degrees) to get the magnetic bearing.

GOMA – Ground onto map add: add the declination (17 degrees) to your compass bearing when

taking a bearing from the field to the map.

Some compasses have an adjustment on them (usually a small set screw on the housing or backside of

the baseplate) that allow you to set the declination amount so that you don’t have to think about it

every time you take a bearing.

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Working with map and compass

1. Orienting your map

Many people find it easier to read and actually follow a map when they direct it the way the reality is

facing them in that moment. They turn the map as long as it matches with what they see on the ground.

This is called orienting the map. You can use your compass to do this so that north on the map equals

north in reality:

a) Lay your map out flat on a smooth and level surface.

b) On your compass line up the N for north on the housing with the direction of travel arrow. If you

want to take the areas declination into account subtract the given amount. For example if the

declination is 17: 360 – 17 = 343 degrees

Now, make the number 343 point towards the direction of travel arrow.

c) Place your compass on the map so that the edge of the base plate lines up with one of the blue

north - south grid lines.

d) Turn map and compass together until the red part of the needle is pointing towards N for north

on the housing. The red part of the needle should be over top of the red orienting arrow.

2. To measure a bearing (direction) on the map and following it on your trip

a) Identify the points between which the bearing is to

be taken. Align the compass along the points using

the side of the base plate. The back of the compass

should be at the start point from which the bearing

is to be taken (see picture).

b) Rotate the housing until the orienting lines of the

compass are parallel to the blue grid lines on the

map. Make sure that north on the housing aligns

with north on the map.

c) Read the bearing at the bearing indicator. This is

the map bearing – to use it I the field you need to

subtract the declination to get the magnetic bearing

in the field.

d) To follow this bearing on your trip hold the compass level in front of you, and then turn your

entire body (including your feet) until the red part of the needle is aligned with the orienting

arrow on the housing. The direction of travel arrow will now point in the direction you want to

go or the mountain you wanted to know the name of.

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3. To measure a bearing (direction) in the field and plotting it on the map

a) Holding the compass level

and at arm’s length, sight the

landmark along the direction

of travel arrow on the base

plate.

b) Keeping the object in line

with the directional arrow,

rotate the housing until the

orienting arrow and the red

end of the compass needle are aligned. The magnetic bearing is now set on your compass. You

can use this bearing in times of doubt. It will enable you to hold your course even if the object is

not always visible. Just turn your entire body until the red part of the needle is above the

orienting arrow. The direction of travel arrow then indicates were your landmark is.

c) If you want to follow this magnetic bearing on your map to get an idea of were you are the first

thing you need to do is to add the declination. From here you place one long edge of the base

plate touching the landmark on the map. Now rotate the entire compass until its orienting lines

are parallel with the maps blue grid lines. Make sure that your landmark is always touching the

edge of the base plate. You basically rotate the compass around your landmark on the map.

Once your compass is aligned you can follow the line made by the edge of the base plate. Your

position is somewhere on that line. To get a more accurate position you can repeat the process

with one or two more known landmarks. The point where the lines created by the base plate

cross is then your position.

Note: Precise results or directions require the use of a mirror compass which allows you to aim at the

landmark, and see the north-south arrow and the magnetic needle at the same time.

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Estimating Travel Time Together with knowing how to use a map and compass you also need to be able to estimate your travel

speed in order to plan your route. Use the following times for your initial planning but also take note of

how long it actually takes your group to help with future planning.

Typical hiking speed for an average party:

Good trails = 5km/h

Rough trails = 3km/h

Bushwhacking (off trail) = 1km/h or less.

Add 1 hour for every 300m (or 1000') of elevation gain

On a gentle decline subtract 10 minutes per 300m of descent. On a steep decline (over 12°), add

10 minutes per 300m of descent

Add 10 minutes per hour for breaks

Allow extra time for hazards such as creek crossings

Snow conditions will greatly change time estimates

Typical kayaking and canoeing speed:

empty double sea kayak with no wind = 4-7km/hr

full double sea kayak with moderate wind = 3-6km/hr

empty 2 person canoe with no wind = 4-6km/hr

full 2 person canoe with moderate wind = 3-6km/hr

Wilderness Code of Behavior Review the Wilderness Code of Behavior guidelines in the Participant’s Record Book, pages 18-20. At

Strathcona Park Lodge you’ll hear us use the term “leave no trace” to describe our backcountry practices

but the principle and practice is really the same. Learn more at www.leavenotrace.ca/principles.

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Cooking & Menu Planning Food is purchased and packed for you by SPL’s out-trip coordinator so you don’t have to worry about it,

right? Not quite. It is important to know what goes into planning meals to meet our nutritional needs as

well as satisfy our taste buds. You’ll have a chance to cook during the trip so we’ll start with some menu

planning basics.

Nutritional Requirements – The amount we need to eat depends on our age, gender and activity level.

According to Canada’s Food Guide the calories required for an active youth are:

Age Females Males

14-16 2350 calories 3100 calories

17-18 2400 calories 3300 calories

These calories need to come from a mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. There a variety of opinions

about what percentage each of these should makeup in or diet but for a person exercising like you’ll be

on the trip it should be about:

Carbohydrates are mostly composed of starches and sugars. They are a very important food group as

they supply calories which can be transformed into energy quite rapidly. They can also be divided into

complex and simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates give quick energy and complex carbohydrates

give longer lasting energy. They also consist of 60-70% of our daily out-trip calories.

Proteins – It is important to have a diet that is well suited to your desired activity. Since proteins play a

big role in the rebuilding of muscles, it is important to have just the right amount. It is recommended

that proteins consist of about 10-15% of your diet.

Our out-trip meals are nut-free and vegetarian. You might be wondering how you get protein on these

trips without meat. Well, there are a variety of different food combinations that you can eat which will

supplement your protein intake. The phrase “Don’t Get Love Sick” is a great way to remember what food

combinations create a full protein.

D on’t G

et L ove S

ick airy rains egumes eeds

Dairy + Grains = Full Protein

Grains + Legumes = Full protein

Legumes + Seeds = Full protein

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Fats are found in many different types of food. Generally speaking, eating too much fatty foods in one’s

diet is not the best idea, but on out-trips, fats help keep us warm at night. Fats produce slow burning

energy which is crucial when encountering colder weather. We aim to have about 20-25% fat in our food.

When planning a menu and choosing foods remember to consider:

Length of trip

The number of people and age of the group

Dietary/allergy needs

Mode of travel – Backpacking and mountaineering trips want to emphasize lightweight foods,

canoe and kayak trips can get away with more fresh (heavy) food.

Season – in the cool spring and fall perishable food keeps longer. In the heat of summer

perishables go off faster.

Availability of water

Use of stove or fire for cooking

Amount of time you are willing/able to spend cooking

Ease of preparation

Budget and availability

Energy and nutritional value

Page | 16

Common Ingredients

Grains

Calories Portion Main Source of

Rice 670 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrate

Quick Oats 372 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrate

Pasta 357 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrate

Couscous 651 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrate

Whole Wheat Tortillas 167 1 tortilla Carbohydrate

Granola 550 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrate

Legumes

Calories Portion Main Source of

Chick Peas 440 1 can or 540ml Protein

Black Beans 380 1 can or 540ml Protein

Kidney beans 270 1 can or 398ml Protein

Refried beans 420 1 can or 398ml Protein

Wow Butter 100 1tbsp or 16g Protein

Lentils 660 1 cup or 250ml Protein

Hummus 800 1 cup or 250ml Protein

Dairy

Calories Portion Main Source of

Cheddar Cheese 400 Per 100g Fat

Parmesan Cheese 444 1 cup or 250ml Fat

Sour cream 450 1 cup or 250ml Fat

Milk Powder 250 1 cup or 250ml Fat

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Cream Cheese 430 1 cup or 250ml Fat

Fruits & Vegetables

Calories Portion Main Source of

Onions 60 1 cup or 250ml Flavour

Carrots 31 1 medium size Fibre, Vitamins

Peppers 28 1 cup or 250ml Vitamins, Fibre

Tomatoes 26 1 medium size Vitamins

Apples 81 1 medium size Vitamins, Fibre

Broccoli 24 1 cup or 250ml Vitamins, Fibre

Cucumber 14 1 cup or 250ml Flavour

Other

Calories Portion Main Source of

Coconut milk 655 1 can or 400ml Fat

Marshmallows 900 1 bag or 250ml Sugary junk

Vegetable oil 120 1tbsp or 16g Fat

Raisins 500 1 cup or 250ml Carbohydrates

Sunflower seeds 830 1 cup or 250ml Fat, source of fibre

Chocolate chips 80 ¼ cup or 15g Sugary junk

Graham crackers 110 2 crackers or 24.6g Carbohydrates

Hot chocolate 112 28g or 2 tbsp Carbohydrates, Fat

Tuna 170 1 can or 170g Protein

Knowledge of Equipment Enjoyment of the outdoors is easier when you are prepared for the conditions and your gear works.

Knowing what to bring, understanding how to use it and being able to perform basic repairs are

essential. Part of the training you get at SPL will include setting up your sleeping shelter, using camp

stoves, looking after gear (e.g. canoes or kayaks), and learning more about the clothing and equipment

we use.

Our clothing and equipment checklist tell you what personal gear you need to bring for your trip. Learn

more about outdoor gear and equipment at www.mec.ca/learn (Hint – it might help you on the

worksheet!). This Mountain Equipment Co-op resource is great for learning about different products to

help you choose the right items.

For your program at SPL you will receive an equipment list that is appropriate for your kind of trip.

Eventually it is helpful to create your own list for the trips you like to do.

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Travelling Via Kayak or Canoe A combination of the Canadian Coastguard Requirements for safe boating and the RCABC (Recreational

Canoeing Association of BC) Guidelines give us a reference about what safety equipment to bring while

we are kayaking or canoe tripping.

Of course each person needs to wear a Personal Flotation Device with a whistle.

Each canoe has to be equipped with:

1. Bailer or pump

2. Tow-/Throw- line

3. A spare paddle

4. Well secured bow and stern lines

Each kayak has to be equipped with:

1. Pump

2. Tow-/Throw- line

3. A spare paddle

4. Paddle float

In addition to your safety equipment certain habits can make your trip a lot safer.

Always travel close together so that in case of an emergency another boat will always be nearby.

If possible travel along shore and in case of the necessity of bigger crossings check the wind and

weather situation.

Take the time to load your boat properly so that it lies level in the water and that safety

equipment, rain gear, water and a snack and a first aid kit are always within reach.

In case of an emergency such as a flipped boat or injured people make sure your group stays

close together and does not drift apart. While taking breaks to stay hydrated and energized raft

up to stabilize your boats.

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Campsite Selection A major part of each day is spent in camp so selecting an appropriate site contributes greatly to our

comfort and social aspects of the trip. When choosing a campsite you want to consider personal needs

on the one hand and environmental considerations on the other. Make sure the site is the right size for

the group; it provides sun or shade, protection from the wind, access to fresh water, suitable space for

rigging a tarp or setting up tents and trees for hanging food and ground cover that minimizes our

environmental impact. Concerning your environmental impact Leave No Trace Canada

(www.leavenotrace.ca) provides a good summary of what to look for: A decision about where to camp

should be based on information about the level and type of use in the area, the fragility of vegetation

and soil, the likelihood of wildlife disturbance, an assessment of previous impacts, and your party’s

potential to cause or avoid impact.

Choosing a Campsite in High-Use Areas – Generally, it is best to camp on sites that are so highly

impacted that further careful use will cause no noticeable impact. In popular areas, these sites are

obvious because they have already lost their vegetation cover. Also, it is often possible to find a site

which naturally lacks vegetation, such as exposed bedrock or sandy areas. The objective is to confine

impact to places which already show use and avoid enlarging the area of disturbance.

Avoid camping close to water. Camping away from the water's edge allows access routes for wild life and

protects the quality of the water. Also consider camping out of site from others and away from the trail

for your own and others privacy and solitude.

When leaving camp, make sure that it is clean, attractive, and appealing to other campers who follow. Be

sure to obey regulations related to campsite selection.

Camping in Undisturbed Remote Areas – Pristine areas are usually remote, see few visitors, and have no

obvious impacts. Visit these special places only if you are committed to, and highly skilled in, Leave No

Trace techniques.

In pristine sites it is best to spread out tents, avoid repetitive traffic routes, and move camp every night.

The objective is to minimize the number of times any part of the site is trampled. Wear soft shoes

around camp. Watch where you walk and avoid crushing vegetation. Take alternate paths to water. Also,

minimize the number of trips to water by carrying water containers. Check regulations, but camping 200

feet (70 adult steps) from water is a good rule of thumb.

Expanses of rock, gravel or sand are all excellent choices. It should never be necessary to camp on

islands of vegetation, or within the precious green ribbons of desert creeks or streams. Beware when

camping on sandy river bottoms and areas susceptible to flash floods.

Cooking areas should always be located on rock, sand, or gravel.

When breaking camp - Limit your stay to no more than two nights. Take time to naturalize the site.

Covering scuffed areas with native materials (such as pine needles), brushing out footprints, and raking

matted grassy areas with a stick will help the site recover and make it less obvious as a campsite. This

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extra effort will help hide any indication where you camped and make it less likely that other back try

travelers will camp in the same spot. The less often a pristine campsite is used the better chance it has of

remaining pristine.

Reading Over the Appropriate Sections of the Record Book If you haven’t already, read over pages 16-23 and the appropriate award level in your record book. The

more prepared you are before the trip the easier it will be to complete your report afterwards.

Any Additional Training As Needed In most cases you don’t need any special training before coming on the trip. You should be reasonably

fit, willing to learn and contribute to the group, have a good attitude, and be up for a challenge. The

more you can do to prepare for the trip (break in new hiking boots by going for walks, take a basic first

aid course, do the worksheet on your own instead of copying a friend’s on the way here…) the more

you’ll enjoy the expedition.