BACKPACKING TRIPS

AUGERPOINT TRAVERSE

This "Vancouver Island Alpine Classic" presents breathtaking remote wilderness landscapes and also provides opportunities to summit some iconic peaks along the way.

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Or call 1-250-725-3320

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AUGERPOINT TRAVERSE

The Augerpoint Traverse is a rugged backcountry route that links the Forbidden Plateau to Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park. This island alpine classic not only presents breathtaking remote wilderness landscapes but also diverges from the usual technical terrain encountered in other Vancouver Island alpine routes. This trip is great for strong hikers who want to get away from it all, and experience stunning mountain landscapes with relatively few signs of modern tourism.

HIGHLIGHTS

| All-Inclusive Trip - food, gear and guidance all included! | Point to point hike, which means all new scenery every day | Summit Mt. Albert Edward, the island's 6th highest peak

TRIP SUMMARY

STARTING AT $1,350 / person

Prices are listed in Canadian Dollars

+ 5% GST

Duration: 5 days

Starts/Ends: Mt. Washington Alpine Resort

Activity Level: Advanced

Group size: 1-4 people

Season: July-September

Reserve Online

Or call 1-250-725-3320

WHAT'S INCLUDED

| Meals on the trek (breakfast, dinner, hot drinks) | Professional ACMG certified hiking guide | Group equipment (including tents, sleeping bags, pads, stoves, etc.) | Return Shuttle from Buttle Lake to Mt. Washington Resort | Park Permits

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

ROUTE STATS

Hiking Duration: 4 days Per/Travel Days: 1 day Trail Length: 30km Elevation Gain: 1,945m Location: Strathcona Provincial Park Region: Central Vancouver Island Rating: Advanced

GUIDE TO GUEST RATIO

We lead treks at a 1:4 guide to guest ratio.

MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS

Please note that a minimum of 4 participants are required to guarantee each trip at the advertised price.

AGE GUIDELINES

We do not accept participants under 16 years old due to insurance and liability reasons.

GUIDES

You will be paired with a certified ACMG Hiking Guide. The ACMG demands the highest entry standard of any Canadian qualification. Its members are among the best climbers, skiers and backcountry experts in the country. ACMG members are also outstanding teachers and coaches who can help you progress your technical competence, mountain sense and risk management skills. Guides and instructors know their terrain and conditions and will help you achieve success by assisting you in choosing the best objectives for the current conditions.

WHEN IS THIS TRIP AVAILABLE?

This backpacking trip is offered on demand between early July and late September depending on snow conditions. Available upon request. Please reach out to us directly with the dates you are interested in and our team will get back to you right away.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - This is an example of what our itinerary may look like. Weather, group fitness and many other factors may cause the camp locations and the days hiking distances to change.

DAY 1 | ORIENTATION DAY

Meet your guide at 2:00pm at the Ruth Masters Nature Hall at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Center at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. Long Beach Nature Tours will provide you with a detailed PreTrek document upon registration including personal gear list, meeting location and driving directions. Here at the Nature Hall, your guide will begin the route orientation, discuss the weather forecast, gear check, gear distribution and packing. You will have this afternoon and evening to rest and get any last minute items you may want for the trek ahead starting the following morning.

DAY 2 | CIRCLET LAKE

Our hike begins at the Paradise Meadows Trailhead. Our first day will be the easiest section of the route across the Forbidden Plateau, with a well marked trail with little elevation gain. Due to the proximity to the Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, Circlet Lake can get busy with hikers and tent pads can be full so an early start is essential. This will be a great opportunity to get used to the backpacks and camp set up. Hiking Distance: 10kmElevation Gain/Loss: 400m/300m

DAY 3 | MT. ALBERT EDWARD

Our summit day of Mt. Albert Edward starts early, weather permitting. We will have a quick breakfast and start the ascent before the heat of the day. Depending on conditions and the groups objectives we will aim to camp below the summit on the south west ridge. Hiking Distance: 7kmElevation Gain/Loss: 850m/250m

DAY 4 | RUTH MASTERS LAKE & JACKS'S RIDGE

After enjoying breakfast, we will break camp and descend down the south west ridge of Mt. Albert Edward and across to Ruth Masters Lake for a mid day break and continue along the alpine traverse to Jack's Ridge and our final camp. Hiking Distance: 8kmElevation Gain/Loss: 600m/900m

DAY 5 | BUTTLE LAKE

On our final morning, we will enjoy our last alpine breakfast overlooking Buttle Lake below as we spend our last day descending down to the lake to meet our shuttle that will bring us back to the trailhead. Hiking Distance: 5kmElevation Gain/Loss: 80m/1200m

INCLUDED MEALS

During this trip, Long Beach Nature Tours will provide group meals consisting of four (4) breakfasts and three (3) dinners. You will need to provide your own lunches and snacks on this hike.

BACKPACKING LUNCHES

We suggest bringing a variety of snack foods to consume while on the move. Throughout each day, we strongly encourage you to take regular, brief breaks, approximately once per hour. These snacks play a crucial role in sustaining a consistent energy level during your hike. Please note that we won't have an extended lunch break, so relying on these snacks is essential. Consider including the following examples of snack foods in your provisions: dried meats (such as salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars, and trail mix. Emphasizing the importance of enjoying the foods you bring cannot be overstated. Proper nutrition is key to maintaining strength in mountainous terrain. We recommend a mix of sweet and salty foods to cater to various tastes. When preparing lunches, please avoid bringing items that require cooking or extensive preparation. Opt for convenient and easily accessible options to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The Strathcona Park Wilderness Center and trailhead are located at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort beside the Raven Lodge. Address: Nordic Dr, Comox-Strathcona C, BC V0P 1N0 Transportation to the meeting location is not included in the price of the trip but as this is a point to point hike, we do supply the shuttle back to the trailhead at the end of the route. There is plenty of free parking available at the trailhead where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of the trip. For this trip, flying into the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) and renting a car is generally the easiest option for transportation to the trailhead if you are coming from off island. If you wish to stay close to the meeting location the night before the trip, we recommend the following options: Bear & Deer Lodge - Mount Washington Alpine ResortBasecamp Cabin - Mount Washington Alpine ResortSleeping Bear Chalet - Mount Washington Alpine ResortThe Western Hotel by the Best Western - Courtney BCBayview Hotel - Courtney BC

GEAR WE PROVIDE

GUEST PACKING LIST

Upon booking this trip, you will gain access to a downloadable trip information document containing a packing list tailored to the specifics of this route. Essential items for all trips include sturdy hiking shoes or boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder), and additional items specific to each trip. We can provide sleeping bags and backpacks if needed but commonly participants opt to bring their own.