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Explore British Columbia’s iconic glaciers

The Kootenay expedition begins in the frontcountry setting of Kokanee Creek Provincial Park along the shores of Kootenay Lake. Participants will get to know each other and build their mountain movement and observation skills through various day hikes. With these new skills, the team will hike into a tent-based backcountry basecamp near Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The alpine landscape here consists of high peaks, snowfields, cirques, glacial features, and colourful lake basins. Building up towards our “peak” experience, a hike on Kokanee glacier, we encourage personal growth through intellectual, physical, artistic or leadership challenges. We return to lower elevations at the end of the program for research project presentations and closing ceremonies at the Kokanee Creek Nature Centre.

Itinerary

The day-to-day activities of the expedition may change due to weather and glacier conditions. The basic itinerary is generally as follows:

• Day 1: Arrive in Kelowna or Cranbrook if flying and drive to meet the team in Nelson, British Columbia! Together we will learn about travelling and camping in the mountains and stay the night at a campground.

• Day 2: The first of several day hikes - these will let us get comfortable using our gear and begin the process of immersion science and developing observational skills.

• Day 3: Venture to higher alpine environments on another day hike. By travelling through the mountains, girls* will gain essential technical skills and confidence in their abilities.  Deepen our relationship with this landscape by developing our science projects. We will also meet local artists and scientists.

• Day 4: Hike up to the alpine where we will be based out of for the next five days.

• Days 5-9: Explore the glacier and surrounding mountains while learning about ice, snow, lakes and the ecosystems that depend on them. One day we will make a summit attempt! Girls* will conduct their own science experiments as well as create art pieces that reflect their interactions with glaciers and perceptions of mountain environments.

• Day 10: Hike out from the alpine back to the trailhead and travel to Kokanee Creek Park.

• Day 11: Wrap up science experiments with a culminating presentations.

• Day 12: Final reflection activities and return home.

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Girls* on Ice Canada is fundraising for summer 2023 expeditions.

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