SAMS Outdoor Education Program recently returned from a very memorable experience on the Turner Lake chain and Hunlen Falls/Stillwater trail. This was their seven-day spring expedition, which was very challenging but also equally rewarding. We had some weather on the trip, and had to wait it out or anchor up as some say.
The group also managed to break most of our records by working extremely hard on portages and supporting one another. Each student successfully completed their 24-hour solo; the shelters they built were very impressive!! We also made it to Sunshine Lake and discovered a canoe which was left at the high elevation lake had been dined on by a grizzly bear, luckily it wasn’t one of our canoes.
Like most years we sailed the entire length of Turner Lake, the weather seemed to turn in our favour. With the wind at our back we cruised into the campsite as one big sailing vessel (nine canoes in total) and two sails. The Hunlen Falls Trail and viewpoint did not disappoint as the 800-foot waterfall plunges from the plateau into the Stillwater Valley.
This year we camped down at Stillwater Lake, and had to ferry students and equipment across the Lake. The whole operation went smoothly, as did the hike out. Students led a majority of the time during the trip and can take pride in how strong of a group they have become. Greeting us the end of the Tote Road were our drivers, who also brought some goodies for the group, much appreciated!! To top the trip off, we saw a nice grizzly on the highway.
We will be doing a slide-show presentation exhibiting our 2012/13 trips. There will be photographs from the Fall hike in to Crystal Lake and the rainbow cabin, winter trip up to Eastbranch and of course Turner Lake.
The slide show will be in the NES gym from 7:30-9:00. Five dollars at the door or by donation. We will also be presenting awards to the Happy Warriors from each trip. I encourage all parents to attend and any grade nine students interested in learning more about the program.
We would like to thank the following organizations for their support: School District 49, the bus garage and Stephen Sheppard, Williams Lake and District Credit Union, SD 49 Board of Directors, Hagensborg Mercantile, Bella Coola Air/Wayne Sissons, BC Parks, chaperones Kyha Saban, Craig and Wanda Tuck, Tom Carneigh. Drivers-Leonard Ellis, Dave Kopas and Ralph.