| |
|
| General Rules
for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
1.Rules specific to all trips
Although we don't like rules, the following must
be considered for your safety and enjoyment. These are the rules
that are referred to in the liability waiver. You are obligated
to read them. If you have any questions or comments (no matter how
trivial or important) you are obligated to ask and discuss them
with your leader.
First of all, please be aware that the person who has the
greatest responsibility for your safety is the one who is standing
on your skis, holding your paddle, or wearing your hiking boots!!
Please be sure you have the skills, experience and physical fitness
to safely and adequately participate in the trip you have chosen.
Daily distances, elevation changes and
other pertinent information are provided in the trip itinerary.
You are the only one who knows your capability. You may be exposed
to extremes of heat, cold, rain, snow and wind. Always be cheerful,
helpful, and have a good time.
Most of our trips are in remote wilderness areas where emergency
search and rescue is very limited and extremely expensive. On most
trips there will be an informal briefing session every morning after
the cabin or campsite is cleaned up, but before starting out, which
you must attend. The agenda will include comments about the previous
day as well as the itinerary for the present day. At any time we
may review various skills, safety, and emergency procedures. Feel
free to ask for a briefing session with the group at any time during
the trip to discuss some matter of importance to you that has implications
for the group. Briefing sessions may also be called during or after
any emergency activity. Because it is always easier to handle a
repair, accident or other emergency in daylight, we try to leave
our camp or cabin early in the day. This usually allows more
free time in the afternoon for reading, exploring, snoozing or just
relaxing.
Please respect your guide’s judgement and decisions. On most
trips he knows the area intimately. He is willing and able to provide
advice and instruction, but won’t do so unless asked. Don’t
be afraid to ask. If there is something you need - ask. He may have
what you want. Always notify him where you are going if
you plan to hike, canoe, or ski before departure or after arrival
at a campsite or cabin. We won't stop you from doing very
much, but we sure want to know where you are so we know where to
look if you get lost or hurt.
Illegal drugs and tobacco are not permitted on any of our trips.
With the exception of our Ski-with-the-Cree trip, alcohol is permitted,
with
consumption only after arrival at a cabin or campsite where we will
spend the night and only after all chores are done (setting up tents,
gathering firewood, setting out clothes to dry, getting water, etc.).
Skiing, canoeing or hiking under the influence of alcohol is a no-no.
Keep the campsites or cabins clean. They must be
left in the same, or better, condition. We will use a wood fire
for most of our cooking
at campsites in summer. All uneaten freshly cooked food that cannot
be saved must be burned in order to leave a clean camp unattractive
to bears and other animals. Defecate in a latrine or privy if one
is available. Otherwise, dig a hole at least 50 m (150 feet) from
water and at least 15 cm (6 inches)
deep with a paddle, trowel or shovel, and bury it. Dish washing
is a group activity. Do not wash your dishes in a lake, river or
with snow. We will provide hot water and soap plus boiling rinse
water and will dispose of the wash water away from lakes, streams
and rivers. Assistance in putting up and taking down tents, gathering
firewood, fetching water, cleaning up the cabins or campsites, washing
and drying dishes is not only appreciated but is expected. Your
guide will do the cooking, since he knows the recipes and where
everything is. Of course, he may request help from time to time.
If someone should get hurt, the first person to find the hurt person
must make sure that person is comfortable and warm. When a second
person arrives, one of the two must find the guide or his assistant
who will take command from there on. The group first aid kit is
in your guide’s pack. It is strictly for emergencies. You
must notify your guide whenever you open it or remove something
from it.
On some trips an emergency satellite/cellular telephone may accompany
us. It is strictly for emergency use. It is an electronic device
subject to the vagaries of weather and thus there is absolutely
no guarantee that it will operate properly. If you want to use it
or if it is needed on your behalf you will be charged a minimum
of $100.00 for each call made plus long distance charges at $3.00
per minute. We hope we never have to use it.
|
| |
| |
2. Rules specific to canoeing
In addition to the rules in 1 above, the rules below
apply specifically to canoe trips.
Our canoes are Nova Craft 16-foot Prospector canoes made of Royalex
with vinyl gunnels. They are equipped with kneepads, skid plates,
ropes on the bow and stern and a comfortably carved, padded, centred
ash yoke for solo portaging. Bow and stern flotation air bags
are provided for all canoes on white water trips. It is your responsibility
to inflate them before running a rapid. Two canoes are rigged
to fit spray covers which we will provide for river trips where
the water volume is high.
You must wear an approved personal flotation device at
all times while canoeing.
On white water trips we promote the art of slowing down and back
ferrying. This is the safest way to run wilderness rivers where
the only way out from a wrapped canoe is a hundred-mile walk with
no food, tents, or supplies.
On the first day we will review paddling strokes, white water
techniques, safety procedures, emergency procedures, use of throw
bags and
spray covers (if so equipped) as required depending on the nature
of the trip.
Where rapids are encountered all canoes must stop at the
top of each rapid to receive a description of the rapid and obtain
instructions from the guide. Your guide knows each rapid
intimately and will describe its difficulty and classification.
He may suggest lining or portaging but, unless obvious, the final
decision rests with the canoers. Canoers must scout each
rapid above class 2 to determine the best route down
- or to help decide to line or portage. Failure to scout a rapid
above class 2 means that you must portage it. All canoes
must stop at the bottom of each set of rapids and wait for the
rest of the canoes. Everybody must go to the aid of anyone in
difficulty and be ready to help out in any rescue procedure or
difficult situation of any kind whatsoever. Never pass the lead
canoe. Always allow a safe distance between your canoe and other
canoes in rapids.
White water skills are developed partly through instruction but
mostly from the experience of actually running rapids. The more
successful
runs the more skill developed. Those who prefer to portage or
line may do so. The guide and more experienced canoers may also
run the canoes of less experienced canoers. Maybe the gear will
be portaged and the canoes run empty. No one is encouraged beyond
his or her own conceived ability. Each canoe will make its own
decision and the others in the group will respect their decision.
On each portage you must wait for the guide to explain directions
before starting out. There are often forks in the portage trails
and we hate it when we have to run after people who walk for miles
in the wrong direction with a canoe on their head. If you arrive
at a fork in the portage trail and if there is any degree of uncertainty
in your mind as to which fork to take - WAIT - even if everyone
is ahead of you. We usually carry packs and barrels first across
the portage, so we can study the trail for the second trip when
we have canoes on our heads.
If you have the unfortunate experience of going over in your
canoe in a rapid, please be aware of the following points:
| 1. |
Be aware of rocks, boulders,
bridge abutments, log jams, ropes, water current patterns
and other possible sources of injury and entrapment and
try to stay away from them. |
| 2. |
If possible retain a
hold on your paddle. |
| 3. |
Always get behind the
canoe (upstream of it). |
| 4. |
If the river is knee
deep and you can stand up against the current, do so. Try
to grab the rope at the stern (or the bow) of the canoe
and try to rescue the canoe. Don’t take any risks. |
| 5. |
If you can’t stand
up then float on your back with your feet in front of you.
Your legs should be slightly bent and pointing down river.
Thus if you float into a rock, you can use your feet to
push off against it. In very deep water or in light waves
at the bottom of the rapid or if you get
into an eddy try swimming toward shore. |
| 6. |
If someone throws you
a line from a throw-bag, try to grab it and be pulled to
shore. If you throw the line make sure you are well braced. |
| 7. |
Don’t try to rescue
the canoe in heavy rapids. |
| 8. |
Once on shore you become
a part of the team to help rescue the canoe and equipment.
On almost all canoe trips you can
expect some portaging and it is not reasonable to expect
your guide to carry your canoe over every portage. Your
guide will be pleased to show you how it is done and help
you if you ask him.
Another good reason for breaking camp
early is that we will have a better opportunity to get the
campsite that we want in the early afternoon. We hate reaching
our proposed destination for the day only to find that it
is already occupied and have to search for an unoccupied
campsite farther down the river and sometimes in the dark.
This is the reason your guide may be well out in front of
you on some days.
The most common injury on canoe trips
is a cut foot from glass, metal, clamshells or other sharp,
often submerged, objects. These cuts often get infected
on a long trip and can become extremely serious not to mention
the excruciating pain the patient suffers while we try to
keep it clean. The importance of wearing footwear at all
times is stressed. Sandals do not protect feet or toes from
sticks or sharp rocks and are not
permitted.
|
|
|
| 3. Rules specific to cross-country skiing, hiking,
backpacking and mountain biking |
In addition to the rules in 1 above,
the following apply specifically to ski, hiking, backpacking and
biking trips.
We always hope that everyone will want to hike
or ski at approximately the same speed but we don't want to hold
back exceptionally fit people. Nor do we wish to push people who
are slower, but either way, you do have an obligation to try to
stay with the group.
Having said that, you must be able to ski,
hike or backpack in backcountry conditions, uphill and downhill
at a minimum average speed of 3 km/hr. (2 miles/hr) for at least
6 hours. For mountain biking on good trails - 12 km/hr
(7.5 miles/hr). For safety reasons you must travel in threes.
Most trails are generally well marked. However,
there are always exceptions - either people don't see the marks
(signs) or they are missing
(the marks that is, hopefully not the people). If they are marked,
make sure you know what the marks look like. Always make
sure you know
whether your trail guide is ahead of you or behind you.
Always note how many people from our trip are in front of you and
how many are behind you and adjust these numbers when someone passes
you or vice versa. Normally, your trail guide will wait for everybody
at a trail fork. On ski trips, if you arrive at a fork in the trail
and your guide is ahead of you, look carefully in the snow near
the fork for an arrow and the letters TUCK. Follow the arrow. On
hiking, biking and backpacking trips this may not be possible. At
any time if you have any degree of uncertainty as to where to go
- WAIT. If you start to get cold while waiting put your extra clothing
on. If you are still cold and you know your trail guide is behind
you then turn around and head back in the direction of your trail
guide, otherwise wait! Someone will eventually come looking for
you. Don't take any short cuts. Where there is no trail such as
on the Long Range Trail in Gros Morne National Park, on hikes in
the Northwest Territories or in the Uapashke, or if you are afraid
of getting lost on any trip, stay close to your guide at all times.
Then we can all get lost together!
At a briefing session, with everybody present,
your guide may designate a trail leader and/or rear trail follower.
Designated trail leaders must follow instructions from the guide.
They must stop at all crossroads and all forks in the trail and
wait for the trip leader. If you pass someone from our trip on the
trail you must determine if he/she is a designated trail leader.
You must not pass a designated trail leader without his/her permission.
In the same way don't drop behind a designated rear follower. On
ski trips and biking trips always allow a safe distance between
yourself and the person in front on steep downhill sections.
For all biking trips you must wear a bike helmet
at all times and you must follow the rules of the road with respect
to biking. On paved roads in traffic travel in a single file. If
there is a paved shoulder stay on it. Signal all turns and stops.
Stop at all stop signs, etc.
The most common injury is blisters to the
feet. Keeping a broken blister clean and free of infection
is a difficult process and if it does get infected on a long trip
may lead to serious consequences and even expensive evacuation.
Blisters are very common on our spring ski trips even on feet that
ski a lot and never get blisters. It is important to make sure your
boots fit comfortably by wearing them for long periods of time before
bringing them on a trip. See the Gear List for first aid to bring.
If you begin sweating profusely, it means you are
too well dressed. Take some clothes off. Maybe even your hat. You
can always put them
on again. Profuse sweating means that energy is being wasted and
a lot of water lost and you must drink more to replace the lost
fluids otherwise you will become dehydrated, dizzy and may collapse.
People who don’t sweat are usually in very good condition,
don’t need to drink as much, don’t have too many clothes
to dry at the end of the day and don’t wear as much clothing
during the day. Some even ski in shorts to keep cool.
Please note: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted
on the Ski-with-the-Cree trip.
DO: - GET PHYSICALLY FIT TO COME ON THE
TRIP
DON’T: - COME ON THE TRIP TO GET PHYSICALLY FIT
Working out in a gym may only improve your fitness
and strength for working out in a gym |
| |
|
|
|
|
