Paddles to Peaks – BC

Your all-access pass to a classic mountain adventure from the West Coast to the Rockies starts here. Lift off to the deep bliss of British Columbia’s towering peaks and pristine wilderness with a floatplane flight that puts you right in the heart of it all. Upon arrival at Bear Camp, you will be immersed in a mind-blowing scenic wilderness and treated to endless activity options. Hike to a summit for 360-degree views, horseback ride through history to an abandoned gold mine, sea kayak or canoe a glacier-fed lake with no roads or inhabitants, fish for record trout, SUP on a crystal river, or simply sit back on your elevated waterfront deck and watch the river flow past. On your last day in the Chilcotin, we will step up the intensity with a spectacular and challenging descent of British Columbia’s longest stretch of Class IV whitewater before checking into your timber frame cabin and indulging in a “pasture to plate” dinner.

Next, we head to the Cariboos where we will helicopter into a different BC wilderness. Enter the land of the glaciers where we will forge lifelong memories in a pristine, remote alpine paradise. Cariboo Lodge the perfect headquarters as each day you and your guides will take off by helicopter to explore ancient glaciers, majestic peaks, canyon waterfalls, the Zillmer Canyon Via Ferrata, vast alpine meadows or turquoise tarns. Whether you want to stride into adventure or hit new heights in quality time with your family, the rugged, remote Cariboos are calling.

Every day promises spectacular experiences for any age, ability or adventure style. Wherever inspiration takes you, our guides will craft the perfect daily itinerary and provide all the gear you need.

Itinerary at a Glance

• Fly over the Coast Mountains and Homathko Icefields to Chilko Lake
• Sea kayak a crystal-clear lake, inflatable kayak a class II river
• Fish for rainbow and bull trout by fly or spin rod
• Summit a mountain for a 360-degree vista, or take a mindful walk in a salmon forest
• Meet 84-year old survivalist Mike Grizzly Yates
• Mountain bike single or double track, or trade up for a horse ride to the alpine
• Raft North America’s longest stretch of whitewater
• Enjoy pasture to plate dining at a working ranch
• Heli hike in the land of the glaciers
• Learn how to traverse a via ferrata up Zillmer Canyon or explore the 9^th Hole
• Indulge in award winning meals and bountiful drinks
• Sightsee the Canadian Rockies and the famous Icefield Parkway enroute to Calgary

Air & Transport Packages:

• All scheduled flights are included (transfers in to Bear Camp, heli flights in/out of lodge, and to/from daily activities while at Cariboo Lodge). All private shuttles from take out after Chilko River to heli pad and from heli pad to Banff/Calgary

What to Expect on the BC Heli Mountain Adventure

Day One: Vancouver to Bear Camp

Today we’ll meet a ROAM representative at Harbour Air in Vancouver and prepare for our scenic floatplane ride to Chilko Lake and Bear Camp. Upon arrival at our dock, you’ll meet the guides and check into your waterfront safari tents perched along the river’s edge. There will be lots of time to take in an activity before appies and your first of many wonderful dinners in the wilds of British Columbia.

Days Two to Five : Bear Camp

Activities to choose:

Hiking: there are an endless number of great trails accessible right from Bear Camp.  Green Lake offers pretty mellow terrain for stretching one’s legs, while Mt Tullin is a challenging hike with 360-degree views.  Heli hiking can also be arranged at additional expense (but is worth every penny) and visits a number of valleys and nearby glaciers.

Kayaking:   Chilko Lake is one of the world’s premiere alpine lake destinations where you can explore by boat in total tranquility.  Surrounded by massive glacier-capped peaks and a road-less wilderness, you will spend the days paddling the lake and picnicking on sandy beaches.  Days are long but the alpenglow sunsets are worth the wait!  During bear viewing season, most of the bruins congregate right at our doorstep so we do not have to paddle far to watch bears feeding on Mother Nature’s bounty.

Horseback:  Friendly horses and astute wranglers can tailor rides for all abilities on mountain trails, through fields of wildflowers, or riverside to beautiful waterfalls.  You’ll soon know what we mean by “happy trails”.  We utilize incredibly fit and well cared for mountain horses that will get you to places unimaginable.

Fishing: A veritable bouillabaisse of fish, the Chilko is utopia for anglers of all abilities.  The river is a giant bevy of hot spots, with clear shallows and deep pools.  Draining the main lake, the waters never cloud and fishing is superb throughout the season. The river is “fly fish only, catch and release” and we have jon and drift boats and all the necessary gear to wade and fish this pristine waterway.  We can teach beginners to fly fish or you can take a spin rod on the lake, the choice is yours.

Mountain Biking: Flowing single track, winding dirt roads, coasting along the rivers edge or gliding through pine-scented forests, we’ve got it all.  Our fleet of Kona mountain bikes comes with vehicle support and a knowledgeable guide.  What more could you want?  Eliminate the hills?  We can do that too!

River Float or Paddle: floating right from Bear Camp, we can travel a half-day (10 miles) or an entire day (21 miles with a picnic lunch) by raft or inflatable kayak (aka “ducky”) and navigate some fun and scenic water that is still appropriate for little ones.

Drift Boat: for the ultimate in scenic rides – and ideal for photographers – try a dory ride on this breathtaking stretch.  In a drift boat you get a fun ride but soak up the scenery instead of waves.  Our drift boat is also ideal for fly fishing outings and during salmon season, the dories provide an unobtrusive way to float among the bears.

Bushcraft: there are many options for paddling, fishing, hiking or biking but one of the big highlights of this trip is the option for “bushcraft”.  This involves a hike or drive up to Scotty Meadow to meet, 79 year old survivalist expert, Mike Yates, a.k.a. “Grizz”.  Mike ran a survival school for decades and was better known as the Marlboro Man for the cigarette manufacturer’s advertising series in Europe and abroad.  Participants will see how to live off-the-grid, learn about plants and wildflowers as well as learn about constructing traditional log homes.  By the day’s end you will be ready to face even the worst zombie apocalypse…or at least light a fire and build shelter!

Day Six: Lava Canyon Rafting to Kinikinik

Today is our epic adventure as we challenge the Lava Canyon section of the Chilko River. This world-class stretch offers the longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater in North America.  Unmatched in its diversity and enormous stretches of continuous Class IV rapids, you will be treated to rollicking hydraulics and towering standing waves that cascade for more than 18 miles through deep and narrow lava gorges. Tonight, we overnight at Kinikinik and feast on a wonderful pasture to plate dinner.

Day Seven: Heli to Cariboo Lodge

After an amazing organic farm breakfast, we will leave for the heli-pad for Cariboo Lodge for the next three nights. It’s a scenic drive but on a tight timeline, as we will be flying in at 2:15pm Mountain time. Over the next days you will experience alpine hiking in the European tradition, but without the crowds. Upon arrival to the lodge we will get geared up and head straight out for an afternoon heli-hike. At the days end, we’ll fly back to the lodge for tea, drinks, appies, hot tub time and a gourmet dinner. Over the next day’s you’ll have plenty of time to soak in all the amenities like a climbing wall, massage services, hot tubs and more are here to welcome you.

Days Eight and Nine: Cariboo Lodge

Wake up to a morning stretch class, enjoy a hearty breakfast and get prepared to immerse yourself in a high-alpine rush or stride into quality time with your loved ones. Our guides curate each day’s adventures to your personal ability and preferred activity types. It’s all designed to deliver the ultimate escape on top of the world.

Day Ten: Scenic Rockies shuttle to Banff or Calgary

We’ll have a morning heli adventure and then fly back to the lodge for lunch and transfers to our private shuttle down the Icefields parkway through the towering Canadian Rocky Mountains. Expect to arrive at Calgary International Airport at 10:30pm

Accommodations:

Cariboo Lodge:

Our hotel-style lodge is perfectly perched at 1,100m (3,600 ft) in the rugged Cariboo Mountains, about 100km (62 mi) west of Mount Robson Provincial Park in east-central BC. Cradled by thick cedars, ageless glaciers and loaded with creature comforts, it’s an ideal home base in the high country. Don’t let the laid-back feel fool you – we’re attuned to every little detail in this incredible retreat. From the temperature of the hot tub to the contents of our well-stocked bar and wine cellar, we go out of our way to make sure everything about Cariboo Lodge is warm, inviting and unforgettable.

Bear Camp:

Sheltered by the Pacific Coast Mountain Ranges, deep in the unspoiled raw wilderness of British Columbia, and protected by the vast terrain of the Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) First Nation People, lies Bear Camp. Forged out of Douglas Fir timbers and perched at the juncture of Chilko Lake and the Chilko River, it was originally built 1954 as a hunting & fishing camp, but has since been re-created into a funky, world-class adventure and wildlife-viewing destination.

Kinikinik

Situated between Williams Lake and Bella Coola, Kinikinik, is a unique restaurant and timber frame lodging facility near the headwaters of the Chilcotin River and junction of the Chilko River. Specializing in organic produce and meats from the valley, it brings new meaning to locally grown! The location is perfect stop over as we take off the Chilko River and use this as a stepping stone to our next adventure at Cariboo Lodge.