EXPLORER CAMP: 2023 Dates TBC
Have you always wanted to explore the backcountry and test yourself with some longer rides? Then this camp is for you! Sweet Skills and Tyax Adventures have collaborated again for the 8th year with women’s camp offerings and are excited to take you into the backcountry!
Intermediate riders will have the opportunity to experience riding and overnighting in the backcountry, while enjoying some of the best trails the Chilcotins has to offer.
We’ll take a scenic float plane ride to start the trip to the beautiful Warner lake. From here the backcountry adventure begins! 3 days of
riding and improving your skills along singletrack that offers stunning views, flowery meadows, technical riding, and some fun flowy sections. An alpine adventure with some hike-a-bike is in store for our 2nd day where we’ll crest a mountain pass with some of the best views of the South Chilcotins Mountains. Our 3rd days ride we are rewarded with the signature rolling singletrack that this area is known for as we descend back into the valley bottom – still some climbs and technical challenges along the way.
One of the highlights is spending 2 nights at the backcountry cabin at Spruce Camp. Let yourself settle into the wilderness, relax by the campfire, take a swim in the lake, or a short hike up the hill to soak in even more views, and enjoy the stary skies. All the while yummy meals are being prepared for you so all you have to worry about is having fun and riding your bike. This trip will be the highlight of your summer!!
Suitable for all levels of intermediate riders. Expect to ride for 4-6 hrs each day, trails have some technical challenges and will involve some steeper hill climbs with some hike-a-bike sections. A good base of fitness and technical skills are required, if you’re unsure of your ability please call us to discuss.
The main highlight of the trip was the coaches, they were amazing! While the trip in itself is mindblowing, the coaches delivered an outstanding customer experience and made the trip so special by being knowledgeable, amazing riders, great coaching skills, funny, patient, etc. It said on the website that this would be the highlight of our summer and it turns out to be true! Josianne, Chilcotins Explorer 2018
INCLUDES
- 3 days of riding and coaching along the trail
- 1 float plane drop to alpine lake
- 2 nights at the Spruce Camp backcountry cabin*
- Bag drop to Spruce Lake**
- Hearty meals provided by Tyax Adventures & the camp host from the first day’s lunch to the last day’s lunch
- Shuttle pick up at the end of the trail on the last day
- Prizes and discounts from sponsors
*Spruce Camp is located just a short walk from Spruce Lake and offers a cook cabin with dining area, wood stove, hot shower, and outhouse with great views. Lots of outdoor covered seating is offered with a campfire zone. There are 5 cozy canvas walled tents on platforms with raised beds, thick mattresses, warm sleeping bag, and pillow that sleep 2 people each (2 single beds). You will also receive crocs for your feet and a fleece jacket to wear at camp.
**Replenish your riding and lounging gear for your backcountry stay with a bag drop to Spruce Lake. You do not have to carry anything on your back besides what you need for your days riding. (15-20L pack recommended). A comprehensive packing list is emailed upon registration.
Skill Level: I-IA Fitness Level: 3-5 *Unsure of your ability and fitness level? Call Sylvie to discuss is this is the camp for you: 604-966-8330
Dates & details posted by October, registration starts Dec 1 8am
*Single supplements not available
ITINERARY
Day 1
Meet your coaches and the group at Tyax Adventures Base in the morning 7 or 8am (depends on camp) to start the adventure with a floatplane ride to the alpine. Get your cameras ready as the flight from Tyaughten Lake to Warner Lake is not only gorgeous but will showcase some of the terrain that we’ll be covering on our rides. From Warner Lake we ride rolling singletrack with some technical sections, great flowing descents and some short but challenging climbs, all the way to Spruce Camp. Here we’ll spend the afternoon catching trout in Spruce Lake or just hanging out on the dock, exploring around the lake by foot or just relaxing by the campfire. An outdoor led stretch session will help you loosen up from the ride and relax even more before appies and dinner.
Approximate Daily Stats: 18kms / 3.5-5 hrs (525m climbing, 750m descending)
Day 2
Wake up in the fresh air and peaceful setting at Spruce Camp and sip coffee as you watch the sun come up and have breakfast made for you. An outdoor mobility session will limber us up for the day. Bring your packed lunch with you since today we are eating at the top of a mountain pass! Ride rolling singletrack alongside the lake then head up into the hills to reach our destination of Windy Pass. There will be some hike-a-biking up to the pass with a few breaks in the alpine meadows to catch your breath and have a snack. You’ll be treated to mindblowing views in all direction once at the pass! Perhaps we might be lucky enough to see some mountain goats along the scree slops. After lunch and some photos we had back down the same trail and hoot and holler as we enjoy the descent that we worked so hard for! Back at Camp you have the opportunity to unwind at the lake or by the campfire or if you still have energy take a hike up the hill above the lake. The Open Heart lookout offers some amazing views! Stretch it out by the campfire in an afternoon led stretch session, enjoy some appetizers and chill out till dinner time. An evening campfire under the stars is always a great way to wrap up an awesome day in the Chilcotins.
Approximate Daily Stats: 16kms / 4-5 hrs (600m climbing, 600m descending)
Day 3
Wake up in the mountains and enjoy your last morning in camp. After breakfast and a mobility warm up, we’ll hit the trail with a
short technical ride around the lake before getting out into the gorgeous Gun Meadows! Here we will have some great photo opportunities and will get to use all the skills we learned over the weekend to navigate some of the most fun flowing trail in the area. After the open Gun Meadows we get to the Gun Creek trail and follow this rolling terrain through twisty aspen trees, smooth floored pine forests, short technical climbs, and fast flowy trail following the Gun Creek. At the end of the trail our shuttle will be waiting to whisk us back up to Tyax Base. Say farewell to your group, collect some sweet swag from the sponsors and have a safe journey home!
Approximate Daily Stats: 25kms / 4-5 hrs (430m climbing, 1110m descending)
*Itinerary subject to change at any time due to weather or other unexpected circumstances
***Pre / Post trip accommodations: Any pre-trip accommodations must be arranged on your own in advance. On day 1 we meet in the morning so you will need to arrange camping or accommodations for the night before since Tyax Adventures is in a remote area. Tyax Resorts offers deluxe accommodations and a full service campground. Other rustic campgrounds are also available in the area on a first come basis.
Location & direction to Tyax Adventures
