Introduction to Glacier Kayaking and Packrafting

Kayak Through B.C.’s Beautiful Glacial Waters

COVID-19 regional and international travel bans saw a significant increase in people taking an interest in the great outdoors and adventure sports (like kayaking and packrafting). Back country safety and awareness are more prevalent than ever, thanks to an abundance of outdoor education providers that are held accountable by their applicable governing bodies. However, there is always room for improvement and innovation with safety culture. As local recreational areas and parks become overcrowded, backcountry users are seeking lesser-known wilderness areas. Many packraft kits weigh less than 5lbs so it’s not uncommon to find individuals and groups out hiking, overnighting, and paddling at remote lakes. Many alpine lakes and several glacial lakes can be accessed by a day hike or multiday hike out of the Chilliwack, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas. New lightweight products are constantly being shared over social media and as a result, this type of trip is growing in popularity.

At the time of writing, there are only a handful of packrafting courses available, and they focus on rivers and white water. There are currently no offerings for alpine and glacial lake paddling courses. Hiking for a full day to access a classroom is not efficient so in the interest of time, and to set ourselves apart as a unique educational provider, we aim to fill this niche by offering an alpine and glacial lake paddle clinic or course, by helicopter, for recreational paddlers.  These educational trips provide added value for each user. Glacial and alpine lakes provide an inspiring classroom away from crowded local lakes.

Summer is a special time in the mountains. The glacial lakes undergo a series of seasonal transformations yielding jewel-like water colors best enjoyed on a kayak or packraft. See below for the different monthly experiences:

MELTWATER KAYAKING

• Every summer, frozen glacial lakes begin to melt along the shoreline, revealing vibrant blue water so extraordinary looking you have to see it to believe it. What better way to experience this than to kayak through these frigid crystal clear waters. The meltwater follows the contours of the lakeshore, giving the illusion that it is a river, when in fact the water is perfectly still. These seasonal blue waters are not created by glacier ice, but by snow melting and pooling on top of the frozen lake ice. This annual process is short-lived and usually persists until late July or early August at higher elevations.
• We’ll teach you: kayaking and packrafting technical and rescue skills, general outdoor safety in remote areas, weather, hypothermia prevention, risk management, conservation ethics, navigation, survival skills, natural history and geography.

ALPINE AND GLACIAL LAKE KAYAKING

• If the weather doesn’t cooperate, or if ice conditions aren’t favorable at the glacier lakes, we will switch classrooms and host the course at a beautiful alpine lake. Ever seen Moraine Lake in Banff National Park? It’s like that but smaller and without the tourists. Just you and 3 other students. This stunning turquoise lake is all that is left of the glacier that once covered the area. Much of the granite rock in the area has been smoothed and scoured by the glacier that was once here. Large boulders deposited by the glacier sit at the bottom of the lake. Wildflowers and young vegetation are present all along the shoreline and there are waterfalls cascading off the huge cliffs above the lake. If you’re looking for the most beautiful outdoor classroom, this is it.
• We’ll teach you: kayaking and packrafting technical and rescue skills, general outdoor safety in remote areas, weather, hypothermia prevention, risk management, conservation ethics, navigation, survival skills, natural history and geography.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE ADVANCED?

• Tucked in a U-shaped valley high in the mountains, sits a resilient glacier that has survived while most others at this elevation and latitude have disappeared forever. The first thing you might observe on our final approach is the lack of trees. That’s because this entire valley was still filled with ice in 1992. Since then the glacier has retreated over 1km. Trees haven’t had a chance to take hold yet in this giant boulder garden. However, look closely and you will see an abundance of rare wildflowers and other alpine vegetation. Our landing spot couldn’t be more perfect. It’s a large sandy beach bisected by a spring-fed stream surrounded by wildflowers, just steps away from the lake and your kayak. Without a sense of scale, the glacier at the west end of the lake looks small, almost blending in with the surrounding rock. It’s not until you paddle over to it do you truly understand how big it is. Look up in awe at the wall of ice towering above you. There’s another beach at the foot of the glacier, and we often get out here for a discussion on how far the glacier has retreated. From there we’ll practice different strokes and techniques across the lake to the east end where we will go for a short hike to a valley overlook at the top of a waterfall. Standing atop this waterfall, only 30 years ago, was the edge of the glacier. 
• If you want to learn more about the glacier, ask us about an introduction to glacier traverse with one of our ACMG guides.
• August is the hottest and driest month of the year and is often accompanied by wildfire smoke. This location is a perfect way to beat the heat and is often isolated from the surrounding smoky skies. The cool air opens the mind. It becomes a place of peace and refuge. By mid September, the skies clear up, the air is crisp and the alpine vegetation begins to change color. These vibrant reds and oranges are what makes fall so special. 
• We’ll teach you: kayaking and packrafting technical and rescue skills, general outdoor safety in remote areas, weather, hypothermia prevention, risk management, conservation ethics, navigation, survival skills, natural history and geography.

Kayaking and packrafting educational clinics are available at different lakes until the lake begins to freeze over in early September.

Rest easy knowing we have extensive local area knowledge coupled with wildlife management strategies already in place for proposed crown land adventure tourism applications. Through our collaborative efforts, we will adhere to the Wildlife Guidelines for Backcountry Tourism and Commercial Recreation in British Columbia (2006). Only Astar Helicopters will be used, and strict flight paths will be followed to remain >1500m from Ungulate Wintering Range. 

In keeping with the rules set out in Appendix 1: Incidental Use for AT Guiding Purposes of the Adventure Tourism Policy, we will restrict courses to no more than 3 consecutive days in length and will not exceed 21 calendar days per year per location. All instructors will be registered Paddle Canada Instructors, and will comply with all operational, safety, experiential, and service standards set forth by Paddle Canada. Instructors will have no less than 2 million liability insurance for the activities taught.