Edwards Lake + Optional Mt Steele | Small-Group Adventure & Camp
EcoSpirit is getting moving again.
This will be the first in a series of deliberately small outings designed around two things: having a good adventure together and rebuilding the community of members who create EcoSpirit events.
We’ll hike into Edwards Lake in Tetrahedron Provincial Park as our main objective.
https://www.komoot.com/tour/3280965883?share_token=a8mxS0cguLaKYFcwRe8mJhvgbc3O9T2l77U6Fs8fzh1ajBTZtt&ref=profile&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=864590753947
If we reach Edwards with enough time, good conditions, and everyone genuinely wanting more, Mt Steele will be our stretch goal.
Edwards Lake is the objective. Mt Steele is the bonus.
At Edwards we’ll make the decision anonymously. Everyone gets two cards:
Red = continue toward Mt Steele
Black = head back
We only continue if everyone wants to continue. A single black card means we turn around, and nobody will know who chose it or need to explain why.
That’s intentional. There should never be pressure to keep going simply because everyone else appears keen.
Mandatory equipment
This is a mountain outing, and everyone is expected to arrive prepared to look after themselves if something unexpected happens. That said, we never split the group. Ever. This needs to be entrenched as a fundamental value for all event organizers.
Everyone must carry the 10 Essentials:
- Navigation - printed map and compass
- Headlamp - with charged battery
- Warm hat and long sleeve shirt
- First aid - a small personal first-aid kit
- Knife or multitool
- Fire - emergency fire-starting equipment
- Emergency shelter - emergency bivy, space blanket or similar
- Extra food - 500 calories
- Extra water bottle - optional water treatment
- Whistle - optional signalling device like cell phone.
- 4 adhesive bandages,
- 2 sterile gauze pads,
- small roll of medical tape,
- blister treatment,
- antiseptic wipes,
- elastic/compression bandage,
- nitrile gloves,
- tweezers,
- and any personal medication.
You’ll also need:
Sturdy hiking footwear, a daypack, rain jacket, warm layer, lunch, snacks, personal medications and a fully charged phone.
Trekking poles are optional but may be useful.
If you don’t already have your 10 Essentials assembled, don’t let that stop you from joining us. I’ll have EcoSpirit 10 Essentials kits available for purchase so you can arrive with the basics covered and have a kit ready for future adventures.
Please don’t show up without the required equipment. Part of what I want EcoSpirit to encourage is a culture where people come prepared and reasonably self-sufficient.
After the hike
Those who would like to can come back to the EcoSpirit property on the Sunshine Coast for an informal evening together and stay overnight.
We’ll have dinner, hang out around the cabin, and talk about the kinds of adventures we’d like EcoSpirit members to start creating.
The overnight is completely optional.
And you do not need to own camping equipment to stay.
We’ll have tents and camping mattresses available for anyone who needs them. There are also a couple of slightly more luxurious options, including the little cabin and a standing-height tent.
Rather than deciding who gets what in advance, we’ll put the available sleeping options on cards and randomly draw them when we get back.
Maybe you get the little cabin with a queen bed.
Maybe you get the big tent with a queen bed.
Maybe the universe hands you a regular tent and a sleeping pad and tells you to build character.
If you prefer to bring and use your own tent, that’s fine too.
Overnight guests should bring a sleeping bag, pillow (but we also have sleeping bags and pillows we can lend if you don’t have one) , comfortable evening clothes and toiletries.
The idea is to make the overnight easy. We’ll hike with daypacks, return to the property, and camp there rather than carrying overnight equipment into the backcountry.
The property is rustic but oceanfront. Last week a couple humpback whales drifted past just out front.
Why this event is a little different
EcoSpirit used to work best as a community where members didn’t just attend events. They created them.
Since January I’ve been asking new members whether they might be interested in organizing or co-hosting an event. Quite a few people have said yes.
I want to start giving those people opportunities to meet one another, experience the kind of small-group outings I want EcoSpirit to be known for, and gradually become comfortable creating events of their own.
You do not need organizing experience.
We are not training guides.
You just need to enjoy getting outside and be interested in the possibility of creating an adventure for other EcoSpirit members someday.
Small groups by design
This event is limited to 12 people.
Most future EcoSpirit outdoor events will also be intentionally small, generally no more than about 12 people.
I’m not interested in putting 20 or 30 people on a trail simply because Meetup allows it.
I want groups small enough that people actually get to know one another.
Priority for this event will be given to members interested in creating or co-hosting future EcoSpirit events.
If that sounds interesting, answer the question when you RSVP.
Let’s get EcoSpirit moving again.
