Bowron Lakes Circuit

Basic Logistics - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Gear - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Navigation and Maps - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Leadership - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Weather - Bowron Lakes Circuit
International Travel - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Flora and Fauna - Lakes Circuit
Previous Adventures - Bowron Lakes Circuit 

Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip safely.

Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

We are happy to talk to you if you have questions. 

International Border Crossing

A trip to Bowron requires crossing an international border.  Make sure you understand what is needed and prep for this several months in advance.  Understand that most Scouts probably don't have a passport

Identification and Documents

• What is required to cross US/Canada Border

  • U.S. Citizens (Adults)

    • Valid passport, passport card, Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or NEXUS/FAST/SENTRI card

  • U.S. Citizens (Under 16)

    • Must have a Passport OR Proof of Citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, certificate of naturalization).

    • Original or a copy of a birth certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad if you don't have a passport

  • U.S. Permanent Residents

    • Valid passport plus a green card (Permanent Resident Card)

  • Minors Traveling Alone or with One Parent

    • A signed consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) is strongly recommended

    • Download this consent letter template

      • If you have a notary (we do), notarize these prior to travel

      • No one has ever asked for these

  • Visas

    • U.S. citizens are visa-exempt, but other nationalities may require one

    • Please check this visa requirement list to see if your Scout needs to apply for a visa

• ALL participants should have a valid passport

  • Passport required for air travel - should air travel be necessary

    • May be needed if roads or closed or and emergency evac is required

  • Apply at least 6 months prior to High Adventure

Driving in Canada

For the most part, driving in Canada is very similar to driving in the US.  Canadian drivers seem to be a bit more pleasant that Seattle drivers and seem to put up with our approach to the road.

Metric System

Canadians use the Metric System most of the time.  Petrol was measured in liters and is more expensive in Canada than in Washington State.

Speed limits are in Kilometers per Hour.  Don't get confused and speed.

• 100 kph = 62 mph

• 120 kph is about 75 mph

Maps

It is vital that you download offline maps for all of BC.  Your tech guy, possibly a Scout, should download maps for everyone prior to your travel if it hasn't been completed yet.  This will allow you to navigate and find places of interest, such as restaurants and gas stations when you don't have cell coverage.  

Maps should be refreshed when you get cell coverage or WIFI as your route may change due to wildfire road closures.

Cell Coverage

Ideally everyone shoulder have Canadian Cell Coverage so they can call each other on the road.  Realistically, some of your crew will not have coverage in Canada and there are plenty of places where cell coverages just isn't available for everyone.  

There is WIFI in just about every restaurant you stop at.  You can use WIFI to message each other and research future stops.

Convoy

Due to the lack of cell coverage in Canada, remoteness and long drives, we recommend that you travel in a convoy.  This can be painful since every American has their own driving style and each agrees theirs is the best.  Place the slowest driver up front and loosely follow behind that vehicle.  Set stops so that everyone knows where to stop should they get separated from the convoy.  

If you have a breakdown or unscheduled stop along that way, the entire convoy can stop and help if needed.  If you don't travel as a convoy and a vehicle breaks down, there will be a long delay before you figure out what happened and respond, especially since stops are generally spaced 2 hours apart. 

Backup Comms

Using radios and satellite messengers as backup comms can be helpful.

Driving in 1 Day vs 2 Days

You can drive to Bowron in a single day or break it up in 2 days.  When you factor in delays from wildfire road closures, slow Canadian trucks, slow drivers in your group, and excessive pee breaks, the drive is so much longer than what you may plan out on Google or paper.  

It is NOT reasonable to drive the entire way to Bowron or entire way back to home in a single day. 

Plan out a camp in the middle of your journey, maybe a little past the mid point for going there.  Ideally plan to arrive the day PRIOR to your reservation date for the Circuit.  This allows you to sleep, prep and be ready for an early morning launch. 

Due to fires, you may need to set up a campsite prior to entering the fire zone and possible another one after the fire zone to avoid continuous driving beyond what is safe.  Don't think you can safely drive 10 hours after completing the last leg of the Bowron. 

You should NOT drive beyond 6-8 hours in a day. 

Scouting America limits driving time to a maximum of 10 hours in any 24-hour period, regardless of how many drivers are available.

Wildfires

Wildfires are a regular part of Canadian summers.  Fires and smoke can impact travel.  They can close off roads, requiring you to reroute your trip.  They can smoke out entire areas and make it undesirable. unhealthy or dangerous camp.  It can cancel your entire adventure. 

Work with your Home Support Team.  Have them monitor Wildfire and Weather conditions and let you know if you need to change your route, change camp locations or just come home.