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. 

Leadership and Training

Canoe outings are inherently dangerous due to the risk of drowning.  The Bowron adds the element of remoteness, huge lakes, rapids, following rivers, and long days of paddling which will exhaust many paddlers.

All participants need to train up for long paddles on open water and moving water.  

Adult Leaders

You must have a Adult Leads with special skill sets.  Without the proper skills, this adventure will be too risky as injuries in remote international settings can have very poor and sometimes tragic outcomes.

Adults must be in excellent physical shape.  Portaging canoes with a backpack up a hill is harder than what most expect.  Likewise, paddling all day for many days trying to keep up with fit Scouts requires above average endurance and skill.  

Here are some of the positions and skill sets needed for a Bowron Adventure.  Hopefully Adult Leads have multiple skill sets and that vital skills are shared by multiple adults.

• Adventure Lead

  • Can take charge during emergencies

  • Can deconflict issues between party members - youth AND adult

  • Has final say in decisions 

  • Must have solid paddling skills for both open and moving water

  • Ideal candidates possess some or all the following 

    • Previous High Adventure Lead

    • Military veteran

    • Scoutmaster experience x2+ years

• Water/River Guide

  • Able to lead paddle trips on Open Water

    • Can read water - understands big lake weather, fetch and afternoon wind

    • Knows what waves can be handled by group

    • Can control boat in less than ideal waves

  • Able to lead paddle trips on Moving Water

    • "The Chute" is a Class I to Class II+ rapid depending on water flow

    • The Cariboo river a swift-moving water safety hazard

      • Heavily littered with sweepers (overhanging trees), deadheads (submerged logs), and rootwads 

      • River has opaque glacial silt and it is difficult to see submerged hazards

      • Must be able to read waves - know where water is deep enough to navigate and what to avoid

  • Ideal Candidates

    • River Guide

    • Swift Water Rescue training

    • Previous Bowron completion

• Adult Medic

  • Ideally Wilderness First Responder or above

  • Bowron is remote wilderness

    • You can be a 2 day plus paddle from a ranger station

    • Rangers have limited training and resources

    • Helicopter evac can be delayed due to weather and your location

  • Ideal candidates:

    • Military Medics

    • Paramedics

    • Nurses

    • Physicians and other Medical Providers

Youth Leadership

The Scout Lead should be an experienced paddler and able to lead the rest of the group.  That Scout will need to be able to deal with fatigued Scouts and Adults and be able to drive on each day with planning, organization and leadership.

Youth Positions

• Adventure Lead

  • Leads and manages entire crew with help of Adult Lead and Guide

  • Leads during trainup

  • Ideally 

    • NYLT trained 

    • Previous SPL exerience 

    • Prevouis High Adventure

• Assistant Lead

  • May be requried for larger Scout Groups

  • I primary lead has not led High Adventure in the past, Assistant Lead ideally should be former High Adventure Lead

• Scout Medic

  • Wilderness First Aid trained