Im planning a 3 week trip to British Columbia with my wife and 7yr old twins, in September . Well take our Tipi and head for Vancouver Island / Coastal BC, avoiding commercialised camp sites as much as ability/conditions permit but priority is to safely enjoy the nature within the groups age and ability limitations. We have pre-parenthood experience of backpacking & camping in England & Scotland. Family camping has been limited to warm weekends in New Forest.
Id appreciate advice from any folk with experience camping with children in BC.
1.Wildlife
a. How are the bears in September? Do Canadian provincial sites have bear - proof lockers like the one Ray Mears demonstrated in Yellowstone? Does stringing food up in trees really work? (bears climb, dont they?). How high? Would a dry bag be sufficient or should I use air-tight Tupperware type stuff? What about cooking smells attracting wildlife?
b. Ive heard that Cougars are a problem; is that true or just a wind-up?
c. Any insect problems in September? If so, what works in Canada (excluding DEET)?
2. Weather
a. Any personal knowledge of the weather patterns around September would be helpful.
b. Are fire bans likely or is the rainfall too high?
3. Kit advice:
a. What are your Essentials, Usefuls and Luxuries-if-room?
b. Exactly how cold and wet is it in September? Will Summer sleeping bags do for the children? We have mats and decent waterproofs.
4. Cooking
a. Would you take a stove? If so, what sort? I have butane and meths but are these fuels widely available in Canada?
b. Has anyone recent experience of carrying meths/coleman stoves in airline hold luggage? My meths stove has wadding in the fuel tank, which will hold some meths, even if I drain off the bulk and ventilate it pre-flight.
5. Blades
a. Getting off at Vancouver, whats the law re knives and axes before we get out of town?
6. Places to stay
a. Any particular coastal/forest recommendations gratefully received, also suggestions for drying out if we do get rained out.
Sorry for this being so lengthy.
Id appreciate advice from any folk with experience camping with children in BC.
1.Wildlife
a. How are the bears in September? Do Canadian provincial sites have bear - proof lockers like the one Ray Mears demonstrated in Yellowstone? Does stringing food up in trees really work? (bears climb, dont they?). How high? Would a dry bag be sufficient or should I use air-tight Tupperware type stuff? What about cooking smells attracting wildlife?
b. Ive heard that Cougars are a problem; is that true or just a wind-up?
c. Any insect problems in September? If so, what works in Canada (excluding DEET)?
2. Weather
a. Any personal knowledge of the weather patterns around September would be helpful.
b. Are fire bans likely or is the rainfall too high?
3. Kit advice:
a. What are your Essentials, Usefuls and Luxuries-if-room?
b. Exactly how cold and wet is it in September? Will Summer sleeping bags do for the children? We have mats and decent waterproofs.
4. Cooking
a. Would you take a stove? If so, what sort? I have butane and meths but are these fuels widely available in Canada?
b. Has anyone recent experience of carrying meths/coleman stoves in airline hold luggage? My meths stove has wadding in the fuel tank, which will hold some meths, even if I drain off the bulk and ventilate it pre-flight.
5. Blades
a. Getting off at Vancouver, whats the law re knives and axes before we get out of town?
6. Places to stay
a. Any particular coastal/forest recommendations gratefully received, also suggestions for drying out if we do get rained out.
Sorry for this being so lengthy.