November Newsletter

THANK YOU TO ALL!!

Thank you again to all our wonderful clients and friends who make every year so rewarding. What a fantastic time we had exploring the back country together. We thoroughly enjoyed all our new acquaintances and as always just adore all of our regulars. Only such a spectacular area as the South Chilcotin can keep producing so many new adventures. We must also say a BIG thank you to our excellent staff , Tanis, Nicole, Pat, Jamie and Margaret who keep each year tickin. We could not do it without all your fantastic energy and kind hearts. Another note to our excellent time with the WWOOF Canada Program. We have had great success with this exchange program and have met some amazing people. Another big thank you to Pat, Julia, Jordie, Cally, Stephanie, Michelle, Joe, Tobi, Ivan and Pilar, Kelly and Lee, Gerrard and Louise. I must also add one last thank you to our children who have yet again endeared another busy year with mum and dad running like crazy. Wyatt, Liam, Megan, Jake and new baby Eligh Rose who for most of the season was packed in a snuggly are looking forward to spending some more time in the mountains come 2005!

THE HORSES ARE IN

   
Well, we are back to a yard full again. After a busy season in the mountains all the horses are in the yard and accounted for. Enjoying the TLC the last few weeks have brought them getting fat on grain and hay and enjoying hours of endless brushing pulling burdock from thier manes after a short time out on range. Winter came a little early to the mountains this year. Warren was able to close up all the camps just in time for the first snowfall. After a short stint pushing some cows out of Relay for Gang Ranch he is back home and busy going over all the tack, polishing, and oiling it up for the summer to come.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION...............COME ON AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME AND  WITNESS THE BEAUTY THE SOUTH CHILCOTIN HAS TO OFFER .

THIS IS ONE PIONEER ADVENTURE THAT WILL BREAK IN YOUR COWBOY HAT YET PROVIDE THE COMFORTS OF HOME AT THE SAME TIME!

Waiting for you, only 4.5 hours out of the Vancouver beat is a place where everyone will know your name. The further you travel from the city core the more relaxed you start to feel. Your adventure is waiting to unfold. As you pull into the main ranch you hear the banging of the iron onto your freshly shod horse, the fresh mountain breeze blowing in the trees, you swear you can even hear the pond rippling. The horses whinny at the excitement of new found friends and the little piece of carrot they may have in their pocket. Come sit with us over a nice tall glass of ice tea and let's talk about the adventure we will start tomorrow..........

Whether it be a pack horse tour or a trekking expedition. Will we stay in the splendid rugged beauty of the Spruce Lake Park or shall we move a little deeper into the back country and start to explore some of BC's famous Big Sky Country? It is all possible! A stressfree holiday as all the planning is done for you. Your only part will be getting to the main ranch to let it all begin. We provide you with a sure footed horse, excellent tack, fabulous cooks preparing full hearty country meals, and a guide with many years of knowledge of the area.

A SPRUCE LAKE WILDERNESS ADVENTURE is a journey back to the days of the pioneers, to a time where you and your horse carried the simple belongings needed for survival. A time where the rugged beauty of the Chilcotin high-country yielded its breathtaking treasures only to those who ventured off the beaten path, and where new wilderness adventures awaited in every brook, vista, glade and peak. Our adventures are all inclusive pack tours that offer you the chance to live this adventure first-hand, and discover the rejuvenating effects of life on the wild frontiers! Come and ride across the wind swept glades to a lake, hike up any number of scree covered peaks, or fish for trout in a mountain brook. At night, savour the comforts of meals cooked over the campfire, new found friends, and the forgotten pleasures of laughter and stroy telling.

Also ask about our: EXTENDED BACK COUNTRY TOURS *ASSISTED HIKING EXPEDITIONS *WILDERNESS GUIDE TRAINING *CORPORATE GET A WAYS * GRIZZLY VIEWING HORSE TOURS *YOUTH CAMPS *RANCH ACCOMODATIONS *HUT TO HUT MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURS

LETS START TALKING ABOUT 2005!!!

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD AND DEBIT SERVICES

Winter, Winter, Winter

As many of you avid skiiers know...Eldorado Cabin books out very fast. With many dates filling up already, don't miss your chance to enjoy your private holiday in the snow. Situated at 6500 feet in the high alpine our cozy panabode cabin awaits your group of 4 to 8. Boasting a facelift from last year, the floor is gleaming new and thier is even some finishing touches (thanks to Nicoles excellent sewing talent!) trimming the windows. Why lug a heavy back pack around on your vacation when after a 4 km ski you will find yourself on the doorstep of this quaint little place. All your cooking and eating equipment is provided, as well as a full size propane oven and stove. Propane lights will add to the charm as you warm your toes by the wood stove in the evening. You can dry out your gear in the sauna situated just outside the door or enjoy the rejuevenating effects the sauna has after a day in the snow. Unlimited trails to ski for the beginer to the advance telemarker are waiting just off the porch. Our rates are the same as 2004. Call to make your reservation before it is too late.

Spring, Spring, Spring

Wilderness Guide Training School

We are gearing up for another full program of our Wilderness Guide Training. The phone is already ringing with questions from anxious students awaiting the dates for our 2005 Calendar. With horses ready fresh for the season, eager to get back to the mountains and taste the sweet grass we will be busy tacking up and heading for the hills!

This hands on program teaches students the fudamental skills required for guiding backcountry adventures. The program is designed to hone your business skills in adventure tourism or to teach you a new appreciation for the wilderness. We can provide participants with a solid combination of working knowledge and practical skills for horse handling, horse shoeing, packing a horse, camp preparation and so much more. Our advance training teaches students further skills with working with clients in a wilderness setting, safety and working with teams for use horse logging, for sliegh or wagon rides in a tourism setting. As incentive for those looking for employment with in the industry we offer our first program for a discounted rate a $500.00 SAVINGS. We are activiely searching for employees for the 2005 season and give preference to our guide school graduates. We ask that those interested in employment with SLWA send a copy of their resume with their Guide School Application.

TWO WEEK BEGINNER PROGRAM May 2nd to 15th reg. $2000.00 less $500.00 SAVINGS $1500.00

TWO WEEK ADVANCE PROGRAM May 16th to 29th $2000.00

TWO WEEK BEGINNER PROGRAM June 7th to 20th $2000.00

TWO WEEK ADVANCE PROGRAM June 21st to July 4th $2000.00

Please call for our full Guide School and Application Package and to reserve your space in this adventurous program!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR:  COOK/WRANGLER, ASSISTANT WRANGLER/RANCH-HAND

Summer, Summer, Summer

SEASON SPECIALS
(Take advantage of these great savings!)
 

3 DAY TOUR $500.00 PER PERSON

Departs: June 3rd Home on: June 5th

Departs: June 10th Home on: June 12th

Departs: June 18th Home on: June20th

5 DAY TOUR $800.00 PER PERSON

Departs: June 13th Home on: June 17th

Departs: June 22nd Home on: June 26th

Departs: June 30th Home on: July 4th

7 DAY TOUR $1000.00 PER PERSON

Departs: Oct. 9th Home on: Oct. 15th

PACK HORSE TOURS AND ASSISTED TOURS:

10 DAY BACK COUNTRY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

For Advanced Riders Only. Come and explore the back country with us! This specially designed tour will take you on an adventure through the rugged beauty of the Spruce Lake Park, to experience the feeling of the "Big Sky" country in Big Creek Park and the White Waters of Taseko Country. This will be your ultimate pack horse tour experience with the best of the best! Not only will you be lead by our best guide, fed by our best cook who will compile scrumtious campfire food including grilled steaks, roast turkey and sizzling sockeye salmon but you will be surrounded in BC's most spectacular country as unseen by most.

Departs: September 27th Arrives home on: October 6th $2100.00 per person

Call or email for a full information package on this tour.

7 DAY HIKING EXPEDITION

Pack free on a splendid hut to hut alpine adventure?  Seems impossible to most but possible when it is pack horse assisted!  You are free to explore the beauty of our vast network of trails.  All you need to think about is your surroundings.  Our strong string of reliable packhorses will carry all your belongings.  We provide full catering with every tour so a good hot meal is ready for your enjoyment at the end of a great day.  Some of our alpine camps are equipped with hot showers, while others are located near refreshing lakes.  Every tour includes wildlife viewing opportunities, fishing, fossil hunting and the fragrance of the abundant alpine flowers.  Every tour provides a spare saddle horse for hikers that may be sore or tired.  Let our expert guides take you on a journey of a lifetime!

Departs:  August 5th  Home On:  August 11th  $1190.00 per person (group discounts still available)

3 DAY PACK HORSE TOURS

Up, Up, and Up into the alpine.  Overnight at 6500feet in elevation in the pristine beauty of Eldorado Basin.  Enjoy the comforts of our Panabode Cabin and watch the sunrise and set from the front porch.  Day ride up to Windy Pass and view what jewels lie beyond the mountain pass.  What a great way to spend a weekend.

Departs:  July 8th  Home On:  July 10th  $570.00 per person

Departs:  July 15th  Home On:  July 17th  $570.00 per person

Departs:  August 15th  Home On:  August 17th  $570.00 per person

4 DAY PACK HORSE TOUR

What a great way to end summer holidays with the whole family.  An experience the whole family will enjoy and remember for a lifetime!

Depart:  Sept. 2nd  Home On:  Sept. 5th  $760.00 per person (group discounts still available)

7 DAY PACK HORSE TOURS

Come and explore the newly developed Spruce Lake Provincial Park.  This exciting tour will travel through 4 different base camp locations!  Some incredibly amazing country is waiting to be seen!

Departs:  August 20th  Home on:  August 26th  $1330.00 per person (group discounts available)

CORPORATE GET A WAY BOOKINGS OF FIVE GUESTS OR MORE RECEIVE AND ADDITION 5% SAVINGS, GRIZZLY VIEWING PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 2005 SEASON BETWEEN JUNE 1ST AND 15TH FOR GROUP BOOKINGS OF FIVE GUESTS OR MORE.  CALL FOR DETAILS.

WE STILL HAVE MANY OTHER DATES AVAILABLE FOR GROUP BOOKINGS.  CALL US WITH YOUR IDEAL TRAVEL DATES AND WE WILL SEE WHAT WE CAN PLAN FOR YOUR CUSTOM TOUR!  GROUP DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE 8TH PERSON TRAVELLING WITH THE GROUP, A 10% DISCOUNT IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO HIKING CLUB ORGANIZATIONS WITH GROUP BOOKINGS OF 7 OR MORE HIKERS.  GST IS ON TOP OF ALL RATES AS IS ACCOMODATION AND MEALS THE NIGHT BEFORE TOURS DEPART.

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR COLOUR BROCHURE AND FULL INFORMATION PACKAGE!

NOW ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD AND DEBIT SERVICES

Spruce Lake Wilderness Adventures

only 4.5 hours North of Vancouver

ph. 250-238-2375  fx. 250-238-0100

www.sprucelaketours.ca   rides@sprucelaketours.ca