The Monashee
Lodge, located on Lake Revelstoke, gives a waterfront
view into the heart of the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains
of British Columbia.
This range of mountains has captivated many an explorer’s
curiosity, passion and perseverance, in navigating from
turbulent rivers to remote peaks. So inaccessible are
these mountains that it was the mid-1900s before the
last of their valleys and peaks had finally seen human
presence in their rugged beauty. Since then, there have
only been a few hearty mountain folk to set foot amongst
the remote Northern Selkirk peaks.
Now is the time
for those hikers with an interest in exploring the remote
to experience wilderness in the raw. Mountain lakes
with glaciers touching water’s edge; meadows covered
with wildflowers that nudge glaciated peaks into a crisp
sky: This is where one can get away from it
all, become enlightened and spiritually infused in a
wilderness that can only be felt by being there.
This specific
heli-hiking adventure was first experienced in 2006.
Rave reviews from all as the best heli-hiking trip yet!
This special six-night
Monashee-Adamant Lodge to Lodge trip is an exceptional
adventure and will only be experienced by a small group
of Walking Connection hikers into the peaks and valleys
of the Monashees, an area only previously known to heli-skiers.
Spend the day exploring
massive glaciers, turquoise lakes and high mountain
ridges with incredible views while you heli-hike the
Selkirk Mountains! Whether you want a casual nature
walk along flower filled meadows or a challenging distance
hike, it is your choice!
Hikers
will spend three nights at each of the two lodges.
Are
you up for great days of moderate hiking? Take all you
want!
Take all
the time you want. If a leisurely pace and
timeless hikes in volumnous valleys in the shadows of
hanging glaciers is your speed then you belong here.
Maybe your life is already full of enough challenges
and relaxing time in the mountains is just what you
need. The vastness of these mountain ranges, their quiet
existance and a very small group of friends awaits you.
As does a great massage, spa, superb mountain cuisine,
a smooth glass of wine and the peaceful serenity that
comes with both lodges.
Are
you up for a personal challenge? Dare to do it here!
Even for the seasoned
distance hiker, the 60 kilometer terrain separating
the Monashee and Adamant Lodges will require several
helicopter drops are needed to complete the traverse.
For the hartiest of hikers this is a demanding and challenging
personal conquest. The challenge of distance is rewarded
with never ending views of the dramatic ranges in this
undiscovered area.
Do
it your way!
One of the
best things about heli-hiking is that you can hike anyway
you want! Fast, slow, hard or easy. However you hike
the views will be unforgettable!
Walking
Connection Owners, Gene and Jo Ann Taylor first discovered
heli-hiking and began offering it as a destination of
their company in 1994. There first personal
experience was a Lodge to Lodge adventure from the Bobbie
Burns to the Bugaboos. Since they began their own heli-hiking
experiences, their company has become one of the leading
providers of heli-hiking in North America.
Monashee
Lodge To Adamants Lodge
Walking Connection Guest Itinerary
DAY 1 - Arrive
Calgary & transfer to Banff at your leisure.
Overnight Banff
& Welcome Dinner Included
Day 2 -
BANFF TO MONASHEES
Our journey to the
Monashee Lodge this morning winds through great beauty
and robust history. Follow the route of Western Canada’s
first explorers from the outside world along the right
of way of Canada’s National Dream, the transcontinental
railway. Skirt the shores of the Bow River,
pass the majestic spires of Castle Mountain,
and head west to Golden, BC over Kicking Horse Pass
(site of the famous Spiral Tunnels, which minimized
the steep grade for the rail lines in the late 1800s).
We continue westward
through Roger’s Pass and the
site of Glacier House. In 1897 the
Canadian Pacific Railroad brought Western Canada’s
first Swiss guides to Glacier House, beginning the mountain
guiding tradition CMH proudly follows to this day.
We drive north
from Revelstoke along the Columbia River,
past the impressive Revelstoke Hydro Dam, one of North
America's largest and most modern hydroelectric developments.
The Columbia, one of the world’s most momentous
rivers, provides electricity for a vast area of the
western continent, right down to California.
We arrive
at the Monashee Lodge located on the shore of Lake Revelstoke.
After settling in to our rooms, we’ll be outfitted
with all the necessary hiking gear, get acquainted with
helicopter safety procedures, then fly up for an afternoon
of hiking in some of the world’s most stunning
mountains. We fly back to the lodge in the afternoon
for snacks, beverages, and relaxation before dinner.
Later this evening
dinner is served family style, with guests and staff
eating together, topped off with dessert prepared by
the lodge’s resident pastry chef. Before retiring
we can enjoy the company of fellow guests by the fire,
or relax in the rooftop whirlpool and sauna. (CB,
L, D)
DAYS 3 &
4 - Heli-hiking
Each group of hikers,
accompanied by a guide, will spend the day exploring
the immense variety of landscapes in the Monashee mountains
from which the lodge takes its name. This virtually
unexplored area abounds with personality-rich glaciers,
turquoise lakes, and airy mountain ridges. We’ll
enjoy a picnic lunch amidst stunning, utterly unspoiled
scenery where few people have ever set foot. After a
memorable day, we fly back to the lodge, where snacks,
beverages, conversation, a good book, or the sauna and
restful outdoor whirlpool await.
One of the charms
of family-style dining is getting to know our fellow
guests as we savor the chef’s creation of the
evening. After dessert and coffee, we may share stories
and experiences of the day with new friends and staff,
visit to the lodge’s cheery and excellently stocked
retail shop, set up an appointment with the masseuse,
or enjoy peace and quiet on the deck as the alpenglow
settles on the mountain peaks above. (B, L, D)
Day 5 -
HIKE & HELICOPTER TO ADAMANT LODGE
Each group
of hikers, accompanied by a guide, will spend the day
exploring the remote Northern Selkirk Mountains en route
to the Adamant lodge.
Experience wilderness in the raw: mountain lakes with
glaciers touching waters edge, meadows covered with
wild flowers that nudge the glaciated peaks into a crisp
sky. Enjoy unending views of the dramatic ranges and
valleys in this rarely visited area. Several helicopter
drops will be needed to complete the traverse from the
Monashees to the Adamants.
Arrive at the Adamant
lodge at days end. We follow a similar schedule here;
snacks and beverages await after a memorable day of
hiking. Dinner is served family style with the lodge
staff from the Monashees continuing to looking after
you. Relax after dinner. (B, L, D)
Days 6 -
Heli-hiking
Each group of hikers,
accompanied by a guide, will spend the day exploring
the immense variety of landscapes in the mountains from
which the lodge takes its name. We’ll enjoy a
picnic lunch (or, on special days, a grand high mountain
barbecue) amidst stunning, utterly unspoiled scenery.
After a memorable day, we fly back to the lodge, where
snacks, beverages, conversation, a good book, or the
sauna and restful outdoor whirlpool await.
Savor the chef’s creation of the evening. After
dessert and coffee, we share stories and experiences
of the day with friends and staff, set up an appointment
with the masseuse (not included, but well worth the
extra charge), or enjoy peace and quiet on the deck
as the alpenglow settles on the mountain peaks above.
(B, L, D)
Day 7 -
ADAMANT HELIPAD TO (Banff or Calgary Airport)
Join the morning stretch session
before your breakfast. A morning of Heli-Hiking, some
final photos, and a fond goodbye to the mountains. Lunch
at the lodge before the helicopter ride out.
We depart the Adamant
Helipad by motorcoach and retrace our journey through
the mountains to Lake Louise, Banff, and on to Calgary
International Airport. A boxed lunch is provided for
the return trip. (B, L, Snack)
# # #
Pre
Tour Banff & Lake Louise Optional Extension
July 24 & 25
From $758.00 per
person, dbl. occ.
July 24 - Arrive
in Banff at your convenience and check in tou our centrally
located Banff Hotel
July 25 - Meet
after breakfast for our transfer to Lake Louise for
a moderate hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House. (Or enjoy
an optional walk along Lake Louise on your own.) We'll
arrive at the Chateau Lake Louise in
time for a bountiful lunch buffet. Following Lunch we
will transfer to Morraine Lake where we will meander
along a trail along this forested vivid blue lake.
July 26
- Enjoy the day on your own before meeting arriving
guests for a beautiful walk followed by a welcome dinner.
Please note that
the details of this itinerary are subject to change.
Many of the planned activities are organized according
to appropriate weather conditions and the discretions
of the hosts, lodge managers or mountain guides. We
make every effort to provide the experience described
in the above itinerary with the understanding that some
things may change.
Your Walking
Connection Experience Includes:
In Banff:
-
Transfers
from Banff to Monashees Lodge to Adamants Lodge
then back to Lake Louise, Banff or Calgary.
-
One night
deluxe accommodations in Banff
-
Welcome Dinner
Lodge-to-Lodge
Includes:
-
All meals
and snacks
-
6-nights Luxury
Mountain Lodge accommodations (w/private baths)
-
Use of equipment
and helicopter rides
-
Lodge Guest
Amenities
-
Professional
Mountain guides
