Participants are advised to carry the "Provincial Parks of the Shuswap" map available by calling 250-851-3000, and the "Salmon Arm Forest District Recreation Map" from 250-833-3432. Map afficiondos may be interested in other maps:

• NTS Topo Map: 82L/15 Malakwa
• NTS Topo Map: 82L/14 Sorrento
• NTS Topo Map: 82M/3 Albas
• NTS Topo Map: 82M/2 Perry River
• Canadian Hydrographic Chart: 3053 Shuswap Lake

It is not a good idea to leave vehicles parked in public areas in Sicamous due to car prowler problems. It has been arranged to leave our cars in a resident's private vacant lot for our stay. The lot is adjacent to the west side of 209 Finlayson. This place is about two blocks straight east of the ferry landing on the north side of the Trans Canada highway on the east side of Sicamous Narrows. These narrows are the connector between Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake. The caretaker of the lot, Alex (250-836-2038), will charge $4 per day to leave vehicles there.

No money will be collected by the Tour Co-Ordinator for this tour. Participants will pay all their own expenses along the way. All participants should be sure to buy a Shuswap Lake Marine Park Camping Permit which will allow them to use any Prov Park over nighting facility along the shores. These may be found at the following places. We are supposed to have these permits before we get onto the water. Try to get yours the evening before or first thing the next morning. I hear they cost about $8 per night per boat.

SHUSWAP LAKE MARINE PROVINCIAL PARKS CAMPING PERMIT VENDORS - 1998 Camping Permits must be purchased in advance from one of the vendors listed
Anglemont Anglemont Marina Bastion Bay (end of Sunnybrae Road) Totem Pole Resort Canoe Canoe General Store	Cinnemousun Narrows Cinnemousun Narrows Park Operator Sea Store (in season) Salmon Arm Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce Scotch Creek Captain's Village Marina	Seymour Arm Silver Beach Park Operator Sicamous Sicamous Chamber of Commerce Portside Houseboats Three Buoys Houseboats The Marina Squilax/Sorrento Little River Boat World

This internet information will serve as the orientation package. No handouts will be issued. Participants may output this web page onto their own printing equipment.

As with any outdoors trip, there could be constant sun and dry nights, or continuous rain. Be prepared for relentless drizzles. Even if an overnight rain is short, all your tent and sleeping gear could become totally soggy. It is always best to have a separate tarp OVER your tent and fly. This will keep your entire shelter assembly dry, even in the setup and takedown phases. It is no fun having to set up a tent at the end of the day that is still dripping from that morning, especially after there was no chance to dry it out during the day. SKILLFUL campers can go day after day in the rain if they are properly equipped and experienced. Skill, experience, and preparation means the difference between a continued journey in nature's precipitous environment and a miserable hypothermic disaster that turns a person into never wanting to go again. Of which category are YOU??

No one needs to haul water in their boats as long as they have filtration and purification equipment with them. This technology is within reach of the average consumer nowadays so let's see some elbow grease working those little pumping units.

Never forget the bug dope in the great outdoors. And the bear repelling spray. And the sun block with the sun glasses. And the big floppy hat to help avoid heat stroke/exhaustion.

Bring clothes for ALL types of weather. Anything from snow and cold wind that whips cold water across you to stifling humid still heat could await us. Neoprene full length "farmer john" style wet suits are a REQUIREMENT for this tour. DON'T COME on this trip without a neoprene wet suit, even if the weather forecast calls for a week of +30C weather. You don't always have to wear it, but you should always have it with you for when the weather does something that was not forecasted. Plus a WATERPROOF paddling jacket. A good anorak may get you by but a proper paddling top is better. Be sure to have either neoprene booties or, at minimum, thick wool socks inside of running shoes. No rubber boots, please. You can't swim in gum boots, so do not make a spectacle of yourself trying. And, last but not least, some neoprene mitts or gloves. Pogies are wonderful to have. These are neoprene gloves that also go around the paddle shaft. Those who do not have neoprene hand wear could get along with wool mitts inside of windproof outer mitts. Need I have to remind anyone that a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is required for every boat occupant. And starting this year, each paddle boat has to have a heaving line; a 'throw bag' will do.

It goes without saying that everyone should have first aid skills. This is a basic life skill that all persons should have.

Participants must bring some means of supplying and preparing all their meals out of their boats. Be sure to bring high energy foods that deliver short and long term energy supplies to the body. On this trip, you will have room to bring more bulky foods, if desired (e.g. canned goods), since we do not have to carry it on our backs, since we will have extra room that is normally taken up by water, and we are going for only four days. We will have lots of room for the little camp stoves, so everyone can bring their own.

There are resident park operators at Cinnemousun Narrows, so parties are not a problem anywhere near the main camping area, and there haven't been many problems in other sections either. Also no particular problems at Anstey View, Twin Bays or Four Mile Creek. The other place where there has been trouble with parties is Marble Point, but because of the size and shape of the park there should be a place there where we won't be bothered. We are encouraged to call the Marine Rangers or the park operators if we do encounter loud parties or other inappropriate behaviour. Those who have cell phones, can call the Rangers at 250-319-0271 or 250-319-1471. If there is no access to a phone, stop by Cinnemousun Narrows and tell the park operators. Take note of boat names, time and location. If the problem is caused by a rental houseboat, the houseboat company will often take away the damage deposit, seize the big speakers, etc.

Firewood must be purchased in Sicamous before departure, or from the park operator at Cinnemousun Narrows. There have been serious problems with tree-cutting in the marine parks and any violators are charged. Use of driftwood on the beach is OK, but this supply tends to get used up quickly.

Map

Links and Contacts

BC Parks Shuswap Lake Marine Park - Info I Web Page BC Parks Shuswap Lake Marine Park - Info II Web Page BC Parks Shuswap Lake Marine Park - Site List Web Page BC Parks, Thompson River District (Shuswap Lakes) Area Supervisor, Bruce Petch (250) 851-3021 BC Forests - Salmon Arm Forest District Recreation Officer, Herb Spence (250) 832-3432 Tourism Shuswap (800) 661-4800