2024
Horse Expeditions
Expedition T1, 12 Days, June 16-27: Tetsa to Tuchodi
Price: $4795.00 CAD + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
This trip spends 12 days traversing the eastern slopes of the Northern Rocky Mountains, travelling from the Tetsa River basin to the magnificent Tuchodi River valley. The terrain will be varied, from river riding to alpine plateaus to hiking up and down some steep portions of the foothills. This trip will take place in early spring in the Northern Rockies when wildflowers are blooming in abundance. Each rest day on this trip features wonderful hiking and there are options for day rides as well. The Tetsa and surrounding area offer excellent wildlife viewing, and we have seen grizzly, elk, caribou, moose, sheep and goats from the pack string as we are travelling. The finale to this beautiful route is your flight out from the Tuchodi above the spectacular eastern slopes of the northern Rockies.
Travel – by vehicle up the Alaska Highway to trail head, returning by Villers Air to Fort Nelson.
On the trail – this trip includes 6/7 travel days with the pack string.
Difficulty – this trip can be strenuous as portions of the trail require guests to hike, both up and down steep portions, which may require getting on and off your horse multiple times each day. This trip is suitable for folks who are fit and/or experienced with horses.
Expedition T2, 15 Days, June 27-July 11: Tuchodi-Gatho Loop
Price: $5595.00 CAD + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
This trip begins in the beautiful Tuchodi valley. With their crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, the Tuchodi Lakes, nestled deep in the main ranges of the Northern Rockies, are a rare beauty. From the Lakes the expedition will head west, and then south into the Gatho Creek Basin, ending at an outfitters camp on the Gatho River where you will catch a flight back to Fort Nelson..
The terrain will be varied with a little bit of everything the M-K has to offer, especially beautiful vistas. There will be hiking involved, and a few long riding days, as well as rest days with good access to hiking and beautiful views.
Travel – by Villers Air to and from Fort Nelson.
On the trail – this trip includes 7/8 travel days with the pack string.
Difficulty – this trip would be considered one of the more strenuous. There are long days in the saddle and some hiking. Suitable for fit individuals and / or experienced horse people.
Expedition T3, 8 days, July 11-18: Gatho Exploration Ride
Price: $3595.00 CAD + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
Beginning in the beautiful and remote Gatho River valley, this trip features an exploratory trip into the Jack Creek valley, a place we have yet to experience. The Gatho is a true paradise, making this the perfect vacation for someone who is looking to enjoy the wilderness without the rigor of a full-on expedition yet still wants the thrill of exploring new places.
Travel info – riders will fly in with Villers Air in Fort Nelson to the airstrip on the Gatho and will return with Villers Air from the airstrip on the Gatho back to Fort Nelson.
On the trail – This trip includes 4-5 travel days with the packstring.
Difficulty – This trip is accessible to those with moderate fitness levels and above. Individuals must be able to mount and dismount their horses, as well as hike short distances on uneven trails. Because this is an exploratory trip, folks must be prepared for the unexpected, including turning back if the route turns out to be unfeasible for any reason.
Expedition T4, 8 Days, July 18-25: High Trail Traverse
Price: $3595.00 CAD + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
Beginning at an outfitter’s camp on the Gatho, the trip traverses the spectacular Dead Dog Pass following the High Trail, the ancient route up and down the North American continent. It includes a stop at the beautiful and remote Tuchodi Lakes, known for their white sand beaches, open aspen forest, and incredible mountain vistas, before catching the wheel plane flight from the Tuchodi basecamp a day’s ride down river. This is the perfect vacation for someone who is looking to enjoy the wilderness without the rigor of a full-on expedition while still traveling through remote country with the packstring.
Travel info – by Villers Air from Fort Nelson into the Gatho, and back to Fort Nelson with Villers Air via Tuchodi Outfitters’ basecamp on the Tuchodi River.
Difficulty – Moderate. This trip includes a traverse of the Dead Dog pass between the Gatho and Tuchodi valleys following the High Trail, which includes a strenuous ascent and steep descent where hiking is mandatory. Folks must be fit and able to mount and dismount their horse and hike easily on uneven ground.
Expedition T5, 10 Days, July 25 – August 3: Tuchodi Valley – Gataga Strip via Misery Pass
Price: $4295.00 + GST Per Person
This expedition travels a rugged trail from the beautiful Tuchodi valley to an airstrip on the upper Gataga River that is known locally as “Peck’s Strip” (named after one of the original and pioneering guide outfitters in the area, Don Peck).
We will spend time in the stunning subalpine of the Muskwa-Kechika in prime sheep and goat country. Enjoy wilderness and its raw beauty while challenging yourself to a true pack string expedition. This trip includes the stunning and challenging “misery pass” day. Don’t be misled by the name; the pass is all beauty, though it does take a bit of brawn.
Travel info – by Villers Air from Fort Nelson (via Tuchodi Outfitters), returning with Villers from Peck’s Strip to Fort Nelson.
On the Trail – this trip included 5/6 travel days with the pack string.
Difficulty – this trip requires a high level of fitness as there are some hiking portions, and lots of getting on and off your horses each day.
Expedition T6, 10 Days, August 3 – 14: Gataga Strip to Mayfield
Price: $4795.00 + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
This trip will begin on the Gataga River at Peck’s Strip and finish at our Mayfield Base Camp. You will traverse the stunning Twin Glacier Pass and spend a few days in the high alpine at the head of the North Gataga. Many of the trails are steep and rugged where walking is required with days of spectacular riding as well. Guests who wish to sign up for this expedition should be aware that the trip is very rigorous. Everyone should be prepared for hiking, walking their horses, getting on and off your horse several times throughout the day, and travelling through more advanced terrain. We will be fording the Gataga River with the horses near our Mayfield Basecamp. It will be a great adventure and a good crossing, but you must be aware that this is a major river at that point. This expedition has a little bit of everything, including the dock and sauna at the Mayfield Base Camp.
Travel – by wheel plane from Villers Air in Fort Nelson to Peck’s Strip on the Gataga, return to Muncho Lake from Mayfield with Liard Air.
On the Trail – this trip includes 5/6 travel days with the pack string as well as day rides and hikes in the spectacular upper Gataga area.
Difficulty – very rigorous and challenging at times. Fitness is mandatory.
MWRI, 10 Days, August 5-14: Mayfield Wilderness Retreat I
Price: $2,495.00 + GST Per Person
Looking for a genuine wilderness experience at a great price?
This 10-day retreat is being offered at the reduced rate of $2495 and includes your two float plane flights and your food (excluding alcohol and snacks). In return, you will spend approximately half of your time assisting the crew with camp chores and set-up.
Then, you will be able to kick back with ample time for rest and relaxation after a job well done!
This retreat will take place at Mayfield Lake (in the Dune Ze Keyih Provincial Park), offering the perfect escape and the ideal place to experience the Muskwa-Kechika. Located in the heart of BC’s Northern Rockies and nestled in the Gataga River Valley, Mayfield Lake is rich in wildlife and wild scenery – moose and caribou can be viewed from the breakfast table.
A hidden gem far from the demands of modern life, you will have access to nature walks, canoeing, and nearby hiking trails. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the boreal forest, the wildlife of the MK, and the history of the landscape. How about an overnight stay on an island? No matter what you get up to, the comforts of a dock and sauna, wall tents and bed frames, and a pavilion to shed the weather, will help make this a vacation to remember.
Note that Wayne is attending this retreat and will be giving talks on the history of the MK during the course of the camp.
MWRII, 10 Days, August 17-24: Mayfield Wilderness Retreat II
Price: $2995.00 + GST Per Person
This retreat will be a rest time for the packstring and crew. However, there will be opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and enjoying the sauna with one or two day rides down to the Gataga River and another up to the alpine of the Rainbow Ranges for those who are able and wish to do so.
This retreat is suitable for those who are self-starters as the crew will be busy with shoeing and camp duties. A lower level of fitness is required since there are no long days in the saddle, and all activities are optional.
Wayne will be attending this retreat and will give a reading or two from his books, as well as talks on the Muskwa-Kechika.
Travel – guests will fly in and out of Muncho Lake with Liard Air.
On the Trail- this trip will offer the opportunity for a couple of day rides, one into the alpine, and one down to the Gataga River, but all activities are optional.
Difficulty – this is our least rigorous trip. Guests must be able to walk comfortably on uneven ground.
Expedition T8, 15 Days, August 24 – September 7: Mayfield – West Toad – Alaska Highway Mile 442
Price: $5595.00 + GST Per Person (FULL: If you’d like to be put on a waitlist please fill out the registration form)
This trip will begin at our Mayfield Basecamp. From there, after a major crossing of the Gataga River and four high alpine passes, we will arrive at Mile 442 on the Alaska Highway via the headwaters of the Gataga and West Toad Rivers. This trip includes long travel days and lots of hiking over steep and advanced terrain. It also covers some of the most spectacular country in the Muskwa-Kechika. This trip is not for the faint of heart, but if this type of rigorous and extreme adventure calls to you, it is an experience of a lifetime.
Travel – from Muncho Lake to Mayfield via Liard Air float plane, returning to the Alaska Highway at Mile 442.
On the Trail – this trip includes 7/8 travel days with the pack string.
Difficulty – very rigorous. A high level of fitness is required, and horse experience is a decided advantage.
