COLT
41040 Gold River Highway V9W 5C5 Campbell River, BC, Canada

Take a leap! Start a career outdoors! Do COLT 2021! #docolt #outdooreducation #outdoorlifestyle #outdoorguide #findyourself

Doing COLT to find the love of your life should probably not be your primary intention :-) But if you love the outdoors, and the people around you do - it happens pretty darn fast that lives align! Who out there, found their love in COLT? Happy Valentines Day to you all!... #docolt #adventurebuddies #ValentinesDayAdventure Photo: Julia Tashiro - Seb and I on the Summit of Elkhorn in 2015

With more and more snow accumulating on Vancouver Island this winter, the spring 2021 semester crew might get lucky and experience an Intro to Mountain Course like this one! Snow Camping! #doCOLT #mountainmagic Photo: Nadia Gilson

Congrats to COLT Instructor Max Fisher to be amongst the two teams to win the John Lauchlan Award 2021. He will be part of an exploration of the Moondog Arete in Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park this year with Ryan Van Horne and Michael Loch. #johnlauchlanaward https://www.instagram.com/fish_nbr21/... For more info on the award: https://gripped.com//john-lauchlan-award-2021-get-cash-to/

Big birthday today for long time COLT Rock and Mountain Instructor Bill Phipps! Happy 50th Birthday Bill! "Sign me up, I love the mountains" is how Bill reacts to all work with the COLT students! Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the COLT program Bill! We appreciate your unique sense of humor, your never ending passion for rock in any shape or form, and the thorough and strategic progression in all you teach, while yet keeping all things fun! We wish you the best day!... If you have not met him - read more about Bill here: https://coltoutdoorleadership.com/outdoor-leadership-tra// Photo credit: Seb Tashiro, Cory Redl #doCOLT #birthday #OutdoorProfessional

As the year comes to an end our mind naturally wanders back to remember those moments that stood out! So happy to share Kaiden Bosch’s favorite COLT moment of FALL 2020 -Thanks Kai! "I have so many favourite COLT moments but one that stands out for me a lot was my birthday on the River. Although it was still a day full of learning it was virtually indistinguishable in my mind between a bunch of friends white-water kayaking down a river for the day. It was fun to be able to ju...st goof around in the river with those Happy Birthday glasses on and though there was ample Instruction, I didn't feel any pressure to do anything beyond try my best. I guess that was my favourite part about COLT, how often in the program you forget it’s even a program, it just feels like a bunch of good friends having a blast in nature." What are your favorite 2020 moments? #doCOLT #myspl #bestbirthdayever #favoritemoments #connectrespecteippleeffect Photo: Kaiden Bosch

If you are still looking for the perfect gift this great piece on GIVING by poet and author David Whyte is a great reminder of what is important: (...) the essential deed is done by contemplation. Better to spend a long time sitting in our armchairs in silent contemplation of those we want to gift, looking for the imaginative doorway that says I know you and see you and this is how I give thanks for you, which may bring us to the perfect object but also may bring us instead t...o write the short heartfelt message that acknowledges their place in our lives." Just like one of our wonderful community members did for us recently! (see picture) Happy Holidays! We wish you all a nice Christmas Time! #doCOLT #myspl #connectrespectrippleeffect Photo: Sophie O'Brien

Get outside and stay safe at the crags! COLT Director and Rock and Mountain Instructor Seb Tashiro is sharing his winter climbing tips for those lucky days when the crags dry out! 1. Stay warm and warm up: Bring your cosy belay parker and some warm drinks - you never know how long your partner will be on the wall. Before you climb your latest project, warm up your body - get those muscles moving and ready before you pull the crux. Lots of injuries happen because of cold sta...rts and not preparing your mind and body for the task. 2. Make that rubber stick: remember with different temperatures and moisture in the air, your shoes might stick differently to the rock. Usually with colder temps the rubber stays harder and is less sticky. But also gear/pro might not be as solid, so check cracks for late fall moss growth, dirt and grime before placing gear. 3. Support your local climbing gym. Not so much a safety trip but when the weather is west coast wintery, aka rainy and snowy and cold, stay fit by going to the climbing gym, work on your endurance, strength and technique. It's also a good way to connect with other climbers. And if you are hanging at home, read up on the latest and greatest climbing safety equipment , check for new developments in climbing safety procedures and keep an open mind for new approaches. #docolt #myspl #climberlife #eatsleepclimb Photo: Sarah Tashiro

Get outside and stay safe on the rivers! COLT white water instructor instructor Dan Mously shared with us his top 3 tips to stay safe when winter paddling: 1) It's time to change your outfit.... The air and water temperature now have a much larger role to play. Swimming and scouting are inherently more dangerous with frigid water and sometimes iced over river shores. A dry suit, thermals, neoprene cap, pogies and good footwear are "in" for good reason. Dress prepared for the worst case and hopefully it won't happen. 2) You'll need to add some more toys to your emergency kit. The days are shorter and obviously colder so pack a few more supplies that are necessary in a pinch but nice to use regardless. A headlamp is key as our days are getting shorter but also don't forget the nice things like a toque, gloves, spare layer, and thermos of coffee/tea. This can make all the difference if your river lap becomes an adventure or at least can be enjoyed while waiting for your shuttle. 3) Communication and check-ins are key. This one is a little more out-of-the-box but worth noting. The paddling season is different now so communicate your needs and take it slow. Feeling really cold or a bit nervous about scouting/portaging on slippery terrain is legitimate and let other's know. There is more risk involved this season so keep it in mind. It's better to ask for a helping hand than bite your lip and potentially injure yourself. Vancouver Island is a great place in Canada for consistent winter paddling and hosts an awesome community of knowledgeable paddlers. Ask questions, be open, and setup the perfect gear drying system so you can keep getting out for more laps! #docolt #myspl #winterpaddling #whitewaterpaddling Photo: Seb Tashiro

Get outside and stay safe in the mountains! All year mountain enthusiast and COLT instructor Bill Phipps shares his advice on winter backcountry adventures: Just like COLT start out slow and seek folks with experience to mentor you. Wait for a nice weather weekend and go for a walk or snowshoe in the snow, try winter camping or sign up for an ice climbing lesson. Don't let the cold and grey stop the adventure. When thinking about ski touring, split boarding, winter mountaine...ering or any travel in potential avalanche terrain, follow these three simple concepts: 1 Get the gear (transceiver, probe, shovel) 2 Get the latest avalanche bulletin and weather forecast 3 Get the training (take an AST avalanche skills training course) There is fun to be had year-round out in the hills! #docolt #myspl #connectrespectrippleeffect #wintercamping #backcountryskiing #snowshoeing #winteradventures Photo: Seb Tashiro