On Saturday, Oct. 14, army cadets from the 1789 Royal Westminster Regiment RCACC (Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps), along with staff and several soldiers from the Royal Westminster Regiment, were out at the Tulameen Plateau in support of the Hope Mountain Centre.
The deployment was all in support of the Hope Mountain Centre HBC (1849) Trail revitalization project and formed a part of their involvement requirement of the army cadet program.
After a long drive into the back country, the cadets, corps staff, members of the regiment, Hope Mountain personnel, and a group of volunteers carried supplies – including rather heavy cedar boards and tools – across five kilometres of the snow-covered plateau to the Blackeye’s Plateau Camp.
The purpose was to build tent platforms to protect the Tulameen sub-alpine meadows and to host trail users.
The historic trail was a major fur trading route in the early days of the Colony of British Columbia, connecting Tulameen and Hope, and is now a popular recreational destination for hikers and back-country enthusiasts.
The work of the cadets is a prime example of how the Army Cadet program works to promote good citizenship, physical fitness and an interest in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Youths aged 12 to 18 are welcome in the Army Cadet program and can attend any Tuesday between 6:30 and 9 p.m. at the Canadian Legion Hall in Hope.
Alternatively, interested young people can email hopecadets@gmail.com.