C A N A D I A N 
HIGHLANDER 
Backpacking

Biography 

Tay lake is a remote lake located north within the  treeline of Tay river. It sits within the geographical & ecological region of the foothills just before the front range of the mountains.  

 

The lake sits within a drainage muskeg & is surrounded by a predominantly coniferous mixedwood forest at its waterline. 

 

Geographical elevations.

- Tay Lake - 1210m 

 

Backpacking.

Tay Lake trail length: 1 km 

Basecamp trail length: 1.15 km 

Basecamp 

 

Tay lake’s basecamp is situated on the west end of the lake about .5 km within the Treeline on the elevated lower foothill. This area is ideal for its dry deadfall, richer vegetation & protection from rain, snow & wind. 

Angling 

Tay lake is a mesotrophic lake located within the foothills. 

Perimeter size of 2 < 11 (500m x 500m) 

 

Fish Species 

• Rainbow Trout - 4 lbs > 

• Yellow Perch - 1 lb > 

 

Summer season angling - May - October 

Winter season ice fishing - November - March 

 

Summer season fly fishing 

Hatch seasons - May - June / July - September 

 

See Inventory for more details on Angling specifications.

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Flora

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In order of determining edible uses of vegetation, medical practices & precautions, knowing the regional biomes are essential. 

There are 3 regions in the perimeter of Tay. 

 

- Foothills 

The lower foothills consist of predominantly coniferous dense treeline & rolling elevations. The most variety of vegetation will be found within these regions. The base ground consists of moss or grass with lots of herbs & shrubs throughout the summer season. 

 

- Muskeg 

The muskegs are lower grounds between lower foothills that consist of poorly drained waterways, resulting in a marshy terrain. Vegetation is more limited within these areas & are home to many ferns & larches & very tall grasses. 

 

- Waterline 

The waterline is Tay lake & all biotic life within the lake. This waterline in particular is the scene of a drainage muskeg pooling up with water after the snow melts & during rainfall resulting in a large depth center of the lake. 

 

Identified species 

• White Spruce 

• Lodgepole Pine 

• Trembling Aspen 

• Tamarack 

• Common Labrador Tea 

 

See Inventory for more details on Flora specifications. 

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Bushcraft

Wood crafting, shoveling & fire management all take place within the basecamp. If a basecamp is not set, bushcrafting is an essential way to create a new camp. 

 

Forest biography 

• Spruce wood. 

• Pine wood. 

• Aspen wood. 

• Larch wood. 

 

Basecamp Fortitudes

• N/A

 

Treeline density - 4/5 (dense)

Essential Tools. 
- Hatchet  or Chopping axe. 
- Saw blade.
- Army shovel.

- Firestarter multi-tool. 

 

See inventory for more details on Bushcraft specifications. 

Scouting

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Scouting the perimeter of basecamp, a waterline or a nearby mountain is essential to knowing what’s going on in the area. However scouting takes preparation & knowing recognisable geographical waypoints. 

 

Tay lake has a very dense forest surrounding the waterline making scouting more difficult. 

 

Waypoints 

• Tay lake • 1210m