The Cold Moon & Her Constellations: A Night Hike

Read more: Full Moon Night Hike 2024 | Hope Mountain Centre

It is the time of the year to stow away our paddles and look ahead to the season of snow. Join us in honouring the Stó:lō seasons of the moon under the Xets’ō:westel moon on a night hike up Thacker Mountain in Hope where astrophotographer and cosmos aficionado Eloi Homier, aka “The Moon Guy Next Door,” will share his passion for the night sky and our closest celestial neighbour, the moon!

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Come and join us in Hope for an educational night hike under the full moon! While hiking the Thacker Mountain Loop trail you will learn about the lunar cycle, lunar and solar eclipses, star navigation and constellations, as well as “low-tech astronomy.”

Learn more about night vision, the effects of light pollution, finding and recognizing the planets, and more! Enjoy a beautiful view over the town of Hope with the towering snow-capped mountains in the background, lit by the night sky. We will stop at various viewpoints along the way where participants will enjoy a hot apple cider treat to keep warm.​​

Price Includes:​

• Educational interpretive walk

• Hot apple cider & a snack

• Use of snowshoes if needed

• 2025 Lunar Calendar

​​Bonus gift for every participant! Each participant will receive their own signed copy of Mr. Homier’s 2025 “Moons over the Salish Sea” Calendar. As he describes it, “it's no run-of-the-mill calendar ... along with the usual moon phases, each month, you’ll find a list of noteworthy astronomical events, such as planetary meet-ups, meteor showers, and eclipses. If you've ever missed a meteor shower or an eclipse, only to see all the posts about it on social media the next day, I know your pain. As your friendly Moon Guy Next Door, my dream is to eliminate those moments of disappointment so you can

experience the magic of the night sky in real-time. Get rid of your FOMO (fear of missing out) by having all the best celestial moments right on your Calendar Guide to the Night Sky. You'll also find a QR code on each page that you can scan to get more details about the astronomical highlights of the month and how to view them.”

Physical Demand:

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. Thacker Mountain Loop is an intermediate level trail with a distance of 4.3 KM and 197m of cumulative elevation gain.

Please note that this hike will take place in the dark under a headlamp, and in potentially/likely wet, slippery conditions that may include snow and/or ice. As the trail includes some steep slopes mixed with undulating terrain, this trip is not recommended for beginner hikers or those not very stable on their feet. Waterproof footwear with a good grip is required.

Children and youth who are experienced hikers are welcome to join but must be accompanied by a guardian during the hike.

Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants.

Itinerary:

Saturday, December 14, 2024

• 6:00 PM: Gather in Hope at the Hope & District Recreation Centre parking lot (1005 – 6th Avenue in Hope), check-in, sign waivers, introduction

• 6:30 PM: Convoy to the trailhead - Map

• 6:40 PM: Begin hiking the Thacker Mountain Loop Trail

• 10:00PM: Return to parking lot

Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc.

What to bring:

Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials

At a minimum, participants will need the following for this outing:

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Required Gear

• Headlamp (with red light if possible!)

• A spare set of batteries or power bank and cord for your headlamp

• Two poles per person – optional, but greatly improves stability

• High-energy snack food

• Water (at least 1 litre per person) 7 Ways to Keep Water From Freezing

• Waterproof footwear with good grip

• Warm winter clothes (no cotton as the first layer against your skin), including jacket, waterproof clothing, gloves/mitts, toque, warm socks

• Camera If you have binoculars, please bring them

• Backpack to carry all your gear

Meet Your Guides:

Guest Speaker, Eloi Homier, based in Vancouver, BC, shares his love for the night sky through lunar photography, stories, and simple observing tips. Known as the "Moon Guy Next Door," he encourages everyone to slow down and marvel at the universe above. 

Eloi’s fascination with the cosmos began in childhood and grew into a lifelong passion for the moon, its changing beauty, and its cultural significance. Through his Moon Guy Next Door platform, he makes stargazing accessible, inspiring others to connect with the universe. Eloi’s mission is simple: help people find wonder and joy by looking up.

Program Director, Meg Turner, considers our wild spaces her second home. Raised in the Girl Guiding community and an active outdoor family, she feels comfortable leading others and sharing her passion for the outdoors. With multiple first-aiding certifications, including Remote First Aid, participants can feel safe exploring the trails with her. Having recently completed her BC Adventure Smart training, Meg will surely prepare everyone well for safe outdoor programs. She is stoked to head out into the wilderness with you hiking, snowshoeing, paddling, camping - whatever fun activity we have planned, she’s in her element and excited to create a memorable place-based learning experience with you.

Cancellation:

Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know as we need registration information from everyone.

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 A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants.

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Hope Mountain Centre reserves the right to change the location of a program for the safety of our participants and staff. No refund is offered when the location is changed. 

Additional information:

Liability Waiver

Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions. 

Informed Consent Form 

Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.