backpacking Canada

Neshi · Mar 9, 2008, 04:12 PM

In about two months I will be finishing my school, and with a little bit of hard work I will graduate. My plan, as I haven't got a clue as to what kind of work I wanna do or what kind of education I want to do after I'm done, is to go to Canada for a year, backpacking.

As you know, Australia is a real backpacking country and is used to have hundreds of backpackers crossing the country, hitchhiking, asking for a job/food/place to sleep. But I'm not sure this is really the case in Canada.
I thought I'd ask you guys if you know anything about backpacking in Canada. Is the country at all suitable for backpackers, is it (fairly) easy to get around as a backpacker. (getting a job, a ride and whatnot?)

Anyway, If you have anything to say about the subject, feel free to post.

I have still got 2 months of school left, and only if I'm sure I will graduate this time (failed last year.. I'm lacking the real study discipline.. if you know what I mean.) I will really get into the subject and pay a visit to the Canadian Embassy here in Holland. Just asking for your experience and/or views on backpacking in Canada.

Maybe those on these forums who live in Canada can give a good view on the subject

OmegaRED · Mar 9, 2008, 05:57 PM

You kinda need to be more specific as Canada is a huge country. I think generally the best place to backpack (I've never done it) is in British Columbia because it's all mountainous and the scenery is incredible. Plus, lots of people are doing that stuff in BC whereas in other provinces you'll find it more rare.

I don't know how the getting a job part will work out since you're not a citizen that may make it more difficult unless it's tourist season maybe they're hiring no matter what. Ditto for getting around, there's a lot of open highways and I assume people are friendly enough to pick you up but I couldn't say for sure.

Neshi · Mar 9, 2008, 06:27 PM

thanks, I'm curious to the general view towards backpackers. Are people friendly or more suspicious towards strangers. I would like to go across the whole region, to see and experience as much as possible. Of course I won't be able to go everywhere.. but I thought of BC as a good starting point already.

I will also talk to the Canadian Embassy for information.. especially the route-planning and job part.. It's one of the vital things to keep me going for a year..

OmegaRED · Mar 9, 2008, 08:29 PM

Canadians are generally kind and courteous to tourists (which is essentially what you are) and if you've got a thick Aussie accent Canadian women will be all over you

Neshi · Mar 9, 2008, 08:51 PM

haha.. I don't think that will happen. I got a thick dutch accent though.. but I think Canadian women already heard enough of those

Falstaff · Mar 10, 2008, 01:32 AM

I always liked Vancouver, but then I am biased to the west coast anyway.

Judas · Mar 10, 2008, 01:27 PM

probably the easist place to get a place to sleep...excellent meals..... and work with pay very very easily without having to even be a citizen of this earth lol... is throughout saskatchewan....

Course trust issues are a concern... but alot of farms don't mind the extra hand... specially if they've got animals..... (likely the easiest to get a a job at)..

however... hitchhiking through saskatchewan is likely a bad idea... get used to using your thumb around this area if you come... cause you can depending on which area you pass through... go miles without seeing a soul or a town.... probably of interest is the cypress hills which is down in the southern western portion of saskatchewan.. or the sask landing.... there are TONS of points of interest... just spread out.. specially considering that a single province is larger then alot of these other countries.

Zelig · Mar 10, 2008, 03:06 PM

Heh, guys, Canada is big, but it's not hugely bigger than Australia, less than 20% more land area.

I honestly have no idea about backpacking in Canada, I've never met any backpackers (or at least, never discussed it in depth with them).

I'm interested in reading the responses in this thread.

Mousey · Mar 10, 2008, 04:33 PM

I fail to see the attraction of backpacking in the first place but that's just me.
I'd rather go on a vacation/holiday in a hotel with friends :P

Lelisevis · Mar 10, 2008, 05:02 PM

Ah Canada and backpacking now that's a story.
I worked in Canada for a while back around 2000. Got heavily drunk one night and decided I was gonna see the world

. Walked the 10 miles down the road and what did my drunken eye spy? Thats right.....a passing freight train. Now I wouldnt recommend this to my worst enemy but I ran along side, grabbed hold and hoisted myself up on the roof. Woke up some 300 mile away

.
Love Canada, got some great memories from my year out there. Be hard pushed to find a more friendly bunch of people. Alberta police even stopped one day as I was out for a walk and it started raining real heavy, gave me a lift back to my lodgings.

Judas · Mar 10, 2008, 05:08 PM

well the fact is... canada is much larger in that it's a considerable amount of land.. with way less people per square km... meaning... in some places.. it's nearly impossible to run into another person all day.

OmegaRED · Mar 10, 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousey

I fail to see the attraction of backpacking in the first place but that's just me.
I'd rather go on a vacation/holiday in a hotel with friends :P

For the record, I also don't see the appeal of living the life of a homeless dude in a foreign country either.

Canada would be much more fun if you're partying it up at Whistler or hittings bars picking up chicks not dodging cars on the Trans Canada highway.

Mousey · Mar 10, 2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

For the record, I also don't see the appeal of living the life of a homeless dude in a foreign country either.

Canada would be much more fun if you're partying it up at Whistler or hittings bars picking up chicks not dodging cars on the Trans Canada highway.

Sounds like a nice place and all, especially from what Lelisevis described (minus the train, rofl

) but the homeless dude description sounded worryingly accurate lol.

Zelig · Mar 10, 2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

well the fact is... canada is much larger in that it's a considerable amount of land.. with way less people per square km... meaning... in some places.. it's nearly impossible to run into another person all day.

Actually, Australia has a lower population density than Canada, AND has a much lower proportion of its population living outside of urban areas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

For the record, I also don't see the appeal of living the life of a homeless dude in a foreign country either.

Canada would be much more fun if you're partying it up at Whistler or hittings bars picking up chicks not dodging cars on the Trans Canada highway.

Well, I don't think backpacking necessarily precludes those activities, you just have to find a means to finance them. There are a lot of Australians working at the resorts in the rockies.

Neshi · Mar 11, 2008, 06:16 AM

can't help but to smile when I read about living the life of a homeless dude. I think it will be a rather great experience and it's something I would regret if I didn't do it for the rest of my life.

It's good to read all your tales and experiences and opinions though.

Judas · Mar 11, 2008, 09:39 AM

just don't do it between the days of october 1st and may 1st lol.. not unless you want to freeze

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Mar 12, 2008, 01:07 AM

all that matters is toronto! hahah jk. the problem with our country is, when you go north there really is nothing but iceland. majority of the population is in the south and center of the country. Backpack india! more fun and no toilet paper!