High Ground Hike & Learning Fair
This year marks ten years of the District of Tofino’s participation in the High Ground Hike. In 2016, the District became the first municipality in British Columbia to host the event. Over the past decade, residents have taken part in evacuation drills and built a stronger understanding of tsunami preparedness.
Evacuation Exercise
Participants will take part in a simulated evacuation walk to high ground, providing a practical opportunity to understand evacuation routes and response actions.
- Open to residents and visitors of all ages
- Participants are encouraged to arrive at 10 AM to check in and receive directions before the hike begins
Research Component (Optional Participation)
Volunteers will have the option to carry GPS tracking devices to help researchers and emergency personnel better understand how people move during an evacuation.
- Conducted in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and the National Research Council Canada
- Participation is completely optional
- The data is anonymized and used only to understand general movement patterns, not individual behaviour
- Open to all participants
Volunteers can register on the day of the event or sign up in advance to carry a GPS tracking device by contacting:
Hilary O’Reilly, Emergency Program Coordinator | horeilly@tofino.ca
Learning Fair Highlights
Following the hike, an interactive learning fair will feature hands-on and educational experiences, including:
- Quake Cottage earthquake simulator
- Live demonstrations of how earthquake shaking is detected
- Exhibitors such as the BC Earthquake Alliance and more
- Barbecue hosted by the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department