The document summarizes a retreat for realtors that took place from September 11-15, 2016 in the wilderness of British Columbia. It involved a group of realtors flying via float plane from Whistler to Skycamp on Crystal Lake, where they spent time canoeing, hiking, exploring a nearby glacier, and having discussions to gain new perspectives on themselves and their work. The purpose of the retreat was to disconnect from daily life, understand each other better, achieve peak performance, and examine their business models through experiences in nature and group conversations.
1. REALTORS® ON RETREAT
An amazing journey into the
deep wilderness of British
Columbia
September 11-15th, 2016
TRIP NOTES
by Suze Cumming
The Nature of Real Estate
2. We travelled from Whistler to Skycamp located on Crystal Lake in the south Chilcotin Mountains – in
a straight line it’s 110 km but the float plane route through mountain passes and around peaks was
significantly longer. Flight time was 45 minutes.
WHISTLER
SKYCAMP
on Crystal
Lake
Crystal lake is nestled in the
mountains surrounded by
majestic peaks and glacier
drainages.
3. The journey began with a drive up the famous Ski to Sky
Highway to beautiful Whistler British Columbia where we
spent the first night in the Pan Pacific Mountainside at the
base of the mountain. The Whistler Chamber of
Commerce hosted our first master mind meeting and we
shared a fine meal at Trattoria di Umberto’s
4. Monday morning we took off from Green Lake in Whistler and headed into the mountains.
The small De Havilland Beaver Float Plane (circa 1961) is perfect for puddle jumping around
the alpine lakes. The plane took us in two loads through some of the most unbelievable
mountain and glacier geography anywhere in the world.
Continuing conversation at the float plane dock
The first group to fly to Skycamp
5.
6.
7.
8. Our arrival at Crystal
Lake. A perfectly calm
sunny day with the
mountains reflecting
in the lake.
10. THE PURPOSE
“I went to the woods
because I wished to
live deliberately...”
― Henry David
Thoreau
Disconnect
Understand our People – our teams,
employees, clients, prospects, colleagues
and self
Achieve Peak Performance – through
deliberate and intuitive attention
Examining our team models – does the
triangle of hierarchy that has evolved in real
estate work?
Gaining new perspective on self, real estate
and the world we live in
18. Suze Cumming
Nature of Real Estate
Organizer and
facilitator of amazing
real estate
professionals
19. Wayne Flann
Peak to Peak Adventures
Safety consultant, guide, paramedic
and trip photographer
Wayne has spent the past 33 years
helping people experience the
mountains in and around Whistler BC.
20. Ali Calladine
Nature of Real Estate
Assistant everything. Guide, note
taker, facilitator, photographer and
most importantly, our millennial
energy
21. Cathy Jewett
Camp host, experienced
guide, Whistler Ski
Patrol and Whistler
Citizen of the year 2016.
Lucky us!
22. What we Did
We used the vast wilderness, the nature, the
adventures and the incredible experience and
wisdom of the group to achieve new perspectives,
restore our attention and allow for breakthrough
thinking.
A new perspective brings forth new solutions. The
clarity that comes from being in nature allows us to
see what was hidden to us before.
To feel humble in the big picture of the wilderness
allows us to set our ego aside and look at our
business, our lives and our selves through a new
lens.
23. We paddled.
Crystal lake is a pristine
Alpine lake. While often
fairly windy, during our stay
the conditions for paddling
both canoes and kayaks was
perfect. The entire group
circumnavigated the lake.
24. We talked.
We had organized master mind
sessions throughout our retreat
but some of the most
interesting thoughts emerged
from the spontaneous
conversations .
25. We hiked.
The Chilcotin Mountains are ideal for hiking.
Varied trails gave everyone a chance to
participate at their level.
We hiked as one group on the long day to a
beautiful waterfall. The next day we went in
two separate groups. One to enjoy the beautiful
moments and the other to push towards a
destination.
26. We Ate.
Our camp host, Cathy,
prepared fresh healthy meals
that we enjoyed at the long
table in the log cabin by the
wood stove. A perfect setting
for mastermind sessions,
reflections and idea sharing.
30. We Explored
We had the privilege to visit
the bridge glacier. Weather
conditions must be ideal for
the float plane to land on
this glacier terminus lake.
31. Bridge
Glacier
Bridge
Glacier
The Bridge Glacier is
the headwaters for
the Bridge River. It is
the source for one of
BC’s largest sources of
hydro power.
The Bridge Glacier has
retreated over 3.5 km
in the past 40 years
and loses between
100m and 600m per
year. Glacial melt has
accelerated
significantly since the
early 1990’s
Here is an interesting
Globe and Mail article
about the glacier
Bridge Glacier