Virtual Travel Journal: Catalina Island Foraging and Trail Safety with Nicole Snell

Read the full experience

Virtual Travel Journal: a casual connection to Catalina Island offers a one-hour live Zoom session from Bow, Washington, that turns your evening into a short-field course on edible plants, first aid, and trail stories. Hosted by Nicole Snell, lead personal safety instructor with IMPACT Personal Safety and owner of Girls Fight Back, this casual gathering follows Nicole's solo section hike on the Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT). Expect a mix of practical foraging notes, ethical-harvesting principles, and personal storytelling that links mainland skills to island landscapes. The session opens with Nicole's route highlights: coastal scrub, sea cliffs, interior canyons, and stretches of maritime chaparral that characterize Santa Catalina Island. She shows how to recognize common edible plants and how to improvise plant-based first aid, with hands-on tips suitable for beginners. The virtual format removes the pressure of remote fieldwork but keeps the payoff: usable skills, a chance to ask questions live, and a short community hangout on a weeknight. What makes this experience special is the blend of lived experience and accessible instruction. Nicole's work with IMPACT Personal Safety and Girls Fight Back brings a safety-forward approach rarely packaged with foraging guidance; she emphasizes consent, boundaries, and ethical harvesting. The session also connects to her larger teaching role—she's an instructor for the Town to Trails: From Fear to Fearless workshop on May 16, 2026—so you're getting perspectives that span solo travel, personal safety, and practical trailcraft. For travelers who love Catalina's iconic features—the TCT's ridge views, coves, and the chance to glimpse island wildlife like the island fox—this virtual journal primes you before visiting. It's a low-barrier way to build confidence spotting plants, treating minor wounds, and thinking sustainably about wild food. The meeting point is Virtual - you'll be emailed a Zoom link - so plan a quiet spot, good Wi-Fi, and a snack to follow the demo. Why book it? It's affordable, beginner-friendly, and rooted in real backcountry experience rather than theory. It's ideal for hikers planning Catalina trips, coastal foragers, or anyone wanting a practical taste of trail life from home. Bring curiosity, questions, and a willingness to learn responsible harvesting ethics; you'll leave with concrete next steps for safe, sustainable outings and a clearer sense of the Trans-Catalina Trail and the island's coastal ecosystems. Practical logistics: the hour-long session runs 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT (check the organizer’s listing for the exact date). No special gear is required for the live call; have a notebook, water, and a small snack handy. The instruction is beginner-focused but practical, and Nicole encourages questions during the session. Because the event is virtual, it's accessible to visitors from anywhere, including folks based near Bow, Washington, who want a Pacific coast perspective without traveling.

Trip highlights

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

1 hour.

Fitness level

No special fitness required; this is a virtual instructional session suitable for beginners.

Frequently asked questions

Is prior foraging experience required?

No — the session is beginner-focused and designed to introduce basic plant ID and ethical harvesting principles.

How will I receive the Zoom link?

The meeting point is Virtual — you'll be emailed a Zoom link after booking with instructions and any handouts.

Can I ask specific questions about my planned trip?

Yes — Nicole encourages live Q&A so bring route details and safety questions about your planned Catalina visit.

Will plant demonstrations be hands-on?

The session includes visual demonstrations and practical descriptions suitable for following along from home, but not field handling unless you are on-site.

Is the session recorded?

Check the organizer’s listing; recordings may be available but availability is determined by the host.

What age is appropriate for this workshop?

No minimum age is specified; content is accessible to teens and adults, but younger children may need supervision.

Local insights

Wildlife

Island fox
Bald eagle or raptor sightings

History

Santa Catalina Island has a long Indigenous and maritime history and a modern hiking tradition anchored by the Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT).

Conservation

Nicole stresses ethical harvesting and leave-no-trace practices; avoid removing plants and follow local rules to protect fragile island ecosystems.

About The Bronze Chapter

The Bronze Chapter is a Seattle-based nonprofit and outdoor education collective that offers workshops, retreats, and backpacking trips focused on practical skills, inclusivity, and sustainability. The organization runs single-session workshops (such as gear clinics and navigation classes), multi-hour skills sessions, and multi-day trips on Washington's coast and mountains. Events have included free community gear clinics at the REI flagship store, BIPOC-centered educational outings, beginner-friendly backpacking to Cape Alava on the Olympic Peninsula, a winter retreat at Gwinwood Retreat Center, and geology and navigation adventures near Mount St. Helens. Programs emphasize skill-building in camping equipment, map-reading, aidless navigation, physical and emotional wellness while backpacking, risk mitigation, and trip logistics. Instruction blends classroom-style presentations with hands-on, outdoor practice. The Bronze Chapter partners with local venues and uses established trail systems and municipal recreation areas for field sessions. Workshops list date, time, and location on promotional materials and are led by experienced educators and facilitators. The group's focus on inclusive spaces includes specific BIPOC-centered events and welcoming language in promotional descriptions, creating supportive learning environments for participants who prefer community-centered outings. Sustainability is emphasized through low-impact practices and responsible use of public lands. As a regional organizer based in Seattle, The Bronze Chapter centers Pacific Northwest landscapes and seasonal timing when designing trips and workshops. Prospective participants can review event summaries and dates to choose workshops that match skill level and personal goals. The Bronze Chapter provides clear session descriptions, intended audience notes, and safety-focused content to help people prepare for outdoor experiences.

Base locationBow, Washington

Tours offered

Adventure tips

Set up a quiet workspaceJoin from a spot with stable Wi‑Fi and minimal background noise so you can hear plant IDs and ask questions live.

Have a notebook and snack readyBring a small notebook and a snack to follow along with demos and jot down ethical harvesting rules; snacks keep the energy up for evening sessions.

Ask safety-focused questionsSince Nicole emphasizes personal safety, prepare questions about solo hiking, route visibility, and simple first-aid improvisations.

Follow ethical harvestingListen for and apply Nicole's rules on respectful foraging — minimal take, positive ID, and leave habitat intact.

Recommended gear

Notebook and pen: Capture plant IDs, first-aid notes, and local route tips during the live session.
Reliable Wi-Fi or wired connection: Stable connection ensures you don't miss live demonstrations and Q&A.
Headphones or earbuds: Helps reduce background noise and improves audio clarity for detailed instruction.
A small snack and water: Keeps you comfortable during the evening session and models the instructor's suggestion to bring a snack.