Document type : vocene
Date : 2009-11-03
Description : VOCene #20
Content :
VOCene #20 – November 3rd, 2009
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In this VOCene:
I. Upcoming Events and Trips
1) Wednesday Night Slide Show - Backpacking South America
2) Beginner Backcountry Hotsprings - Nov. 7-8
3) CAC Backcountry Avalanche Workshop - Nov. 7
4) MEC Clubs Night - Nov. 10
5) Annual Smith Rock Climbing Trip - Nov. 11-15
6) Ski Movie 'Flakes' - Nov. 17
7) Wilderness First Aid Course - Dec. 5-6
8) Avalanche Skills Training Course - Dec 12-13 or Jan 16-17
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I. Upcoming Events and Trips
1) Wednesday Night Slide Show - Backpacking South America
This past summer, after living on a cliffside in Squamish for two and a half months, Lewis went and travelled through South America for 6 weeks, starting in Buenos Aires, Argentina and going to Lima, Peru.
He had no plans, except a date on which he was going to start the Inca Trail, and knew little to no Spanish. This slideshow is an account of what he did, learned, and might do differently if he were to go back and do it again.
This will be happening tomorrow, Wednesday November 4th in the clubroom at 7:00pm.
More details on the message board:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=45403&t=45403
2) Beginner Backcountry Hotsprings - Nov. 7-8
It is currently the time of year when it is too wet, cold, and miserable to go hiking, but there's not quite enough snow to avoid destroy your skis. This means that it is hot spring season. This is the perfect trip to get outdoors and to relax and really enjoy yourself and to forget about your busy life in the city.
If you missed out on the last hotsprings trip, this is your chance! There will be no pre trip meeting. All questions can be asked either on the message board or by email.
More details on the message board, sign up on the wiki:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Beginner_Backcountry_Hot_Springs
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=10942&t=10942
3) CAC Backcountry Avalanche Workshop - Nov. 7
The Canadian Avalanche Centre will be hosting a Backcountry Avalanche Workshop at UBC on November 7th. It would be a great intro for people planning on heading out into the backcountry for the first time, or an ideal refresher for those more experienced with avalanche risks. Speakers with information on local routes, choosing terrain, recent research, and much more. The full schedule is now available, and is linked to on the wiki page.
Tickets on sale at the door for $20. UBC Forest Science Centre, Room 1005. Workshop runs from 9:00 - 5:00.
Details on the message board and wiki:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=45187&t=45187
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Backcountry_Avalanche_Workshop_2009
4) MEC Clubs Night - Nov. 10
Are you one of those people who can't step foot into MEC without lightening your wallet considerably? Or perhaps you're new to the whole outdoors gig, and wonder what this MEC place is that people keep talking about. Whichever the case, you probably want to come along to the MEC clubs night.
10% off retail prices! This event is for members of the VOC and ACC, in addition to getting a good price on gear it will give you a chance to see what these clubs are all about and how your free ACC membership works (did you know you get a free ACC membership as a VOC member?). Be there at 7:00pm for a quick presentation about what MEC, the VOC, and the ACC can do for you, hear about the screenings at the upcoming Banff Mountain Film Festival and then shop 'till you've got all the gear you need, you run out of money, or 9:00pm - whichever comes first!
You must sign up on the wiki to attend. If you have previously signed up but won't be able to make it, be sure to remove yourself from the list so someone can take your place!
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Nov2009_mec_clubs_night
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=45035&t=45035
5) Annual Smith Rock Climbing Trip - Nov. 11-15
Smith Rock State Park is the premier rockclimbing destination in Central Oregon and is famous worldwide as an early birth place of bolted sport climbing in North America. The VOC traditionally has a trip there over the Remembrance Day holiday, but this year that falls on a Wednesday. The current plan is to drive down on the Wednesday, and stay until the Sunday. Climbing is on two primary volcanic rock types. The welded tuff of the main formations provides knobby and pocketed face and irregular crack climbs at all angles and all difficulties. The basalt columns of the upper and lower gorges provide steep splitter cracks and delicate bolted face climbs.
Top-ropeable climbs are limited in number as most formations are more than 1/2 rope length high. However there are numerous quality bolted and traditionally protected climbs at easy grades for the beginner lead climber. More details on the message board and wiki:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Smith_Rock_Climbing_Trip_2009
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=10322&t=10322
6) Ski Movie 'Flakes' - Nov. 17
The VOC will be presenting a showing of the telemark ski film Flakes by Powderwhore. It will be shown at the Norm Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 17th at 7:30pm. Admission will be by donation, with any proceeds going to the Canadian Avalanche Centre. Bring your friends!
"So we only get a paragraph to describe our latest film? I don't know if that's enough room to describe the 70 hours of HD footage we painstakingly condensed into one action-packed hour of powder-filled backcountry skiing. Now I've already wasted two sentences. Down to business: We spent last winter breaking trail into the backcountry with some of the top telemark skiers in the world like Nick DeVore, Andy Jacobsen, Jason West, Will Cardamone, Megan Michelson, JT Robinson, Dylan Crossman and many others. Our goal? To try and capture the joy and freedom that is powder skiing and bring that vision to you. We traveled from Colorado to Utah, and from Argentina to Alaska, searching for the most challenging and beautiful mountains to ski. After five years of two brothers putting out films, it's still tough to effectively capture our amazing experiences in a few sentences."
Trailer on youtube, more info on the message board:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcorGsIUPQ0
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=45221&t=45216
7) Wilderness First Aid Course - Dec. 5-6
The payment deadline is this week, Friday Nov. 6th!
It is a good idea for anyone traveling in the backcountry in big groups, little groups, a pair or solo to have wilderness first aid training. This is a great short course that packs a lot of learning into only two days. Don't confuse this with the red cross first aid, wilderness or regular, that teaches you to assess the safety of the situation and then call 911 and wait until EMS shows up. This course focuses of Patient Assessment, stabilization, and evacuation plans for remote areas. Upon successful course completion you will earn a WMI of NOLS wilderness medicine certification.
The course costs $130 for the two days, and includes all course material and necessary instructional equipment .
More details on the message board and wiki:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=45240&t=45240
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Wilderness_First_Aid_Course_with_the_Wilderness_Medicine_Institute
8) Avalanche Skills Training Course - Dec. 12th-13th or Jan. 16th-17th
Taking an avalanche course is a great idea for anybody who will be in the mountains in winter. On skis or snowshoes, with the VOC or without the VOC, no matter what this course will be of great benefit. The VOC is organizing four different avalanche courses; two in December and two in January. The courses are run by Canada West Mountain School, but are offered through the VOC for a significant discount!
This course in the AST1 course, which is the first level of training offered by the Canadian avalanche association. It is the first step towards being aware of and managing risks in the backcountry. Avalanche course students learn about some snow science basics, terrain, route finding, snow stability testing and rescue. The courses are being offered either at Mt. Seymour or a combination of Whistler and Mt. Seymour, and will cost $170 or $210 depending on whether you need a Whistler lift ticket. Spaces are limited, and it fills up quickly so make sure to sign up early if you want a spot. Last day for payment is Nov. 16th for the December courses and Dec. 14th for January courses.
More info on the message board:
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=10817&t=10817
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