Document type : vocene
Date : 2014-07-08
Description : VOCene #6 2014
Content :
VOCene #6: July 8, 2014
In this Issue:
1. Recent Trip Reports
2. Upcoming Trips
3. Interesting Opportunities
4. Message Board Highlights
5. Activity Partners Sought
6. Ms. Manners
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1. Recent Trip Reports
Beacon amidst Destruction(Kayaking)
Despite 5-foot waves and elusive beach access, Dmitri Oguz made his way to Destruction Island. Complete with wildlife, sketchy bridges and a really cool lighthouse, this trip sounds like one to add to the kayaking to do list!
Saxony Climbing: How I stopped worrying and learned to love knots
Read about Artem Babaian and Kat's journey to Germany, climbing in an area where no trad gear, bolts or chalk is allowed, but instead hand tied knots are used for protection!
Harrison Hut Trail Workhike (June 28-29)
Get the latest updates on the Harrison Hut Trail, complete with before and after pictures and lots of fun.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day Scrambling and Climbing
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is Quebec’s national holiday, and Marie-Eve decided to have a proper celebration on the preceding weekend. The plan was to scramble Tricouni on one day, go cragging in Squamish the other day, and somewhere in between prepare authentic Poutine.
Oregon: The Cycling Revolution of the Scenic Bikeways
After cycling through Central America the year before, Maya and Gili decided to spend nine days out in Eastern Oregon cycling the Old West Scenic Bikeway and La Grande Tour. Read about their adventure here!
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2. Upcoming Trips
Beginner-friendly trip to Semaphore lakes · Fri. Jul. 11th - Sun. Jul. 13th
We'll plan to leave Friday night and either camp at the trailhead or hike to the lakes with potential headlamp arrival; the hike in is only 1.5h. Options will be discussed at the pre-trip meeting on Wednesday, July 9th at 6:00 PM in the clubroom. Saturday: Hike to Semaphore Lakes (4-5 km, ~1.5 hour) and set up camp. Then scramble Locomotive (~ 7 km one way), and possibly Tender and Caboose (a little further). Sunday: Scramble Face Mountain (~8 km one way) and return to cars.
Mt. Rexford · Sat. Jul. 12th - Mon. Jul. 14th
Gather people for fun in the mountains! This past weekend was a dud weather wise. Fingers crossed for a better outcome this following one. I really want to get back into the Mt. Rexford area and as such will plan a trip out there. Lena and I have the Monday off so will go from the 12-14th. We have space for 3 others in our vehicle. This will be a non-instructional trip but more a way to gather like minded individuals in a wonderful area. There are things for all skill levels there everything from scrambles to 5.11 or aid climbs. Going into this area earlier than later is good because there is no water source up there so snow allows for lighter packs on the way in. Note: Although we are headed up for 3 days this does not mean that everyone has to come for 3 days. It would still be great if people came up for the weekend.
Intro to Bicycle Touring: Vancouver Island · Sat. Jul. 19th - Sun. Jul. 20th
If you like bicycling to UBC you will love bicycle touring. Everyones first tour can be intimidating, so why not do it with some friendly and experienced people. Also the biking culture in the VOC is pretty thin, which needs to be changed because bicycling is awesome. To do this trip you need a safe bike: one that has working brakes, and can change gears consistently. Pre-trip meeting is Wednesday, July 16th at 6:00 PM in the clubroom.
Mt Robie Reid scrambling · Fri. Jul. 25th - Sun. Jul. 27th
Summer is here, it's time to do some scrambling! The objective is Mt. Robie Reid, a ~2000m peak located north of Mission. The trip will involve a steep (steeper than the grouse grind and longer) trail section, followed by a 3rd-4th class scramble in the alpine to reach the summit. As the trailhead is near sea level, the trip will involve ~2000m of elevation gain in a day. Depending on the snowpack, ice axes may be necessary. More details will come as the trip date approaches. Pre-trip meeting Monday, July 21st at 7:30 PM, location TBD.
Super Extreme Helicopter-Action-Brew-Wood trip Episode II - the return of the fire · Saturday, July 26th
You always wanted to see a helicopter really close? Maybe touch it? See it like 10 times landing and taking off again, carrying massive chunks of wood? You wanted to watch this helicopter delivering these logs to one of the greatest huts in BC?
You always wanted to give back to some fraction of mankind, maybe by making sure that some people are warm, dry, mold free and happy - for a change? Pre-trip meeting Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:30 PM in the clubroom.
Barr Creek bridge upgrade, phase 1 · Sat. Jul. 26th - Sun. Jul. 27th
This marks the 3rd and final season of trail building on the south side of the valley, assisted by a series of access and activity grants from MEC (4 seasons if you count route finding); with a length of 12.5 km this has been by far the VOC's most major trail building undertaking. The route is brushed and marked all the way to the hut, and the major switchback sections finished. However many tasks remain - mostly good old fashioned hard labour moving dirt to create a footbed along the (substantial) sidehill portions. Pre-trip meeting Wednesday, July 23rd at 7:00 PM in the clubroom (yes there does appear to be overlap with the above pre-trip meeting- more friends!).
Wednesday Evening Frisbee- EVERY WEDNESDAY
Remember to check out Wednesday evening frsibee at the grass patch by the beach at the bottom of Tolmie Street. Check out the message board for updates regarding numbers and weather cancellations. This event happens nearly every Wednesday.
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3. Interesting Opportunities
MEC Outdoor Nation: outdoor activity initiative
MEC is starting an initiative called 'Outdoor Nation' targeted at people ages 18-27. This is a initiative to try to encourage people to get outside. MEC is looking for partners in this venture. They are setting up 3 summits, gatherings of about 150 people to discuss how to get people outside. The first of these will be held in Squamish on September 20th-21st. They are looking for the VOC to commit to send 8-10 people to this summit. (All expenses paid). We would like to send some students to this summit, so we are opening the opportunity to you! If you would like to go, send an email to Caitlin Schneider or Artem Babaian, or post here. Please describe why you would want to go. We also need people to commit to this. We will let you know by the end of july for sure
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4. Message Board Highlights
Remember to check out the indoor climbing FAFF and Squamish Climbing FAFF for opportunities for both indoor and outdoor climbing experience and fun! Also, remember to post pictures of your awesome adventures for others to enjoy as well!
Can't get enough of trailwork? Check out the Friends of Garibaldi Workhikes!
Looking for a place to live? A few VOCers are advertising rooms available in East Van house, which they claim is a great location as a launchpad for the mountains and heaps of room for gear storage.
Wanting to start your trad rack and looking for advice on Cams: what to get? or perhaps you have some advice of your own? Check out this thread here!
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5. Activity Partners Sought
Looking for group to hike the West Coast Trail: Interested in hiking the West Coast Trail at the end of August or early September? Check out the thread here!
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6. Ms. Manners
Do you have a question for Ms. Manners? If so, email it to to your friendly neighbourhood VOCene editor and it'll get forwarded Ms. Manners for review. Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away.
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Dear Ms. Manners,
In light of the recent death on Sky Pilot, should I be concerned about my safety on trips?
Sincerely,
Concerned
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Dear Concerned,
The recent death on sky pilot is very sad indeed. There is always an element of danger when participating in outdoor activities, especially in more exposed area and on less stable or more vertical terrain. As access to more technical areas increases and more people attempt any given route, the likelihood of an event occurring is sure to increase due to numbers. However, your safety is a large part in your hands, ignoring un-predictable events and unfortunate events such as loose rocks and land slides. Some ways to ensure your own safety are:
(1) Be aware of YOUR skills and what you feel safe doing on any trip. Be vocal when you feel unsafe. There is no shame in turning back at any point when necessary.
(2) Be aware of the technical skills required for the trip you are intending to do ahead of time, and ensure that you think your skills are adequate for the trip. If technical skills required involve knowledge of avalanche terrain or placing gear while climbing, ensure that an adequate number of participants on a trip have the required knowledge.
(3) Take proper safety precautions by familiarizing yourself with the route and recommended and required gear for your trip, and ensure you have this gear.
(4) Talk to others who have been on a trip or route and ask them for advice on things to be aware of, things to look out for and how safe they felt in their personal experience.
Remember to try and not over-estimate your abilities, but also not to be afraid to try new things and increase your knowledge base! A balance needs to be had between knowledge already acquired and knowledge to be acquired while on a trip, and the line between safe and not safe may largely be in attitude on any given trip. Be sure to think about each decision in terms of safety before acting on a decision. Think: is this route safe? Are there safer routes? Is there someone in the group who may see a danger that I cannot see myself? By asking questions such as these, you reduce the chance of something bad occurring. Do not be afraid to go out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! There are many new experiences to be had and skills to be acquired!
Sincerely,
Ms. Manners
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