Document type : vocene
Date : 2015-04-07
Description : VOCene #39 2015
Content :
VOCene # 39: Tuesday, April 7, 2015

In this Issue:
Special Features
    1. VOC Spring Gear Swap- Wednesday, April 8th- TOMORROW!
    2. Son of Rock- Learn how to Climb (in Squamish)! May 9-10, 2015

The Usual Suspects
    3. Recent Trip Reports
    4. Upcoming Trips
    5. Message Board Highlights

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Special Features

1. VOC Spring Gearswap: Sell your surplus gear/buy used gear · Wednesday, April 8th- TOMORROW!

The VOC Gearswap is an outdoor gear buy and sell event. If you have some extra gear that you no longer need, come sell it. If you are looking to buy used/new outdoor gear for reasonable prices, come on out. Actual swapping of gear is encouraged as well. 

There will also be a "free table" - if you have items that could still be used by others but are not fit for selling, or you'd just like to give them away, please consider putting them in the free pile (no junk please). Although the focus is on outdoor gear, other gear that has a loose connection to the outdoors will be accepted too (downhill/snowboard gear, for example). 

This event is open to non-members as well, and is absolutely free - bring your friends! 

Time: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM 
Location: Neville Scarfe room 209.

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2. **SON OF ROCK (Learn How to Rock Climb in Squamish!)** May 9-10, 2015

This is the annual spring learn-to-rock-climb event in Squamish. This is for people who have never before touched rock, all the way up to learning to lead trad. One day of instruction on Saturday and an OPTIONAL day of climbing on Sunday. Camping will be done up the Squamish Valley, but there are no reservations. 

The pre-trip meeting on May 4th (location TBD) and is generally mandatory to arrange rides and instructors. Signup is done on the signup page on the trip listed on the Trip Agenda.

We have harnesses, shoes and helmets (yes, you absolutely need a helmet or we will not let you climb) for rent from the club, but you will need your own belay device and locking carabiner (but these can be SHARED between two people if you take the intro course, rock 1). More details can be found on the Wiki page. 

Climbing levels are: 
1. Learn to Rock Climb: Suitable for anyone who has never climbed or who doesn't know how to belay. Here you will learn how to belay, how to make the most important knots (esp. Figure of 8), how to check your and your partner's knot and harness and you will climb real rock. If time permits, we can also let you rappel. 

2. Learn to Build Top-Rope Anchors: For those who know how to top-rope belay and tie in for top-rope climbing, but want to learn how to set-up their own top-rope anchors on bolts and trees. We will also teach you how to clean anchors and how to rappel from your anchors. You will learn some more knots and learn about anchor gear. If you already climbed a lot at climbing gyms for example then this is for you. 

3. Learn to Lead Climb (Sport). Students PARTICIPATING in Rock 3 are expected to be proficient at top-rope belaying, at building and cleaning a top-rope anchor, and rappelling (Rock 2 or equivalent highly reccomended). Rock 3 is intended to introduce students to lead climbing and lead belaying. Upon completion of Rock 3, students should have the skills necessary to go single-pitch sport climbing at Chek, Area 44 or Skaha for example. 

4. Learn to Trad Climb. This is for people who are experienced at top-roping, setting up top-rope anchors, rappeling, lead belaying (and preferably know how to lead sport) and want to learn how to place traditional lead protection properly. 

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The Usual Suspects

3. Recent Trip Reports

Erockita : Introduction to Rock Climbing
A group of 20 bravely, adventurous climbers are heading bright and early to the smoke bluffs. No one else is around – because it is raining. Everything is wet and the sky doesn’t look like the weather will be better soon. But I guess once you fall in love with climbing, there is nothing to stop you from doing it, I guess, as it is the first time climbing for me. Luckily, I am not the only beginner and even luckier there are two gentle, patient instructors...

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4. Upcoming Trips

THIS WEEK

VOC Spring Gearswap: Sell your surplus gear/buy used gear · Wednesday, April 8th
The VOC Gearswap is an outdoor gear buy and sell event. If you have some extra gear that you no longer need, come sell it. If you are looking to buy used/new outdoor gear for reasonable prices, come on out. Actual swapping of gear is encouraged as well. There will also be a "free table" - if you have items that could still be used by others but are not fit for selling, or you'd just like to give them away, please consider putting them in the free pile (no junk please). Although the focus is on outdoor gear, other gear that has a loose connection to the outdoors will be accepted too (downhill/snowboard gear, for example). This event is open to non-members as well, and is absolutely free - bring your friends! This event will occur from 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM in Neville Scarfe room 209.

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THIS WEEKEND

Intro to Hiking in Your Ski Boots (AKA Spring Skiing) · Sat. Apr. 11th - Sun. Apr. 12th
Pelion has been on my list for years. A summit at the north of the stunning Tantalus range, it makes you start from nearly sea level with your skis on your back. We'll cross raging creeks, camp in the snow, and ski some corn. Maybe we'll even stand on the summit. Mostly, we'll be happy to be out in beautiful scenery with new friends. This trip is advanced friendly. You should have some knowledge of glacier travel and avalanche rescue, and must have a reliable self-arrest. Being able to survival-ski 30-35 degree slopes and camp in the backcountry are also necessary. It would be a good fit for someone who has done AST1, GS1, and Intro to Backcountry Skiing. Pre-trip meeting will be on Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 PM in the Gallery (main floor UBC Student Union Building).

Seymour Demonstration Forest, Bike-Hike · Saturday, April 11th
This past summer I discovered bike hiking, and you should discover it too! Think Sufferfest, but hiking (...so I guess less hardcore). The real bike-hiking trips will start in the summer, but to gauge interest and just get out there and cycle and explore together, I thought it might be fun to head out to the Seymour Demonstration Forest. 11 km of beautiful paved riding in the forest! Perfect for those who can't get away for the entire weekend, but still want to go outside. Any type of bike should be fine, as long as your tires are not too skinny (mountain bikes are not necessary) - the first part will be paved, the second part will be a gravel road.Message trip organizer for details.

Beginner Friendly Cycle Touring, Sunshine Coast · Sat. Apr. 11th - Tue. Apr. 14th
Jeff Taylor and I are going for a bike ride up the Sunshine Coast after classes are done, and we're looking for keen cyclists to join us for some leisurely pedalling, camping, sight-seeing, and flower-smelling. Since my training regime has consisted entirely of ten minute bike rides to school, we're going to be travelling bum-friendly distances, and will probably even have a day off the bikes to do a hike. For those of you who have just seen Sufferfest 2, this is going to be absolutely nothing like that. Although if we get to see a puppy, that would be sweet. This trip requires no previous cycle touring experience, although you do need a bike with a rack, camping/cooking stuff, and a can-do attitude. If you have panniers to carry your stuff in, that would be ideal, but if you don't have any let me know and we'll try to find a set for you. I won't let you wear a backpack full of camping gear. I just won't, so don't ask. Pre-trip meeting will be Wednesday, April 8th (tomorrow!) in the clubroom at 6:00 PM.

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NEXT WEEKEND

En Plein Air - Outdoor Artsy Fartsy Hiking Trip! · Sat. Apr. 18th - Sun. Apr. 19th
Calling all artists and art appreciators: it's time to flex your creative muscles while working your hiking ones! This trip is for those wanting to work on their creative projects in an outdoor/backcountry setting. For those of you familiar with Makerspaces, think of it like that, but in the woods and with less tech focus. Non-artsy folk are also welcome to join! All hiking levels are welcome as are all mediums (fine arts, performing arts, experimental, none, etc.). The exact location is TBD, but visiting a hut seems like a good option. There WILL be an introductory workshop to drawing materials and techniques after the pretrip. If you'd like to come to that but not on the trip, sign up anyway and just indicate that you're only interested in the workshop (yay art!). Pre-trip meeting will be Tuesday, April 14th at 6:00 PM. Location TBD.

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5. Message Board Highlights

a. Want to hear the most recent updates on solar lighting at Brew? Check it out here!

b. Pair wanted for trans Canada trek/canoe/horseback- paid gig!

c. Want to get out for some spring skiing? Get informed on the Spring 2015 avalanche conditions!

d. Looking for a car? Car for sale here!

e. Want to check out Three VOC huts in a week (Sat. May. 9th - Mon. May. 18th)? Check out details!

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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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