Document type : vocene
Date : 2011-02-09
Description : VOCene #38
Content :
VOCene #38 – February 9th, 2011
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In this VOCene:

I. This week in the VOC
 1) Past trips and events
 2) From the exec's desk
 
II. Upcoming Events and Trips
 1) Slideshow: Ski Mountaineering in Sphinx Bay, Feb 9 (Wed, today!)
 2) Beacon Practice, Feb 10 (Thu)
 3) Olivier's Legendary Fondue Ski Trip to Phelix Hut, Feb 12-14
 4) Charlie's Beginner Friendly Brew Hut Trip, Feb 12-13
 5) Sphinx Ski Camp, Feb 14-20
 6) Bike Trip: Vancouver-Seattle via Whidbey Island, Feb 14-17
 7) Skyler's Himalayan Experience, Mt. Rainier, Feb 12-15 (approximate dates)
 8) Semi-Weekly Kayak Polo, Feb 22 (Tue)
 9) Tele Lessons with Phil, Feb 28 (Mon)

III. Miscellaneous
 1) Journal + photo contest coming up
 2) Rewards and incentives for trip organizers
 3) Looking for slideshow presenters
 4) VOC T-Shirts and Voile straps on sale

IV. Ms. Manners
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I. The past week in the VOC

This is a new, experimental, section in the VOCene. The aim is to keep our members more updated on how our trips/events turned out (awesome, or a disaster?) and some of the issues the exec has been discussing lately (but not everything!).

 1) Past trips and events

- The oh so popular Intro to Ice Climbing trip was a hit for yet another year! This trip never fails to produce smiles on the faces of newbies when they realize that the dream of climbing up a gushing waterfall is the reality of ice climbing. One student was quoted saying "In addition to smashed faces, we also had some smashed knees, smashed shoulders, and smashed windshields. Oh, and some folks got smashed around the fire Saturday night.", but luckily none of this was serious, just a few cuts and bruises.
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17311&t=17311

- A day trip to the Coquihalla was a surprising success, after a forecast of rain and gale force winds pretty much everywhere. One merry participant said: "Basically we got to ski the same slope, untracked, multiple times, because the strong winds and blowing snow would fill in our tracks so quickly. Personally I found this to be kind of awesome." It turns out there are actually many day trip possibilities, but they demand a longish drive. 
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17496&t=17496

 2) From the exec's desk

- A mid ski season social is being organized by our dear VP, most likely on Thu Feb 24th, watch the message board for details. Also, our end of year banquet is in the works, it will probably be on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.

- The journals from the past 25 years are now being scanned and will be uploaded to the website as they become available. You can access them by going to the VOC website and clicking on "VOC Journals" on the left side.

- The Garibaldi trip was a success, putting 14 people on the summit, but the avalanche was dubbed "a close call". Most likely we shouldn't rope up on avalanche slopes.

II. Upcoming Events and Trips
 
 1) Slideshow: Ski Mountaineering in Sphinx Bay, Feb 9 (Wed)
 
Ski Mountaineering in Sphinx Bay, presented by Christian Veenstra. Clubroom, 7pm.

 2) Beacon Practice, Feb 10 (Thu)

We'll be heading down to Wreck Beach after dark where we'll bury avalanche beacons and practice finding them. If you have no idea how to use a beacon, we'll teach you. If you know what you're doing, you can either help instruct people or work on complex scenarios. The beacon practice session will take place at Wreck Beach on February 10th from 6pm onwards (postponed from last week due to weather). Once we're done digging and playing in the sand we'll walk over to The Gallery (or Koerner's) and have some victory beers.

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17334&t=17334
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Beacon_Practice_Feb_2011
 
 3) Olivier's Legendary Fondue Ski Trip to Phelix Hut, Feb 12-14

For those of us who have had the pleasure of sharing a backcountry ski trip with Olivier, the experience has been unforgettable - his  cheese fondues are legendary. This strong swiss guy carries his high quality cheese and wine up to our backcountry huts, and needs some help to consume them, why don't you oblige him?

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17564&t=17564
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/12Feb2011_Backcountry_Skiing_Trip_to_Phelix_Hut

 4) Charlie's Beginner Friendly Brew Hut Trip, Feb 12-13

Yet another beginner friendly trip to Brew Hut! The aim of this trip is to get people who have not been up to Brew Hut in winter a chance to make it up there. Both skiers and snowshoers are welcome. The plan is for a merry night in the heated hut before summitting nearby Mt. Brew at sunrise on sunday. Hopefully the skies will be clear and the snow will be crisp! This trip is beginner friendly (we'll wait for you if you are slow) and will require a medium level of output.

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17545&t=17545
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Beginner_friendly_Brew_Hut 

5) Sphinx Ski Camp, Feb 14-20 (Reading Break)
A week of skiing and ski mountaineering out of the Burton Hut (aka Sphinx) on the shore of the majestic Garibaldi Lake. There will be opportunities for skiing, bagging peaks, digging snow caves and lounging in the sun (hopefully). Sphinx Ski Camp is becoming a VOC tradition, keep the flame burning!

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17229&t=17229
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Sphinx_Ski_Camp_2011

 6) Bike Trip: Vancouver-Seattle via Whidbey Island, Feb 14-17

A group of VOC'ers is planning to cycle down to Seattle via Whidbey Island, and return via public transportation. This is a beginner friendly trip, so no previous touring experience is required, although some experience commuting by bike would make it easier for you.

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17470&t=17470
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/2011_Reading_Break_Bike_Trip

7) Skyler's Himalayan Experience, Mt. Rainier, Feb 12-15 (approximate dates)

An advanced trip - summitting Rainier in winter is quite the challenge, with harsh weather, deep snow, complex avalanche terrain, challenging route finding, and short days, in addition to the high elevation. In winter, Mt Rainier begins to resemble a remote Alaskan or Himalayan peak more than a crowded Cascade peak. Safely climbing Mt Rainier will depend largely on clear weather and reasonable avalanche conditions, so dates will likely change.

http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Rainier_Again

8) Semi-Weekly Kayak Polo, Feb 8 (Tue)

For a while now, VOCers have been holding semi-weekly kayak-polo sessions at the UBC pool or the beach. Typically, half the time is spent practicing rolls, as there's always people that want to learn, and the rest of the time we play kayak-polo. Please check the message board thread for updated information (which will be available soon).

http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Kayak_Polo_%40_the_Aquatic_Centre
Previous session: http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=3&i=17536&t=17536

 9) Tele Lessons with Phil, Feb 28 (Mon)

After Tele School, you may want another lesson or two for more feedback and tips/cues/drills. Phil Hammer (EOS) is a CANSI Level 2 telemark instructor and is offering free tele lessons to help out the VOC (and to get more teaching experience).

http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Tele_Lessons

III. Miscellaneous

1) Journal + photo contest coming up

Some articles have already been sent in, but we need lots more to have our usual impressive looking journal. You still have time to write an article, the deadline is February 15th. Also, editors are needed to help with proofreading (contact journal@ubc-voc.com).

If you've got some cool photos from the past year, not necessarily VOC related, consider submitting them to the photo contest. The deadline for this is also February 15th.

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=49224&t=49224
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/VOCJ53

2) Rewards and incentives for trip organizers

Woohoo, prodeals for VOC Trip organizers! In return for leading trips, you now get not only immense satisfaction, but cheap gear too.
http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=49623&t=49623
http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Discounts_for_VOC_Trip_Organizers
 
3) Looking for slideshow presenters

Have you had an amazing experience in the outdoors or while traveling? Have some impressive photos to show the club? Want to give an outdoor related workshop? Ignacio would love to hear from you at rozada@math.ubc.ca

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=49186&t=49186
 
4) VOC T-Shirts and Voile straps on sale

The colourful and inspiring VOC t-shirts have been a hit! We still have a few left, so why don't you come over to the clubroom to get one for yourself or as a gift? We also have lots of VOC Voile straps on sale, very useful in many situations (I own at least ten).

http://www.ubc-voc.com/phorum2/read.php?f=1&i=51097&t=51097

IV. Ms. Manners

Do you have a question for Ms. Manners? If so, email it to to your friendly neighbourhood VOCene editor and he'll forward it to Ms. Manners for review. Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away.

Dear Ms. Manners,

Last weekend my windshield got hit by a freak rock and was half smashed, on the way to a trip. Luckily no one was hurt, and we managed to drive in and out safely. Should my passengers help pay for the damage? My nose got hit by a chunk of ice. Should they compensate me for that too? Why on earth do people want to climb water, anyway?

Thank you,  
Ice Master

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Dear Ice Master,

I looked in my crystal ball, and determined that the answer to your first question is YES. In your infinite awesomeness you offered to sacrifice many hours of sleep, many nerve wracking hours at the wheel, and many dollars of car maintenance money, the least your passengers can do is help cover additional expenses due to god's anger at your foolishness of attempting to climb water.

Chunks of ice, on the other hand, are fair play. I wouldn't complain too much, you had it coming.

Yours,
Ms. Manners

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