ACCVI Newsletter - ACCVI The Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver

On the shores of Shangri-La Lake, Alava-Bate Summer Camp, 2016
ACC VANCOUVER ISLAND SECTION
Social Events
The club has a monthly slide-show presentation at
the Swan Lake Nature House, 3873 Swan Lake Road,
Victoria, BC on the second Thursday of each month,
except in July and August. The doors open at 7:00pm,
and the show starts at 7:30pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thur, Sept 8. Liz Williams: Nepal - Once is Not
Enough!
Join Liz Williams for a brief look at the people, culture
and landscape of Nepal. The trip took Liz from the
bustle of Kathmandu, to peaceful Pokhara, and the
once imperial city of Gorkha, before starting a 21-day
trek of the Manaslu Circuit.
Web Information
Web site: www.accvi.ca
Webmaster: [email protected]
Thur, Oct 13. Graham Maddocks: The Lost
Venezulan world of Roraima.
Executive Meeting Minutes
Available on our meeting archives.
Contents
National ACC Office
For new memberships and renewals, changes of address or other details, and booking huts, contact the
ACC National office directly.
www.alpineclubofcanada.ca
[email protected]
403 678 3200, or P.O. Box 8040
Canmore, AB, T1W 2T8
3 Upcoming Slideshows and Events
3 Upcoming Trips
4 Rock’s Not Dead: Brianna Coates
6 Executive Episodes: Catrin Brown
8 Upcoming Trail Work: Russ Moir
9 Lake O’Hara Summer Camp: Shaun Peck
10Flower Ridge & More: Mike Hubbard
11Trip Chats
12Executive Listing
13Contributors
Annual Membership Dues
Single $53
Family $75
Youth (19 and under) $38
The Island Bushwhacker Newsletter
A monthly (except July and August) publication of the
Vancouver Island Section.
Newsletter Editor: Mary Sanseverino, 250 592 4677,
[email protected]
Reminder to Members:
Keep your membership up-to-date, so to as to be
covered by the ACC’s liability insurance. Keep your
contact information current on ACC National’s site, as
it’s from this master list that we download our email
addresses for mailouts.
We encourage submissions of items of interest to our
membership, including news items, announcements,
and short articles, along with photos. Email your submission by the 25th day of the previous month.
Advertising shall be accepted at the discretion of the
editor. All advertising shall be for products or services
of direct interest to our membership.
Register on our ACC-VI site to make your contact
information available to other ACC-VI members.
Join the ACC-VI listserv to keep in touch and share
information with other ACC-VI members.
Our Motto
1. COME BACK ALIVE
2. COME BACK FRIENDS
3. RESPECT THE LAND
4. HAVE FUN
5. GET TO THE TOP
(IN THAT ORDER!)
Join the ACC-VI’s Facebook group.
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Upcoming Slideshows, Presentation, Meeting and Get-togethers
Slideshow. Thur, Sept 8. Liz Williams: Nepal - Once is Not Enough!
Join Liz Williams for a brief look at the people, culture and landscape of Nepal. The trip took Liz from the
bustle of Kathmandu, to peaceful Pokhara, and the once imperial city of Gorkha, before starting a 21-day trek
of the Manaslu Circuit. Starting from Barpak, the epicentre of the April 2015 earthquake, they headed north
up the Budhi Gandaki river before taking a side trip up the Tsum Valley, a secluded Tibetan enclave. Spectacular vistas of the Himalaya confronted them every day, with the highest point, Larkya Pass, at 5,200m, exposing them to the Annapurna Range, all of which confirmed Nepal’s tourist slogan: Once is not Enough!
Slideshow. Thur, Oct 13. Graham Maddocks: Ascent to the Lost World of Roraima (2810 metres) of Venezuela and the Garifuna culture of Caribbean Central America.
Graham Maddocks takes us on another exciting journey to an exotic location on our globe. He reports of
the isolated ecosystems of Roraima in southern Venezuela which inspired Arthur Conan Doyle (author of
Sherlock Holmes) to write his novel The Lost World, in which dinosaurs were still living on top of a remote
plateau in the Amazon. Preceding this presentation will be sights you will never see and a discussion of the
unique culture of the Garifuna people of Caribbean Central America.
Victoria Slideshows are at Swan Lake Nature House. Doors open at 7:00pm, the show starts at 7:30pm.
Coming soon: Trip Chat Social Pub Nights - Up Island and Lower Island (see pg. 11 in this issue)
A convivial gathering at some “ local watering hole” to meet and chinwag about mountain trips, either done
or dreamed about or mooted. Come and meet up with folks who might, scarily, have a like mind on mountain adventures. Watch the web site and this space for times and places!
Upcoming Trips
09 - 11 Sept. Five Peak Challenge (B3).
Details: We will meet at Circlet Lake Saturday morning at 7am (This is so those working on Friday can still
join us if they want a loooong haul or a late evening. I assume most participants will hike there on Friday Once we have a group I will email everyone so we can coordinate this). On Saturday we will climb the ridge
to Frink, cross over to George V, then follow the ridge over 1931, 1917 and 1909. If we have time and some
have strength an optional 6th peak could be Albert Edward on the way back. We will return to Circlet Lake
to sleep and enjoy a relaxed exit on Sunday. Note: Trip leader has not climbed beyond Frink in this direction
so some route finding may be involved. Joint trip with Island Mountain Ramblers.
Contact: Clarke Gourlay, [email protected] , 250-954-3941.
17 - 18 Sept. Lone Cone Mountain via Kayak (C2).
Details: Kayak from Tofino, to Lone Cone Mountain and climb from sea level to 2448’, on a steep muddy trail
to overlook Clayquot Sound.. Overnight on Vargus Island. Kayak and kayaking experience needed.
Contact: Christine Fordham [email protected].
01 - 02 Oct. Quadra Retreat.
Social on Quadra Island (B&B,Slide show,Rock climbing,Kayaking)
Contact: Tak Ogasawara, [email protected].
Be sure to check our on-line web schedule frequently for updates!
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Rock’s Not Dead
Trip Report: Brianna Coates
Photos: Walter Moar
It starts with a punk show in Victoria on a Thursday night in mid-August. Walter’s favourite band is playing
so I buy tickets despite our plans to attempt Walsh’s Foray on Colonel Foster that weekend. It’s a good thing
everyone’s getting older because
the band finishes at 12:30am.
Friday morning we drive to the
trailhead and it’s 2:00pm when
we start the hung-over hike into
camp. It’s hot and the mosquitos
are plentiful.
We arrive at Foster Lake just
before 7:00pm and meet two folks
planning to climb Cataract Arête
the next day. One asks if we’re
familiar with the route up to the
North Col. We admit that, yes,
it’s not our first time through this
B2. They tell us about the snow
avalanches they’ve been watching all evening off the East Face
Chockstone frames a lovely view of Foster Lake
routes. We bid adieu and return to
our trudge uphill, with the sounds of weak, icy snow booming through the valley. The bush goes easier than
before and we are under Joe’s Boulder in forty minutes.
By now I really feel like crap and I ask Walter if we can set up camp soon. The tent goes up, close to some running water below the bouldered slope that leads to the ridge below the col. The platform is a little small and
our feet hang off the large talus, and I don’t fall asleep until early morning.
We’re up at 5:00am and below Evacuation Gully by 7:10am. We climb what’s left of the snow below the constriction, and then move onto the rock. Twenty minutes after we are off the lower snow, it collapses onto itself.
Quickly we weave between icy snow and rock, attempting to skirt the gully but not having much luck. Our
final traverse takes us under a snow bridge and we pop up onto the required ledge at 8:20am.
Considering that in mid-June it took us five hours to pitch out the gully, we are pretty chuffed with our recent
timing. Not only that, but as soon as I exit the gully I spot the biner with three nuts that we lost on our previous attempt. On that trip, exhausted and frankly scared on my part from hours climbing the snow-stuffed
gully, we got to the same ledge and called it.
This time, we ditch our barely used ice axes and unused crampons. From this point on it’s new territory and
we follow our noses, the beta, and the occasional cairn through heaps of precariously perched rock. We highfive at our high point near the top of the Northwest Peak, but unwilling to push our luck we quickly move on,
down climbing to the chockstone and col framing a lovely view of Foster Lake.
Up we climb to the summit of the Northeast Peak, making note of potential bivy spots. Down we climb to the
last col and up to our destination. It’s just after 1:00pm when we arrive at the main summit. The feeling of being on top of a mountain that we have long put on a pedestal, is indescribable. Walter and I grin at each other
as we relax for hours in the beautiful sunshine.
Walter makes the requisite search for beer, coming up empty handed. We hope for anything to supplement
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the two litres of water we each brought with us, but all the snow on our route has melted. We strain our ears to
listen for our fellow climbers on the arête, but not until hours later do we hear one yell of “Off-belay!”
Reading the summit register from
1996 to present is quite a treat. Even
though it’s only Walter and me
on that summit in this moment, I
feel surrounded by generations of
amazing people who live or have
lived life to the fullest.
We want to avoid being in the gully
at the end of the day, so we commit
to spending the night and choose a
spot on top of the Northeast Peak
that has been nicely engineered
to block wind. We compare water
rations, and Walter’s winning with
just over half a litre. A short while
later we are asleep, before the sun
even sets.
It’s night now and I’m woken by a
blood red moon rising in the east.
The hypnotic atmosphere created
Colonel Foster looking towards the Golden Hinde
by the moon is overshadowed by the
feeling I’m in some kind of cold and clammy sauna. We’ve gone as light as possible, with only a space blanket
garbage bag each for “comfort”. Unfortunately when you put yourself in the equivalent of a plastic bag, your
body’s normal condensation has nowhere to escape. We sleep in patches, tossing and turning on our rope
mattress. I shiver and Walter mumbles “eat more”, but my parched brain chooses to ignore what he’s saying
as I can’t imagine trying to choke down a dry bar with the little water I have left. I think about how had we
known we wouldn’t even rope-up I could have left the rack behind and brought my sleeping bag and more
water instead.
We leave our bivy at 7:00am. We carefully return whence we came and arrive below the Northwest Peak, ready
to start the multiple raps - eight in total. In addition to 25m of webbing, I sacrifice a couple of slings and a
cordelette.
A climber I respect greatly had given me some good
advice; avoid the gully later in the day as on a previous
occasion he’d witnessed bus-sized chunks of snow tumble
down. Unable to find a rap route to avoid it, the lower
rap route take us right into the gully and just above the
constriction. It’s about 2:30pm when we make the final
two rappels. We try to move quickly and efficiently but are
not out of the gully and off the snow until 3:30pm. We are
back to camp just after 5:00pm.
Exhausted, dehydrated, and not wanting to make the six
hour trek back to the vehicle, we stay another night in the
boulder field. My mattress feels so comfortable, and with
my feet hanging off the talus I dream of our next climb.
The north east view
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Executive Episodes:
A quick update of ACC life from the chair’s chair.
Summer climbs and times:
I hope everyone has enjoyed the long days of summer and has been able to get out and enjoy exploring our
collective backyard. I have heard nothing but great things about our two section summer camps – the two
week-long fly-in camps at Alava-Bate, and the week at the Elizabeth Parker hut at Lake O’Hara. With over 50
of our members taking advantage of these opportunities, the fine reputation of these camps speaks for itself.
For this, kudos for the organization goes to many people, including the summer camp committee, especially
Liz Williams and Peggy Taylor, and to Cedric Zala. The camps also depend on volunteer camp managers, trip
leaders, bottle washers and last, but certainly not least, the camaraderie of all who participate. We are lucky
in this section to have such a wide variety of people with whom to share mountain adventures. We will look
forward to hearing more specific stories at an upcoming slide show.
End at the top:
Our dynamic duo from Salt Spring Island, Stefan Gessinger and Shanda Lembcke, completed their ascents
of the nine Island Qualifier peaks with an ascent of the West Ridge of the Golden Hinde last week. Many
congratulations to Stefan and Shanda for completing their five-year quest on the roof of the island. We will
celebrate their achievement, and hopefully hear tales of some of their climbs, with the presentations of their
"Rick Eppler Island Qualifier Awards" at an upcoming event. Watch this space.
Access – a new look at an old problem:
Barb Baker, our access guru in Port Alberni, has kept us reliably informed of developments on the ongoing
challenges of access through privately held forest lands on the island. The issue has received a lot of attention
recently with press coverage following the publication of a report commissioned by the Outdoor Recreation
Council (ORC) of BC, and carried out by the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria. The full
study can be viewed here: http://www.orcbc.ca/documents/EnhancingPublicAccess_PrivatelyOwnedWildLands.pdf It contains some interesting recommendations.
In addition to the comments in the report, Barb has shared positive stories of cooperation and constructive
dialogue with the land-owners, particularly in the Alberni Valley. Please do share experiences you have on
this issue with Barb so that we can be the best informed to help the new sub-committee of the ORC in their
attempts to enhance backcountry access. Thank you. [email protected]
The hut:
Our hut committee has had a busy and productive summer moving forward with plans to build an ACC hut
on 5040. We were pleased by the many responses and positive feedback from members following the questionnaire sent out in June. The committee is now working with architects and engineers on the design, and
further information is available here. We have a long list of potential volunteers, and are always happy to hear
from you at [email protected]
Spotlight on our Trail Rider program:
Kudos to Caroline Tansley, our dedicated Trail Rider coordinator, for the feature in the national club’s blog in
July. The article is a very good read, giving an interesting summary of this unique program in the past, present and future. Read it here at: http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/blog/trailrider-program/ (Editor’s note:
Caroline is ALWAYS looking for more people to Trail Ride-contact her at [email protected] if you can help.)
The North Face Winter Leadership Course:
This long-standing opportunity to develop outdoor leadership skills has been enjoyed by many members of
the section over the years. Applications are now being considered for 2017, with a deadline of 8 November
2016 for application form, section endorsement and reference letters. Please follow this link for full details,
and let me know if you are interested in pursuing this.
http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/adventures/leadership-training/tnf-leadership-program-winter-2017/
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The last of the summer wine:
By the time you read this, we will doubtless have enjoyed a fine evening barbecue at the home of Tom and
Pam Hall in Victoria. I am being prescient here, writing this beforehand, but am confident that a fun time will
have been had by all (what a strange tense) and thank Tom and Pam for their hospitality.
Member news:
The many friends of Janelle Curtis were shaken and saddened by the news that she had been seriously injured
in a fall in Strathcona Park in early July. Janelle remains in hospital in Victoria where she is making steady
progress recovering from her injuries. Our thoughts are with her, and with her partner Rowan as he supports
her on this journey, one step at a time. In addition to her lively and competent presence on trips as leader and
participant, Janelle has worked hard to promote up-island activities for the section. She is also our membership person on the executive. We miss you Janelle and look forward to having you back with us.
Shout out for a volunteer (or two):
Our fly-in summer camps, which were established by Rick Hudson in 2010, have by now amassed a fair
amount of gear, and this needs to be stored during the rest of the year. Large thanks are due to Cedric and
Lissa Zala who have generously made space available for this in their property for the past seven years. As of
this September, the gear will be stored at the home of Tom and Pam Hall, and we are most grateful for this
seamless transition.
Executive event:
Our last executive meeting was on Monday 29 August and we will meet again on Thursday 29 September. As
ever, if you have any items for the agenda, please let me know. Also if you have any interest in joining the executive from January 2017, there are several positions that we will be looking to fill. Remember the vibrancy
of our club depends on the many volunteers who pitch in, and we are not a bad group to hang out with. Please
feel free to ask for more information from any of us. The link to the executive page and minutes of meetings is
here.
Happy trails
Catrin Brown
[email protected] | [email protected]
Hungabee Lake, East Opabin Trail, Lake O’Hara Summer Camp
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Arrowsmith Judges Route - Upcoming Trail Repairs
Oct 1 - 2, 2016.
On October 1 and 2 there is a plan to return to our battles from last year on the repair of the upper section of
Judges which, as the photos below suggest, is getting a hammering from both constant, increasing foot traffic
and through water run off.
Last year a great group of 11 brave souls hiked up and, with minimal resources and gear, did a yeoman job
on the section below the summit. The stone steps we put in have lasted reasonably well. The wood cribbing ,
using materials scavenged from the lower slopes has been badly damaged, leading to further cutting into the
delicate peat surfaces.
This year we are again working under the auspices of Regional District of Nanaimo, who are the authority on
the summit regional park. They are now giving us material support to get more and better materials up there.
We aim to head up on the Saturday, camp in the summit area and work into Sunday to get as much stepping
and run off control in place before the winter rains set in.
A recce this summer made me cringe at the state of this trade route up Arrowsmith. It is becoming an awkward barrier to the summit.
If you would like to join us to help out with the work, please contact me, Russ Moir, at [email protected]
for details.
With the steady tramp of boots up there, the trail is gasping for rescue !!
Cheers,
Russ
Signs of heavy erosion on the
Judges Route Trail. If you can
help do some maintenance contact Russ Moir, at
[email protected]
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Lake O’Hara Summer Camp - Aug 14 - 21, 2016
Trip Report: Shaun Peck
Photos: Shaun Peck, group photo by Ken Wong
Editor’s Note: Shaun has recorded a day by day account of his activities at the Lake O’Hara Summer Camp -you can see all of his reports at http://splakehara.blogspot.ca/. It is a cracking good read, and there are lots of
photos to give a sense of what the place was like. Below is just one story from a fun-filled week.
Hike to Odaray Grandview Prospect and Lake McArthur
Day 2, August 15, 2016
Led by Cedric, 22 of us assembled at 0900. The reason for being all together is because Parks Canada requires
large groups to register to go through the McArthur pass. This pass is sometimes closed in the spring during
the time Grizzly Bears are feeding in the area. The route went along Alpine Meadows, to McArthur pass, Odaray Highline to Odaray Grandview Prospect at 2535 Meters. The Stuart family started down just before this,
twelve members went on and climbed Mt. Walter Feuz (aka Little Mount Odaray) and a group of seven then
descended before ascending to Lake McArthur 2,251 Meters by the High Level Circuit and then descending
via the Low Level Circuit. Some of us enjoyed our first (very cold) swim/dip in Lake McArthur.
Group getting ready to head up Mt. Walter Feuz
Odaray Grandview Prospect
The group on the last evening.
Liz, David, Lynne, Lise, Judith, and Scott - Mt. Walter Feuz
and Odaray Mountain behind
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Thinking about jumping in Lake McArthur!
Flower Ridge and More - Aug 22 - 26, 2016
Trip Report: Mike Hubbard
Photos: Mike Hubbard and Catrin Brown
Janelle was unable to lead her planned “All Women’s Golden Grind” as she is still recovering from her accident so our gallant chair ,Catrin, jumped into the breach and put on a substitute trip to Flower Ridge on short
notice and even allowed men to apply! We, Victoria Clarke , Catrin Brown and Mike Hubbard, drove up to
Strathcona after a leisurely start on the Monday and camped in comfort in the Ralph River campground so as
to avoid climbing the steep trail to the ridge in the
heat of the day. We were a little concerned about
water after the long hot dry spell but need not have
worried or carried the extra litres as after reaching
the ridge and passing several dried up or fermenting
watering holes we came to a sparkling tarn about
1.5 km along the ridge and made camp in an idyllic
meadow with 360 degree views of Strathcona from
the Hinde in the north to Septimus and Nine Peaks
in the south. The water was perfect for a cooling
swim and a light breeze kept most of the mosquitoes
away. Wednesday was to be our easy day but the
weather was so perfect and the ridge so enticing that
we ended up walking the whole ridge and scrambling down to the col above Green lake returning to
camp only in time for supper and another swim.
Mike on Flower Ridge, Buttle Lake in the background. Photo by Catrin Brown.
What to do next? The ridge had been explored and there
across the Valley was Mt Myra. Catrin’s enthusiasm was catching and so we descended back down to Buttle
Lake on the Thursday morning and after checking out the Trail head by the Westmin mine decided to camp
again in the Ralph River campground and make an early start on Friday morning. We were up at 5.45 and by
8 were plodding up the 1 km of road and 7 km of steep and rough cat trail to Tennent Lake which we reached
about 9.30. Thereafter we were on a good but steep hiking trail to the tarn on the ridge. The blueberries were
fantastic, our mouths and teeth turned purple and our bodies thanked us for the vitamins and anticarcinogens that we consumed . We met only a lone father with 3 teenage girls on the trail and they were our inspiration. The exposed gully referred to in Phil Stone’s Guide turned out to be well protected by roots and bushes
and above we met 3 triumphant girls who told us we were only 5 minutes from the top and they had all made
it. We persuaded Victoria to leave her rather heavy pack
behind and we were soon on top for a late lunch and superb views of the mountains. We were down at the tarn
for a wonderful swim by about 5 but by the time we hit
Tennent Lake light was fading. The rough and steep cat
track down to the mine seemed endless but we managed
it without having to use our headlamps and wondered
how we had made it up so easily in the morning.
We reached the car at about 9 and headed home . Coca
Cola and a monstrous triple burger at Wendy’s in Campbell river gave us the energy to drive on and it was 3 well
exercised members that fell into their respective beds in
Victoria at around 5 am. A great 23 hour day and many
thanks to Catrin for getting us out there.
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Catrin and Victoria with Nine Peaks, Cream Lake and
Septimus behind. Photo by Mike Hubbard.
Trip Chat Social Pub Nights
Up Island and Lower Island
A convivial gathering at some “ local watering hole” to
meet and chinwag about mountain trips, either done
or dreamed about or mooted.
Come and meet up with folks who might, scarily, have
a like mind on mountain adventures.
You can just b.s. Or actually get down to plan a future
trip. It may or may not lead to a scheduled Section
trip, but it might give birth to an adventure or just give
you needed info on some destination.
AND ... if you bring your ACC membership card you
will be ok for one free drink to loosen your tongue.
The Up Island event in Nanaimo has been booked by
Colin Mann , see Schedule or Facebook for derails.
South Island gathering venue, date (some evening in
October) yet to be announced, details to come on the
web site, Schedule, and in the Newsletter.
SO WATCH OUT FOR A NIGHT OUT OF ARMCHAIR MOUNTAINEERING with just your tongue to
wag!!
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EXECUTIVE
Library/Archives/History
Tom Hall (Library/Archives),
250 592 2518, [email protected]
*Lindsay Elms (History), 250 792 3384,
[email protected]
Membership
Janelle Curtis,
[email protected]
National Rep
Christine Fordham,
[email protected]
Safety Committee
Walter Moar
250 381 3922 [email protected]
Schedule
Karun Thanjavur, [email protected]
Slide Show Coordinator
*Peggy Taylor, [email protected]
Webmaster
Martin Hofmann,
[email protected]
Memorial Fund
*Geoff Bennett, 250 853 7515,
[email protected]
Trailrider Program Coordinator
*Caroline Tansley, 250 886 8038,
[email protected].
Chair: Catrin Brown, [email protected]
Secretary: Caroline Tansley, [email protected]
Treasurer: Colleen Kasting,
250 920 5278, [email protected]
Members-at-Large:
Russ Moir, [email protected]
Chris Jensen, 250 516 3932, [email protected]
Colin Mann
Access and Environment
Barb Baker, [email protected]
BMFF Coordinator
Krista Zala, [email protected]
Bushwhacker Annual
Cedric Zala, 250 652 5841,
[email protected]
Education
Harry Steiner, 250 652 6647,
[email protected]
Equipment
Mike Hubbard (lower Island),
250 370 1096, [email protected]
*Tim Turay (upper Island), 250 334 5259,
[email protected]
Summer Camp
Liz Williams, [email protected]
FMCBC Rep
Rob Macdonald, 250 727 6734,
[email protected]
* Non Executive Coordinators
Shangri-La Lake, Alava-Bate Summer Camp, 2016
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Special thank you to the Sept 2016 Island
Bushwhacker Newsletter contributors. It couldn’t
happen without you!
Catrin Brown
Brianna Coates
Mike Hubbard
Walter Moar
Russ Moir
Shaun Peck
Ken Wong
“There are some people in life that make you laugh a
little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little bit
better.”
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