The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia


November 2019 NEWSLETTER
 

FMCBC News

 

An update on Princess Louisa Inlet

Back in October, we traveled to Princess Louisa Inlet and helped stake the boundary lines of the property recently purchased by the BC Parks Foundation. Our ED, Barry Janyk, had the immense pleasure of wrenching out the heavily reinforced "For Sale" sign that had been drilled into a tree at tideline on top of a very slimy cliff!

What happened to the sign, you ask? Well, it had a big SOLD sticker slapped across it and became the centrepiece of the recognition event in Vancouver on Oct. 25th. Barry was honoured to share the podium with Mel Turner and Andrew Day, who recognized the Fed’s efforts not only to raise awareness but to also take an active role in helping.

This pristine 720-hectare parcel is an amazing provincial legacy—now preserved forever!

 

Avalanche Awareness Event

Thanks to the 400+ people who came out to the Avalanche Awareness event in North Van this month! It was a successful, engaging day with a great turnout for both the advanced and beginner sessions. Head over to our Facebook page for more photos (pictured here: FMCBC Director Jay MacArthur opening up the morning event) and check out the links below for some media coverage on the event: 

Also thanks to Avalanche Canada for co-hosting and to all the presenters for sharing their knowledge. Until next time!

 

Save the Date: 2020 FMCBC AGM

Our next AGM will be held in Gibsons, BC over the May 22 – 24, 2020 weekend. Thanks to the Tetrahedron Outdoor Club for hosting! Details and registration will be released closer to the date.

We've moved!

While we don't maintain an office location that's open to the public, we do require a space for storing important items and for occasional meetings. We recently moved to Taiga Works in downtown Vancouver and we'd like to thank them for their generous contribution of office space!

We'd also like to thank MEC for generously providing office space for the past many years. We truly appreciate our longstanding relationship with MEC—and our common founders!

FMCBC response to Forest Stewardship Plan in Chilliwack Natural Resource District

We recently submitted a letter to Chartwell Consultants regarding Hillcore Lakeside Pacific Forest Products Ltd.’s Forest Stewardship Plan Forest License (FL) A19207. We were concerned that the Plan only identifies 2 trails, when there are actually many other hiking trails witin these landscape units. And to protect these recreation resources, we suggested there be strategies in place to maintain the unique recreational experiences provided by these trails. Read our letter here and Chartwell's response here.

 

Mountain Matters

Amended closure of the Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

BC Parks has assessed and amended the closure of the Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy. Public access is not permitted within the immediate slide path as outlined in red on the map posted on the Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy website. The remaining areas of the Conservancy are now open to public access.

The Keith Flavelle Hut (Keith’s Hut) is outside the closure area and open for public access.
Signage has been posted at the trailheads and on the conservancy website. BC Parks will be conducting an assessment of the closure area in Spring 2020.

 

ORC files application to intervene in Douglas Lake Cattle Company case

Remember the court case involving the Douglas Lake Cattle Company and the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club? Last December, the BC Supreme Court sided with the rights of the public to access lakes in the Nicola region of the province.

The Cattle Company recently filed an appeal and the BC Cattlemen's Association has applied for intervener status. And now, in support of the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club and in support of the public’s right to access crown lands and waters, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC has filed an application to intervene in the appeal case. Get all the details here.

 

Winter Permit System now in effect for Rogers Pass

It's that time of year again! If you're heading to Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park you'll need to understand the Parks Canada Winter Permit System.

Rogers Pass receives an average of 10 metres of snowfall a year, and explosive artillery fire is regularly used on the mountain slopes to protect highway and railway traffic from natural avalanches. The Winter Permit System, which covers all of the mountain slopes that face the Trans-Canada Highway and railway corridor, separates skiers from artillery fire and the resulting avalanches.

 

In the News

Other News & Announcements

Were you involved in the FMCBC during the 80s and 90s? Were you involved with the Stein Valley conflict? A doctoral candidate at UBC's Department of History is researching the history of preservation and conservation in British Columbia. He would like to talk to people who were members/employees of the FMCBC during this period and learn more about the FMCBC's role in protecting areas such as the Stein. Email stacey.santos@mountainclubs.org and we'll put you in touch!

Avalanche Canada wants your Mountain Information Network (MIN) reports! Their forecasters need your reports to help them make better forecasts, especially in the early season. Reports don't need to be complicated, technical, or long. Just tell them what you're seeing out there. Every single report helps!

Want to know more about camping reservations in Golden Ears Provincial Park? Hear the results of this past summer's BC Parks survey and learn about improvements coming to the park in summer 2020? BC Parks is holding a public info session for Golden Ears on Nov. 29th @ 6:30 pm at the Hammond Community Centre in Maple Ridge. More details.

Job alert: The BC Parks Foundation is hiring an Events and Experiences Manager.

The Parks Canada Discovery Pass gives you unlimited admission to over 80 national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites. Save $20 on Family/Group passes until December 31, 2019!

 

Feature Photo Credit

Thanks to Mike Nash of the Caledonia Ramblers for this month's feature photo of the Rainbow Range in South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. The photo is from the upcoming Fall/Winter issue of Cloudburst, which will be hitting inboxes in early December!

Click here to view our Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Cloudburst.

Use our online form to report motorized recreation observed within BC Park boundaries.

Visit Canada Helps to make a donation to the FMCBC. All donations go towards our Member Club Grant Program

The FMCBC is always looking for volunteers. Click here to find out how you can get involved.

The FMCBC is a proud member of:

The FMCBC would like to thank Taiga Works for supporting the FMCBC through their generous contribution of office space.

Copyright © 2019 Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, All rights reserved.
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