The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia


July 2018
NEWSLETTER


FMCBC News

FMCBC opposed to recent heli-biking application

At the end of May, Blackcomb Helicopters Ltd. applied for a commercial heli-biking tenure in hopes of creating six new trails in the Tenquille-Owl Lakes Recreation Area. The public comment period is now closed, but you can still view the application here.

The FMCBC is opposed to the proposal—a sentiment that is clearly shared by the public, as over 2000 people have signed the online petition against heli-biking in this beautiful and sensitive valley. You can read more details in the letter written by Jay MacArthur, an FMCBC Director and executive member of the ACC-Vancouver Section. Also, be sure to check out this Letter to the Editor from Dave Harkley (Trails Coordinator, Pemberton Wildlife Association) regarding the application (it’s the third letter on the page).

Remembering Jeremy McCall

Earlier this month, we were incredibly saddened to learn that Jeremy McCall, Executive Director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, passed away from cancer on July 4th. As our President, Dave Wharton said, “Jeremy was a man of deep integrity and will be greatly missed by all who knew him in the outdoor community and also by those who recognize his many contributions and his tireless effort made on our behalf. I will personally miss his friendship, support, and guidance.”

There will be a Celebration of Life later this summer.

Member Club Grant update - Caledonia Ramblers

At our AGM this past June, we awarded the Caledonia Ramblers a $440 Member Club Grant, to be put towards an Avalanche Skills Training (AST1) course for eight of its members. We were pleased to read an update on a potential course this winter. As the Ramblers said in their Thank You Note to the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, “The club believes that by offering members, particularly interested potential snowshoe leaders, a chance to take a professional AST1 course at a subsidized price, the club's already enviable winter alpine safety record will be even more significantly enhanced.”

Thanks for the thanks, Ramblers, and we wish you all the best with your course!

 

Mountain Matters

Logging in the Manning Park Donut Hole

The Manning Park “Donut Hole” is a piece of Crown Land surrounded by Skagit and Manning Provincial Parks. Unlike its neighbours, this pocket of land, comprised of Smitheram Valley, Silverdaisy Valley and 26 Mile Valley, lacks provincial park protection.

The Wilderness Committee has been closely following developments in the region. Earlier this month, they discovered BC Timber Sales (BCTS) logging road construction in the area. And just last week, a Wilderness Committee expedition discovered new clearcut logging.

As the Wilderness Committee says on its website, “In 2008 the BC government designated all the lower slope forests within the Donut Hole as Wildlife Habitat Areas, fully protected for the conservation of spotted owl habitat. This entire region in the Cascade Mountains, including the Donut Hole has been designated as BC’s top priority for grizzly bear recovery.“

That’s why your help is needed to protect this forest from clearcuts. Click here to learn more about the Donut Hole and what you can do to help.

Ancient Forest Celebration Day

On September 1st, you're invited to the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park celebration day! Enjoy a fun-filled day of music, arts and crafts, guided walks, storytelling, and a taco lunch in celebration of the beauty, biodiversity, and magic of BC's newest park.

The event runs from 11 am - 4 pm at Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park (113 km east of Prince George on Highway 16). It's family friendly, and persons of all abilities can and are encouraged to partipate. To learn more, click on the poster to view it in full size.

 

In the News

Announcements

Over the past year, the Whistler Museum and Archives Society, with the support of Virtual Museum of Canada, has been working on the release of a new online exhibit entitled Coast Mountain Gothic: A History of the Coast Mountain Gothic Arch Huts. Gothic Arch Huts are modest yet iconic structures that played a major role in the exploration of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia over the past 50 years. Discover the stories behind the design and construction of these shelters and meet the people and organizations that brought them to life. Along the way, you'll learn how networks of hiking trails help protect the sensitive alpine environments and support outdoor educational activities. The online exhibit is now live and available in both official languages on the Virtual Museum of Canada's website.

Rocky Mountain Books just released their new titles for Fall 2018. You can view the full list here.

Did you know that the Central Okanagan Climbing Association has custom t-shirts for sale? All proceeds go to supporting route development and maintenance in their area. Look good, feel good, and support a good cause!

The Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy Draft Management Plan is now available for review. The public comment period is open until August 15, 2018. Learn more.

Don’t miss the Vancouver International Bird Festival, which will be taking place from August 19–26 at various locations around the city. Look forward to many exciting events, speakers and activities for all ages, including bird tours, films, art shows, art workshops,, and lectures by leading ornithologists.

During the week of July 23, 2018, the BC Forest Practices Board examined harvesting, roads, silviculture, fire protection and associated planning carried out by Western Forest Products Inc. on tree farm licence 39 (Campbell River Natural Resource District). A report will be prepared when the audit is complete. Learn more.

Does your family need to unplug and get outside? Or find new ways to connect with the outdoors, and not screens? Check out Healthy By Nature, a BC Parks Foundation Initiative.

Help shape the future of Grouse Mountain Regional Park! There's now a management plan framework in place that incorporates the public and stakeholder feedback provided last fall, and the Grouse Mountain Regional Park Planning Team wants your feedback on what's proposed. Check out the plan and fill out the online survey by August 10th.

 

Feature photo credit

Thanks to Anatoliy Vlasov of the ACC - Vancouver Section for this month’s feature photo, which showcases the view of the Panorama Ridge, Mt. Garibaldi, Mt. Price, and Garibaldi Lake from the Black Tusk Trail.

"Me and Fain McGough III, whom I met through the ACC's Facebook page, decided to scramble up the false summit of the Black Tusk in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Without a doubt, it was one of the most beautiful scrambles/hikes I have ever done. Most of the trail was snow free, but there was enough snow close to the Black Tusk itself to provide ample photo opportunities. Going up the chimney was an extra bonus. We later found out that there is an alternative route to the mountain, which would have taken 2 hours instead of 6. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by. And ... now my legs hurt."


Click here to view our Spring/Summer 2018 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:

 

As always, the FMCBC would like to thank Mountain Equipment Co-op for supporting the FMCBC through their generous contribution of office space from which to base our administration.

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