BCMC SOCIAL EVENT & GEAR SWAP -  April 8th, 2025 [IN-PERSON]

"When was the last time you climbed a tree?"

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Presenter: Tom Zadorsky is an ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessor, and industrial rope access technician with a background in structural engineering. As the founder of Cultivara Tree Tours, Vancouver’s first guided tree climbing experience, he combines technical expertise with a passion for forests, climbing, and outdoor education. Tom wants to get everyone into trees!

Climbing trees isn’t just for arborists or kids—it’s an experience that offers a new way to connect with nature, challenge ourselves, and understand the trees and urban forests that surround us. In this presentation, ISA Certified Arborist, tree climbing guide, and industrial rope access technician Tom Zadorsky will quickly explore the history, techniques, and philosophy of tree climbing, and its connection to education and conservation.

Drawing from over 5 years of experience in arboriculture and industrial climbing, Tom will break down the technical systems that allow safe ascents to the canopy, the parallels with rock climbing and mountaineering, and highlight the unforgettable experience of tall tree climbing.

Our urban forests are often overlooked and undervalued, yet they play a crucial role in the health of our cities and communities. By climbing into the canopy, we gain a deeper appreciation for trees, their ecology, and the need to protect them. Whether you’re a climber, conservationist, or simply someone who loves to be outside, this talk aims to change the way you see trees.

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We are having a Gear Swap Event!

Dust off that gear that's sitting in the back of your garage or closet and see if it can find a new home. Sell to your fellow mountain lovers or donate to the BCMC gear rental program. Cash only.

More info here.

  See you there!

Location: The Anza Club, #3, West 8th Ave., Vancouver | 19+ | Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Event Starts: 7.30 PM

BCMC SOCIAL EVENT -  March 11th, 2025 [IN-PERSON]

"  Mountain Muskox"

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This presentation introduces Mountain Muskox, a community-driven organization providing professionally facilitated peer support circles for individuals affected by traumatic events in mountain environments. Inspired by the protective circle of the muskoxen, our peer circles offer a safe and supportive space for healing and connection.

As passionate mountain enthusiasts, we recognize that while these landscapes offer adventure and joy, they can also be sites of profound trauma. Mountain accidents, such as avalanches and falls, impact hundreds of people annually in Canada, with lasting emotional and psychological effects. Research shows that nearly one in four individuals involved in wilderness incidents experience PTSD symptoms, and without support, trauma can lead to long-term mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and isolation.

Speakers: 

Lexie Morgan: A Registered Clinical Counsellor with a background in grief, suicide prevention, and critical incident stress management. Lexie has worked in backcountry lodges across BC, where she saw firsthand the impact of trauma on mountain communities. She is passionate about supporting people in their healing journey, offering care for those navigating life after unexpected events in the mountains.

Kirsten Boyle: Community Engagement and Fundraising Coordinator for Mountain Muskox. A writer and survivor of a serious climbing accident, Kirsten is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to extend Mountain Muskox’s reach. She believes in the power of community for healing and is writing a memoir about her experience of overcoming trauma, fear, and grief.

In this presentation, we will cover:

What We Offer – Our approach to fostering healing and resilience through guided peer support.

Who It’s For – Mountain recreationists, professionals, and first responders seeking connection and understanding.

Why It Matters – The growing need for community-based mental health support in the outdoor industry.

Timing – When and how to engage with our circles.

Circle Structure – How our sessions are designed to create a meaningful and supportive experience.

We believe healing takes a collective effort. This presentation concludes with a call to action to help expand Mountain Muskox’s reach—ensuring continued support for mountain communities navigating trauma and loss. 

  See you there!

Location: The Anza Club, #3, West 8th Ave., Vancouver | 19+ | Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Event Starts: 7.30 PM

BCMC SOCIAL EVENT -  February 11th, 2025 [IN-PERSON]

"  Exercise ATLANTIC QUEST 23 – Leg 4 : South Georgia"

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In September 2023 a team of regular and reservist soldiers and officers from The British Army’s Royal Engineers embarked on Leg 4 of Ex ATLANTIC QUEST 23, part of one of the most ambitious adventurous training expeditions undertaken at Corps level for some years. Meeting the Challenge 72ft yacht “Adventure of Hornet” in the Falkland Islands after its epic three month voyage from the UK, the crew sailed across 870 nautical miles of South Atlantic Ocean to the remote British Overseas Territory of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands. The next month was spent dodging icebergs and elephant seals, camping out on huge glaciers or in snowholes, hauling each other out of crevasses, and climbing mountains that only a handful of people, if any at all, have attempted.

Presenter: Jack Creighton

Jack Creighton has served 11 years in the British Army Reserve and has a civilian career as an Engineering Geologist. Throughout civilian and military career he always seemed to end up in the mountains, but never really thought much of it (just nice to be outside, isn’t it?). That is until, while on operations in the Middle East, he randomly joined a Zoom call hosted by the ‘Royal Engineers Mountaineering and Exploration Club’ (REMEC). What followed was 3 years of ‘Zero to Hero’ training in winter and alpine mountaineering, single and multi-pitch rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain first aid, big boat sailing and sea survival. He has played all over Europe and now lives in Vancouver, ready for the next challenge…

  See you there! 

Location: The Anza Club, #3, West 8th Ave., Vancouver | 19+ | Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Event Starts: 7.30 PM