Browse News By Period: 2012 RSS2012-12-30T04:08:00+0000The North Vancouver Museum and Archives, home of the BCMC archives stretching back over 100 years, has a series of archival pictures from BCMC members on their web site, the link is: http://www.northvanmuseum.ca/collections8.htm

]]>2012-12-30T04:08:00+0000I added the option for members to select which category of trips they would like to get email notifications for (after those trips have been approved and registration has opened). The "sendmail" process to email members will take place about 5 am... to reduce load on the site. I hope that eventually most members will make use of this option to be informed of new trips that interest them. Members can login and update their Preferences for Trip Categories notifications on this page: https://bcmc.ca/club_preferences.php   Paul... volunteer webmaster

]]>2012-12-30T04:05:00+0000BC Parks recently issued a draft management plan amendment for the Spearhead area and, up until January 10, 2013, are seeking further input via their website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp_amend_comments.htmlWe hope that you take this additional opportunity to provide your comments. We also encourage you to consult the draft plan, which can be be found on the above site.The plan is in part a response to the proposal for the Spearhead Huts System in Garibaldi Provincial Park, submitted May 2012 by the Spearhead Huts Committee: http://www.spearheadhuts.org/the-project/proposalAdditional comments have also been voiced by the FMCBC: http://wiki.mountainclubs.org/trails_projects/garibaldiamend Commentary by John Baldwin https://bcmc.ca/m/news/view/Garibaldi-Park-Management-Plan-Commentary-by-John-Baldwin

]]>2012-12-28T18:18:00+0000A holiday greeting from the BCMC.

]]>2012-12-28T18:12:00+0000December 30 Intro Day https://bcmc.ca/m/events/view/1355028532 January 5 Intro Day https://bcmc.ca/m/events/view/1355028532 January 26 Intro Day https://bcmc.ca/m/events/view/1355027390 Program Objectives: This trip is an introductory course for those who have never skied outside a resort but would like to pick up backcountry skiing this winter. If you are a beginner-intermediate skier who can ski most 'blue' (intermediate) runs in bounds and want to try backcountry skiing, this trip is for you. This is not an avalanche course and no previous avalanche training is required. Your next step after taking this course is to take the AST-1 avalanche course. What you will learn: Ski gear and how to use it (bindings heel lift, boots up-down mode, extendable poles) Taking care of your climbing skins How to dress to stay comfortable Beacon check and basics of winter safety Skin up technique Introduction to steep skinning technique Basic avalanche safety considerations Staying found and sound Any other questions that you may have What to bring: Backcountry skis (with AT or telemark binding) Compatible ski boots Climbing skins Ski poles Avi gear – a beacon (check the batteries!), shovel and a probe- All of the above can be rented from MEC Warm layered clothes system: thermal underwear, thin fleece, thicker fleece/pile A water-resistant & windproof jacket & overpants A warm puffy jacket Two pairs of gloves, one pair should be mittens (bring hot shot packs if your hands are always cold) Lunch, plus some snacks and drink for one day A small Thermos with hot drink is recommended Blister care supplies if you are prone to blisters Transportation: we will car-pool from the meeting location. Participants will cover the car-pooling costs. After completing this course you should have the confidence to join us on day trips in simple terrain such as Black Tusk Meadows and Three Brothers Mtn which we specifically organize for graduates from t... Read more

]]>2012-12-11T07:25:00+0000We are still looking for interested individuals for the 3 open positions on the Executive Committee (Membership, Socials, and Programs). If you are interested in learning more, please contact BCMC President, Francis St Pierre.

]]>2012-12-11T07:22:00+0000BCMC Renewal Grace Period Ends December 15 Continuing BCMC members received a one-time renewal grace period in 2012 as we transitioned to rolling memberships. This grace period ends December 15, all memberships not renewed by that date are expired and hold no privileges. Going forward, each member is responsible for renewing by their individual club anniversary date, and no extensions will be offered.

]]>2012-12-11T07:16:00+0000MY DREAM / VISION There has been talk for some time lately about the British Columbia Mountaineering Club having, obtaining, buying, building a clubhouse in the Squamish area; whether in the town proper or nearby. This is my vision to that end. Having any kind of clubhouse in the town proper whether it would be an actual house, or town house, or any kind of structure would require in no particular order, insurance, a mortgage, the means to build one. Then; whom would keep it up, run it, look after bookings, sign on the dotted line as the holder of a mortgage? Would you? My answer to this is, to build a BCMC cabin at Watersprite Lake. Where you say? The club obtained a province of BC tenure on the 17th of September 2009 to build a mountaineering cabin at Watersprite Lake. It is a small lake situated 23 km east of Squamish at an elevation of 4700 ft. Where you say again? Go to bivouac and type in the name and you will see where it is located. It has been said that the area is too small to have a cabin, and there is little to do there. Well, here again is my vision. So why does the area have to be big? The clubs mountain Lake Hut sees much use and is a destination for many summer hikes. It is close to the city. The clubs North Creek Cabin sees much less use as it is quite a distance away. Some say too far even though the area is fantastic for winter skiing and summer mountaineering.  The answer is? The club holds any number of courses year round and there has always been the question of where will we go to hold these courses. Why not in a cabin that belongs to the club. Avalanche courses, summer and winter mountaineering courses, rock courses, winter camping courses, Brian Woods igloo building courses. The cabin would be the base. It would be close, cutting down on the travel time giving more time for the actual instructional time. At days end there could be a discussion of the days activities in a warm heated structure. It can be accessed even in bad weather. A... Read more

]]>2012-12-11T07:09:00+0000Some batches of Wild Country Helium Karabiners and Quickdraws manufactured after July 15, 2012 are subject to a recall issued today. Check your rack if you've recently bought some new wire biners. See here for more details: http://www.wildcountry.co.uk/community/latest-news/2012/12/10/Helium_karabiner_voluntary_recall__Issued_10th_Dec_2012/ 

]]>2012-12-11T02:52:00+0000The BC Mountaineering club now has a Facebook page, which provides updates from this website and allows you to "Like" us and promote the BCMC to others. Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/BCMountaineeringClubWe look forward to connecting with you! The BCMC website here at bcmc.ca will remain the main website for interaction with the club, but the Facebook page will provide yet another way to receive updates and information from the club: all powered from this news feed.

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