Browse News By Period: 2016 RSS2016-12-23T23:19:00+0000 The Spearhead Huts Project is close to becoming a reality. Construction on the first of three huts could start this summer with your help. The Spearhead Huts Society needs to secure sufficient funds by February 1st in order to break ground this summer.                What’s New: Parks Use Permit received in February 2016. Green light to proceed. Design and planning is near completion for the first hut. Transformational gift of $1 million CAD was dedicated to the establishment of the first hut, the Kees & Claire Memorial Hut.NEW Ways You Can Help: Spearhead Huts Society is now a registered charity! Donate today to receive a 2016 tax receipt.  Crowdfunding campaign just launched! Support the project by booking hut nights, Arcteryx gear, and local photography. ... Read more

]]>2016-12-23T23:19:00+0000The following is a summary of the Watersprite Cabin Project from 2016.  This summary is the same as was presented at the last BCMC Executive meeting and BCMC Social. The full project summary can be viewed at the following link below: https://bcmc.ca/bcmc/files/Watersprite_Project_Summary2016.pdf

]]>2016-12-23T22:53:00+0000Mountains 101­­ is a FREE 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) teaching a comprehensive overview of Mountain Studies.  Mountains 101 will cover an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain places in Alberta, Canada, and around the world. Registration is now open. Mountains 101 will begin January 9, 2017. - See more at: https://www.ualberta.ca/courses/mountains-101#sthash.MK8wKtqq.dpuf

]]>2016-11-27T06:53:00+0000VOC Paddle for the North, Neil Mackenzie Fund FundraiserThursday, November 24th at 6 PM - 9 PMLocation: SCARF 100 on UBC CampusFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/213976555696176/ Paddle for the North is providing a showing in association with the VOC for the full FEATURE LENGTH FILM (55MINS).  Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with raffle tickets being sold from 6:00-7:00. Film maker Michah Rauguth will give a short opening at the beginning and then also be available for Q and A following the event! Raffle prizes will be drawn immediately after the showing and before the Q and A.Tickets $10 cash at the door. We will also try to have our electronic payment system up to accept credit cards, stay tuned! Raffle: Lots of awesome raffle prizes including 5-punch pass to CLiffhanger (1), Annual passes to the Viary (2), maps from the clubroom (3), Bugaboo Pear-shaped carabiners (12), Cereberus carabiners (3), Grandwall belay devices (6), Gimli Belay devices (6), Wedgemount Nut Sets (2), VOC tshirts (4) and Voile straps (4). Know your limit, play within it. 19+Invite all your friends and family! Synopsis: In the wild north, six young guys embarked on an epic adventure – to explore some of the most remote and untouched rivers in North America. Four Canadians, two Kiwis, two dogs (Zephyr & Taiger), three boats and two hundred pounds of camera equipment on a 63 day mission – it was always going to be a mighty test of endurance, determination and friendship. But beyond the swarming mosquitoes, technical challenges and physical hardship, what they didn’t expect was the impact of the stories from one First Nations family. This chance encounter introduced them to people so tightly tied to the land and the river that they live on, and the discovery that all of it is under threat from mining. A boys-own adventure turns into a mission to truly discover the secrets of the north and show the world why some places are worth preserving. Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=... Read more

]]>2016-11-19T21:03:00+0000It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time BCMC Member and Mountaineer, Sev Heiberg at the age of 94. Severin Andreas Heiberg Dec 10, 1922 - July 18, 2016 Mountaineer, trail blazer, gymnast, coach, mentor, Mensa, PhD Nuclear Physicist, computer programmer, stock trader, gentle power, humble leader, loyal friend. Born in Norway, Sev immigrated to Kingman Alberta with his family in 1926. Growing up on a farm during the Great Depression shaped him - his love of the great outdoors, his frugality, his spartan lifestyle. His intellect and brilliance always shone through. Sev's schooling began at the rural one- room Pretty Hill School and culminated in the attainment of a PhD in Nuclear Physics from UBC. In between he attended Kingman High, Camrose Lutheran College & UofA and did a stint in the RCAF which brought him to Denmark just as the war was ending. With his thesis "Reactions Induced by Fast Neutrons in Boron Trifluoride..." in hand, he ventured to Suffield, Alberta and then Ottawa participating in nuclear physics research. In 1968 he traded Ottawa and physics, for the higher mountains of BC to concentrate on his two passions gymnastics and mountaineering. From his mother, Sev gained a lifelong love for gymnastics, first as a competitor and then as a high level coach. In 1960 he founded the Ottawa Gymnastics Club and in 1969 the Phoenix Gymnastics Club in Vancouver. He was a founding member of Gymnastics BC and a Life Member of both Gymnastics BC & Gymnastics Canada. The Sev Heiberg National Stream Coach of the Year Award is named in his honour. He built the clubs on traditions and values of generosity, sportsmanship, work ethic, honour and love of gymnastics. His influence on the gymnastics world continues to be felt. An active member of the Alpine Club of Canada and the BC Mountaineering Club, Sev was an accomplished and well known explorer and mountaineer in western Canada. Noteworthy accomplishments include the first ascent of Pio... Read more

]]>2016-11-04T18:08:00+0000 The November 22nd Spearhead Hut Soiree is now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1838383486393744 Description Join us for an entertaining evening celebrating the Spearhead Huts Project’s monumental progress to date and help push it through to reality…. BE INSPIRED by 3 amazing speakers CELEBRATE our Park Use Permit (took 7 years) WIN door prizes FEEL  the latest in back country technology DISCOVER the next steps for the Spearhead Huts Project BE HEARD and have your say in hut decisions CHOOSE the best image in the Favourte Moments Photo Contest Enjoy the camaraderie, music, 50/50 raffle and bid on great deals in the silent auction. This community building and fundraising event is entirely run by volunteers  If you want to join an awesome team and wish to help out, please register here:  Spearheadhuts.org BUY TICKETS ONLINE >> SCHEDULE 6 – 7 pm VIP Reception 7:00 pm Doors open for General Admission 7:30 pm Welcome and Guest Speakers 8:45 pm Park Use Celebration 9:00 pm Silent auction closes, Favourite Moments Photography Contest winners announced 9:15 pm Cash bar closes COST General admission $25 (incl fees). Early Bird $18 including fees (until Nov 12 only). Includes draw prize ticket V.I.P Reception $37 including fees. Enjoy a free drink and nutritious seasonal flavours while chatting with our guest speakers, SHC executive and other dignitaries. On sale only until Nov 18! Includes two draw prize tickets. 6pm early entry. BUY TICKETS ONLINE >> THREE GUEST SPEAKERS How will our South western BC snowpack changing with climate shifts? – Dr. Gwenn Flowers What impact will climate have on the snowpack of southern BC?  Dr. Gwenn Flowers, leader of the St Elias Mountains SFU glacier research program (Yukon), will share the latest in glacier behaviour and modelling and how it may affect our own recreational back yard. How Do You Balance Traveling Ultra Light and Fast with Being Safe? – Stano Faban Highlighting le... Read more

]]>2016-10-17T04:38:00+0000For the first time in the club's history, all visitors to the BCMC website can view and access the complete catalogue of books contained within the BCMC Library.  Many thanks to Michael Feller and to the Web Development team for making this worthy project come to fruition. The BCMC's catalogue of books can be viewed here: https://bcmc.ca/m/book/home/

]]>2016-10-05T06:42:00+0000The BC Mountaineer Journal, 2016 edition, is now available and contains over 100 pages of content with full colour images.  The club ordered 80 copies from the printer, which will be sold to members in order of payments received. The club journal is produced every two years and contains accounts of recent climbs, camps, expeditions, photographs and other material. The Club solicits articles of interest written by members.  Purchase this piece of Mountaineering History while supplies last at the following link: https://bcmc.ca/m/events/view/1474081422 Payment can be made using the "Buy Now" button on the left-side column.  The purchase options are:Printed copy > (pick up in person at BCMC Social or from Chris Ludwig) - $15.00 Canadian address > printed copy delivered, plus digital copy emailed - $20.00 (includes shipping) USA address > printed copy delivered, plus digital copy emailed - $25.00 (includes shipping) If you wish to purchase a printed copy and have it shipped overseas then please contact Michael Feller *BEFORE* you purchase it.... Read more

]]>2016-09-23T06:23:00+0000The FMCBC has began an awareness campaign for BC Parks.   They are encouraging people on their blog to take photos of issues in BC Parks such as:  ·          Broken, missing or vandalized signage  ·         Missing or damaged trail markers  ·         Trail braiding, exposed roots, broken or missing boardwalk slats  ·         Bridges in need of repair or closed due to damage  ·         Poorly maintained campground facilities  ·         Ecological damage from lack of monitoring  ·         Excessive litter or dumping of larger refuse  ·         Motorized off-road vehicles (snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) playing in our parks You’ll see the same message come out in the FMCBC E-News within the next couple days.  Please share this remember to be watching for these issues when you’re hiking in our provincial parks this summer.  Send your photos to me at this email or at the fundbcparks@mountainclubs.org email and/or tag them on Twitter with #FundBCParks   In August the FMCBC will be starting a letter writing campaign.... Read more

]]>2016-07-18T02:40:00+0000North Shore Rescue Society and Deep Cove Brewers + Distillers are holding the third annual craft beer launch in support of the Tim Jones Legacy Fund this SATURDAY JUNE 25th from 5-10 PM down at the Builder's Square at the North Vancouver Shipyards.  (At the foot of Lonsdale.) It's now an all-ages event with Food Trucks and a well-stocked silent auction (cruiser bike, an autographed snowboard, gear from Arcteryx, G3, Sugoi, passes from Cypress, Grouse and the Hive climbing Centre and more). You can bid on a chance for your kids to have a ride to school with their friends in "Knuckles" a NSR rescue vehicle or win a picnic in the mountains - with helicopter transport to your picnic spot. Kids (of all ages...) can try on rescue gear and have their picture taken with Nan the Rescue dog. There will be two acoustic performers, a choir and then a great band, and the emcee is Bal Brach from CBC. Tickets are available at Ticketzone (listed under RescueFest). The only way to reduce the number of rescue calls on the North Shore is through education, so we'll have the NSR rescue trucks, AdventureSmart, North Shore Emergency Management, the Fire Department and a few others joining in.The long-term goal is to establish sustainable funding so all proceeds go to the Tim Jones Legacy Fund.  Before things get too hectic, they want to get a jump on what will surely be a long, hot and busy summer. North Shore Rescue has proudly provided an important lifesaving service to the public for the past 50 years. ... Read more

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