Upcoming Social

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Where: ANZA Club (Corner of 8th Ave and Ontario)

When: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 7:30 PM (changed from March 13th)

What: Mike Thompson, Marcus Dell and Michael Lim - Misty Icefield traverse from Blackcomb (and other ski trips)

This presentation will showcase a recent ski traverse from Blackcomb to Pitt Lake and other ski adventures.

Mike Thompson is an avid backcountry skier with an interest in exploring new areas and ski traverses. He has organized many spring ski camps and traverses in the BC coast mountains. The Misty Icefield had been on the list for many years and last year we had the luck to have a good team organized and cooperative weather.

Marcus Dell has been a member of the BCMC since 1993 and has been fortunate enough to spend much of his free time wandering in the mountains of British Columbia, and other parts of the world including Nepal and Pakistan. Marcus has presented several of his adventures to the club.

Michael Lim came to Canada from a tropical country in 2006. His initial thoughts of skiing was that lift skiing was the end all of what skiing was like. An avid mountain biker, rock climber, and adventure seeker, he joined the BCMC in 2008 to participate in the Mountaineering course that was being instructed by Marcus Dell that year. After completing his first ski traverse, The McBride Traverse, together with Mike Thompson and Marcus Dell in 2009, he has steadfastly held onto the shirtails of Mike and Marcus and begs to be taken along on thier adventures.

News & Events

Member Input Wanted: Spearhead Huts Project

As a member of the BCMC, we are asking for your input on the Club's continued participation in the Spearhead Huts Project. At the next 2 socials, there will be an open mike discussion to allow members to discuss thier views and opinions relating to the proposed project.  After each discussion there will be a show of hands either for the continued participation of the BCMC in the project, or not.

Please try to come to these socials as informed as possible. Here are some relevant links:

Official project website: http://www.spearheadhuts.org/

BC Parks: Garibaldi Park Management Plan Amendment (information on proposed amendments to Garibaldi Park)

BCMC forum thread: http://bcmc.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=533

Members are encouraged to post their thoughts about the Huts project online or send e-mails directly to the BCMC executive at bcmc.exec@gmail.com, especially if they are not able to attend the March and April socials.

Mt Baker's Crazy Week: 110 Inches of Snow in 10 Days

A huge avalanche came down Shuksan Arm at Mt. Baker and closed the ski area on Thursday, March 15.  See Grant Gunderson's beautiful yet chilling photo of the slide area: http://grantgunderson.com/blog/

2012 Basic Outdoor Top-Roping & Essential Rock - "combined" climbing program

The BC Mountaineering Club is pleased to offer a club-based, mentor-organised climbing program for new and current members.  It will take place in May this year and include two evening sessions and three weekend days, covering the basics of top-roping plus some more advanced skills learning.

Part 1: Basic Outdoor Top-Roping

Wed, May 2nd evening intro + Sat, May 5 or Sun, May 6 (weather dependent)

Part 2: Essential Rock Climbing

Wed, May 23 evening intro plus 2 days: Sat, May 26 and Sun, May 27

Maximum 8 particpants, cost $190.  Application deadline is April 25, 2012.  For full details, please see: http://bcmc.ca/programs.asp

MEC Board of Directors Election 2012

If you're a member of Mountain Equipment Co-op, don't forget to cast your vote in this year's election by March 29, 2012.

You can choose up to three candidates to sit on MEC's Board of Directors, and  vote on a special resolution that involves proposed changes to the "Rules of Co-operation".  See candidate profiles and full info online at:http://www.mec.ca/election.

Some members are voicing their opposition to the proposed co-op reforms
Georgia Straight, March 19, 2012

MEC has also recently announced a decision to broaden its product focus
Canada Newswire, March 7, 2012

UPCOMING EVENTS

Arc'teryx Factory Sale March 23, 24 & 25, 2012

http://www.outdoorvancouver.ca/2012/03/spring-2012-arcteryx-factory-sale/

Movie: Sherpas - The True Heroes of Mt. Everest April 11, 2012 (doors at 6:30 pm, screening at 7 pm)

Location: VanCity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St

Climbing Everest is unimaginable without the support of hired Nepali Sherpas.  In this compelling film, Sherpas share their stories and what it means to work for Western climbers.  Q&A with director Hari Thapa via video conference from Kathmandu.

For more info: http://tras.ca/nepali-film-night/

Presentation: Will Gadd - 30 Trips in 60 Minutes April 24, 2012 @ 7:30 pm

Location: BCIT, Telus Theatre

Presented by ACC Vancouver, tickets $10 (more info here)

Will Gadd is a prominent Canadian ice climber living in Canmore, AB.  See his website for bio and current activities.

Access & Conservation

Sea to Sky Gondola to split Stawamus chief Provincial Park in Squamish

Georgia Straight, March 15, 2012

Former Intrawest executives seek to remove strip of parkland for tower construction

Upcoming Trips

March 21: Wednesday Night Indoor Climbing - Cliffhanger Vancouver
Organizer: Matt Mussallem
View Details Online

March 24 to March 25: Mount Jimmy Jimmy (waiting list started)
Organizer: Peter Gumplinger
View Details Online

March 24: Mt. Harvey - North Face Ramp - Full (wait list started)
Organizer: Don Montrichard
View Details Online

March 25: Needle Peak (beginner friendly)
Organizer: Don Montrichard
View Details Online

March 28: Wednesday Night Indoor Climbing - Cliffhanger Vancouver
Organizer: Matt Mussallem
View Details Online

March 28 to March 29: Mt Garibaldi via Brohm Ridge
Organizer: Erin Buckoll
View Details Online

March 31: Flora Peak
Organizer: Jeff Ross
View Details Online

March 31: Martin Pk.
Organizer: Alastair Ferries
View Details Online

March 31 to April 01: Annual Powder Cow Neve Traverse
Organizer: Justin Bennett
View Details Online

April 04: Wednesday Night Indoor Climbing - Cliffhanger Vancouver
Organizer: Matt Mussallem
View Details Online

April 06 to April 08: Mamquam Mt. - South: Skiing + Snowshoeing
Organizer: Stanislav Liarsky
View Details Online

April 08: Mt. Tszil (beginner friendly)
Organizer: Don Montrichard
View Details Online

Hope you're able to make one (or more!) of these trips!

Best Regards,

BC Mountaineering Club

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