Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC CLOUDBURST Spring/ Summer 2020 FIND INSIDE: Singing Pass Trail Project Crossing Garibaldi Lake Wearing Sneakers Good Reads: Popular Day Hike Book Series INSIDE THIS EDITION: Southwest BC Recreation & Conservation and Trails Reports | Auditing & Funding Trails in BC Parks | Improved Summer Access at Singing Pass trail Good Reads | The Magic of Storytelling | How To Safety Install Trail Markers Cloudburst - Fall/Winter 2019 1 INSIDE CLUB RAMBLINGS 4 President’s Message 22 The Magic of Storytelling 23 Club members! Share your tips, TRAILS successes, and stories 23 Help support the Member Grant CLOUDBURST 5 How to Safely Install Trail Markers Program 6 Trail News: Southwest BC Trails 23 Photo highlights from Mt. Published by: and Access Committee Report Hays in Prince Rupert 13 Auditing & Funding Trails at BC Parks The Federation of Mountain GOOD READS Clubs of British Columbia RECREATION AND CONSERVATION 24 Popular Day Hikes Book Series PO Box 19673 8 Southwest BC Recreation and (2019) Vancouver, BC, V5T 4E7 Conservation Report 25 Surveying the 120th Meridian 8 mountainclubs.org Improved summer access at Singing and the Great Divide: The (604) 873-6096 Pass will be music to hikers’ ears Alberta-BC Survey, 1918-1924 [email protected] 28 The Last Blue Mountain: The Mountain TRIPS Great Karakoram Climbing Tragedy mountainclubs 30 Mountain Man: The Life mountainclubs 14 Crossing Garibaldi Lake Wearing of a Guide Outfitter Sneakers Executive 18 ‘A Story Which Never Rings WELCOME TO THE FMCBC President: Dave Wharton Vice President: Ken Orr Hollow’ Secretary: Jay MacArthur 20 An Insider Look: The Tragic Climb 31 Burnaby Outdoor Club Treasurer: Mark Latham of Denali 32 Trails Society of BC Board of Directors Dave King, Andrew Drouin, Natalie Bojarsky, Jan Osborne, Judy Carlson Federation of Mountain Clubs Staff Barry Janyk, Executive Director of British Columbia Chandra Matlock, Communications & Admin Working on your behalf Manager Articles and Advertising The Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia (FMCBC) is a Visit mountainclubs.org/publications for province-wide umbrella organization dedicated to protecting and maintaining access to details on article submissions and advertising BC’s backcountry. opportunities. Since 1972, we have represented the interests of outdoor clubs from every corner of the Submission Deadlines: province and have provided a united voice on issues related to October 1 & April 1 non-motorized backcountry recreation. Send articles/advertising inquiries to: [email protected] Our membership is comprised of a diverse group of thousands of non-motorized Cover Photo backcountry recreationists including hikers, rock climbers, mountaineers, Photo by Maria Christina S. See page 33 for mountain bikers, trail runners, kayakers, backcountry skiers, and snowshoers. details. As an organization, we believe the enjoyment of these pursuits in an unspoiled environment FMCBC is a member of the Outdoor is a vital component of the quality of life for British Columbians, and by acting under the Recreation Council of BC, Canadian policy of “talk, understand and persuade” we advocate for these interests. Avalanche Association, Trails Society of BC, and Leave No Trace Canada. 2 Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC CloudburstCloudburst - Fall/Winter 2019Spring/ Summer 2020 3 President’s Message Dave Wharton Valley Outdoor Association and Board President, FMCBC For those parks or trails that have not It is already June (and 100+ days numerous mental and physical health reopened yet, or have experienced since the start of the Coronavirus). I benefits. access restrictions, I personally have been waiting as late as reasonably believe that this action may be President’s Message Continued possible to write this message, due to If you are planning to hike at a local counterproductive. We increasingly the ongoing and rapidly changing con- or nearby trail, please note these need to engage in outdoor activity, yet I must stress that if these closures ditions brought about by the important recommendations: on a smaller footprint of land - poten- remain in effect or should further Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. • It is essential that we all maintain tially making it more difficult to main- restrictions arise that restrict access to a physical distance of at least 2 metres tain a safe distance, and some people trails or other outdoor recreation op- I am fortunate - my income has not (approx. the length of two hiking poles) may be tempted to travel further from portunities, we must comply with these been impacted, I am in good health, and from others. home to find uncrowded spaces. restrictions. Neither I, FMCBC I can follow all Public Health Authority • We should stay connected to those employees, or your Board of Directors guidelines without undue hardship. I important to us (at least virtually if it As the FMCBC representative on in any way condones not following know that many of you are likely not as is not possible in person) and pursue the Board of the Outdoor Recreation provincial guidelines. Nonetheless, I An example aluminum roofing nail alongside a trail marker (Photo: A. Wallace) fortunate in your present circumstances. outdoor recreation as close to home as Council [ORC], at the April ORC believe it is appropriate to advocate on There has been reduced income, lost possible. Board meeting, I introduced a your behalf where it is warranted. employment, children not able to attend • If you are planning a hike with oth- motion to write a letter to the school, and perhaps you, your family, or ers, this is not the time for car-pooling respective Ministers asking them to Installing Trail Markers On behalf of all FMCBC members, I friends may have suffered with or lost or sharing food or drink containers. reconsider their decisions and review Alex Wallace extend a very big thank you and vote someone due to COVID-19. Whatever • Nor is it time for those personal each park closure or regional closures SW Trails Committee Co-Chair, FMCBC of confidence to all levels of govern- impacts this pandemic is having on “first ascents,” we must all stay within independently, find alternatives to ment and provincial and national health you and your families - my thoughts our personal comfort zones, so we do reduce the pressures of high usage authorities for their leadership and hard are with you - and I truly hope you’ll not take undue risk that may require the areas, and find ways for residents work, including Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Your trail markers are in! But what a sawblade or harm others. BC Parks be able to return to a life free from the services of first responders. to enjoy local parks and trails in a Provincial Health Officer and Dr. There- is the best way to safely install trail has directed volunteers not to install current uncertainties, as soon as it is safe way. This motion passed, with a sa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer markers that will not pose risks to markers using screws. safe to do so. Recently, some of our favourite B.C. strong majority in favour, and a letter for Canada. I would also like to recog- others? parks have reopened, although not all has been sent. Additionally, interviews nize the dedication and commitment 2. Do not use coated deck screws or Presently, we are advised to enjoy parks or trails are open yet. Rec. Sites with media have been conducted and of health care providers, grocery store Sawmill workers or a park ranger may stainless-steel screws – both can be outdoor recreation and stay physically and Trails BC has also closed or a report on alternative strategies have employees, transportation workers, and need to cut down the tree at some point, drawn into the tree as the tree grows active. As a retired Mental Health pro- restricted access to many of its been released by RC Strategies. all those workers who provide essential especially if it becomes hazardous. and the layer of cambium just below the fessional, I know that doing so provides managed trails and recreation sites. Continued on next page. services. It’s true that rangers will use an axe to bark constantly expands. Trail markers remove a ring of bark to double-check will fold or push off – and, over a peri- And finally, thank you to Stacey Santos for old, rusty and hidden nails where od of years, the nails or screws inexora- for her dedication and hard work on be- they are going to cut the tree. And that bly disappear into the tree bark. half of the FMCBC. Stacey worked her sawmill workers have metal detectors [My uncle, a sawmiller in Scotland, last day with the FMCBC at the end of to save saws from damage, but it’s still used to curse when he sawed into old April and resigned from the FMCBC to recommended to have safe practices in musket balls in oak or beech trees; de- accept other work opportunities. I know place. spite these being lead, they would dull I am not the only one who will miss her his saw, which would require sharpen- expertise and dedication. We’ve put some tips and best ing]. practices together based on advice from Please join me in welcoming Chandra the Ministry of Forestry and B.C. Parks 3. Carry a couple extra items in your Matlock as Stacey’s replacement in on how volunteers can properly and backpack to avoid crumpling up or the Communications & Administration safely install your new trail markers: bending aluminum roofing nails when Manager role. I have every confidence installing markers into higher elevation Chandra will do just as well in her new 1. Use aluminum roofing nails or thin trees that have hard, dense wood. position. drywall nails. They are made of soft FMCBC President, Dave Wharton, near a sign at Cliff Falls that showcases the approximate distance to exercise physical distancing.