The Varsity Outdoor Ckh Journal VOLUME XV111 1975 ISSN 0524-5613 The Vmvet&lh) of Vtituh Columbia Vancouver, Canada PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE During the past year I have been confronted with two frequent questions: "Just what does the V.O.C. do?" and "What do I get for my $10?" In reply to the first question, I say that the V.O.C. provides a mechanism whereby one can meet others with similar interests and pursuits in the outdoors. People in V.O.C. hike; climb mountains cliffs and buildings; go skiing, ski touring, ski mountaineering, and cross­ country skiing; walk along beaches; play floor hockey; have parties; and most important of all, have a good time. V.O.C.'ers enjoy the outdoors, the mountains, the beaches, the powder slopes and invite others to join them. The second question is a little more dis­ turbing. I can say that the V.O.C.: produces the VOCene once a week to keep people informed, publishes a climbing schedule, provides equipment and books for loan, entertains you with slide shows on Wednesday at noon, brings in guest speakers, has an annual banquet, and publishes a journal every year. But somehow, I feel that people should be asking, "What can I do to make the club a success? How can I help to make this year even better?" Maybe I am starting to creep over the hill, but it seems that attitudes are changing. Apathy is- creeping everywhere. People like to sit on their butts and have everything done for them. How­ ever, the old adage is still true - you only get out what you are willing to put in (and that includes your $10). Enough of the ramblings of a senile president. This year saw the demise of the Neve Hilton - put out of its misery after suffering broken bones under the merciless hands of the snow creep. Possession of the Whistler Cabin still remains in the pocket of the oftimes confused A.M.S., but control now officially resides with the U.B.C. Ski Club. The ban on liquor was deleted from the constitution. As yet there has been neither drunken havoc nor drunken orgies. In­ stead, a cold beer is enjoyed after a hot day and a hot rum is enjoyed after a cold day. As always, Longhike flooded the Whistler Cabin with hordes of people. Christmas trips have increased in popularity. This year trips went to Bow Hut, Kokanee, McGillivray Pass, Little Yoho, Singing Pass, and a mixed group of old and present V.O.C. went to Stoyoma Mountain. There seems to be an unfortunate trend developing where people are conscientious about their studies and neglect the finer side of life, like weekend trips. I hope this mental infirmity is tem­ porary. There has been at least one trip every week- i end but it never hurts to have more. In the mountains one can find challenge and relaxation, beauty and con­ tentment. As John Muir once wrote, "From garden to garden, ridge to ridge, I drifted enchanted,...gazing afar over domes and peaks, lakes and woods, and the billowy glaciated fields...In the midst of such beauty, pierced with its rays, one's body is all one tingling palate. Who wouldn't be a mountaineer!" I hope that V.O.C.'ers will continue to find their way into the mountains. ii EDITOR'S MESSAGE Phew! After much sweat and many threats to article writers, it's finally done. Between these covers we hope that we've immortalized some of the activities and the spirit of V.O.C. Also, there is now an index in the library for all the journals from 1958-1974, so you can look up some of V.O.C.'s old stomping grounds. We hope that in the years to come people will get out to some of these forgotten areas. The journal wouldn't be possible without those of you who contributed to it and we would like to ex­ press our thanks to those who helped us to compile it. Rob Boyce and Moira Lemon who did most of the typing from rough to readable form Rob Boyce, Jay Page, John Romein, John Baldwin and Moira Lemon for submitting pictures Chris McNeill for printing the pictures Special thanks to Mrs. Olive Matthewson for the typing of the final copy (the second year in a row!). John Leighton & Helen Lemon iii VOC EXECUTIVE 1975-1976 President Tom Volkers Vice President Vicki Seraphim Treasurer Marg Mathews Secretary Robyn Fierheller Climbing Chairman Julian Harrison Membership Chairman Jay McArthur P. R. O. Alex Szabo Quartermaster John Baldwin Archivist Christine Bullen P.A.R.C. Chairman Dianne Volkers Ski Rep. Curtis Kennedy Journal Editors John Leighton & Helen Lemon VOC EXECUTIVE 1974-1975 President Bob McMechan Vice President Moira Lemon Treasurer Rob Watson Secretary Julie Ourom Climbing Chairman Steve Schwartz Membership Chairman (74) Fall Graham Lorimer (75) Spring Jay McArthur P. R. 0. Dirk Hart Quartermaster Rob Boyce Archivist Vicki Seraphim P.A.R.C. Chairman Helen Lemon Ski Rep. Stuart Lynne Journal Editors Anthea Farr & Grant McCormack iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page President's Message Tom Volkers i Editor's Message John Leighton & Helen Lemon iii VOC Executive 1975-1976 iv VOC Executive 1974-1975 iv GENERAL CLUB ACTIVITIES VOC Social Activities 1 Grad News 3 VOC 1920 - 1940 Grad. Reunion Mrs. V. C. Brink 5 ARTICLES - Sprinq 1975 Brohm Ridge 6 Poland Lake Moira Lemon 6 Snow-Caving on Seymour 6 Singing Pass 7 Ode to Olympic Beach Traverse Helen Lemon 8 Olympic Beach, South Traverse John Romein 9 Diamond Head 11 Neve Traverse John Baldwin 11 Sphinx Camp Excerpts 12 Sphinx Vicki Seraphim 17 Summer 1975 Spearheads Moira Lemon 18 Bamfield 21 Princess Louisa Inlet Rob Boyce 21 Olympic Beach Sojourn Julie Ourom 23 Mt. Baker 24 In Search of Garibaldi 25 Summer 1975 Jay MacArthur 26 Trips 27 Summer Sailing - English Bay Julie Ourom 30 Rexford and Baker - Dominion Day Weekend Julie Ourom 30 Robie Reid 31 Kaskawalsh Glacier Jay Page 32 Fall & Winter 1975 Shulaps Moira Lemon 37 Squamish - Cheakamus Divide Rob Boyce 38 Cloudburst Mountain John Romein 41 Mt. Garibaldi (8787') 42 Mount Slesse Julie Ourom 42 The Black Tusk Rob Boyce 43 Cold and Confusion on the Neve John Frisell 44 Page Warner Pass, Another Episode in VOC History Sandy Schmid 46 Brohm Ridge Robyn Fierheller 48 In Search of the Black Hole, VOC Caving Trip Rob Boyce 49 Table Mtn. Rob Boyce 52 Christmas Trips 1975 Kokanee Glacier Park - Christmas 1975 I Julie Ourom 53 Kokanee Christmas Trip 1975 II 54 West Coast Trail Christmas Trip Jim Breadon 56 Varsity Outdoors Club - Island Mountain Ramblers Xmas Cross­ country Ski Trip Astoria Valley, Rockies 58 McGillivray Pass Christmas Trip 60 Yoho Christmas Trip 1975 61 Christmas at Bow Hut 63 Song for Bow Hut 66 Stoyoma Mountain Christmas Trip Moira Lemon 68 Climbs & Expeditions 1975 A Life Saver for Those Interested in Climbing Serratus Curtis Kennedy 70 St. Elias Mountains Rob Boyce 70 Travelling in Nepal Julian Harrison 72 Mt. Steele (16,644') 76 The Woes of Kilamonjaro Beverly Pearse 83 VOC SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Fall Reunion Party This year we gathered at John Leighton's house high atop the British Properties to enjoy the swimming pool and fantastic view (for once it wasn't raining!) Because of the work on the Lion's Gate Bridge everyone had to rush off by 11:30. (Or turn into a pumpkin) Longhike 140 people made the annual pilgrimage to the Whistler cabin. Many a tear was shed while preparing the onions for the chili, and a few more later on when toes were mashed due to the excitement and cramped con­ ditions of the Salty Dog. Daylight saw many bleary- eyed hikers heading for a day in the hills after sing­ ing and dancing until the ridiculously small hours. Hallowe'en The Whistler cabin was visited by many strange beings such as the Bayman, a Sunkist Lemon, a 'living' bra and an 18 hour girdle, even a Q-tip. (In case you didn't guess, the theme was Advertisements.) Andrea and Roger Laing, Eric White, and Walt and Terry Peachy were the rowdy judges, and provided almost as much entertainment as the costumes. The evening ended and the morning began with singing, dancing, and eating. Floor Hockey Again this year, enthusiastic VOC'ers shin-hacked, hip-checked, and high-sticked their way through Satur­ day night, under the expert guidance of Alex Sazbo (alias Bobby Hull). Christmas Party Rob Boyce's new house in North Van was officially broken in after 40 or 50 people gathered to staple together the new song book and generally relax after the gruelling ordeal of Christmas exams. As usual, there was a predictable lack of the white stuff. Christmas Reunion The heap of shoes inside Peter Jordan's door indicated the success of the reunion - about 50 people 1 strewed themselves throughout his living room in order to see slides of the Christmas trips. Everyone tried to convince the other trips that their's really was the best, but Kokanee was definitely the only place to be! Lots of goodies, a flowing punch bowl, and plenty of conversation kept everyone happy. Spring Banquet In an attempt to save costs, the Banquet was held in SUB Ballroom, providing ample dining and danc­ ing area. Awards were given after dinner, with Moira Lemon receiving a silver pin for outstanding service to the club. Goon Awards followed: Stuart got the Loving Cup and Vicki won the Cadwalder Range.