News 2002
Space available for 2003 Mountain Adventures
Dec 18, 2002
There are still spaces left on some 2003 winter Mountain Adventures. The camps listed below have two or more spots left. Check the ACC website for a list of the other winter camps - some have one or two spots left. Don't forget to check out the summer 2003 Mountain Adventures while you are on the website at www.AlpineClubofCanada.ca
For detailed information contact Lawrence White by email: lwhite@AlpineClubofCanada.ca
Campbell Icefields Powder Week
Location: Western Rockies, North of Golden, B.C.
Date: February 8-15 (8 days)
Ice Climbing Camp - Week 2
Location: Icefields Parkway and David Thompson Country, Banff National Park
Date: March 2-7 (6 days)
Six Pass Route
Location: Jasper National Park
Date: March 14-17 (4 days) + evening
Wapta Traverse
Location: Banff and Yoho National Parks
Date: March 22-29 (7 days) + evening
Waddington Area Ski Camp
Date: April 26 May 7 (12 days)
Baffin Island Ski Traverse
Location: Way, WAY north!
Date: May 11-24 (14 days)
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ACC Invitational Ice Climbing Weekend in Thunder Bay
Ice - you want it, we got it [top]
CPAWS Boreal Majesty presentation in Montreal
BOREAL MAJESTY - An evening for Canada's Northern Forests
It's green, lives north of us and filters water? An algae-covered baleen
whale? One more hint, it covers much of Canada's and Quebec's north. If
you guessed the boreal forest, you are right. This vast green blanket
acts as the earth's northern lungs - the counterpart to the southern
rainforests. There is much more to say about the boreal forest and that
is why the Montreal chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
and the McGill School of the Environment are hosting an evening of
presentations dedicated to this fabulous ecosystem. Join us in learning
more about our natural heritage through the stories, adventures and
images of two well-known naturalists and science writers, Drs. Wayne
Lynch and David Henry.
Une soirée boreale!
C`est vert, c`est au nord, ce n`est pas capable de bouger et elle aime
le CO2. C`est quoi ça ? Bien sûr, c`est une plante mais c`est beaucoup
plus - c`est la forêt boreale! Cet écoysysteme couvre une grande partie
du nord au Québec et du Canada - on le qualifié de poumons du nord aussi
important pour la monde que les forêt tropicales. On pourrait dire
beaucoup plus que ça au sujet de forêt boreale et pour ce faire, la
société pour la nature et les parc du Canada (SNAP) et l`école
d`énvironnement de McGill présenterons une soirée boreale. Deux
écologistes et aventuriers bien connus et qui connaissent très bien la
forêt boreale seront présents. Les invités présenterons des histoires,
des images spectaculaires et des informations au sujet de la forêt
boreale. Venez voir Drs. Wayne Lynch et David Henry avec la SNAP et
l`école d`énvironnement de McGill!
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New National Office Email Addresses
Effective immediately, staff in the ACC National Office have new email addresses with the following standard format: first name initial, full last name, "@AlpineClubofCanada.ca" as the suffix.
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Golden BC Ice Routes Temporarily Closed
Currently in the Kicking Horse Canyon east of Golden there is a major
construction project underway to replace the 5-Mile bridge on the
Trans-Canada Highway. This construction will prohibit all access to many
popular climbs in the area for this winter, including Pretty Nuts, Riverview
and the Essendale Right and Left. It may totally change the access in this
area forever, as it will become a four-lane bridge/highway with no pull-out.
However, the Columbia Valley Climbing Association will be holding a meeting
shortly with the Ministry of Highways to seek an access compromise. It's
pretty much a given that Pretty Nuts will not be accessible this year as
there is major machinery at the bottom. Please, nobody try to access these
climbs until there is a resolution, or it could prevent any access for the
remainder of the season. If anybody has any questions, contact Ryan Kuhn at
(250) 344-0048 or Troy Hudson at (250) 344-2966.
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ENEQ granted official recognition and a non-voting membership in UIAA
At the latest meeting of the UIAA in Flagstaff AZ L'Ecole Nationale d'Escalade du Quebec [eneq.org] was granted official recognition and a non-voting membership in the UIAA. It is hoped that with the support of the ACC and this endorsement from the UIAA, l'ENEQ will be able to provide Quebecers with a higher degree of profesionalism in their already excellent program.
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The Alpine Accidents in Canada database project needs photos from eastern Canada
The Alpine Accidents in Canada Database Project [alpineclub-edm.org] needs photos from the following areas. Please contact Edwina Podemski if you can help.
Quebec
Ontario
Newfoundland
Nova Scotia
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Drought situation at Keene Farm
With over 40 % of the upper field of Keene Farm having 'browned out' and with no rain in sight and temperatures to exceed the mid-80’s (over 30 degrees Celsius) this upcoming weekend, it is now considered too dangerous to have any open flame in the upper field. No campstoves, candles, lanterns will be allowed in that zone. The lower field is green enough for the above restrictions not to be applied. A sign indicating that situation will be posted on our property. Water containers will be placed in certain strategic areas in case an incident occurs. Needless to say, no campfires are allowed anywhere in the Adirondack Park, our camp included. If you happen to be coming to Keene Farm, please observe the above restrictions. Also advise the coordinator (David Gillespie) if you notice anyone not complying with these temporary restrictions. Thank you for your understanding.
David Gillespie-Keene Farm Volunteer Coordinator.
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Elizabeth Parker Hut Space Available on September 14
Last minute cancellations have freed up 20 spaces at the Elizabeth Parker hut at Lake O'Hara on Saturday, September 14. It is a beautiful time of year to visit Lake O'Hara, so don't miss out! To reserve call (403) 678-3200 ext. 1 or email alpclub@telusplanet.net
Also, there is 1 spot available at the Elizabeth Parker Hut from September 8 to September 13 with the Edmonton Section. This trip includes 3 meals a day and the bus to Lake O'Hara, but does not include the National Park Wilderness pass ($30 for the week). The cost is $300. Please contact Nancy Townshend if you are interested. Her phone number is 403-282-8782
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Letter from Nazir Sabir - The situation in Pakistan
Dear Friends,
It has been a long summer since I returned from my long promotional trip to North America, Japan and soon thereafter of Europe. I was away from home for four months.
The situation in Pakistan has remained better than expected. But some unfortunate events have had bad impact on tourism. Although the weather and snow conditions were not too favourable but those who have come to climb and trek in Pakistan have had good safe trips – over 40 expeditions, some of which are still busy up in our mountains.
But on a more personal level I have been struck by grief by the loss of friends like R.D. Caughron of San Francisco who died on Mount Makalu (8463m); I was his guest in California only a couple of months back. And suddenly now, the other day the sad news of Galen Rowell and Barbara Rowell’s death (both known as world’s best wilderness photographers) in a plane crash has devastated all their friends around the world. Only a week ago I had attended the funeral of another dear friend and mountaineer, Capt Iqbal of Pakistan, who died in a fall on K2. So, altogether it has been a grave period of time.
The good news is that I will be in Switzerland for a week from August 23rd to Sept 2, 2002 in connection with a token peace climb in the Swiss Alps that UIAA/IUCN is organizing to celebrate IYM 2002 and to focus attention on environmental challenges facing high places like Siachen Glacier. There will be two of us from Pakistan and two Indian climbers participating.
I would later go to Austria to attend a mountaineer’s congress organized by the Austro/German Alpine Clubs at Innsbruck.
All the best
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Information on recent ACC accidents
TO: ACC NewsNetwork
The past week has not been a good one for Alpine Club of Canada members in the mountains! Over the past 5 days, there has been 4 separate accidents involving ACC members. The purpose of this email is to ensure you have accurate information about these situations, and to encourage you to do everything possible to travel safely in the backcountry.
TORONTO SECTION MEMBER FATALITY
The ACC Toronto Section regrets to inform its members and friends that John Carey has died in a climbing accident at the Section's mountaineering camp in the Battle Range, British Columbia. The accident occurred Sunday evening, August 18.
John was a long time Section member and a skilled rock climber and mountaineer. He contributed to the Section on an ongoing basis over a period of years: as a Bon Echo Hut custodian, as a trip leader on Section rock climbing days, as a member of both the Section executive and the Access Committee, and as a participant at Section climbing camps. He was also well known for his skills at installing bolt anchors and had placed this type of protection on behalf of the Section in approved locations at Bon Echo and at local climbing crags. He never hesitated to contribute his point of view on issues affecting climbing and the Section, and his input was always valued. John will be missed by his climbing partners and friends in the Section.
Our sympathy goes out to his spouse, Kerry, and to the other members of his family.
TORONTO SECTION MEMBER INJURY
Ed May of the Toronto Section was seriously injured in a fall on Monday, August 19 while climbing Neptune Peak at the ACC's General Mountaineering Camp site in the Trident Group. Ed had participated in the last week of the GMC and was staying on to help out with the clean up effort. The accident happened while he was out doing some climbing between clean up activities. Following the accident, Ed was airlifted out by helicopter, then transported to Vancouver where he is currently in hospital following extensive surgery on Wednesday. It is expected his hospital and rehab stay there will likely be two months.
CALGARY SECTION MEMBER INJURY
A Calgary Section member suffered a dislocated hip on Monday, August 19 at the Section Camp based out of the ACC's Great Cairn Hut near Mt. Sir Sanford.. The injured person (unidentified at this point) slipped on a snowfield and skidded down onto some rocks. He was airlifted out by helicopter and taken to the Golden hospital, and we understand he is doing well
NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF MEMBER INJURY
Nancy Hansen, the ACC's Director, Facilities and Mountaineering, was injured on Wednesday August 21 while climbing Mt. Goodsir. She and her climbing partner had summitted and were walking down the ridge. Not far from the summit, they both lost their footing and fell down some way onto a small ledge. They then took several hours to climb down to a point where they could spend the night. Her partner, who was also injured, managed to come out alone Thursday morning, alert authorities and return with the helicopter team (led by Tim Auger). They airlifted Nancy out and took the two of them to the Banff Springs Hospital.
Nancy and her partner both suffered significant scrapes and bruises, and Nancy also has a broken tailbone. They were discharged from the hospital later on Thursday, and Nancy is now resting at home. It is expected she will make a full recovery, but it's uncertain at this point how long it will be before she returns to work.
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Extreme fire hazard in the Adirondacks
DEC AND OTHERS FIGHTING NUMEROUS ADIRONDACK FOREST FIRES
New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers, along with the State Police Aviation Unit, Department of Correction Services inmate crews, and local volunteer fire departments are fighting more than 36 active forest fires, encompassing more than 320 acres in the Adirondack Mountains as of Monday, August 19, 2002. Forest Rangers and Assistant Forest Rangers from DEC Region 5 are being supplement by Rangers from other parts of the state as well as DEC foresters and other staff.
Dry summer conditions have made forest fires easy to start, and when coupled with the gusty winds, thesefires can spread quickly. Certain regions of the Adirondacks received less then two inches of rain in July and less then one inch so far in the month of August.
DEC reminds everyone that campfires have been banned on all State Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack Park, except DEC campgrounds.
In addition, to prevent additional human caused wildfires, the DEC is suspending until further notice all burn permits issued by the agency in the counties comprising DEC Region's 5 and 6, which include Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Fulton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, St.Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer and Oneida counties.
While the majority of the currently active fires werecaused by lightning strikes, unattended campfires were the cause of at least two of the current fires as well as ten others in the month of August.
The majority (28), and largest (6 fires ranging from 4 to 75 acres in size), of the fires are located in Essex (15) and Warren (13) Counties. Fires are also burning in Clinton, Hamilton, Lewis, Saratoga, and Washington Counties.
More than half the active fires have been contained - encompassing approximately 143 acres - and are being patrolled by a minimal number of Forest Rangers so that the maximum number of Forest Rangers can be directed to more active fires. As of Monday containment ranged from 0 to 80 percent on the 16 fires that have burned more than 142 acres and are considered "uncontained."
The six largest uncontained fires are:
75 acres on Huckleberry Mountain, Town of Johnsburg,Warren County; [top]
Call for climbers with a degree in biology
The FQME, the climbing managing body in Quebec, is looking for a biologist who is also a rock climber to help with the surveying of new climbing areas in Quebec Provincial Parcs.
Essentially they'd like that person to go with the SEPAQ biologist (which is not a climber) to give a second opinion, from a climbers perspective, as to the impact that climbing developments might have on the vegetation, etc, in areas such as Gaspesie and others. This is so that the access decisions are not solely based on ground assesement from the SEPAQ biologist.
I don't know the specifics, but if you think you might have the qualifications and would like to know more, please contact Louis Bergeron at the FQME (514-252-3004).
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MOC/ACC Montreal member missing
I am forwarding this information to you regarding one of our section member who has gone missing in the Squamish area since mid July. He does alot of solo hiking and it is thought that he has disappeared in the wilderness somewhere. People here are frantic to know his whereabouts and we are praying he is still alive.
We would be greatly apreciative if you could please consult the website that is mentioned and forward the message to your section members if there is not already alot of publicity in the media about this.
Up-to-date info is at www.faughnan.com/brian.html
If anyone has seen this person recently they should contact the RCMP.
Mike Rogers, Montreal Section Chairman, The Alpine Club of Canada
The Alpine Club of Canada¹s Canmore Clubhouse becomes an affiliate hostel with Hostelling International
Canmore, Alberta, Canada The Alpine Club of Canada is pleased to announce its new partnership with Hostelling International-Canada-Southern Alberta Region with the designation of its Clubhouse as the HI-Canmore Clubhouse affiliate hostel.
We are pleased to associate the Clubhouse with Hostelling International, which is known for operating the highest quality hostel accommodation for travellers worldwide,² says Bruce Keith, ACC Executive Director, ³We look forward to welcoming Hostelling International guests to Canmore.
The HI-Canmore Clubhouse is located in the Rocky Mountains, immediately east of the town of Canmore and a 20 minute drive from the town of Banff, in the heart of world class hiking, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering and skiing.
Made up of two buildings, the HI-Clubhouse can accommodate up to 46 people - 31 in the main building and 15 in the Bell Cabin. Each building has a fully equipped kitchen, living room, fireplace, deck and barbecue; with a sauna also available in the main building. The Clubhouse is ideal for small and large groups or individuals looking for a quiet, affordable overnight stay in the Canadian Rockies. A library of mountain literature is available and the HI-Clubhouse is licensed to sell beer. Accommodation at the Clubhouse starts at $17.00/person.
On-site storage lockers, coin-operated laundry and an email kiosk are on hand for Clubhouse guests. Both shared and private bedrooms are available. The shared rooms accommodate 4 to 7per room while private rooms, for families and couples, accommodate from 2 to 4 people. For reservations at the HI-Canmore Clubhouse call: (403) 678-3200 ext #1, or email: info@AlpineClubofCanada.ca
Space available on the ACC Okanagan Section Summer Camp
ACC Okanagan Section Summer Camp Tantalus Range, Coast Mountains, August 5th to 11th, 2002
The Okanagan Section is holding another summer camp this year. The trip is scheduled to go into the Tantalus Range near Squamish BC. The trip dates are August 5th through 11th. The cost of the trip is $230.00 per person and includes accomodation at the ACC Tantalus hut and helicopter access both in and out of the area. Food and equipment are the responsibility of each participant.
Itinerary is as follows: The trip is not guided. Based on the group going so far there will be plenty of opportunity to join other members on outings from the hut. Experience will range from beginner/ intermediate to intermediate and objectives will likely follow suite.
If there are any ACC members from other sections interested in joining our group please contact David Urness at drurness@telus.net or at 250-765-7070 (day) or 250-765-1308 (evening). Up to 6 spots are available. Closing off for registration will be July 31st.
Thank-you letter from Nazir Sabir
Amazing how time flies! I am leaving for Europe this evening and have not found time to write to you friends who devoted so much time in making my engagements in the states and Canada so fruitful and rewarding. I am really sorry and apologise to you for the delay in getting back to you.
I stayed in Japan for a couple of weeks before returning to Pakistan on April 5. I had a lot to do on return, catching up with business matters and at the same time preparing for the Europe tour that will take me to Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Italy where I have multiple engagements almost on a daily basis. It's a three-week trip, after which I hope I will be able to relax and write at some length to my friends. Though our meeting was short, I must say it was wonderful having the opportunity.
I would look forward to seeing you in Pakistan one day. Wasn't that the purpose of my visiting you?
In the end let me express my special thanks to you and the Alpine Club of Canada, Montreal section for making my presentation at the McGill University fruitful.
Thanking you I wish you all the best.
Best regards,
Asulkan Cabin, Saphire Col Hut, and Glacier Circle Hut
The Alpine Club of Canada has begun discussions with Glacier National Park regarding the possibility of the ACC taking over the operation of the Asulkan Cabin, Sapphire Col Hut and Glacier Circle Cabin. Parks is seeking public feedback on this proposal as part of their Parks Management Plan. If you would like to see this proposal go ahead (or not), please take the time to send your comments to Parks. You can view the complete Management Plan Concept on their website. This document also gives you the opportunity to comment on many other management proposals for the Park. If you don't have time to review the entire document, please send your hut operation related comments to Debbie.Kilfoyle@pc.gc.ca
Upcoming mountain adventures
There are still a few spots available on the upcoming ACC National trips: Des Poilus ski traverse (Wapta Icefields, March 23-30); our Frisby Creek ski week (April 13-20); and the Women's Marmot Winter Mountaineering Program (Wapta Icefields, April 27 to May 2). Please visit the ACC website for more details...
Yosemite outing opportunity with Seattle Mountaineers
As part of the "International Year of Mountains" celebrations in 2002, the Seattle Mountaineers have offered to include 6 ACC members on their annual September rock climbing trip to Yosemite in California. The trip will take place Sept. 21-29, and normally consists of 8-12 Mountaineers climbers, many of whom participate every year.
Participants need to be comfortable swinging leads on class 5 multi-pitch routes. Difficulty for most routes will range from 5.6 to 5.9+, and may include some routes with aid or alpine ice. A few climbers will also seek out higher end free routes and sport climbs, and some participants will do aid routes and small walls. All participants will be required to sign a Mountaineers waiver. Accommodations will be tenting in established campgrounds (approx. $5 per night per person).
Interested? Please contact Doug Fulford of the Rocky Mountain Section ASAP - the small number of available ACC spots are expected to go quickly. You can reach Doug via email at doug.fulford@skibanff.com or by telephone at 403-6784900 (home).
2002 Annual General Meeting and Spring National Board Meeting in May
The Alpine Club of Canada's 2002 Annual General Meeting will be held on May 11 in Vancouver. The AGM (which is the first to be held for many years outside the Bow Valley) is being organised by the Vancouver Section. Hope we'll see you there!
Date: Saturday May 11, 2002
For those interested in observing, the ACC National Board of Directors will also be meeting that weekend.
Dates/Times: Saturday May 11, 2002 from 8:30AM to 4:00 PM, and Sunday May 12 from 8:30 AM to 12 noon.
Waterfall Ice Climbs in the Canadian Rockies 4th Edition
NEW!
Waterfall Ice Climbs in the Canadian Rockies 4th Edition With close to 800 routes now listed, tons of new photos, and many entirely
new areas, this guide will provide a lifetime of classic ice routes of all
grades to dream about and to climb. It covers both the Alberta and B.C.
sides of the Canadian Rockies from the U.S.A. border to Grande Cache.
ISBN: 0-921102-68-2 Available now by calling or emailing the National Office.
BC GOVERNMENT CUTBACKS THREATEN CAA'S PUBLIC AVALANCHE BULLETIN!
TO: MOUNTAIN FRIENDS
Dec 12, 2002
Hi to all, my name is Leo Tardif and I'm the secretary and an active member of the Thunder Bay Section of the Alpine Club of Canada. One of the aspects that I and many others have enjoyed most about the club, is meeting new people and fellow climbers, and sharing experiences with them.Our section had another successful invitational ice climbing weekend last year and now we are extending an invitation to any and all ACC members and other sections for our 3rd annual Invitational Ice Climbing Weekend, on February 7, 8 & 9th, 2003.
We have many members that know our local ice climbs, which are just minutes away, and we are ready and willing to billet our out-of-town climbers. In addition, we'll have a big pot luck dinner on Saturday evening, loads of cool pictures and awesome slides for your enjoyment. Beginners to advanced, all are welcome. We'll pick you up at the airport if you choose to fly here! All you have to do is get yourself here and we guarantee you good climbing, good food,great entertainment and most of all new friends. For those who have been to our invitational ice climbing weekend, welcome back to our backyard! If this sounds like something you'd like to do, get your group together and E-mail or call me ASAP.
Schedule:
Friday evening
-Reception and climber's options menu
-Route information and gear check
Saturday
-Breakfast
-Climbing (what else?)
-Evening dinner (free) and show and tell.
Sunday
-Breakfast
-Climbing
-Departures
Leo Tardif
Secretary / Thunder Bay Section of the Alpine Club of Canada
807-768-8421--------home - usually after 8:PM or leave a msg.
807-767-3643--------office - best option if you leave a msg.
807-767-0298--------office - fax
ersleo@hotmail.com -e-mail - best option
My address: 422 Riviera Dr. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B-6K1
Directions to my house: Starting from the corner of Hwy 11/17 (Arthur St.) and Hwy 61.Go East on Hwy 11/17 to Oliver Rd. turn right to Golf Links Rd. (also known as Junot) turn left to the first house on the right (corner house)Corner of Riviera Dr. and Junot. / Driveway on Riviera Dr.
Dec 4, 2002
When? Saturday, December 7th, 2002 at 19h30
Where? The Samuel Bronfman Building, Room 151, 1001 Sherbrooke W.,
(corner of Peel)
And this event is completely affordable at $5/person. In fact for a mere
$10 you can become a CPAWS member and see the show! Reserve you tickets
now at 398-8697 or e-mail snapqc@cpaws.org. For more information about
CPAWS, please visit our website at www.cpaws.org
Quand? Samedi, le 7 Decembre, 2002 à 19h30
Òu? Salle 151, l`édifice Samuel Bronfman, 1001 Sherbrooke Ouest (au coin
de Peel)
Et c`est tellement abordable à $5. Payez $10 et vous serez membre de la
SNAP au même temps. Reservez vos billets au 398-8697 ou
snapqc@cpaws.org Veuillez visitez votre site
Internet au www.cpaws.org
Prenez note que la langue de la presentation sera Anglais.
Nov 20, 2002
October 31, 2002
Oct 9, 2002
Oct 7, 2002
Mt. Cesaire (rock / mountaineering)
Mt. Condor (rock)
Delaney Falls (ice)
Mt. King (rock)
Montagne Blanche (ski)
Old Stoneham bluff (rock)
Mt. Pinnacle (rock)
Mt. Pontbriand (rock)
Mt. Royal (ice)
Mt. St. Hilare (rock)
Shawbridge - (ice)
Little Blue Mountain (rock)
Webster's Falls (ice)
Mt. Sophie, Labrador (rock)
Eagle's Nest (rock)
Sept 7, 2002
Sept 5, 2002
Sept 3, 2002
Sincerely,
Nazir Sabir
Aug 23, 2002
FROM: Bruce Keith, Executive Director
(email received from Willa Harasym, Toronto Section Chair)
Aug 21, 2002
the 45 acre Gooseneck Fire, Town of Ticonderoga, Essex County;
the 25 acre Ridge Fire on Hail Mountain, Town of Crown Point, Essex County;
8 acres on Whiteface Mountain, below the gondola,Town of Wilmington, Essex County;
another 7 acre fire on Hail Mountain, Town of CrownPoint, Essex County; and
4 acres on Beach Mountain, Town of Bolton, Warren County
Aug 12, 2002
Aug 7, 2002
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Aug 7, 2002
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Jul 18, 2002
Fly in August 5th approx. 2 pm
Stay nights August 5th through 10th
Fly out August 11th
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Apr 16, 2002
Nazir Sabir
Nazir Sabir Expeditions
House # 28/B Nazimuddin Road F-8/1 Islamabad
P. O. Box 1442 Islamabad 44000 Pakistan
Phone: (92-51) 2252553, 2252580, 2853672
Fax: (92-51) 2250293
Email: info@nazirsabir.com
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Mar 15, 2002
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Mar 15, 2002
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Mar 15, 2002
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Mar 15, 2002
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Thea's Lounge, Graduate Student Centre, University of British Columbia (just off Marine Drive at Gate 4, lots of parking nearby)
More Information: contact Fern Hietkamp (the Vancouver Section representative on the National Board of Directors) at fern_hietkamp@hotmail.com, tel. 604-8724290. Or you can contact Josee Larochelle (ACC National Office Manager) at accofmgr@telusplanet.net, tel. 403-6783200, ext. 108.
Location: Graduate Student Centre, University of British Columbia (just off Marine Drive at Gate 4, lots of parking nearby)
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Feb 26, 2002
by Joe Josephson
w/contributions by Margo Talbot
Price: $29.95, Fourth Edition 2002
Pages: 400 - 5" x 7" - paper
Illustrations: many photos and maps
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Jan 15, 2002
FROM: BRUCE KEITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
If you haven't already heard, the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) in Revelstoke, BC has been told that it may lose the $37,500 in annual BC government funding it uses to support its Public Avalanche Bulletin service. The CAA has indicated that, should the BC government funding not continue, it is a very real possibility that it will have to eliminate the service as early as mid-winter this year.
The Alpine Club of Canada, which provides financial support to the CAA, believes the Bulletin is an essential public safety service and that it's elimination would have serious negative impacts on all alpine backcountry users and the mountaineering community. Lives will be unnecessarily lost! In addition, the money the BC government might "save" each year through the funding cuts would be more than used up on avalanche search and rescue missions that would be unnecessary if the service stayed in place.
We strongly urge you to email, call or write to those in the BC government with decision-making authority and encourage them to reconsider their planned funding cuts. The CAA is not just looking for government handouts - if necessary, it is fully prepared to look at a partnership arrangement in which the government continues to provide funding and the CAA raises new matching funds from the mountaineering community.
A list of those you should contact in the BC government to voice your opinion is shown below. If you know others that might be interested in doing the same, please feel free to forward this email to them.
As well, please contact applicable decision-makers in the Alberta government to encourage them to consider providing financial support for the Bulletin service - it is estimated that approximately 42% of those that currently use the service are Albertans, yet the Alberta government does not provide any funding support to the CAA.
Finally, contact federal government decision-makers as well - the feds provide no financial support to the CAA, yet the public safety aspects of the Bulletin service are no different than similar services the feds provide to other groups such as boaters and pilots.
BC GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier
email: premier@gov.bc.ca
phone: 250-3871715
write: PO Box 9409, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9V1
Hon. Michael DeJong, Minister of Forests (currently provides $5,000 in funding)
email: mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca
phone: 250-3876240
write: PO Box 9529, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9C3
Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General (currently provides $20,000 in funding)
email: SG.Minister@gems1.gov.bc.ca
phone: 250-3567717
write: PO Box 9282, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9J7
Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister of Sustainable Resource Management (currently provides $2,500 in funding through its "BC Assets and Land Corporation ", or BCAL - see below)
email: stan.hagen.mla@leg.bc.ca
phone: 250-3569076
write: PO Box 9362, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9M2
Mr. Bill Valentine, President and CEO, BCAL (and Deputy Minister of Sustainable Resource Management)
email: BCALinfo@gems1.gov.bc.ca
phone: 250-9526246
Hon. Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land & Air Protection (currently provides $10,000 in funding)
email: joyce.murray.mla@leg.bc.ca
phone: 250-387-1187
mail: PO Box 9360, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9M2
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