The Valley Outdoor Association (VOA) was formed in 1973 by a small group of people intent on experiencing and sharing their love for the outdoors. We are a small club of approximately 200 adult members, and are loosely based in the Fraser Valley (if you wandered here from Google, that's near Vancouver, BC). Members hail from all over the Lower Mainland, with the majority being from Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Surrey & White Rock.

Our club offers a wide variety of weekend activities for all fitness and experience levels. There's also an active group of mid-week hikers if you have the time. Destinations are ad hoc with the group picking next week's hike over coffee and ice cream after a hike. Birthday people get an extra vote! Wednesday is the most popular day with one of more groups heading out to enjoy the day together.

There's an active group of mid-week hikers too if you have the time. Destinations are ad hoc with the group picking next week's hike over coffee and ice cream after a hike. Birthday people get an extra vote. Wednesday is the most popular day with one or more groups heading out.

A schedule of activities is mailed to members every 3 months.

The VOA is a member of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia, (the FED or FMCBC), along with 22 other outdoor clubs in BC. Together we all represent the interests of non-mechanized outdoor activities throughout British Columbia and address mountain trails and wilderness access for all. Our combined interests are for recreation, conservation, outdoor uses, outdoor education and safety for British Columbians.

Trip Reports

Oliver Trip with VOA

On Sat. July 10th, 23 VOA members met up at the Bel-Aire Campgound in Oliver for a pot-luck dinner.

Sunday at 6am, Larry led a trip up Fairview to the SeaCrest Road in a loop before breakfast, and we saw 3 tiny fawns. Most of us cycled to Osoyoos, along the cycle trail, for great Gelato ice-cream and a swim at the beach. It was a hot ride home, around 30 degrees.

Monday we paid for a shuttle ride from Penticton up to the Kettle Valley Railway - Myra Canyon bridges. Up there, it was COLD, with a headwind. The bridge section was nice, but afterwards towards Chute Lake, the trail was either rocky or sandy and it started to rain! Many went to warm up at the Chute Lake Lodge, where we met Larry who had cycled up the trail. There was a fashion show with designer garbage bags and plastic matching booties, needed to keep us warm and dry, since we had thought it would be hot in the Okanagan! On the ride out, a nasty cattle guard bit Susan up to her thigh. Fortunately she got away with minor cuts and bruises. Some folks hitched a ride to Penticton, where we all met for Mexican dinner.

Tuesday there were many choices, Larry cycled Fairview to Penticton, most of the group cycled from OK Falls around Skaha Lake to Penticton and back, and Beatrice and Christine did a Tour de Oliver. We had an evening party in the Clubhouse with "bones" and singing with Christine and Simon playing guitar.

On the last morning, by request Larry did the Fairview to Sea crest loop again and we saw 4 deer.

Accommodation at Bel-Aire was fine. I really enjoyed the pool and the hot tub, which could have been hotter. We had ripe cherries to eat all around us.

Thanks to Rodney for organizing the trip!

Christine Neilson

Oliver Cycle Tour, July 10 - 14
(more photos...)

Mt Saint Benedict Work Party

Saturday June 19, 2010 six members of the club hiked in about an hour to McKay Lake where the work began. Dave, Mike and Larry stayed at the lake and built a safe crossing over a series of unstable logs at the mouth of the lake.

VOA has adopted and maintains two trails in the Fraser Valley. One is Mount St. Benedict located outside of Mission and the other is the Mt. Slesse Memorial Trail in the Chilliwack Valley. The next work party is Mount Slesse on July 15^th.

Mt Saint Benedict Work Party, June 19
(more photos...)

Announcements

October Bulletin

The October, November & December bulletin is now available here. It includes an updated September schedule. There's a few new events and a few changed ones.

Updated Club Photos

After years of neglect the Club Photos have been updated to a new and easier to maintain format. Thanks to Jack for providing initial pictures and commentary.

Stories and pictures for future bulletins are always welcome and should be emailed to Alan Meggy.

Pictures are also welcome for our web site can be emailed to Hilmar. Commentary with the pictures is always a good thing.

Camp Holden - Lake Chelan, June 25 - 28, 2010
(more photos...)

Planning for 2011

The best trips take a lot of planning and lead time. Book those sick days now. Phone and e-mail information is in the July bulletin

February 27 - March 13, 2011 Cuba Cycling Trip:This is a 15 day fully supported trip with bikes supplied at a cost of $1,500 - $1,650 plus airfare. Contact Glen stedham if you're interested.

August 2011 Broken Islands Kayak Trip: Late in August 2011 there will be a kayak trip to the Broken Island Group staying at the Sechart Lodge. Approximate costs are the ferry from Port Alberni ($65 return); lodging ($107 per person per night) which includes all meals (based on double occupancy), kayak rental ($45 per day). Need commitment by January 1^st as the lodge books up quickly. Contact Chris Larson if you're interested in joining the group.

Upcoming Events

For more information about an event contact the trip leader. Updated phone and e-mail information for events is in the October bulletin.

Tuesday August 31 to Friday September 3	Backpack	Sheila Lake (Wells Grey Park) Contact: Larry Leonard Okay for beginners.
Sunday September 5	Cycle B2	TBA Contact: Jackie Murray
Sunday September 5	Walk	False Creek Seawall Contact: Karin Haack
Saturday September 11	Hike A2	Lakeview Trail (Buntzen) Contact: Barbara Zielinski
Saturday September 11	Hike C2	Hanes Valley Contact: Philip Ng
Sunday September 12	Cycle C2	Poco/Albion Contact: Glen Stedham (Was Abbotsford/Langley in the previous schedule.)
Saturday September 18	Hike A2	Brothers Creek Contact: Jackie Murray
Saturday September 18	Hike C2	Flora Peak Contact: Glen Stedham A strenuous hike. (Was Widgeon Peak Paddle & Hike in the previous schedule.)
Sunday September 19	Cycle C2	Five Hills - Langley Contact: Keith Gorham
Sunday September 19	Hike B2	Ann Lake (Mount Baker) Contact: Maianne Cardiff Note: 12 people maximum

Grading of Hiking & Snowshoeing Trips		Grading of Cycling Trips
*Elevation Gain:*	*Distance:*	*Elevation Gain:*	*Distance:*
A - up to 500 m	1 - up to 10 km	A - mostly level	1 - 40 to 50 km
B - 500 - 1000 m	2 - 10 to 20 km	B - some hills	2 - 50 to 70 km
C - over 1000 m	3 - over 20 km	C - mostly hills	3 - over 70 km

Resources

For more information about the great outdoors around Greater Vancouver check out thses sites:

	The Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC is a federation of outdoor recreation clubs representing most regions of British Columbia. Individual members are also welcome to support our work. By working together we are more able to protect British Columbia’s spectacular mountains and wilderness areas for our future generations to experience. VOA is a member of the FMCBC.
	ClubTread is an online community dedicated to the outdoors. They are a group of outdoors enthusiasts who get together online to share ideas, trip reports, photographs, and advice. Our message board is one of the primary methods to communicate with others, plan trips, and talk gear.
	Outdoor Vancouver is your guide to sports and recreation in Vancouver BC and the surrounding area. Find club listings, articles, trails, photos, maps and more covering a wide variety of activities.
	Bivouac.com is the Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia. It provides maps, trails, trip reports, road bulletins and photos for hiking and mountaineering. It covers all of Canada and the USA.

Welcome to Valley Outdoor Association