Activities are planned for every level of fitness and experience.  Most outings take place on weekends, some during the week.  Multi-day trips and an annual summer camp are also offered.

Announcements

Request for Hike / Paddle Leaders for the April-May-June Schedule

For B-C Hikes & Paddles please call Chris Larson.

For A Hikes please call Carole Chesham. (Dianna Lukacs is unable to coordinate the A hikes & Walks for this next schedule.)

We have added a new catagory to the A hikes as "Walks". These will be A hikes that are basically flat (minimal elevation change).

Please call or email prior to March 12.

If any members would like to offer suggestions as to hikes or areas they would like to explore please feel free to shout them out.

Paddle/Hike Announcement

Dave Wharton and Glen Stedham recently located the main mine shaft of the abandoned copper mine at Pitt Lake. On previous visits Glen had located minor adits and the site of the mining camp. A shard of pottery he discovered at the site dates between 1914 and 1934.

VOA members and guests are invited to join Glen and exploration geologist, Dave Hammer, when they return to the site of the main adits on Saturday, March 13th. They will depart from Grant Narrows at 9:30 a.m. Grant Narrows Regional Park is on Rennie Road in Pitt Meadows see www.metrovancouver.org.

Photos of the main mine shaft can be viewed on Club Tread under a report titled Old Copper Mine above Pitt Lake and dated Sept 6, 2006. The pretty turquoise coloured stain is believed to be azurite. Unfortunately this report contains incorrect and misleading information -- particularly about the difficulty of the shore landing.

Access to the trailhead is by canoe or kayak from Grant Narrows. The paddle is about 4 kms. each way and there will be currents and possibly wind and waves. The hike to the mine site is a route rather than a trail so be prepared for some bushwhacking. It is not a long distance and should take under one hour.

Glen will try to coordinate people and canoes. So let him know if you are looking for someone to paddle with or whether you have space in your canoe or kayak. Each canoe will need a competent stern paddler. This is someone who can control a canoe regardless of current, waves and wind.

Ayla Canoes do not rent canoes for use on Pitt Lake but Glen has made special arrangements for our group provided there is not adverse weather and those renting can establish with Ayla that they are proficient. A credit card impression will be required. See the Ayla Canoe website.

Glen urges everyone to bring ‘dump-clothes’. After 40 years of paddling he still does -- every time. This means a complete extra set of clothing in a waterproof container. Everyone will be required to wear a life vest while on the water. You may wish to bring a flashlight or headlamp for use in the mine.

RSVP Glen Stedham Please include your phone number in case of last minute change. There is no reliable cell coverage at Grant Narrows.

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 some pictures and commentary. (Last updated March 5.)

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

Pictures are also welcome for our web site can be emailed to Hilmar.

Join us for VOA's Social Event of the Year!

Come and join us for a VOA exclusive private presentation of the play K2, at Langley Players Theatre on Friday April 30, 2010. Tickets are $20.00 p/p, which includes admission, one drink of your choice, assorted munchies plus a door prize. Partners & friends welcome. We are already over half sold out, so please contact either Carole Chesham (604-530-1741), Rodney Edwards (604-538-4185) or Chris Larson (604-526-7564) for tickets.

Dreaming of Spring

Winter's just started but there are a few planned trips starting in May. Phone and e-mail information is in the January bulletin.

May 1 - 9 Canyons of the Escalande Hike: From car camps along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, well explore some of the best canyons of southern Utah. For strong hikers in the A-C range; non-technical although some scrambling and wading will be required. Easy pace and mellow attitude. For details call Peter Woodsworth.

May 22-24 (May long weekend) LaConner Cycle Trip staying in Mt Vernon: Contact Carole Chesham for details.

June 25-28 Holden Camp on Lake Chelan WA (4 days, 3 nights): Approx $70 per day for accommodation & meals. All levels of hiking available. Contact Sandy or John Reinders for details.

And Dreaming of Summer

The days are getting longer and it's time to sign up for some Summer trips. Or you can keep writing TPS reports at work.

July 1 - 4 Whistler Hiking Weekend: Large ski cabin available close to Green Lake at a very nominal fee for this weekend, possibly from $5.00 - $12.00 per person depending on number committed. If interested, please contact Chris Larson.

July 10 - 14 Car Cycle Camp Oliver, BC: Car camp with daily cycles Contact Rodney Edwards

July 24-31 Summer Camp in Jasper: Contact Dave or Dianne Wharton for details.

Aug 7-17 Kayak Trip to Desolation Sound: Contact Rodney Edwards for details.