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.
We are a hiking and biking club loosely based in the Fraser Valley (if you wandered here from Google that's near Vancouver, BC). Most members hail from Surrey, Langley, White Rock, Delta, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, Mission, Port Moody and Coquitlam. Most weekends we offer day hikes and cycling trips for all fitness and experience levels. There's also backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and a few members generously organize more challenging backpack trips to places like Cathedral Lakes, Chilcoot Trail, Wells Grey, Tweedsmuir, etc.
A schedule of activities is mailed to members every 3 months.
Announcements
President's Message
The faster we move, the slower we die. (from Up in the Air)
Greetings
Best wishes and good tidings to every body, your families and friends. The holiday season is a time to reflect, renew and enjoy the wonderful things we have.
Thank you and kudos
Our club express’ gratefulness to past executive members for their contributions, work, coordination and time they have devoted to making the VOA better. They are Larry Leonard, Janie Creighton and Jack Elsdon who have served us all supremely well.
To the new and existing Executive, we extend our sincere appreciation for keeping the VOA dynamic.
I would also like to thank Glen Stedham for putting on the Wilderness Navigation Course.
Social related VOA events
A good turnout of members, their families, guests and others is happening for presentations, suppers, and plays for our non hiking/bicycling events. We look forward to seeing you and your friends at these activities. Read about the K-2 theatre play on April 30 elsewhere in the bulletin.
New things
We are introducing some "walks" (very little elevation gain) on a trial basis in this schedule. Check out the nifty areas to see if you are interested.
We have also included a new section of future activities that are in May, June, July, and August in case you are interested in joining us on any of these and need to make plans in advance.
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.
Take care of yourself, each other and all people and things around you.
Rodney
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.
Upcoming Events
For more information about an event contact the trip leader. Phone and e-mail information is in the January bulletin.
| Wednesday February 3 | Snowshoe B2 |
Eagle Mountain Contact: Shirley Nikiforuk |
| Saturday February 6 | Snowshoe B2 |
Zoa Peak Contact: Denis Blair |
| Sunday February 7 | Walk | Deas Park - Ladner Ramble Contact: Jackie Murray |
| Monday February 8 | Hike A2 |
Lakeview Trail - Buntzen Lake Contact: Shirly Roadhouse |
| Saturday February 13 | Snowshoe B2 |
Windy Joe - Manning Park Contact: Dave & Dianne Wharton Optional car camp. |
| Sunday February 14 | Snowshoe B2 |
Deer Lake Contact: Dave & dianne wharton |
| Monday February 15 | Hike A2 |
Hayward Lake Contact: Helen Sullivan |
| Saturday February 20 | Snowshoe C2 |
The "White Rock" - Coquitlam Contact: Jack Elsdon |
| 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:
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
