| |
15 April 2007
|
|
| |
Status: Changed access scenario
Council gives green light for Bylaw infraction inspection; SAS focusing on long term preservation and access.
Many of you have been following developments on our website regarding the Malamute. Since the clear cutting occurred during the last week of March, the SAS has been busy working on this issue, meeting with the Ministry of Transportation, the District, and several other stakeholders as well as engaging with the media. Read more...
Status: Closed
The climbing closure has been extended at the Papoose until June.
The closure of the Papoose has been extended beyond the earlier anticipated opening time frame of mid-May. Because of the amount of rainfall in February and March, concern over sediment discharge levels into Howe Sound led to highway work interruptions. The actual entrance into Shannon Falls Provincial Park should be completed in May, and Peter Kiewit Sons has asked for an on-site meeting with the SAS to discuss the future access connection to the trail head, which is now cut off due to excavations. The tentative date for a green light to climbing at the Papoose is mid June. We have asked that the signage in the area be updated accordingly. Read more about the Papoose...
|
| |
New: Improved amenities at Foundation Wall.
On Sunday April 1st, the SAS organized a work party to improve the base of Foundation Wall up at Chek. As many of you will know, it had deteriorated heavily over the years with a lot of erosion. Prior to the work undertaken, the base was essentially a steep clay slope with no area to throw on shoes and throw down a rope tarp, let alone belay comfortably and safely from. Eight people put in 6 hours of work with picks, shovels and a lot of back power to establish platforms and even out the slope. The SAS would like to thank ClimbOn in Squamish in particular for the miraculous appearance of the required cedar planking.
On a few of the climbs, we are considering moving the first bolts downward or adding another, to adjust them back to their original style before the base erosion and recent base work. We are also considering some gravel coverage for the platforms. Read more about Chek...
|
|
| |
Status: New parking; new trail access difficulties.
Over the winter, the massive tree which stood at the base of Golden Beard split in half and the top toppled down the boulder slope toward the highway, finally resting across the climbers trail just uphill and south from Road Warrior crag. This massive trunk and a tangle of branches now needs to be dealt with to gain access to the main Rogues areas. We hope to organize a quick solution to the matter sometime this Spring; most likely an innovative set of stairs up and over the trunk, as the neighbouring slopes of scree and boulders are difficult to navigate. Base work at Hoods in the Woods might be undertaken at the same time, to mitigate the rapid erosion and unfriendly belay stances. Read more about Rogues...
New: Smoke Bluffs Park Development Committee up and rolling.
SAS is happy to report that one of our directors, Brian Moorhead, has been elected to chair the newly minted Smoke Bluffs Park Development Committee of Council. Brian will have the benefit of serving with an extremely able and informed committee as listed below. Thanks are due to the SB Planning Group who created the Development Plan for the guidance of the new governing body. The formalization of the Park by council brings with it an ongoing, if modest budget, and assistance from DOS staff. That said, Brian expresses the hope, that the long tradition of user input and volunteerism, will continue to flourish at the Bluffs.
|
| |
Matt parker, at large
Todd Gerhart, at large
Brian Moorhead. Squamish Access Society
Bob Brant, Squamish Trails Society
Peter Winter, Climbers' Access Society of B.C.
John Harvey, at large
Joe Turley, at large
Glenn Woloski, at large
Helen Habgood, Federation of Mountain Clubs
Raj Kahlon, Squamish Municipal Council
Bob Kusch, Squamish District staff support
On a related note, many will have noticed already the new stairs at Pixie corner and new trail, with impressive drainage, leading up to them. Read more about the Smoke Bluffs...
|
|
| |
SAS Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Squamish Access Society will be held on June 3rd, 2007. This will be our first AGM. It will take place at 5pm in the Garibaldi Room at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co, 37801 Cleveland Ave. Squamish. See you there!
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC)
Many of you will have heard about the TLC in the context of the most recent Skaha initiative or know of them from their pivotal involvement in the Gondola saga in Squamish (they secured the gravel pit land against future similar development). Because of the great work they are doing, we encourage you to learn more, become a member, and make a contribution. Please see www.conservancy.bc.ca.
Squamish Mountain Festival
This exciting week of clinics, speakers, films, parties, comps, trail work days and more is scheduled for July 13th to the 21st. For up-to-date information including a speakers list see www.squamishmountainfestival.com.
Skaha
Worth noting are the developments at our sister crag Skaha. Many of you will have been kept informed by regular CASBC updates regarding a funding drive to ensure future access is secured. Mountain Equipment Coop has generously announced its largest land acquisition grant ever of $250,000, along with a matching program (for MEC member contributions, go to www.conservancy.bc.ca/MEC-skaha; for others, see www.conservancy.bc.ca).
The SAS would like to thank MEC, The Land Conservancy, Skaha Climbers and the Climbers' Access Society of BC (who contributed $10,000 ) for their commitment and hard work on this front. We encourage everyone to support this worthwhile cause.
|
|
|
