Anyone out there looking for a hot new snowsuit for next winter? I maybe you just really need to have it for reading break? It also comes in hot pink- or used to until they sold out.
Check out the link below,
Cheers,
Sam
http://www.backcountry.com/store/NRA0044/Norr%F8na-Lofoten-Gore-Tex-Pro-Shell-One-Piece-Suit-Mens.html
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Snowshoeing a Spine at Mt.Swite
Mt. Swite, located above Bear Lake, the head waters for Bear Creek on the Westside of Okanagan Lake, sits at 4500ft above sea level. Within sight are Mt. Haymen, Blue Grouse Mountain and Mt. Terrace, which sits at 6200 ft. This is not far from Kelowna if you have a vehicle, however cycling there could take a while in the spring, as the logging road could get muddy and rowdy. There are a series of creeks that flow through the valleys such as Bear Creek and Hidden Creek. Endless MOUNTAIN BIKE trails have been created in this area, such as the McDougal Rim gruel, and a current work-in-progress called the Four Fingers. On Saturday morning, I went out with a biking friend from Kelowna, up into these mountains to GPS spine #2 of the four, and to locate significant natural features that would make the most orgasmic mountain bike trail, worthy of being filmed. I noticed endless miles of logging road, heading in many directions, all surrounded by crown land perfect for XC skiing or snowshoeing, and perhaps if at altitude, snowboarding. I also did notice other snowshoe tracks and XC ski tracks heading in the opposite direction of where we were going. We were climbing 2000ft to then begin our descent. Physical fitness would be recommended for this sort of hike, and a full day with plenty of sunlight would also be recommended. It is easy to get lost out there.
Our hope is to build some epic ridge-line single track this summer, but snowshoeing and GPS is all part of the process! We had lovely +5 and sunny weather, came across a Bull Moose, and endless deer nests in the snowy forest. If you ever have the time, I would recommend exploring the wilderness on the other side of the lake, OR now that its finally snowing, perhaps save a trip like this for the spring!
Cheers,
Sam
Our hope is to build some epic ridge-line single track this summer, but snowshoeing and GPS is all part of the process! We had lovely +5 and sunny weather, came across a Bull Moose, and endless deer nests in the snowy forest. If you ever have the time, I would recommend exploring the wilderness on the other side of the lake, OR now that its finally snowing, perhaps save a trip like this for the spring!
Cheers,
Sam
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Cross Country Skiing on Campus
Hey Team!
If you're interested in XC Skiing near/on campus, there are various places to go- some within driving distance, and some within walking distance. I have been XC skiing out behind the UBCO campus in the farmers field, that offers some moderate hills and a wonderful open space. If you have you're skis here and you're feeling trapped in you're dorm due to the winter doldrums, please check out the back field and the running trail behind campus. The snow is brilliant for skate skiing right now, and you might even see or hear wildlife such as coyotes and many different birds. There is a great loop that you can do over and over and over...like a hamster in a wheel.
Have fun!
Sam
If you're interested in XC Skiing near/on campus, there are various places to go- some within driving distance, and some within walking distance. I have been XC skiing out behind the UBCO campus in the farmers field, that offers some moderate hills and a wonderful open space. If you have you're skis here and you're feeling trapped in you're dorm due to the winter doldrums, please check out the back field and the running trail behind campus. The snow is brilliant for skate skiing right now, and you might even see or hear wildlife such as coyotes and many different birds. There is a great loop that you can do over and over and over...like a hamster in a wheel.
Have fun!
Sam
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ski to Sea Event
Everyone in VOCO!
Need a little adrenaline in you're lives? An event to train for? Well, lets put together a few teams for the Ski to Sea held in Kelowna at the end of March here in Kelowna! Teams of 2-7 people, or you can do the race solo- it is a relay race event starting with DOWNHILL SKIING on Big White, to NORDIC SKIING at Big White, MNT BIKING down Big White to meet the ROAD CYCLIST, who does a 40km ride and meets the distance RUNNER, who runs to Okanagan Lake to meet the 2 CANOESTS who paddle across the lake to Westbank and back (close to the bridge) completing the event over a few hours. Then of course, drinks must be had at the local pub (if you're of age!).
This is a very fun event that I participated in last year for Venture Gear as their XC skier, and I reckon VOCO should be putting a few teams out there to represent our sick club within the community! So gather you're pals and contact me for more info. or go to www.ski2sea.ca and investigate the wild race for yourself!
There is still time to register and gather a team, but I wanted to put the idea in you're heads earlier rather than later! Remember, these events cost money too, so the more team members you have, the more you can afford to split the cost. Registration deadline I believe is March 16th- after that the price goes UP!
Maybe we can make team t-shirts or something- props to those of you who give it a shot going solo! May the farce be with you.
Cheers,
Sam Brett
Need a little adrenaline in you're lives? An event to train for? Well, lets put together a few teams for the Ski to Sea held in Kelowna at the end of March here in Kelowna! Teams of 2-7 people, or you can do the race solo- it is a relay race event starting with DOWNHILL SKIING on Big White, to NORDIC SKIING at Big White, MNT BIKING down Big White to meet the ROAD CYCLIST, who does a 40km ride and meets the distance RUNNER, who runs to Okanagan Lake to meet the 2 CANOESTS who paddle across the lake to Westbank and back (close to the bridge) completing the event over a few hours. Then of course, drinks must be had at the local pub (if you're of age!).
This is a very fun event that I participated in last year for Venture Gear as their XC skier, and I reckon VOCO should be putting a few teams out there to represent our sick club within the community! So gather you're pals and contact me for more info. or go to www.ski2sea.ca and investigate the wild race for yourself!
There is still time to register and gather a team, but I wanted to put the idea in you're heads earlier rather than later! Remember, these events cost money too, so the more team members you have, the more you can afford to split the cost. Registration deadline I believe is March 16th- after that the price goes UP!
Maybe we can make team t-shirts or something- props to those of you who give it a shot going solo! May the farce be with you.
Cheers,
Sam Brett
Bear Creek Provincial Park
I wouldn’t exactly call this a VOCO adventure, as nothing very adventurous happened, but I write this more to inform other people about a nice place for a quick hike. Brody and I headed out towards Bear Creek Provincial Park for some ice climbing with Adam and Kayla (2 outdoorsy friends). The park is located on the west side, about a ten-minute drive from the bridge. Upon arriving we discovered that there were some eager ice climbers who had already claimed the climb. We had a short budget for time, so we decided to not let the day go to waste, and hiked the small loop around the creek. It was about a half-hour to 45-minute hike, but it was nice to get out in the sun and enjoy the wonderful weather. If you are looking for a hiking getaway close to downtown Kelowna, check out Bear Creek. It’s a nice little walk and a good place for a lunch one weekend. If you’re into the ice climbing, it looks like a great spot, with easy access to the top (anchor goes around a giant tree), and enough room down below for hanging out. If you are interested, check it out! http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/bear_crk/
Dave Donnelly
Dave Donnelly
Backcountry Trip in Pemberton
VOCO members, I'm keen to do a trip to Pemberton again this year to meet up with the VOC club and stay in their legendary Phelix Hutt.
The hutt only sleeps 25 people, so this means only 5 of us can go from our club, since their club is much larger. Last year, 5 of us went and had a blast! The hutt is a post and beam style, made with heavy lumber that was flown in via helicopter, funded by MEC- piece by piece! It is tucked away above the woods in a little backcountry bowl, about 5km from the end of a logging road. However, we learned the hard way, and in the winter it turns out to be a 10km tour into the hutt, half on logging road, half through pristine wilderness and subalpine furr.
Once into the valley where the hutt is located, there is a goldmine of incredible faces to snowboard/ski down, and the powder was lushious! The hut is warm and friendly, and after a long day of touring in, we had a good ol' shake down in the kitchen area of the hutt. Someone brought a fiddle and a banjo, a guitar and an egg shaker, one of our club members brought 4lbs of fondu cheese, 1 1/ltrs of wine, and a 6 pack of beer! There were drinks to be had, songs to be sung, dances to dance, and much laughing and bonding with the Vancouver club members.
They are an experienced club, and it was interesting to see how they run their trips.
The following day, we got up early and spent the entire morning and early afternoon digging pits and skinning up the slopes surrounding the little snow-burried hutt. We began to make our decent around 2pm or so back to the cars 10km below us. We were exhausted!
We stopped in Squamish for the night (Sunday) to sleep and made our way back to Kelowna the following morning. It is a long drive there and back, but worth every minute of the journey. It is a journey and an experience. The snow is different, the terrain is different and the people were different- all made for a well rounded trip!
So, if anyone wants to go, let me know and I've got all the details, etc. I'm just missing the car to get there, so if anyone has wheels and wants to go, thats awesome- we can all pitch in for gas.
The trip is Feb. 28-March 1st, but I would suggest leaving on the Friday Feb. 27th whenever people are finished class, and making the drive that night. We camped on the Friday night in a stump field, also known as a clearcut, located only 10 mintues away from the trail head. This would be a Friday afternoon-Monday afternoon trip, unless you're all troopers and want to drive back to Kelowna on the Sunday night- but I have a feeling people wont want to even move their eyelids. This is a rewarding and exhausting trip- to cover 20km in 2 days of touring is respectable! Snowboarders, RENT A SPLITBOARD! Strongly suggested, as I made the mistake of thinking snowshoeing that distance was cool- not cool.
Anyways, think about it!
Friday Feb. 27- Monday March 2nd- Pemberton Touring Trip with VOC to Phelix Hutt!!
Depending on vehicle use, we can only bring up to 5 people due to hutt size, 4 would be comfortable due to gear space in vehicles-but I'm sure wecould manage to squeeze 6 if anyone has a van!
Contact me at sammieb7@hotmail.com if you're interested.
Cheers,
Sam Brett
The hutt only sleeps 25 people, so this means only 5 of us can go from our club, since their club is much larger. Last year, 5 of us went and had a blast! The hutt is a post and beam style, made with heavy lumber that was flown in via helicopter, funded by MEC- piece by piece! It is tucked away above the woods in a little backcountry bowl, about 5km from the end of a logging road. However, we learned the hard way, and in the winter it turns out to be a 10km tour into the hutt, half on logging road, half through pristine wilderness and subalpine furr.
Once into the valley where the hutt is located, there is a goldmine of incredible faces to snowboard/ski down, and the powder was lushious! The hut is warm and friendly, and after a long day of touring in, we had a good ol' shake down in the kitchen area of the hutt. Someone brought a fiddle and a banjo, a guitar and an egg shaker, one of our club members brought 4lbs of fondu cheese, 1 1/ltrs of wine, and a 6 pack of beer! There were drinks to be had, songs to be sung, dances to dance, and much laughing and bonding with the Vancouver club members.
They are an experienced club, and it was interesting to see how they run their trips.
The following day, we got up early and spent the entire morning and early afternoon digging pits and skinning up the slopes surrounding the little snow-burried hutt. We began to make our decent around 2pm or so back to the cars 10km below us. We were exhausted!
We stopped in Squamish for the night (Sunday) to sleep and made our way back to Kelowna the following morning. It is a long drive there and back, but worth every minute of the journey. It is a journey and an experience. The snow is different, the terrain is different and the people were different- all made for a well rounded trip!
So, if anyone wants to go, let me know and I've got all the details, etc. I'm just missing the car to get there, so if anyone has wheels and wants to go, thats awesome- we can all pitch in for gas.
The trip is Feb. 28-March 1st, but I would suggest leaving on the Friday Feb. 27th whenever people are finished class, and making the drive that night. We camped on the Friday night in a stump field, also known as a clearcut, located only 10 mintues away from the trail head. This would be a Friday afternoon-Monday afternoon trip, unless you're all troopers and want to drive back to Kelowna on the Sunday night- but I have a feeling people wont want to even move their eyelids. This is a rewarding and exhausting trip- to cover 20km in 2 days of touring is respectable! Snowboarders, RENT A SPLITBOARD! Strongly suggested, as I made the mistake of thinking snowshoeing that distance was cool- not cool.
Anyways, think about it!
Friday Feb. 27- Monday March 2nd- Pemberton Touring Trip with VOC to Phelix Hutt!!
Depending on vehicle use, we can only bring up to 5 people due to hutt size, 4 would be comfortable due to gear space in vehicles-but I'm sure wecould manage to squeeze 6 if anyone has a van!
Contact me at sammieb7@hotmail.com if you're interested.
Cheers,
Sam Brett
Annual Journal VOC
To those of you with a story based on an outdoor adventure you've had at anytime in your life, please write it down and send it to me! If you're interested in having you're work and story published in the annual VOC Journal, please send it to me at sammieb7@hotmail.com or vocojournal@gmail.com and I will edit you're work, send it on to the Vancouver club, and please make sure to indicate whether or not you would like to purchase you're own issue of the journal. Its a great thing to take home to mom and dad, and show them you're PUBLISHED story/article/photographs, etc. The length should not be longer than 1500 words please.
I need to know if you want a copy so that I can place the right order with the Vancouver club- otherwise not enough will get printed- I think they are 15$ each-
Please have you're stories into me by February 12th, so I can edit them and send them onto VOC intime for publishing.
I look forward to recieving you're work, reading you're stories and sharing you're adventures with other folks alike!
Thanks,
Sam
I need to know if you want a copy so that I can place the right order with the Vancouver club- otherwise not enough will get printed- I think they are 15$ each-
Please have you're stories into me by February 12th, so I can edit them and send them onto VOC intime for publishing.
I look forward to recieving you're work, reading you're stories and sharing you're adventures with other folks alike!
Thanks,
Sam
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Something I thought all the readers and explorer's might enjoy:
"If you lose the power of wonder, you grow old, no matter how old you are. If you have the power of wonder, you are forever young- the whole world is pristine and new and exciting."
- In The Wilderness World of Sigurd F. Olson, Twin Cities Public Television, 1980
"If felt good to feel the north wind, to face it and glory in it. There was no bite to it, merely a good fierce joy in the sting of it." - Journal, December 12, 1934 Sigurd F. Olson
"When one finally arrives at the point where shcedules are forgotten, and becomes immersed in ancient rhythms, one beings to live." -Reflections of the North Country, 29
"In the wilderness there is never this sense of having to move, never the feeling of boredom if nothing dramatic happens. Time moves slowly, as it should, for it is a part of beauty that cannot be hurried if it is to be understood. Without this easy flowing, life can become empty and hectic."-Reflections from the North Country, 29
Hope you all enjoy these little quotes and can pull something from them as I did.
Cheers,
Sam
"If you lose the power of wonder, you grow old, no matter how old you are. If you have the power of wonder, you are forever young- the whole world is pristine and new and exciting."
- In The Wilderness World of Sigurd F. Olson, Twin Cities Public Television, 1980
"If felt good to feel the north wind, to face it and glory in it. There was no bite to it, merely a good fierce joy in the sting of it." - Journal, December 12, 1934 Sigurd F. Olson
"When one finally arrives at the point where shcedules are forgotten, and becomes immersed in ancient rhythms, one beings to live." -Reflections of the North Country, 29
"In the wilderness there is never this sense of having to move, never the feeling of boredom if nothing dramatic happens. Time moves slowly, as it should, for it is a part of beauty that cannot be hurried if it is to be understood. Without this easy flowing, life can become empty and hectic."-Reflections from the North Country, 29
Hope you all enjoy these little quotes and can pull something from them as I did.
Cheers,
Sam
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Revy's Hot
Another great day of skiing at Revelstoke Mountain resort!! Sam Brett, Dylan Cunningham, Matt Dodds, Greg Moorehouse and Nick Therrien all made it out for a Sunday ski. The weather was very interesting, 9 degrees Celsius at the top and 0 degrees at the bottom of the ski hill. There was a little bit of an inversion going on. Hopefully the inversion does not make the avalanche conditions any worse, but it probably will create another very unstable layer. The skiing was still very good considering there has been no new snow in almost 2 weeks. We found a good consistent section with shin deep, untouched powder. We spent the entire day skiing on the new Ripper chair. Reve always hides lots of sweet sections for those who are willing to spend the time looking around. Hope everyone else found some sweet, safe turns this past weekend!http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com/
By: Nick Therrien
By: Nick Therrien
Teton At -another great blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming This link includes some information regarding some scary snow conditions
Be sure to check the Current Avalanche conditions before heading out into the mountains, conditions are starting to get better in some places but the are still very scary- Avalanche Bullitens BC
Nick
Be sure to check the Current Avalanche conditions before heading out into the mountains, conditions are starting to get better in some places but the are still very scary- Avalanche Bullitens BC
Nick
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