annual general meeting (agm) / potluck dinner t h … - oct... · 2018. 10. 18. · jumping pound...

Jumping Pound Summit and East Ridge

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) / POTLUCK DINNER Friday, November 16th, 2018, 6:30 P.M.

Marda Loop Communities Association Hall – 3130 – 16th Street SW, Calgary Bring a contribution to potluck in the form of an hors d’oeuvre, main dish, salad or dessert.

Oven available for warming only. Coffee, tea, punch, paper plates and plastic utensils will be provided.

You are welcome to provide other liquid refreshments for your own consumption. Be kind to the environment and bring your own washable dishes.

Potluck/Social: 6:30 to 7:30 PM; Doors open at 6:00 PM AGM: starts at 7:30 PM Please register on our Website

Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2018 Fall Newsletter

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Susan Allen

What a start to October! Winter arrived Oct 2nd and is continuing today as I write my report. Snow and more snow! With this kind of start to our last month of hiking means micro spikes for snow and ice may be required. Consider hiking in the snow – it can be lots of fun. Our Annual Christmas Gourmet Potluck Dinner and AGM have been scheduled for Friday, Nov 16th. Do not miss it – I can fully say it is the best potluck of any I attend. Once again, we have had quite the season:

1) Late spring with snow in mountains until June; 2) Three weeks of smoky skies due to the August wildfires; 3) Two fun-filled multiday trips– Twin Falls Chalet and Radium;

4) Unfortunately, Waterton had to be cancelled due to fire in Glacier National Park;

5) Wilderness first aid completed for members;

6) Second whole year of the new website; is working very well.

Website updating continues and will be completed prior to 2019 season. Multiday hiking trip possibilities for next year include: Waterton; Castle Wilderness; Bugaboos; and perhaps Rogers Pass. I have received feedback from some members who work full time and are having difficulty meeting the 5-hike commitment. The feedback is that there are not enough moderate weekend hikes on the schedule. The executive will be reviewing strategies to modify this situation in the future, including mentoring new coordinators for weekend hikes. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our club. We have had strong leaders on the PMH executive over the years and enthusiastic hike coordinators help us meet our vision and goals. We need You! There are a few vacancies on our executive this year. Not only do you get a chance to join our volunteer network, you can meet strong leaders and develop new skills. Please note the jobs are not onerous and there are others to help you with them. If you have any questions just write or call Cathy Lockerby or me. I have really enjoyed being the PMH chair over the past two years and have found plenty of scope to try new outdoor activities with the club. Let us continue to strengthen our programming. Thank you to all of our current and past volunteers. You are an inspiration to me and our membership. Susan Allen

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Memorial Lakes

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Donna Hogan and Dorothy Whitson New Members/Waitlist Dorothy Whitson The middle of October is fast approaching. Two more weeks and the official hiking season ends for another year. I hope that this finds all members, especially our new members, in good standing, having completed their minimum requirement of five hikes during the hiking season. And if not, there is still another two weeks to go. I think it would be safe to assume that it will be a time of lovely vibrant fall colours and foliage without the high temperatures and smoke from the wildfires that played havoc with hiking over the summer months, especially August. As indicated in April's Trail Talk, PMH welcomed 19 new members to the Club. Since that time, another seven or so have since joined. Once again, I hope that all were able to achieve their five-hike requirement. If you did not receive a name tag, you will receive it at the April Spring Meeting or it will be mailed to you.

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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2018 Fall Newsletter I hope that our new members were able to take advantage of some of the hiking getaways offered over the summer - Radium and Twin Falls being just two of them. As well, our interpretative hikes with John McFaul are always worthwhile, informative and interesting. I believe that the last Interpretative Hike to Pope's Prospect was rescheduled to Saturday, October 6th but unfortunately cancelled due to early snow. Our Waitlist is also quite short at this time so if you have friends interested in hiking and wanting to belong to a vibrant friendly group of people please have them contact either myself at [email protected] or [email protected] . I will be happy to send out membership documentation via email. As announced at last year's AGM and in the 2018 Spring Newsletter, I am retiring from this position as of November, 2018. If you haven't been able to volunteer in the past but would like to do so now, please consider this position. If you would like some further information about what the position entails, please contact me at [email protected]. I have really enjoyed my tenure here...it's a great way to meet all the new folks joining the Club. In closing I want to say that you have joined a wonderful organization comprised of like-minded individuals who love to hike and enjoy the beauty of nature. Renewals and Appeals: Donna Hogan It’s hard to believe that another great hiking season is coming to a close. I hope you all enjoyed the season and will be eager for the trails next April! It is now time to renew your memberships if you have completed the required five hikes. The Membership Renewal Form can be found on the Prairie Mountaineer Hikers website under Membership/Member Documents/Forms. Please print the two-page form and complete both the members’ information page and the waiver page. If you require a new name tag please indicate and add an additional $4.00 for each tag. Mail the completed forms along with your cheque to the address provided on the renewal form by November 30, 2018. If you haven’t completed the five hikes yet there is still opportunity to do so until the end of the season which is October 31, 2018. If you are unable to complete the five hikes and there are extenuating circumstances you might choose to fill out an Appeal Form and submit by November 30, 2018. The Appeal Form can be found on the website. Hope to see you all at the Annual General Meeting, November 16, 2018. [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]




Twin Falls, Cathy L

HIKE PLANNING COORDINATOR’S REPORT Karen Fisher

Despite the smoky skies in late July and August, members made the best of the season with 35 members coordinating a variety of about 120 hikes.

I would like to thank all those members who continue to keep our club vibrant by volunteering their time to coordinate a hike. Are you still waiting to take the plunge? Next season why not lead a hike of your own! Talking it over in advance with a fellow hiker, may give you ideas and the confidence to co-lead a hike. Please contact me if you have questions or need some advice.

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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2018 Fall Newsletter Each hike season, some of the most memorable times are the camaraderie and activities of a multi-day trip. Alberta has so many lovely places to hike and explore. To name a few; Mt. Assiniboine, Skoki lodge, Lake O’Hara, Rogers pass, Glacier and Waterton National Parks. PMH is a member of the Alpine club and bookings at their huts can be made through Jim Baillies. There are huts at Roger’s pass, Yoho Valley and Lake O’Hara and Elk Lakes. In addition, some economical hostel accommodation can be obtained at Lake Louise Inn or along the Icefields Parkway.

Before you post that hike, please contact me. Perhaps I can be of assistance. We want to ensure that your weekend away is a success and is posted to the website efficiently so members receive credit for each day hiked.

Let’s all work to keeping our club vibrant. How would you improve our hike schedule? Is there any kind of training you would like to have? [email protected]

Foran Grade, Kathy C

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REPORT ON 2018 INTERPRETIVE HIKES

Marc Chatel/Elizabeth Albers

Planned Date Actual Date Title Level

Sun. June 24, 2018

Same Bow Valley-Middle Lake/Many Springs Loops D1-Easy

Sat. July 21, 2018

Same Watridge Lake/Karst Springs D1-Easy

Sat. Aug. 18, 2018

Sat. Sept. 8, 2018

Quartz Ridge (Sunshine Meadows) D2-Moderate

Sat. Sept 15, 2018

Sat. Oct 6, 2018 (planned)

Popes Prospect (this hike requires early arrival to Lake Louise parking!)

D4-Difficult

At the time of this writing (for Trail Talk), three of the four planned interpretive hikes have been completed. It sure seems like offering more than one interpretive hike for the season has been a success overall! John McFaul’s commentary brings insight on ecological relationships, history of the areas we visit, and more generally on the natural playground that we enjoy so much and often know so little about… We believe that maintaining this level of offering will continue to be justified, with possible adjustments, based on some member feedback and registration statistics. Perhaps we should organize more moderate hikes and fewer easy hikes? Organizers would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of some aspects of these hikes that are different from regular ones:

● Given that the club hires a biologist to lead and provide commentary along the way, the hikes do cost money. Once the cut-off date is reached, and the club has made a commitment to the biologist, a refund cannot be guaranteed to a hiker unless a replacement is found. Hike organizers make every effort to refund money when possible, while maintaining a break-even objective for these hikes.

● Given the commentary throughout the hike, the pace is somewhat slower than a regular hike of the same level. Staying with the group is important to safety, as always!

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STATUS OF 2018 PHOTO CONTEST Marc Chatel/Elizabeth Albers

It has been decided to postpone this year’s photo contest to 2019, due to performance problems with the photo section of the current website. With any luck, these problems will be resolved in the coming

months, and we can look forward to an exciting photo contest next year!

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EXECUTIVE NOMINEES AND APPOINTEES FOR 2019 Nominees for Executive Positions

Chairperson(s) Liz Albers & Marc Chatel*

Vice Chair vacant

Secretary Melani Dunbar

Treasurer Julia Tsang

Hike Planner Karen Fisher

Social Robert Visockas

Membership (appeals/renewals) Lois Hinz*

(waitlist/new members) vacant

Communications Linda McFarlane

Past Chair Susan Allen*

Web Master Jim Baillies

Non-Elected Positions

Photo Site Kasandra Klassen

Statistician Susan Chalier

* Denotes new to role

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Prairie Mountaineer Hikers Annual General Meeting Friday, November 16, 2018,

Pot Luck Dinner 6:30 PM, Meeting 7:30 Marda Loop Communities Association Hall

3130 16 St SW

AGENDA

1. Call to Order Susan Allen

2. Introduction of the Executive Committee Susan Allen

3. Chairperson’s comments Susan Allen

4. Welcome Susan Allen

5. Minutes of Spring General Meeting 2018 Melani Dunbar

a. Business arising from the minutes

6. Treasurer’s Report

a. Approval of 2018 Year End Financial Statement Julia Tsang

b. 2019 Proposed Budget

7. Committee Reports

a. Membership-Waitlist/New members Dorothy Whitson

b. Membership-Renewal/Appeals Donna Hogan

c. Hike Planning Karen Fisher

d. Special Hikes

i. Twin Falls – (Cathy Lockerby)

ii. Radium – (Susan)

e. Interpretive Hikes/Photo Contest Liz Albers, Marc

Chatel

f. Communications Linda McFarlane

g. Social Coordinator-Fall AGM update Robert Visockas

h. Webmaster Jim Baillies

i. Statistics Susan Chalier

8. Photo Site Kasandra Klassen

9. Old Business

10. New Business

a. Replacement in Executive Committee positions Cathy Lockerby

b. Other i) Approval of updates to Operating Procedures

Reminder: Any member wishing to place an item of new business on the agenda, for approval of the

membership, is required to provide the Chairperson of the Executive Committee with a copy of the

motion, together with any background information, no less than two (2) weeks in advance of the

AGM. Failure to meet this requirement could result in tabling of the item until the next General

Meeting of the Club.

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11. Adjournment

TRIP REPORTS

Twin Falls Chalet Multi-Day Hike July 23, 24 & 25, 2018 Twelve intrepid hikers, for 3 amazing days, experienced this historic chalet nestled in the heart of the spectacular Yoho National Park, “Yoho” being an exclamation for astonishment and wonder in the Cree language. It certainly lived up to its name. Day 1- After an early morning drive west on the Trans-Canada, 24 km west of Lake Louise we followed the twisting Yoho Valley Road up to Takakkaw Falls parking area, arriving simultaneously with a rain storm. After downing a hasty lunch in our cars and donning our rain gear, we bravely ventured forth up the Yoho Valley trail over the 8 km, 290 m gain, hiking along the Yoho River, through a lush forest and past several cascading waterfalls. Our final push was a steady climb past the Twin Falls Wilderness Campground, to arrive at our cozy chalet: wood stove heated, oil lamp lit, with water hauled from the creek. This two-storey, log-constructed chalet, built by the CPR near the foot of its 180-meter namesake, was started in 1908. For the most part, it has not changed much from its early days, built for mountaineering guides and clients during the booming days of rail travel. The chalet was even slated for demolition in 1969 until public outcry, including Fran Drummond’s, put an end to the plan. As interesting as the chalet’s history is its operator, Fran Drummond, committed to running the chalet as an historic lodge where visitors can experience the way their grandparents and great-grandparents lived. Supplies are still brought in, often by Fran carrying a back pack, much the way things were done when she bought the rights to operate the chalet in 1962, 56 years ago.

After sorting out our 12 bunkbeds, spread over the 3 cozy upstairs rooms, 2 overlooking the falls, we headed down to the main room for very welcomed refreshments! Then, much to our delight, a delicious dinner was cooked and served by Peter, renown chef of the Danish Canadian Club in Calgary, lit by the glow of oil lamps-wow. He was our chef for our entire stay- cooking on an old wood stove that Fran won at an auction, bidding against Clint Eastwood. A walk after dinner provided an

unobstructed view of the dual falls as they cascaded over a 180 m cliff of Cathedral limestone at the mouth of a hanging valley. What an awesome sight. Soon, with the echo of the falls still in our ears, we climbed up on our cozy bunk beds for a well-deserved sleep. Day 2-Waking to the breathtaking view of Twin Falls through our windows, we were off on an early morning bird walk with renown bird artist, Joan, assisting us in recognizing songs from birds singing in

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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2018 Fall Newsletter the early morning choir. Then, following a hearty breakfast, we were on our Day 2 quest –to tackle Whaleback Mountain, with its spectacular views. After climbing steadily along a trail laced with yellow columbine, we were suddenly rewarded with stunning views. In awe, we crossed the bridge atop the falls, with water dropping dramatically 180 meters beneath our boots and a full vista of the Yoho Valley. Ahead lay Whaleback Mountain, named for its view from the south, where its upper slopes suggest a massive whale breaching the ocean’s surface. We began to climb, winding our way through amazing sub- alpine meadows to a superb viewpoint- we had reached the top of the mountain, the top of the world. Energized by lunch, we reluctantly turned back for our return trip to the chalet. Still excited by the spectacular scenery, half of the group explored a secondary trail up Waterfall Valley, the others returning for a refreshing foot dip in Twin Falls Creek and early refreshments-a tough choice! After a delicious dinner, Fran, legendary hostess for over 56 years, joined us with ‘tales of her trails in the Yoho’-a perfect ending to a perfect day. Day 3- Our final day- After a hearty breakfast and goodbyes to Fran and her wonderful team, we began our day 3 hike-homeward bound. Half of the group decided to hike a leisurely pace along the Yoho Valley floor, taking time for photos, fun, waterfalls and flowers along the sunny path back the 8 km to the cars. The other hikers chose to return over the Iceline Trail, well named, along the upper slopes of the Yoho Valley. Carved from glacial rubble, the trail south stretched out into the distance, a long impressive line that crossed an area covered by glacial ice less than a hundred years ago. We stopped for a welcomed lunch by a lake created by the meltwaters from the massive close-by Emerald Glacier, a constant companion on our right for 5 km. Back on the trail, to our left we were awed by high-line vistas of peaks and glaciers across the Yoho Valley. Prominent was Daly Glacier, massive water source to Takakkaw (Cree for “it is magnificent”) Falls, one of the four highest waterfalls in Canada. With the falls far below, we began the final descent, a switch back though alpine meadows and forests to our final destination, the valley floor and Takakkaw Falls Parking lot.

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Three breathtaking days of Yoho National Park’s wonders: powerful waterfalls, glacier-clad peaks, and alpine meadows embracing the historic Twin Falls Chalet, will remain a cherished memory, as will its legendary hostess, Fran Drummond. Warmest regards, Cathy Lockerby, Twin Falls Hike Coordinator

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2018 PRAIRIE MOUNTAINEER HIKERS EXECUTIVE

Chairperson Susan Allen 403 244-8804

Vice Chair Liz Albers & Marc Chalel 403 254-9880

Secretary Melani Dunbar

Treasurer Julia Tsang 403 803-6480

Membership Dorothy Whitson (renewal/appeals) Donna Hogan (waitlist/new members)

Hike Planner Karen Fisher 403 240-0535

Communications Linda McFarlane 403 999-9299

Social Events Robert Visockas

Web Master Jim Baillies 587 585-7338

Past Chair Cathy Lockerby 403 286-6900

2018 NON-ELECTED POSITIONS

Statistician Susan Chalier 403 984-4603

Photo Site Kassandra Klassen

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LOOKING AHEAD

2019 SPRING GENERAL MEETING Date and location to be determined at a later date

Snacks, tea, coffee, juice will be provided before the meeting Meeting will start at 7:30 PM

Bring your chequebook to pay for any interpretive hikes and out-of-town get-a ways

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THE CLUB’S MISSION AND VALUES STATEMENT

The Mission statement expresses the fundamental purpose of the club – Why we exist and Who we wish to serve.

The Values statements are meant to express the beliefs or philosophy of the Club and as such provide guidance to all members as to what is important to their fellow members.

Our Mission The Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club provides opportunities for its members to share in

the adventures and responsibilities of hiking. Our members are active hikers

with a wide range of hiking abilities who are committed to the joy of hiking and

the common goals of safety, friendship and the success of the Club.

Our Values ● Safety is key in everything we do; we emphasize taking individual and shared

responsibility for safety;

● We strive to achieve a positive hiking experience for all members on every

hike;

● We respect the environment and will minimize our impacts;

● We care about our members and strive to be a cohesive club where people

feel they belong;

● We value getting to know each other better and do this through such activities

as weekends away, pot luck socials and taking time for post hike refreshments;

● We are a club that knows how to celebrate; we take time to celebrate group

and individual accomplishments;

● We enjoy all aspects of the hike experience; it is not simply about getting to

the top of the mountain;

● We value the health and fitness benefits of hiking;

● We believe that the vitality and character of the Club stems from the collective

talents and contribution of all members.

We believe that hiking is more than a physical experience,

it refreshes the spirit.

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