Tag: BC Trails

Pandemic hiking resurgence identifies knowledge gap between new and experienced scramblers

June 8, 2021

BY JOHN ACKERMANN

Posted Jun 6, 2021 11:46 am PDT

Last Updated Jun 6, 2021 at 11:53 am PDTDestination Hikes cover (Courtesy: Greystone Books)SUMMARY

The author of a new wilderness guide has noticed one of the byproducts of the pandemic has been more of us getting back

But he warns there is a knowledge gap between experienced scramblers and those new to the pastime

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With the pandemic driving more of us outdoors, it’s fair to say hiking has seen something of a resurgence. However, one expert warns there is something of a knowledge gap between experienced scramblers and those new to the pastime.

Stephen Hui has been hiking BC’s Coast Mountains for more than 25 years and has definitely noticed an influx of people in the great outdoors since the start of COVID-19. “The popular trails are just mobbed, there is a lot of parking problems, and the lesser known or quiet trails, places where I could walk two hours without seeing someone before, you might see seven parties heading up to an obscure North Shore peak where you would normally not see that many people.”

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COLUMN: Preserving Summerland’s network of trails – Summerland Review

May 10, 2021

The trail network in our community provides a variety of experiences

Summerland is situated between Conkle, Cartwright and Giant’s Head mountains, all offering unique and exceptional recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.

Other key locations for trails in the district include areas along the lakeshore, Garnet Valley and regional connections to networks such as the Trans Canada Trail (the Great Trail), and the Fur Brigade Trail.

Following extensive community engagement, in 2019 the District released the Summerland’s Trails Master plan (summerland.ca/parks-recreation/trails-cycling-and-sidewalks-master-plans), a document that provides a framework to ensure that current and future trails meet the needs of the community and that they are safe, well-maintained, adequately signed, and have a minimal impact on the natural environment.

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The trail network in our community provides a variety of experiences, from paved lakeside pathways to rugged mountain hiking trails and almost 23 kilometres of trails are publicly-owned.

Add to this distance trails within the district that are owned by others (approximately 43.5 kilometres) walkers, hikers, dog walkers, equestrians, mountain bikers and other trail users have more than 66 kilometres to explore.

https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails

New overnight backpackers’ guidebook out May 11

May 6, 2021

‘Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia: The Essential Guide to Overnight Hiking Trails’ includes Sea to Sky Corridor trips.

2 days ago By: Jennifer Thuncher

Taryn EytonA shot from Rainbow Pass, one of the trips featured in Taryn Eyton’s new book. Courtesy Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton has written the book she wished existed for her when she started overnight backpacking.

Eyton, who is also the president of the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society, is the author of Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia: The Essential Guide to Overnight Hiking Trails, which comes out on May 11. 

“This is the first guidebook, as far as I know, that focuses on backpacking,” she said. 

There are 40 spots featured in the book and they are all overnight or multi-day trips, with options for extending trips with day hikes beyond the campsites. 

Routes featured are from the North Shore up to Pemberton and Lytton, and from the Sunshine Coast out to the Similkameen Valley.

She includes information about how to book campsites, how many sites there are, where to source water, and how to store food. 

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B.C upgrading provincial campsites and parks to boost tourism

April 20, 2021

 Jon Gauthier, staff Sunday, Apr. 18th, 2021 Elk Falls camping. (Feature photo Supplied by Explore BC Parks)

The province is expanding the BC Parks budget to help make provincial park visits more enjoyable than ever.

During the next three years an $83 million increase is on the way for BC Parks, helping build  new campsites, expanded trails and strengthened management of the park system.

“It’s absolutely clear how deeply people care about our provincial parks. The pandemic has brought more people than ever to visit BC Parks so they can safely spend time with family and friends while connecting to nature,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

 “Investing in our parks helps secure our magnificent natural legacy so more British Columbians can appreciate its beauty. We are also supporting local businesses and the economy by creating employment opportunities through new investments in park infrastructure.”

In response to more demand for camping and out recreation, the money will be heading towards construction of new campgrounds, and more campsites and amenities at existing campgrounds.

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Upgrades coming to Skattebo Reach Trail between Ootischenia and Glade – BC Local

September 8, 2020

Upgrades are coming to the Skattebo Reach Trail (SRT) to improve access for both cyclists and bikers.

The trail is about 12 kilometres long and connects the Ootischenia area to Glade along the east bank of the Kootenay River.

The trail was originally built by the Castlegar Parks and Trails Society (CPTS) about 20 years ago. The group still maintains the trail and will be managing the upgrades.

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Trip wires found in multiple locations in Victoria, B.C., police say – CBC News

September 1, 2020

VicPD asks members of the public to be aware of their surroundings while walking or biking

Adam van der Zwan · CBC News · Posted: Aug 28, 2020 5:55 PM PT

Police say fishing line strung up in public spaces is difficult to spot and poses an extreme safety hazard. (Victoria Police Department)

Victoria police are asking the public to be mindful of their surroundings while walking or cycling in the Vic West and Burnside areas of the city, after trip wire was discovered in multiple locations over the past week. 

On Aug. 20, police discovered semi-transparent fishing line set across a staircase in Cecilia Ravine Park near the Galloping Goose trail, hanging about a foot from the ground. Last Wednesday, police received another report of fishing line set two inches off the ground deliberately tied across a dock ramp at Regatta Landing.

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Black bear approaches, taps runner on popular Coquitlam trail

September 1, 2020

Conservation officers will try to trap the bear on the Coquitlam Crunch

Chad Pawson · CBC News · Posted: Aug 30, 2020 11:30 AM PT

This screen grab from a video shot by Sam Abdullah on Saturday shows a black bear approaching a runner on the Coquitlam Crunch trail. The woman was able to get past the bear. (Sam Abdullah)

Conservation officers say they will try to trap a black bear that was filmed on Saturday tapping a runner with its paw on a popular trail in Coquitlam, B.C.

The encounter, which happened just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, was filmed by Sam Abdullah, who climbs the popular Coquitlam Crunch up to four times a week. The trail is a steep 2.2-kilometre climb located in a green corridor of the city.

Abdullah said he was nearing the top on Saturday when a woman descending in front of him froze as a black bear emerged from the bushes.

He began filming the encounter on his cellphone, and the video shows the bear getting closer to the woman and eventually extending a paw to her leg before jumping back.

“I think she was in shock and she just froze there, you know,” said Abdullah, who carries bear spray when he climbs the trail.

WATCH | Bear taps at woman on Coquitlam Crunch trail:

Watch

Bear taps at woman on Coquitlam Crunch trail

  • 2 days ago
  • 0:51

The encounter, which happened just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, was filmed by Sam Abdullah, who climbs the popular Coquitlam Crunch up to four times a week. 0:51

Eventually the woman was able to get past the bear, and she can be seen running past Abdullah and looking at the camera.

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Sharp rise in calls to conservation officers in B.C., as pandemic pushes more people outdoors – CBC News

August 25, 2020

Complaints about fishing and hunting violations, loud campers top the list

Maryse Zeidler · CBC News · Posted: Aug 22, 2020 1:00 PM PT

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says there has been a sharp increase in calls to its Report All Poachers and Polluters line compared to this time last year, likely because of more people heading outdoors during the pandemic. 

Chris Doyle, the deputy chief in charge of provincial operations for the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, says, since April 1, there have been about 4,500 calls to the RAPP line, compared to about 3,000-3,500 calls in past years. 

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in activity particularly in some parts of the province,” Doyle said. “There’s definitely a lot of people out there recreating.

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Sharing the Columbia and Western Trail with industry could lead to better quality for all – Boundary Creek Times

July 22, 2020

B.C. removed ‘recreational trail’ designation from Fife-Castlegar stretch mid-July

If you’ve ever ridden your bike in the city, you’ve likely nearly been sideswiped by a vehicle. Maybe the driver neglected to check their mirror, or give you sufficient space, or shoulder check, or, just maybe, you did something you weren’t supposed to. Regardless, as a cyclist you may have since developed a disdain for larger motor vehicles and their operators getting into your space. Or maybe that’s just me.

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Win a Knolly Warden LT with the NSMBA ‘Trails Forever’ Bike Raffle – from Pinkbike

June 19, 2020

We are incredibly excited to offer the chance to win a brand new custom-built Knolly bike while raising some money for the trails! Raffle tickets are available for 1 for $10 and will be on sale until July 31, 2020 on 7pm PST. The winner will be drawn at 7:30pm PST and will be contacted by email.

Buy your tickets here!

Knolly Bikes has generously donated a special edition of the Warden LT complete with a topographic map of Mount Seymour and NSMBA decals; the build has been rounded out with top shelf components from SRAM, One Up Components, We Are One Composites, and built with love by the Wheelthing.

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