May 2024 Newsletter
A special welcome to all our new and returning club members.
Website Updates
- The new website (kamloopshikingclub.ca) is working and is being used to post events for the club with no issues.
- We are still trying to determine how we can add the ability for members to cancel their own event bookings and to display all their event bookings as the list currently display just one event. As a workaround, members can post a comment in the event to let the leader know they need to cancel their event until we resolve the issue as indicated in Cancel an Event Booking which is under the Your Account menu option.
Board Updates
- Annual General Meeting – The AGM was held on Saturday, May 4th at Paul Lake Group Campground. Hike to Gibraltor Rock was led by Maureen & Denise. Potluck (hotdogs & treats) was enjoyed by all. Door prizes: $50 Atmosphere GCs donated by the club were won by Doug S & Margo & the Kamloops Backcountry Hikes Volume II book donated & signed by Al Budreau was won by Erika. The following board was elected:
- President – Margo Mercier
- Vice President – Ian Cornish
- Treasurer – Erika Herndier
- Secretary – Denise Magrath
- Director, IT Liaison – Doug Morris
- Director, Hike Leader Liaison – Monika Taki
- Director at Large – Maureen Thorkelson
- Director at Large – Jennifer Barbe
- Director at Large – Katherine Roberts
- 2024/2025 Membership Registration closed on Apr 30th with 164 members.
- Board Meeting – Meeting was held on May 6th with the new board. The minutes will be posted on the website under Club Info/Meeting Minutes page in a few days.
Hike Leader Program & Recognition
- Hike leaders planned and organized the following events in April: Kenna Hike & Social (Wanderers x 5) Kenna Evening Hikes (Sasha), Frederick Bluffs Ramble (Ramblers), Bluebird to Frederick Cemetery (Sheila), Embleton Mountain (Trekkers), Watching Bluffs (Ernie), Pat and Morgan Lakes Circuit (Sheila), Mara Canyon Ramble (Ramblers), Buse (Maureen/Shelley), Mara-Mid Mountain from SW (John), Barnes Lake Ramble (Ramblers) Sahali Terrace Nature Park (Maureen/Bunny), Dallas Barnhartvale Evening Hike (Sasha), Cooney Bay – Celebrate Earth Day (Ernie), Mara Trails Trek (Bunny/Maureen), Dallas Bluffs (Ramblers)
- Three (3) multi day trips (Bow Valley Camp n’ Hike, K-Country Basecamp & Kananaskis Backpack) are a go for this Summer as campsites were secured for all the trips. A huge thank you to Sheila for planning, coordinating & posting these fantastic trips for the club.
- The club has an Adopt-A-Trail in the Valleyview Nature Park that requires 3 clean-ups per year. A special thank you to Sasha for organizing and/or doing the clean-ups (Apr 2023, Sept 2023, Nov 2023, Apr 2024) for the club on our trail and updating the city.
- Hike leaders who posted an event in a given month are entered into the draw to win a $50 gift card. The Hike Leader appreciation draw winners are:
- Nov – Carole
- Dec – Maureen
- Jan – Doug S.
- Feb – Sasha
- Mar – Matt
- Thank you to all our volunteer Leaders who continue to plan and lead fantastic events for our club.
Events Program
- We had 20 events posted in April.
- Some Hike leaders (Doug Smith) are posting Short Notice Outings (SNO) on the website for events that are 2-3 days out. Anyone who wants to join the event will need to reach out by email, text or phone call directly as the registration may not be opened online.
- With a new club year all new & existing members should review the following information:
- Hike Leaders are encouraged to include the Hike Distance, Difficulty, Elevation Gain (if known) and the trail type/condition to their event postings so that participants can choose trips that suit, but do not exceed their capabilities.
- To determine the difficulty of an event, the distance + climb + terrain + pace (group speed) + conditions are all key factors. Fitness, strength, experience, and current health are all factors in determining readiness to do one of KHC’s hikes. Participants can reach out directly to the event leader if they require more information regarding the difficulty of a specific event posting.
- The club has the following 2 Facebook pages that are used to share time sensitive information and event pictures:
- Kamloops Hiking Club (Members Only)
- Kamloops Hiking Club
- We have volunteer Hike leaders that post events when they can and we also have 3 groups that try to book regular events for Tuesday (Wanderers), Wednesday (Ramblers) and Sunday (Trekkers). If you are interested in becoming a hike leader or if you want to join one of the groups please check out the Hike Leader Program & Resources information and/or contact Monika Taki the KHC Hike Leader Liaison.