PRESENT: Patrick Gleason, Dick Pawloff, Brian Davies, Carol Lindner, Don Wales,
Jenni Duke, Claude and Nicole Sam
ABSENT: Pam Ralston and Karen Weisgerber
The meeting started at 8:50 pm after the location was moved to Tim Horton’s.
REPORTS:
President:
Pat distributed his agenda which contained several items of new business to be discussed later on.
Treasurer:
Nothing to report.
Mountain Tours:
Claude mentioned that the Alpine Club refunded the cost of the second night at Bell Cabins for Marilyn Strylchuk’s cancelled trip. Claude’s beginners trip was cancelled as well due to lack of interest (only four people signed up). As yet, nobody signed up for Jenni’s family trip but Jenni asked Claude to book Ribbon Creek or Castle Mountain Hostel for another weekend that might be more convenient for participating families.
Brian Davies reported on his Avalanche Upgrade trip. Brian had to drive 50 km to Athabasca Falls Hostel to get the key for Beauty Creek Hostel. When he and his group arrived at Beauty Creek, they found the hostel extremely cold and messy; moreover, the outhouse barrel was full. Brian complained to Jack Davies from the Northern Alberta Hostelling Association. He was assured that the NAHA value our club’s business; Jack Davies promised that in the future, a key for Beauty Creek could be picked up at Shunda Creek Hostel and that someone would heat up and clean up the hostel before a scheduled weekend. The employee who accepted our booking and insisted that the key had to be picked up at Athabasca Falls no longer works for the Hostelling Association. Apparently, the Northern Hostelling Association is considering taking over Hilda Creek and Ramparts Creek Hostels.
Newsletter Editor:
The deadline for the February issue is January 28. Don requested some trip reports. Brian will provide one for his Avalanche Upgrade trip. Claude will ask Brian Sam to do the write-up for the Elk Lake trip.
Day Tours/Lessons:
On Pam Ralston’s behalf, Don reported that the lessons are well attended and that so far the trails are in excellent condition for the participants.
Secretary:
Nothing to report.
Webmaster:
Nothing to report.
Social Directors:
Nothing to report
Publicity:
Absent
OLD BUSINESS:
Loppet:
Don Wales summarized his meeting with the Race Chiefs the night before. A lot of problems were identified:
1. no cooperation from River Bend management.
2. ski course is unsafe and in poor condition
3. no protective fencing due to construction
4. reduced parking also due to construction
5. a truck is needed to pick up the voluminous army tents
6. increased preparation time and manpower to erect the tents
7. a good generator is needed to provide heat and electricity
8. a minimum of two toilets, but preferably four, are needed @ $100/each
9. poor turnout expected due to wrong date advertised in magazine
Claude moved and Dick seconded
“that the Loppet be held on February 5, 2005 at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area”
MOTION DEFEATED
The majority of the executive believed that the course conditions were deemed unsafe for the participants and therefore, the Loppet should be cancelled this year.
Sport Volunteer Award of Merit:
Dick Pawloff moved and Brian Davies seconded the motion
“to nominate Don Wales as the recipient of the Sport Volunteer Award of Merit”
MOTION CARRIED
Nicole offered to complete the nomination forms.
Centennial Sports Recognition Award:
Dick Pawloff moved and Don Wales seconded the motion
“to nominate Bob Vanderwater as the recipient of the Winter Sports Recognition
Award”
MOTION CARRIED
Don and Dick will fill in the nomination forms.
NEW BUSINESS:
Youth Club:
After a short discussion, it was decided to bring this item to the next general meeting. Pat will advise anyone interested in organizing a youth club that Parks Canada has a new regulation stating that persons under 18 must be accompanied by their parents, or led by a certified guide with the parents’ consent, when touring in the backcountry. This addresses safety concerns regarding the risk of avalanches.
Saturday Day Tours:
All agreed that weekend day tours could either be run on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the tour organizer’s preference. This item will also be added to the agenda for next month’s general meeting.
Inclement or Hazardous Weather Condition Policy:
The club’s policy is that it is the tour leader’s decision to cancel a tour due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. This decision is generally taken in conjunction with the participants. Of course, it is up to each participant to decide whether or not to go.
Alberta Trail Net:
Jenni moved and Claude seconded
“to renew our yearly subscription in the amount of $50.00 to Alberta Trail Net”
MOTION CARRIED
Next meeting:
Brian and Carol will host the next meeting at their place on Tuesday, February 22.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45.