Now that Dr. Henry has lifted restrictions on adult outdoor sports, the Quadra Island Outdoor Club has the opportunity to resume outings.  There will continue to be protocols in place, which will be available shortly, and will focus on limiting participation to local residents, the size of the group to 10, and to continued observance of distancing.

In a normal year, we would have a planning meeting in April, with the new membership year beginning in May, so we are only a little late.  At this moment no one has renewed their membership, so that is an important next step.  Here is a link to the membership form and to the liability waiver:

membership application

waiver

However, there are a few challenges about how to initiate the upcoming schedule.  I personally think a planning meeting outside (which would limit attendance to 10 people) or a Zoom meeting are not very appealing options to plan the summer events.  Please let me know if you think I’m wrong about this.  The other possibility is to do the planning through email and the webpage.  I really welcome feedback about this.  It’s essential that the Club energy comes from the membership.  We have lots of destinations, but without participants and coordinators, nothing happens. Please leave your comments about any of this.

Here is a list of possible outings, to tweak your imagination.  Only a very few have dates and coordinators.

2 June, Wed – hike the Homewood – North Gowlland trails – coordinator Debbie Quigg
date TBD – hike the Shellaligan Pass Trail – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike the Morte Lake Loop – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike the Beech’s Mountain Loop – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Mine Lake Bluff – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Stramberg old growth grove – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Newton Lake – Small Inlet – Waiatt Bay – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Nugedzi Lakes and views – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike the Rousseau Ridge loop – coordinator Debbie Quigg
date TBD – hike to Maud Island – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Mt. Seymour – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Hopespring – Thompson Trail loop – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Surge Narrows – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike the Silk Stocking – Little Black Dress loop – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Trout Creek waterfalls – coordinator Debbie Quigg
date TBD – hike the Quinsam River trails – coordinator Debbie Quigg
date TBD – hike the Snowden Forest trails – coordinator TBD
date TBD – hike to Mt. Elma – coordinator Norris Weimer
date TBD – hike to Mt. Drabble – coordinator Norris Weimer

date TBD – kayaking in Gowlland Harbour – coordinator TBD
date TBD – kayaking to Open Bay – Village Bay – coordinator TBD
date TBD – kayaking on Main Lakes – coordinator TBD
date TBD – kayaking to Granite Bay,  Kanish Bay & Small Inlet – coordinator TBD

Don’t let this list limit what you would like to do.  It only takes three people for a trip to happen, so be proactive about where you would like to go.  I would like to kick-start the trip schedule as soon as possible, so don’t be bashful about volunteering to coordinate a trip.  I have not included multi-day trips here, because that varies widely from year to year.  But we have always had multi-day camping, hiking and kayaking trips and expect to do so again.

I realize that everyone’s risk tolerance and situation is different, but I hope that you are looking forward to a summer of outdoor exercise and beauty.

Once again it is necessary to suspend Outdoor Club activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been no Outdoor Club trips since Dr. Bonnie Henry raised the bar on restrictions on November 19th. I was initially hesitant to accept that we could not do group outdoor activities safely with strict protocols, but with additional information and continued high case levels, it was clear even before the extended restrictions, that Outdoor Club trips would not be possible. We now know that the restrictions on socializing and gathering will last at least until January 8th.

It’s regrettable that this comes at the worst possible time for most of us. We are eight months into the pandemic, at the darkest time of the year. The thing we want the most, to be with other people, is essentially now forbidden. The Public Health Office still encourages everyone to go outside and we still have all the beauty and trail infrastructure available to us. But anything that is a “gathering” is not allowed under the heightened regulations. There do not appear to be any outdoor clubs in the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC offering trips at this time, and many in the lower mainland never resumed in the summer.  So go outside, but go small and safe.

These protocols have been superseded by more recent Public Health Office restrictions and guidelines.

The Outdoor Club held a planning meeting today and decided to resume outings under the provision of the following protocols.  These may be amended over time.  While many feel we have an elevated risk now with increased travel, we hope we can find the balance between staying safe and exercising and socializing outside. In general the Club members are vulnerable due to age, and many have other specific vulnerabilities. There is a wide range of sensitivities to the present risk. We recommend that everyone on a Club outing bring a mask, hand sanitizer and gloves.

Size of the group: In order to accommodate more hikers, we will try to break the group into pods of 2 to 4 people. The pods will start the hike about five minutes apart. This will be done on hikes where the risk of the group becoming separated is very low. On more complex routes, the group will either move as a distanced unit or use family radios to stay connected. Trip coordinators have discretion about the total number of participants on a trip.

Physical distancing: We may want to avoid busier trails, trailheads and times. Advance planning will include recognizing the width of the trail so that distance can be maintained with oncoming hikers, and wide places to stop for breaks or lunch as a group. We will stay two metres apart when stopped. Depending on individual comfort levels, more space may be requested when moving.

Talking can become problematic when the distance is considerable between hikers. We don’t want to bunch up in order to hear more clearly. While socializing is an important component of our activities, it may be preferable to converse at the beginning, at breaks or at lunch, and at the end of the outing, rather than while moving.

Sharing: Sharing of gear without disinfecting is not encouraged. Many people are not comfortable sharing food, so please do not assume that offers of shared food are welcome and don’t take offence, because it’s not personal.

Touching common surfaces: While it’s not the most common method of infection, hikers will want to give some thought to the rocks or trees they hold onto for balance and whether the hikers in front of them have also used those hand holds. You may wish to use hand sanitizer.

Who can participate: For now the Club will not include visitors on trips. Members who are locals or those who have been on the island for al least 14 days may join a trip. We encourage our members to be friendly to everyone they meet on the trail.

Car pooling: Car pooling is discouraged outside of family or bubble members. If it is necessary, the occupants would be encouraged to wear masks and sanitize surfaces and hands.

As British Columbia enters phase 3 of the re-opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be time to consider whether the Outdoor Club should resume activities yet. A few people have mentioned that they miss the hikes and would like to start again.

Just to review what is recommended in phase 3, most of the changes from phase 2 have to do with commercial re-openings. There is currently a very low incidence of COVID-19 in our local area. Nonetheless, “if you are at greater risk (over the age of 60 or with underlying medical conditions), be informed of your risk, think through your risk tolerance and take extra precautions.” No gatherings over 50 people are permitted. The bubble size is still 2 to 6 people. For everyone else outside of the bubble, it is important to remain physically distanced, maintained proper hand sanitizing and other hygiene protocols. At this time the general belief is that the risk of contagion from outside activities, while following these protocol, seems to be quite low.

So, how many of you think it’s time to resume activities? Don’t be bashful. If you don’t speak up, it will seem as if no one is interested. If you think it’s a bad idea, you should also comment. Along with people who want to hike and perhaps kayak, we would also need coordinators. One possibility is to have a planning meeting (outside) to discuss what people want to do. This really needs to be a process driven by member interest. Please respond (either by e-mail or by commenting here) by answering these questions:

I think it would be a good idea to resume Outdoor Club hikes and kayaking outings – yes or no
I would attend a planning meeting – yes or no
I would like to participate in the following trips:
I would like to coordinate the following trips:
Here are my other comments about resuming activities:

Here we are at the beginning of May with gorgeous weather. There are no Outdoor Club members as the membership year began May 1st, and there are no trips currently planned. With spring turning to summer it’s wonderful that Dr. Henry has recommended that people go outdoors and our local parks are soon reopening for day use. She has also said that individuals can somewhat increase the size of their social bubble. So what does that mean for the Outdoor Club?

Here are some personal opinions. We now know a bit more about the mysterious COVID-19 virus. We know that there are vulnerabilities based on medical conditions, age and gender, and that it is highly contagious. So for the vulnerable individual, or someone in a household with a vulnerable person, it’s no safer now than it was before. Each person will need to decide about how much exposure they are willing to tolerate.

A bubble of two to six people is not very large for the Outdoor Club to make outings work. As I interpret this, the two to six people would need to be stable and not changing each week. This guideline works better if people make their own small group and venture out together regularly.

It’s easier to maintain adequate physical distance in a kayak than hiking on a narrow trail. It’s quite difficult to talk while walking on a trail and maintain distance.

The Outdoor Club would like to facilitate people on Quadra to get out for exercise, and the other benefits of sunshine and the beauty of nature. But I think the new guidelines are still too restrictive to start up weekly trips.

If you wish to give feedback on any of this, please leave a comment.

It is with the greatest reluctance that the Quadra Island Outdoor Club has decided to suspend any further trips in our schedule for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis. In the last 10 days the acceptable size of a group has dropped from 250 to 50 to something between two and zero. Dr. Henry’s statement on March 19th said “…right now we need to be in small groups … one or two of us. And we need to maintain our distance with others….. We are not to be outside in groups….” The Physicians of Comox Valley Division of Family Practice have advised that people should associate outside only with family members.

With an older demographic on Quadra and a significant number of vulnerable people in the community, we think being cautious is particularly important. We know that hiking with family is not an option for some of you, but our hands are tied. We hope that everyone will continue to get out each day for the benefit and beauty that it provides. If you want advice about trails on the island, don’t hesitate to e-mail. Please stay safe, follow health hygiene protocols and maintain physical distance.

The club has purchased a Personal Locator Beacon, or PLB for short, for use on club trips, especially those where there is no cell or VHF coverage

It is an a ResQLink PLB-375 (part number 2880), made by ACR.
http://www.acrartex.com/products/b/marine/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/resqlink-plb

Its one of those things that we hope to never have to use. Its sole purpose is to call for help from Search and Rescue by sending your GPS position to a satellite system when activated. It’s small and light and easy to use. Unclip the antenna so that it is vertical and push the ON button.

WARNING: This PLB is authorized for use only during situations of grave and imminent danger. It is only to be activated when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty.

In other words, try your cell phone and/or VHF radio first if at all possible.

There were several options that the club considered.  All use a satellite system for communication; some have additional, very desirable features and higher costs.

PLB.  “SOS” feature only.  Uses the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/en/system/systemoverview
These beacons must be registered with the government, but there is no monthly or annual usage charge. It uses a 5 Watt 406 MHz signal to send the distress signal to the satellites.

ACR makes several models and there is also the McMurdo FastFind 220.

SPOT2, SPOT3, and Delorme inReach. In addition to the SOS feature, these units also can send “I’m okay” messages to selected contacts, they can send periodic position reports so that your friends can follow your track on a map on a web page, and they can also send “send help” messages to your selected contacts instead of to search and rescue. These are desirable features, but they come at a cost of at least $100 per year, which is more than the club can afford. Both Spot and inReach use the commercial satellite phone systems. Spot uses the Globalstar satellites and inReach uses the Iridium satellites; both systems use low earth orbit satellites. The satellite system can do two-way communication, but these devices can only send pre-written messages; they cannot receive messages.

SPOT Connect and inReach Smartphone. These devices can do all of the above, plus they can be used together with an app on your smartphone. You can write a short text message on the spot and you can receive messages. This is a very nice feature, and it comes at an additional expense. The inReach SE is similar, except that it is stand-alone; it does not require a smartphone.

Two way communication will obviously dominate in the future. If you ask for help, it’s nice to say what kind of help you need. It’s nice to have confirmation that help is on the way. From the SAR’s point of view, it’s nice to know that it is not a false alarm.

Satellite Phones. These have been expensive to buy and expensive to use.
SPOT makes one now which is more affordable. Relatively speaking.
http://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=127