Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

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Activity Kayaking/Canoeing
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date 21 Dec, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description A day paddle to mark the Winter Solstice. We will put in at the April Pt boat launch and meander the islands and currents (very minimal all day) of Gowland Harbour. Daylight will be in short supply while the tide will be near high most of the day! Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe.
Meeting Place April Point boat launch
Departure Time 1030 meet up; on the water by 1100
Difficulty
 Considering the season and currents, lets call this moderate.
Costs Nil
Trip limits 8
Dogs? Only very strong swimmers!
Notes: This trip will be weather dependent! Paddling in a snow flurry can be more pleasant than in rain but lets look for light winds and some sun.
Be prepared for the weather; carry your snacks in the cockpit; staying warm and dry will be our our primary concern and will dictate the length of the outing.
Please review paddling guidelines in preparation for this outing: https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf

Trip Report – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 10 Nov 2021

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There were 10 of us on this hike and we lucked out with a wonderful break in the rainy weather. Walking the larger of the loops in a counter clockwise direction we took in the fabulous ocean views and rock formations at the early part of the hike before stopping for lunch on a large rock outcrop at the onset of Village Bay. From there the trail continues along Village Bay providing views of the bay before going into amazing forested areas lush with trees and ferns. At one point the trail leads over a bridge that crosses a creek which was swollen with the recent rain water and then up a gradual incline parallel to the creek before joining onto logging roads further along. 6.6km; 3 hours

Vikki
 
Thanks to Norris and Vikki for the photos
 

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Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 10 Nov 2021

Hiking – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson Trail – Hopespring Loop
Date 17 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Starting at Thompson Road trailhead we will hike back to to the old growth known as Three Sisters and then on to Hopespring.
Meeting Place End of Thompson road
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but not back and forth through the group
Notes: Bring a snack or light lunch but will not be a long break.

Hiking – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Stramberg Route
Date 24 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Starting at Open Bay Main, we will follow a logging road leading to Main Lake Park.  From there we will hike east along an old logging road which joins the north-south route to the Stramberg old growth grove.  This disused road is in good condition except for wet places and there is little elevation change.  There is a creek very near the end, which is an awkward crossing.  About 5.5 km; 2 hours, plus lunch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and lunch.

Trip Report – Karst and Water – 3 Nov 2021

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Having had nearly 50mm of rain and plenty of wind the day before, we substituted a simpler outing nearer to home than the one that had been planned.  Eight of us headed out in light drizzle to see streams and waterfalls in the Quatsino limestone formation on Quadra.  We hoped that the bounty of water would result in saturation and good flow.  Starting off on an old logging road, we followed the drainage of a mostly underground stream which appears and disappears usually at the bottom of a series of large, deep sinkholes.  We could walk down into the sinkholes for a closer look at the water, the limestone and the ferns.  There was no trail and care was required not to step into small sinkholes covered with moss. so we made our way slowly through the deadfall and brush.  The final insurgence ended at a large pool forming from the constricted drainage.  From there, we walked a short way down a logging road and up a trail leading to a waterfall.  The falls emerges from a wetland and falls into a very large sinkhole.  The drop into the sinkhole was over 16m, for an impressive chute.  Even on the way home we passed creeks in full spate.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Carrie for the photos

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Hiking – Karst and Water- 3 Nov 2021

Hike – Karst and Water – 3 Nov 2021

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Activity Hike
Destination Karst and Water
Date 3 Nov 2021, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.
Description Visit some of Quadra’s Quatsino limestone formations, an area which contains karst sinkholes, intakes, resurgences, underground streams and a waterfall.   We will visit two areas, with a very short drive on a logging road.  We will not be walking in caves, but there will be some brush.
Meeting Place Intersection of Surge Narrows/ Bold Point Rd and Granite Bay Rd
Departure Time 13:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes:

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 10 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass Trail
Date 10 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info Call or text 250-938-2864,  resvo2004@yahooo.com  Please RSVP by Nov 8 at 7pm.
Description Will take Valdez Rd to the turnoff and everyone can follow me in to parking spot. We will hike the longer loop.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate with some rocky terrain and hills.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group.
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Route – 27 Oct 2021

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On Wednesday six hikers did the Heriot Ridge Route, counterclockwise for a change, starting on Thompson Road. It was a gorgeous sun and cloud mixed morning although a bit cool. This was a big change from the heavy rain and wind of the prior two days. The trail was wet with slippery rocks but in good condition. There was plenty of fall colours and green moss bluffs. Views from the open bluffs were awesome as usual. 5.6 km and 2 hours

Les 

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos.

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Hiking – Thompson Trail – Heriot Ridge Loop – 27 Oct 2021

Trip Report – Cultural Walk – 20 Oct 2021

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In honour of Truth and Reconciliation the QI Outdoor Club undertook a unique outing this week. Ten members, and one prospective member, went on an urban walk with a Reconciliation theme. Starting at the “Silver Lining” sculpture (K. McKenzie) with its accompanying homage to the missing children of Canada’s Indian Residential “Schools” (IRS) we set out on our urban “hike”. Downhill to the ferry, across the Passage, and then a sweat-inducing uphill walk to the Laichwiltach Family Society complex on 4th Avenue, on a typical fall day. After being welcomed there by two resident Elders we were introduced to Carey Newman’s “Witness Blanket”, a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the IRS. We spent time studying the replica of this monument (the original is at the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg; see https://humanrights.ca/story/picking-up-the-pieces-the-making-of-the-witness-blanket for more information) and then heard the very impactful stories of two survivors of residential school. To help each one of us process the emotions and learnings of our experience, our Elder Hosts did a cedar brushing ceremony before our departure.

The next part of our journey took us on a short downhill walk to the Campbell River Museum and the “Sacred Journey” exhibit. https://crmuseum.ca/2021/01/04/sacred-journeys-exhibition/. This stunning multimedia exhibit is in its last weeks before moving on to Victoria and beyond. Produced by Heiltsuk Hemas, Frank Brown, to celebrate the history and renaissance of Pacific North West Coast canoe culture and 30 years of tribal journeys, the exhibit was made possible by the creative talents of several Quadra Islanders.

From the museum we continued our urban walk along Thulin Drive and back into downtown Campbell River where we took our lunch stop at the Crooked Spoon Cafe on Shoppers Row. This was a first for many of the group and the food and service received a very strong endorsement from all. The planned continuation of the trip to Tyee Spit was modified at this point. Well satiated on a big lunch and plenty of discussion, we all decided to continue the day doing our own thing!

Vic

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Cultural Walk – Campbell River – 20 Oct 2021

Trip Report – Newcomers’ Hike – 16 Oct 2021

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Six hikers enjoyed a Wet Coast ramble through the beautiful Community Trails on our first-ever “Newcomers” hike. Three Club members were thrilled to welcome three Newcomers, and one “would-be” who was stuck in Nanaimo.  (Hope you are able to join us on an outing soon, Norma!) Though we had originally planned an excursion through the lovely bike/hike trails south of Walcan Road, in the face of our latest monsoon we opted for the Community Trails, less muddy and slippery and more conducive to a relaxed outing. The ramble was ably led by Les, now the Community Trails expert thanks to his self-directed rehab after his leg surgery. Welcome back,Les! We saw many fungi of various sorts, and a downed, rotten alder was a good visual reminder of the dangers of being in the woods in the windstorms. As always, the Community Trails reminded us why we are so lucky to call Quadra our home, as “oldtimers” and as “newcomers”.  2¾ hrs, 7 km

Valerie van Veen 

Thanks to Valerie, Les and everyone who contributed photos.

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Hiking – Newcomers’ Hike – 16 Oct 2021