Spring Passes

Didn't buy a seasons pass? Spring Passes are on sale now, good for every day from March 1st to the end of the season.

I'm not usually a "Change dot Org" Type, but

There is special section of the KVR rail trail out of Princeton that was severely damaged after the 2021 atmospheric river. My particular interest is the geology of the area, but it has been a gem of a trail for many. A recent decision was to spend around 20 million to completely deactivate it, rather than 60 million to restore it. Princeton is lobbying for another look. Some of the users are motorized, but restoring to foot and cycle traffic may end up being an option. If you are so inclined, have a look at the info and consider the petition.

https://c.org/4XbshcTZNk

Just when one brags about the wide open space.................

 A view of today's "ant hill", thanks Cheryl.

 

Mr. Schlackl and Team Atomic

Team Atomic, April 1, 2006

This photo was probably taken before these guys were students of Mr. Schlackl. He taught them in the classroom and the music program. I attended one of their school concerts.

I spoke briefly with Will in the lodge last night - not only were they good students and people, the one on the left could eat a lot of pizza on Band Trips.

Will is playing in the bar again tonight. Thankfully I was seated with people who can sing in tune when he played "Sweet Caroline."

I enjoyed the beef dip and caesar salad, while being harassed from both sides for not ordering fries!

Oh yeah, the one on the left is now an engineer in Victoria, and the one with me is a lawyer in Kelowna.

Happy memories.

March 7th - Baldy Ski Patrol Awareness Day

 Event by Canadian Ski Patrol - South Okanagan Boundary Zone

Baldy Mountain Resort

Duration: 5 hr

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

BALDY MOUNTAIN RESORT NEEDS VOLUNTEER SKI PATROLLERS.

Have you ever been curious about joining Volunteer Ski Patrol? Saturday March 7 Come meet the team at Baldy and learn all you need to know.
We are a group of dedicated individuals working together as a team to provide assistance to mountain operations and first aid support when needed. All in a mountain environment where everyone ,loves to ski.

Be Happy

We would have liked more new snow more often this winter, but we have had good quality groomed skiing. Knees older than mine enjoyed the off piste yesterday.

The fatal avalanche in the Sierras was rated a 2.5.

In Europe, damage and closures due to avalanches and warnings rated 5.

Check out this article on the avalanche that took out a ski lift, Meribel.

https://www.tetongravity.com/175cm-of-snow-and-a-destroyed-lift-in-meribel/

No Fire Department

We do not have a fire department. We have a number of full timers who have basic wildfire fighting training.

The village was laid out with no cabin more than 1000ft from a forestry hydrant. That is a lot of hose lay to get to some cabins.

Access to the hydrants is not always consistently maintained in the winter.

The wildfire folks have had issues with the water utility regarding who is authorized to charge a hydrant. I don't know where that is at. The wapiti hydrants are different than the strata hydrants.

Homeowners do not know what the hose inventory is, and how to access it.

Things you can do, just in case..............

• is my unit/chimney W.E.T.T. compliant and clean 
• fire extinguisher in the kitchen and by the wood stove
• tap in the basement with 100ft garden hose and nozzle attached
• red smothering fire blanket in the kitchen
• plumb an outdoor hose bib that can be left on in the summer when your inside water is off, 100 ft hose and nozzle attached

These suggestions may just help you jump on a little problem before it gets out of hand.

Information for newer members of the community.................

W.E.T.T. Inspections

Many of the cabins were built before there were W.E.T.T. inspections. Newer devices and chimneys come with mandatory clearances from combustibles. In recent years, insurers have required long term clients to provide a W.E.T.T. inspection certificate in order to continue coverage. One cabin snagged in that request had an excellent, efficient wood stove, built by the owner who was qualified to manufacture it. He had to replace it because it did not have a ULC plate on it. 

Chimney Cleaning

As a full time resident, I have my chimney cleaned once a year. I have a newer efficient stove, and burn dry wood. Since the installation of my Pacific Energy stove, the cleaning has never yielded a significant quantity of debris from the chimney. I used to clean my own, but having it done professionally gives me proof that it has been done. A cleaner from Penticton books 2 or 3 days in June or July to come up and do chimneys here.

Chimney Placement 

The closer to the peak your chimney is, the more efficient the draft, and less problems with snow dislodging the chimney.

Fire - Three times in 58 years, 4 if you count the outhouse................

I recall 3 occasions in 58 years when there was a cabin fire related to a wood burning fire appliance or chimney.

• The first one I think was in the '70's before we had running water. Friends were staying in a colleague's cabin, and the floor started to smoulder due to insufficient fireproof barrier under a wood burning heater.
• The legendary one was probably in the '80's - ceiling/roof caught fire from heat of chimney - GW loved to tell the story of what neighbour M was and wasn't wearing when she ran for help.
• Family and friends of mine were renting a cabin, and were following the shut down instructions which included putting the ashes in the outhouse. Only problem was that the ashes were not cold.
• I don't have details to post on the most recent, as I have not spoken to the owners. Several community members, including the guys "authorized" to turn on hydrants were not far away. There is smoke, water damage, and presumably damage  to wood in the vicinity of the wood burning/chimney area.
• The above posts with suggestions are general in nature, and not based on any info on the most recent incident.