I watched all 47 minutes - worth it.

 Fuel load is so high, that intense fires destroy what new trees need to grow.

Mother Nature

Well Mother Nature, we would have preferred this in the white form January thru March, but we'll take it in the wet form now. 

BMR Activity

I grabbed these photos on my way home last night - it is the year for 100% of the Sugar Lump chairs to come off the line.

I have been off the mountain more days than I have been home in the last two weeks. I haven't had a chance to touch base with the BMR team lately. 

I have seen the guys in the sxs with brush saws in the back.

BMR has posted a cat skiing operation for next winter. I will post more about it when I have had a chance to talk to Brandan.

Wet!

If you have only recently started reading the blog, you may not know that this blog does not use the 4 letter word starting with "r" and ending with "n".

I was wakened by the noise on my roof at 12:05am this morning - I drifted in and out of sleep as it continued, and the flash-boom of a nearby electrical storm lit up the cabin. When I was concious, the strikes did not seem to be too close, and I couldn't stay awake long enough to study the lightning tracker on my phone.

Every bit of moisture is welcome!

Worth the watch/read

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/616798/Video-captures-chaos-as-embers-shower-Penticton-homes 

Embers from structure fire ignite 6 additional fires.

Closure/Delays Channel Parkway

A massive fire at a construction site closed the Channel Parkway - there is a way around it. The multi-story residence was being contructed on what was known as the Kampe Estate propery. Some nearby homes were damaged, and others are still under evacuation order due to an unstable crane within the fire perimeter.

When he passed in 2019, David Kampe had already donated 7.9 million dollars to the new tower at the Penticton Regional Hospital - a building that bears his name.

He was the owner of Peter Bros. Construction. From the Channel Parkway, his home and property did not look like that of a wealthy man. If I dug a little deeper into news articles, I expect I would find more of his donations.

Canada Wide Warrant

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/616414/Canada-wide-warrant-issued-by-Vancouver-Police-for-a-man-tied-to-violent-offences-in-Oliver#616414

Mossies

I found two mosquitos in my truck Sunday morning, and wasn't sure if they were from the valley or up here. They are definitely here. In the olden days, they would be bad for a couple of weeks in the shade.

We have a fair bit of water in the forecast, so keep emptying or turning over any containers that may collect water for breeding. 

Services, Contact Information

The tab above has contact information for various businesses for the convenience of the community.

• I do not have any paid advertising on the blog
• I do not enter into contracts on anyone else's behalf
• I have assisted out of town friends by meeting various people at their places from the Telephone repair man to the chimney cleaner. 
• To have your business listed, submit your information to unbaldy@gmail.com 
• There are two businesses that operate in this area who are not currently listed.
• One had free advertising for 12 years, and I took it down when the owner sent a personal attack during the dark days of Strata. I would re-list if I were approached with info and respect.
• One was offered features, and listings several times and declined. An individual with that company has a different version of events than I do, and is angry. The offer still stands to post features and listings, however a cooling off period and a conversation with a third party present would be needed to facilitate it now.

Wylee swimming for sticks today in Gruhl's Pool

Thanks for the photo Cheryl. There was snow to slog through at a couple of spots along the trail.

 

 

If you know, you know...........

The plan was to do a photo shoot and introduction on this pup on her first trip to Baldy. She is old enough to leave her Mom, but not quite old enough to have all of her shots to cross the border. I kept looking at her photo, and could not wait a few more weeks for the reveal.

I can only imagine how much joy she is bringing to her humans. 

Thinking about Jane...........

There are times that the clouds are spectacular, and I can't resist stopping a few times for photos. I just had a pocket camera with me tonight. Jane Bland thanked me one time for posting cloud photos. She liked to paint from my photos.

 

Yes, the top third? is white

We had a lot of moisture today, and as I was leaving around 3:00pm, it was starting to sleet in the village. 

Drought conditions declared for Osoyoos Lake

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/613971/Drought-conditions-declared-for-Osoyoos-Lake#613971

I was raised lakefront in Osoyoos, and the family owned the property until around 2001. In my memory, the primary concern was high water levels.

There is an International Agreement attached to the "Zosel" dam across the border, that controls the outflow of Osoyoos Lake. We have had years when Okanagan Lake has discharged high volumes, the Zosel has held water back, and Osoyoos Lake continues to rise.

This year, the lake levels are lower than they have been in 40 years.

Great to have moisture falling today, but it is not enough to compensate for the low snowpack.

Police presence in the village last night, after 8:00pm

Unconfirmed reports that the RCMP were here in regards to an individual with an outstanding warrant in Alberta. Incidents in the region including attempted arson, vandalism, property damage and death threats. Possible substance use, and use of a weapon.

Do not approach, observe and record. Additional information on existing file can be submitted to the Oliver non-emergency line 250-498-3422.

Crime in progress, especially fire, call 911.

Secure your vehicles and property, motion activated lights are good.

A specific neighbourhood south of Oliver was noted, however we should be aware.

Known vehicles associated:

Blue Suburban

Black Ford Escape

Black Acura
Small, older red car
White truck  

Transfer Station

Who puts pieces of cedar in the recycling bin?

The household garbage bin was changed today, and already has a bed in it. Not sure if the driver lifted it in, or someone dumped it after the bin was changed.

Newish sign that should clarify what goes in and what does not. Someone has cleaned up the debris from the winter careless handling of garbage - hoping it stays clean.

Logging Trucks

I met my first logging truck of the season, just below 27km, McKinney Road. The signs have been up for awhile, but the road, (trail) has now dried up enough for the big trucks to get in. 

Update from Larix Tree Services

Brandon tells me he is generally booked up a month ahead. He has a job booked at Baldy in a few weeks, and would be open to additional bookings while his equipment is up here. 

More blooming

 

Mothers Day

Thank-you to all the Moms who have shared their kids with me and enriched my life. The first two to call me "Auntie Sam" are in their forties now, and I stopped counting at 30 kids.

Not a secret, snowpack well below normal May 1st

 

Another ER Closure

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/613356/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-ER-to-close-overnight

Rock Creek Transfer Station

Location:

1610 Rock Creek Dump Rd.

Phone:

250.446.2231

Hours:

Monday, Thursday & Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed Statutory Holidays*

Tipping Fees:

Weight based

Payment Options:

Cash, cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard

Materials Accepted:

• Household waste (mixed waste)

RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

• Commercial customers - printed paper and packaging including: corrugated cardboard (please flatten); boxboard and paper products; plastic and metal containers; gabletop and Tetra-Pak cartons; 
• Recycle BC Depot for blue box materials including: corrugated cardboard (please flatten), boxboard and paper products; non-refundable plastic and metal containers; gabletop and Tetra-Pak cartons; Styrofoam containers, trays and packaging; non-refundable glass bottles and jars; plastic bags and overwrap; other flexible plastic packaging. Please empty and rinse all containers. For a complete list or to download a Recycling Guide, visit Recycle BC.
• Scrap metal EXCEPT vehicle bodies. Please remove all fluids (eg. oil, gasoline). Take vehicle bodies to auto wreckers. Consider taking large metal objects to your local scrap metal dealer.
• Large appliances/white goods
• Empty propane tanks up to 100 lbs.
• Yard and garden waste
• Clean wood waste

Note: all refundable beverage containers are banned from the transfer station recycling depot – please take them to your nearest bottle depot.

Please separate all recyclables. Ask the attendant for assistance. 

Waste Type	Fee (per tonne or per bag)
Yard and garden waste (grass clippings, leaves)	$5 per load
Clean Wood Waste (unpainted wood, branches and woody plant waste)	$50 per tonne ($2.50 min.)
Rubble (gravel, brick, concrete, asphalt and rock or a mixture thereof)	$50 per tonne ($2.50 min.)
All vehicle bodies and auto hulks are Not accepted at RDKB sites. Please take these to your local auto recycler for disposal.	N/A
Scrap Metal(not including major appliances in the MARR stewardship program) Please consider taking large metal objects to your local scrap metal dealer.	$30 per tonne ($3 min.)
Major appliances under the MARR stewardship program	No charge
Appliances requiring Ozone Depleting Substance removal (excluding MARR Products)	$20 per unit

Super El Nino??

 https://www.castanet.net/news/World/613305/What-to-know-about-the-predictions-for-a-potentially-record-breaking-El-Nino 

Please don't burn..........call Andrew and Brandon - make a plan with your neighbours.......

The snow has gone early, time is of the essence to prepare for what could be a bad fire season. 

We do not have a burn pile at this time. Larix Tree Services works with our friend Andrew. Andrew falls trees, Brandon is an arborist, has a bucket truck, a stump grinder, and a trailer that hauls a big load of yard waste. His Facebook page notes bringing a chipper on site. He has a small excavator with a rake blade for property cleanup and debris loading.

Brandon also climbs, but less often now that he has a boom truck.

Without a community burn pile, Andrew and Brandon may be able to come up with an affordable plan for your FireSmart clean-up. If you engage them to chip, check with BMR, they have taken chips in the past.

Talk to your neighbour and build a plan to do your work at the same time.

 

Andrew and Brandon did this clean-up for a Baldy owner last year - Andrew dropped many dead trees, debris removed, future firewood stacked.

Andrew and Brandon did this clean-up for Kendal last fall. Dead trees down. Ground fuels and alder removed, fuel free zone established.

These guys know how to work. You may recognise Brandon from his high school days when he was a lift operator. Andrew has been a part of the Baldy family since he first came here working in lift maintenance, groomer operating and park building. He now works in the forest industry, but comes up and helps us out falling trees.

News from the Community Association

Please note that there is currently no community yard waste pile operating at Baldy.

At this time, there is no entity with the appropriate licensing, insurance, and liability coverage able to take responsibility for managing such a site.
There are ongoing private discussions with the Osoyoos Indian Band regarding potential future solutions for yard waste disposal. However, until an approved and properly managed solution is in place, all residents and property owners remain responsible for disposing of yard debris appropriately at authorized facilities.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping keep the community FireSmart, safe, and environmentally responsible.

 

Construction down by the ranch......and a little history

I have had several inquiries about the construction equipment along the road just above the ranch. I held off posting hoping to catch Harvey in person to get the full story.

I can tell you that the speed bump we have been slowing down for has been repaved.

When I was a kid, it was Arthur McCuddy's ranch, aka McCuddy Creek Ranch. Extensive water rights are attached to that property.

The next owner was architect Henry Mann. The original stagecoach route, McKinney Road, went right through the property in front of the house. When the Oliver Baldy road was put together in the eighties, Henry did not want a wide road through his yard. A new road was built around the ranch, known as the Mann Bypass.

Current owner of "Camp H" is Harvey Demelo. The dirt bike features were built for one of his sons who was on the Red Bull and other extreme sports circuits.

What we have been watching lately, I believe is an upgrade and/or repair of the water supply to the ranch.

Harvey's Dad, was one of the first Portuguese immigrants  to come to the area in the 1960's. He worked hard on orchards owned by people I knew, and eventually acquired a lot of acreage, and brought his sons into the orchard operations.

Harvey and his brothers were on the same school bus route as I was. 

Luis taught gentlemanly manners to his boys, and when Harvey operated a cherry orchard next to my house in Osoyoos, he called me Ma'am.

Now that the senior Demelos have passed on, the remaining acreage including cherry orchards, the packing building, the family home, and Bow Tie Tech are all on the market.

Cherries grown at the ranch mature later than the valley cherries, and most years they will hit the market when the price is better.

The roof was already caved in...........

The old office trailer that has been down near the shop for a few years is in the process of being dismantled. I shall bite my tongue on what wasn't looked after back when the area was in receivership. This unit served the place well, and was moved when Snowy's woodfurnace was installed.

Yahoo - Danger tree removal

Day two of a contractor working for Fortis. They don't use the orange paint dot anymore, the trees are on a GPS map. As in the past, they have encountered, and taken down more dead trees than are on the map. I talked to a couple of the guys - one maybe two looked familiar, but it is a different contractor. They confirmed that Fortis does not want them to take down anything that has even one green branch.

Back to work on the Eagle

Trevor and Parker went to the CWSAA conference last week, and they are back working lift maintenance.

Black Pick-up with junk in the back - scoping the village?

Same truck yesterday and today. Witness says - looks sketchy.

Chipping/Burnpile

We do not have permission to continue with the gravel pit site.

Two members from the FireSmart group have been working with the RDKB to find a new site. I expect to hear from them when something is in place. 

*Further to the FB comments, the update I have is that it will be awhile before something is in place.

I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from starting work on their properties. We also do not need any illegal dumping. I don't have a huge amount, so will be piling at the top of my driveway. I realise that it is not that simple for others who will be moving fuels through someone else's property.

Bear Aware

Mother and 2 cubs nearby. 

May 2nd

 

He prefers outings with the ladies on snowshoes, but he will happily accompany his human if that isn't an option.

He has also been known to hop in a vehicle if he thinks one of his favourite ladies is at the destination.

First of Many

They grow at Baldy with no special attention. My cousin gave me a few bulbs years ago, and they keep blooming. More recently, they dug their garden in Delta, and had about 1000 bulbs to give away. I planted a bunch, and they are just starting to bloom. There should be 3 types. The stalks and leaves are shorter than those grown in better conditions, but the flowers are great, and they survive spring snowfalls.

Dust Control

 AIM applying dust control on McKinney road today.

I met one tridem heading up around 10:45, and followed this one this afternoon. He stopped at the bottom of toboggan hill, but I did not see an applicator truck.

SOGH ER Closed overnight Saturday

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/612256/ER-at-South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-closed-overnight-Saturday 

Season Passes

 

ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT to buy your Frozen rate Full Access Season Passes for winter 26/27!

Our biggest season pass sale ends on Monday, May 4th!

 

Full Access Season Pass Perks:

UNLIMITED skiing and riding every day of operation, all season long

10% off Retail, Rentals, and Snowschool.

TWO 50% off buddy passes available to use for a friend any day of the season.

Over $1000 worth of free lift tickets to other ski resorts.

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