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PRAIRIE MOUNTAINEERS SPRING GENERAL MEETING
Saturday, March 28, 2020, 4:00 P.M.Marda Loop Communities Association Hall - 3130 - 16 St SW, Calgary
Doors open at 3:30 P.M. - Meeting at 4:00 P.M.Refreshments and snacks will be offered throughout the afternoon.
Sign-up sheets for all interpretive and multi-day hikes will be available,but no payments will be accepted at the meeting.
Trail Talk Prairie MountaineersNewsletter
Spring 2020Volume 47
Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORTLiz Albers & Marc Chatel
Welcome to all members (new and returning) to the 2020 Prairie Mountaineer hiking season! Some of us have already been on the trails as part of the PMH winter hike trial, but the rest of us will be hiking soon since spring and summer are coming quickly... We are really looking forward to this season for more outdoor adventures!
Last year's hiking season was less dry than the year before, so forest fires were not much of a problem. Of course, mud was sometimes a mandatory part of the trail, but it's kind of par for the course. There were several highly successful interpretive hikes, and also two multi-day hikes, one in Radium and one in Waterton.
On the club management front, much streamlining has been done in the website documentation, the photo website is active again, and the Paypal-based membership feature has seen substantial usage (25% of members renewed their membership online via Paypal).
Starting in January, the 2020 executive have been at work planning for the year. Along with newinterpretive and multi-day hikes, the opportunities introduced by the trial 12-month hiking season will be of particular interest!
Our club's hiking activities, and the tasks of the executive, are centered on the club values, which for reference can be found on the club's website: "http://www.prairiemountaineers.ca/aboutus", under the heading "Our Values". It is always good to review them at the start of the year to remind ourselves of our priorities!
As always, we wish to extend a big thank you to all volunteers who participate in the executive and the associated committees, and to all hike coordinators who really bring this club to life! We have need of extra helping hands, so if you have comments or would like to help, do not hesitate to contact us. For example, additional members that coordinate hikes are needed, and new ideas for multi-day hikes are always welcome.
We wish you the best hiking season ever!
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Larry F, September 201
MEMBERSHIP REPORTLois Hinz and Maureen Froelich
Has Spring fever hit you yet? Well, now might be the time to give those hiking boots a good water proofing and do a clothing and pack inventory either to take advantage of some of the winter hikes being offered or in anticipation of the club’s official hiking season which begins on April 1st.
A big welcome back to all the previous members and thank you for renewing your memberships. To those who have just joined our club this season, a warm welcome to each one of you. With the diversity and enthusiasm of our seasoned and new hike co-ordinators, I am sure the upcoming season will provide lots of opportunity to hike with old friends and make many new ones.
The club’s current requirement is that one member of a family unit must complete five hikes during the season. This suggests that if prospective additional members of a family unit are not enthusiastic hikers, the enthusiastic hiker might consider a single membership and the other family members can hike as their guests or apply for their own individual membership. If a Single or Family membership is unlikely to meet the required five hikes during the season due to extenuating circumstance (i.e. temporary move from Calgary area, extended travel, health issues) there are two options:
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
1. Submit a request to the executive committee to transfer to a temporary Associate
membership. Active membership can be reinstated by the member at any time. This is the preferred option.
2. Submit an Appeal form to the Appeals committee at the end of the hiking season. Please contact me or any member of the Executive or any member of the Executive if you are concerned about meeting your requirements during the hiking season. However, we hope that everyone will have a very enjoyable season. Any previous member who ordered a replacement name tag and all new members will be able to pick up their name tags at the Spring General Meeting to be held March 28. We have spots available in our membership, so if you know of anyone who would like to join our club, please have them contact us or if you have any questions, kindly e-mail us at pmhwaitlist @gmail.com or [email protected]
Winter Hiking 2019 - 2020Susan Chalier
Susan C, JAN 2020
At the AGM in November it was agreed to carry out a trial period of using the website to post and promote winter hiking within the club.
Since December there has been on average one hike a week posted with numbers ranging from 4 to 11 hikers attending - apart from that really, really frigid week in January when we elected tostay home ;-)
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
There always was a core group of us who have headed out over the past couple of winters but itwas always difficult to remember who asked to be included on our weekly e-mail. This way no-one is forgotten and the whole membership is included should they wish to participate.The only specification for winter hiking is that we insist that everyone has some form of tractiondevices to wear over their boots. The trails can be hard packed snow due to the increasing number of hikers who head out all year round or very icy from the crazy fluctuating temperatures that we get.
To date we have enjoyed outings to Cross conservation area, Brown Lowery, West Bragg Creek, the Elbow Valley and a couple of forays into the Kananaskis area. We also enjoyed spectacular ice crystals when we hiked at West Bragg Creek in December.
City hikes are also be a part of this winter schedule so please don't think that you can't post a hike or need to buy special gear to participate. The City does an excellent job of clearing many of the pathways so that we can get out and walk safely all year round.
And the added bonus of getting out in the winter is that we are all so much fitter and ready to hike when the regular season rolls around in April!
Happy hiking everyone.
HIKE COORDINATOR’S REPORTKaren Fisher
Our hiking season begins April 1st. Have you prepared your hiking gear and waterproofed you
boots?
New Members Hike
In late April or early May there will be a new members Saturday hike at Glenbow Ranch. The
date will be dependant on weather. Current and new members are encouraged to sign up for
this hike. It is an opportunity to welcome and to get to know new members as well as to
connect with your hiking friends.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
A New “Buddy System” for Hike Coordinators
Our vice chair, Lynn Gaudet and I will be implementing a buddy system in 2020. If you are
interested in helping out a novice coordinator or if you are a novice who would like some
mentoring, there will be an opportunity to sign up for this program at the AGM on March 28th.
(more from Lynn in her trail talk article)
Hike coordinators – Some tips to help make your event successful!
1. Know your hike destination; the distance, elevation gain, planned turnaround time and
time to return to the cars. Your pre-trip email should contain this information but it is
always best to repeat this information at the meeting place and the trailhead.
2. Have a map; know the weather forecast.
3. At the trailhead, appoint a good hiker to be the sweep.
4. Remind your group that rest stops will be provided frequently. (ask your group to make
all personal stops for gear and food and water happen at these stops)
5. If you are not familiar with the skills and hike history of a participant, review their hike
history and if still in doubt about their ability to keep pace with the group, give them a
call-in advance to learn more about them.
See you at the Spring General Meeting March 28, 3:30 pm. Marda Loop community center.
Happy hiking! Karen Fisher [email protected]
Linda M, Waterton, September 2019
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Multi Day GetawaysKaren Fisher
Overnight Getaways
Last year there were two very memorable overnight getaways: Radium area and Waterton Park.
Larry and I took part in each of these trips. We have enjoyed many overnight trips over the
years, both front country and back country. Each trip provides a relaxed and enjoyable
opportunity of getting to know fellow hikers. Is there an overnight destination you would like to
explore in 2020?
Nordegg Overnight Getaway - July 17-20, 2020: Susan Korba is organizing a four-day trip to
Nordegg. Accommodation is your choice of hotel, cabin or campground. Nordegg is less than a
300 km drive. Her hike is presently posted on our July calendar. Contact [email protected]
Buddy System for New CoordinatorsLynn Gaudet
The Club relies on our members to co-ordinate hikes, and we especially encourage new coordinators to take on this role to increase the number of hikes we can all enjoy. We realize the process can be a bit daunting at first to navigate the website and lead a hike for the first time.
This year, we are trying a buddy system. If you are new to coordinating, or just need a refresher,please sign up at the Spring meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting, please contact Lynn Gaudet at the email address below to express your interest in having a buddy. You will be assigned a buddy for the season. The buddy will co-coordinate all aspects of your first hike with you. They will guide you through the website posting and registration process as well as the pre-hike steps and accompany you on your first hike. After that, they will support and assist you as you may need throughout the season until you are comfortable with the PMH system for coordinating hikes and can fly on your own.
For those willing to serve as buddies this year, you can also sign up at the Spring meeting, or contact Lynn to express your interest. Again. this year, the Club wishes to offer more outside of town moderate hikes on weekends – so if that is your interest too, we hope you will consider becoming a coordinator this year! [email protected]
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
JIM B, INTERPRETIVE HIKE, AUG 2019
2020 INTERPRETIVE HIKESLynn Gaudet
Two interpretive hikes are planned this year, led by naturalist John McFaul of Alpenglow Nature Hikes. For those new to the club, John has led these hikes for PMH for many years. He is a professional guide and naturalist as well as an accredited Professional Interpreter with the Interpretive Guides Association. John holds a BSc in Environmental Biology from the University of Calgary and worked from 1986-2003 as a naturalist for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. He is an honourary member of the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society (Nature Calgary) and has been awarded the prestigious Loran L. Goulden Award, and the Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award from the Federation of Alberta Naturalists (Nature Calgary). See his website: http://www.alpenglownaturehikes.ca/Guides.html.
There are 15 spots for each hike, at a member cost of $25 to pay John’s fee. Members can sign up at the Spring meeting, but this year we are not taking early payment, as it generates quite onerous tracking and administration for the club. Instead, members will have first priority to sign up at the meeting (if more than 15 do, a random draw will pick the order and the wait list). After the meeting, the hikes will be posted on the website with the existing registrants. Three weeks before the hike, registrants will be sent an email to pay within a week to keep their spot. The final list will be made with no refunds after that, unless another hiker takes the spot. A note of interest: It can appear from the website the hike is full, but experience shows that there are inevitably cancellations the week of the hike and those on the wait list will most likely get a spot, so please register if interested.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
June 6 – Whaleback
Distance – 7km Elevation – 350 m (total) Difficulty Level: D3John’s featured Whaleback hike is a 7 km round trip with three distinct elevation gains. The first is a moderate climb of 150 meters. We then drop down into a valley which we follow for awhile before climbing up to the top of a ridge (100 meters). After lunch we descend back into a valley and then ascend another ridge (100 meters elevation gain) which we follow back down to the gravel road that takes us back to our cars. The location of the hike is shown in the attached map in red. There is no defined trail, but the route is very open.
We will go early in the season and hope to catch the wildflowers in bloom. The Whaleback is the largest undisturbed stretch of montane landscape in Canada, of significance for its biodiversity of flora and fauna. Montane occurs only where warm Chinook winds blow away the snow cover for much of the winter. These hills comprise one of the most important elk wintering ranges in Alberta.
Sept 19 – Dry Island Buffalo Jump
Distance – 8-10 km Elevation: Under 200m Difficulty level: D3 Dry Island Buffalo Jump is a provincial park situated along the Red Deer River featuring badlandstopography. As described on the Alberta Parks website: “Dry Island Buffalo Jump is a little-known secret gem in the Alberta Parks system. Located near Trochu, Alberta the Park offers breathtaking scenic views of the Red Deer river valley. A favorite spot for nature enthusiasts andbird watchers, the area boasts over 150 different species of birds, from warblers to turkey vultures!”
In summer, this is a hot dry area which can be pretty buggy. By going in September, we hope the weather will be cooler and the bugs fewer. We will hike on the many informal trails that wind through the coulees and native grasslands and take note of the sensitive plants that grow along the way – there is no significant elevation, but it is very uneven underfoot.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Opportunity Available Now!The PMH is looking for an enthusiastic Webmaster to look after our website. The position requires basic computer skills. Of note, our club uses a technical expert for difficult issues. If you have the right skill set or know someone who might, please contact Susan Allen, Past Chairperson at [email protected] or call her at 403-244-8804.
Helen R September 2019
Photo Contest 2020Lynn Gaudet, Vice Chair
We will run a Photo Contest this year, but with a different system than last year. Members can submit their photos any time, same as before. But this year, all photos uploaded during the season are eligible and will be considered, with no need for members to re-submit them in specific categories for the photo contest. All 2020 photos will be considered eligible.So please start submitting photos any time. It is not necessary to specify a category, just upload them with the hike name and date as usual. Before the fall meeting, a Committee of the Executive will select 5 finalists in each of six categories: Flora, Fauna, People, On the Trail, Scenery, The Unusual. They will be voted on by members at the meeting for the best photo in each category.
We encourage you to check out the many beautiful photos posted by the Club’s talented photographers. They can be viewed in the PMH Photo Gallery link under “Membership” using the password pmhfotos. Many thanks to Susan Chalier for managing the photo gallery once again this year.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CALENDAR FOR PRAIRIE MOUNTAINEER HIKERS
1. January
New Executive begins
Decision as to termination of members who failed to pay annual fees by
December 31.
Update of Membership directory, to include-1) Renewed membership
units, 2) successful member units of Appeal process, 3) returning member
units from the reinstatement waitlist (member units who have completed
their 1 year waiting period for failure to meet the 5 minimum hike
requirements the previous year, and 4) Successful new membership
applicants (as openings become available).
2. February
Hike Planning Committee meets for strategic planning.
3. March
Spring Trail Talk posted.
Spring General Meeting.
March 31 ends the Shoulder Season (i.e. no registered hikes).
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
4. April
Registered hiking Season begins April 1st.
5. May
Calgary River and Pathways Cleanup.
6. June to September
7. July
8. August
9. September
September 1 Opening for submission of Renewal application (including
waiver and fee) for members with 5 registered hikes
Fall Executive Meeting.
10. October
October 31 deadline for ‘Completion of required 5 hikes.
October 31 end of official hiking season, begin shoulder season.
Fall Trail Talk posted.
Submission of Photos for Annual Photo Contest.
11. November
Annual General Meeting (renewals accepted and photo winners
announced).
November 30-Deadline for Submission of Renewal application, waiver
and fee.
November 30-Deadline for Submission of Appeals for failure to complete
5 hikes
12. December
Meeting of Appeal Subcommittee to determine Appeal outcomes.
Late renewal submission (with double membership fee) by December 31.
Executive year completed December 31.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
FINANCIAL REPORTJulie Tsang
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Prairie Mountaineer Hikers Spring General MeetingSaturday, March 28th, 2020
Social/Snacks 3:30 PM, Meeting 4:00 PMMarda Loop Communities Association Hall
3130 16 Street SW, Calgary AB, T2T 4G7
AGENDA
1. Call to Order Marc Chatel
2. Introduction of the Executive Committee Marc Chatel
3. Chairperson's comments Marc Chatel
4. Welcome to returning and new members Marc Chatel
5. Reading of Minutes from Annual General Meeting Marc Chatel
a. Motion to accept minutes
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
b. Eventual business arising from the minutes
6. Treasurer's Report Julia Tsang
a. 2019 Audited Financial Statement
b. 2020 Proposed Budget
7. Committee Reports
a. Membership-Renewal/Appeals Lois Hinz
b. Membership-Waitlist/New members Lois Hinz
c. Hike Planning Karen Fisher
d. Special Hikes Karen Fisher
i. Nordegg (July 17 - July 20)
ii. Call for more multi-day hikes
e. Interpretive Hikes Lynn Gaudet
i. Dry Island Buffalo Jump
ii. Whaleback
f. Photo Contest Lynn Gaudet
g. Communications Linda McFarlane
i. Hiking stories for Trail Talk
8. Old Business
a. Report on Winter Hiking Trial Period Susan Chalier
9. New Business
a. Motion to make the PMH Club a year-round hiking club Susan Allen
i. Hiking season will now be from November 1 - October 31
ii. Registration for the year is due November 31
iii. Keep the minimum hikes at 5
b. Motion to raise the Family Membership fee to $30 Marc Chatel
i. It has been raised by some members that the current family membership fee
is too low and gives an unfair discount to family members.
10. Adjournment Marc Chatel
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Reminder: Any member wishing to place an item of new business on the agenda, for approval ofthe membership, is required to provide the Chairperson of the Executive Committee with a copyof the motion, together with any background information, no less than two (2) weeks in advance of the SGM. Deadline for this year's SGM is March 14th, 2020. Failure to meet this requirement could result in tabling of the item until the next General Meeting of the Club.
Proposed motions for SGM
Raising the family membership fee: Liz Albers and Marc Chatel:
Discussion - Should the PMH family membership fee be raised from $27 to $30?
Why?1. It has been raised by some members that the current family membership fee is too low
and gives an unfair discount to family members.2. Raising the fee as suggested would reduce this discount and create a more equitable fee
structure.
Implementing Full Year Hiking - Susan Allen
At the Fall AGM a motion was passed to implement Micro-spike/Winter hiking on a trial basis for the period Nov. 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. This meant that hikes could be coordinated using the website however the hikes did not count as an official club hike.During the trial period a number of very successful winter hikes have been held. The participants have enjoyed them greatly. Thank you to the coordinators for organising them: Susan C, Sonja D, Avril R, Sue D, Helen R, Fiona L and Cathy L.
At the upcoming Spring General Meeting, you will be presented with a motion to implement fullyear hiking. This would mean:
The hiking season would run from November to October – a full 12 months;
All hikes during the year would count towards the club 5 hikes;
Other than the length of period change for counting hikes – nothing else requires
changing;
The club executive supports the motion and believes becoming a year-round hiking club is the next step in the evolution of our club. Why?
1) Over the past 5 years micro-spike hiking has become very popular and many club
members hike throughout the winter.
2) We do use micro spikes within the current standard season at this time, so there is little
difference.
3) The risk of micro-spike hiking is no more than regular hiking.
4) We have software now that can accommodate booking hikes easily.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
5) We may attract new hikers that want a year-round club.
6) Other clubs are year- round and in order to be competitive we should seriously consider
full year hiking. Rather than having folks leave our club to join a year-round club, we
should accommodate our members’ needs.
Perceived Risks to club – 1) We have discussed insurance for directors over the past years. Is expensive for a small
club such as ours. Therefore, the executive recommends that we rewrite our waiver
form to strengthen it and have it reviewed by a lawyer. This process is underway.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at [email protected] .Cheers Susan Allen, Past Chair
Helen R, January 2020
The Club’s Mission and Values Statement
The Mission statement expresses the fundamental purpose of the club – Why we exist and Whowe wish to serve. The Values statements are meant to express the beliefs or philosophy of the Club and as such provide guidance to all members as to what is important to their fellow members.
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Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club 2020 Spring Newsletter
Our MissionThe Prairie Mountaineer Hiking Club provides opportunities for its members to
share in the adventures and responsibilities of hiking. Our members are active
hikers with a wide range of hiking abilities who are committed to the joy of
hiking and the common goals of safety, friendship and the success of the Club.
Our Values Safety is key in everything we do; we emphasize taking individual and shared
responsibility for safety;
We strive to achieve a positive hiking experience for all members on every hike;
We respect the environment and will minimize our impacts;
We care about our members and strive to be a cohesive club where people feel
they belong;
We value getting to know each other better and do this through such activities
as weekends away, pot luck socials and taking time for post hike refreshments;
We are a club that knows how to celebrate; we take time to celebrate group and
individual accomplishments;
We enjoy all aspects of the hike experience; it is not simply about getting to the
top of the mountain;
We value the health and fitness benefits of hiking;
We believe that the vitality and character of the Club stems from the collective
talents and contribution of all members.
We believe that hiking is more than a physical experience,
it refreshes the spirit.
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