Snow Comparisons

After a couple metres of snowfall  recently up at Paradise Meadows, I did some quick research into comparable snow levels over the past few years.  The winter of 2010-11 was memorable for breaking records for snowfall in the area (total accumulation 1840 cm),  and the previous winter of 2009-10 was close. The  winter of 1998-99 was also noteworthy for the amount of snow that fell (total accumulation of 1836 cm), which led  to the collapse of the Forbidden Ski Lodge at Wood Mountain Park at the south-east edge of Forbidden Plateau.

On the other hand, the winter of 2004-05 had so little snowfall that Mount Washington Alpine Resort never fully opened for skiing! However the following three winters  had more than 1200 cm total accumulation over the season. The winter of 2008-09 was also a lower snow year, with less than 200 cm snowbase by mid-March.

A few notes for comparison, from the past few years at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre:
Mar. 17, 2012: snowbase 520 cm (just over 540 today, Mar. 25)
Mar. 18, 2011: snowbase over 700 cm
Mar. 17, 2010: snowbase almost 600 cm

Judging by these numbers, the meadows may be clear of snow by mid-June this year... however anything can still happen to change that prediction!

Gold-level Volunteer: Gerry Roberts

One of the longest-serving volunteer directors for Strathcona Wilderness Institute is Gerry Roberts of Gold River, a small community beyond the western boundary of Strathcona Provincial Park.

International visitor with Gerry at Buttle Lake Information Hut

Gerry has operated the Information Hut at Buttle Lake in the heart of Strathcona Park for over 12 years, giving reliable, up-to-date advice on hiking in Strathcona Park to visitors from all over the world.

Gerry with complete map of Strathcona Park

"Because of the remote situation, Gerry is often a beacon for tourists with all kinds of questions and problems," says Steve Smith, one of the founding directors of the Institute.  "He takes messages for visitors trying to connect with each other, or gives motorists gas if they are in need, and often helps visitors plan their day with safe and sensible suggestions for their hikes. He has on occasion actually taken stranded hikers to his own home to help out."

Visitors at Buttle Lake Hut
 

His good advice and his knowledge of Strathcona Park’s vast wilderness has probably saved many park Search & Rescue calls over the years — and probably saved lives as well. Last year Gerry Roberts was named BC Parks Volunteer of the Year.

Mountains of Snow

With the wild windy weather throughout the whole north Vancouver Island the past week, the alpine area of Mount Washington adjacent to Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Park has now received over 1.6 m of new snow.

The avalanche danger on Vancouver Island is now considered high in the back-country. The Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin report is here.

Currently the snow base is 5.2 m, and a total of 11.1 m  has fallen this season.

A Successful Day Last Summer

BC Parks recently held a workshop to discuss how to improve the volunteer experience for all who are involved in our provincial parks. One of the many successes at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park last year was an event that involved many volunteers & community groups: the Family Fun Day for Every Body.

Judy Norbury, one of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute directors, was involved in the planning of the event. Her recollections and photos below are from an article which will appear in the SWI annual newsletter.

Hundreds of people attended the Family Day Event

The Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, operated by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute, played host to a Family Fun Day For Every Body on August 21 this past summer. The event was jointly organized by Campbell River and Courtenay Accessible Awareness Committees, Accessible Wilderness Society and B.C. Parks to celebrate the centenary of B.C. Parks and to promote the two-kilometre wheelchair accessible Centennial Loop trail and boardwalk in Paradise Meadows. The trailhead begins at the wheelchair accessible Strathcona Wilderness Centre building.


It’s a common assumption that mobility challenged people must miss out on experiencing the wilderness opportunities of Strathcona Park. The completion of the Centennial Loop changes that assumption. While a couple of the grades on the trail are at a fairly steep incline and can be handled independently only by the athletic sorts in manual chairs, the entire trail is truly accessible and with some assistance or with a power chair or scooter, anyone can enjoy the spectacular wilderness.

Photographers of all abilities can enjoy the Meadows on the accessible boardwalk

The Family Fun Day For Every Body was assisted by grants from Mountain Equipment Co-op and B.C. Parks and sponsorship from several community businesses and associations. The day proved to be fine with a very good turnout bringing disabled people and their families and friends from all over the Island, the lower mainland and from as far away as Ontario. Naturalists conducted nature walks, there were snacks and prizes and many were introduced to Paradise Meadows for the first time.

Judy tries the Trail-rider

On display for tryouts were two Trail-riders. A Trail-rider is a single-wheeled piece of equipment to enable a disabled person, with the assistance of two or more sherpas, access to any mountain trail. Also on display for tryout was an Free-wheel, an attachment that fits onto a manual wheelchair allowing it to move freely over rough ground. The Strathcona Wilderness Centre has a Free-wheel that can be used by visitors on request.

For a disabled person who might like to plan an adventurous climb or hike with companions in Strathcona Park, the Trail-rider can be borrowed from the City of Campbell River Community Centre for a refundable deposit and nominal fee.

Botany Class 23

Next in the series, two shrubs that may appear similar to certain trees found down in the Valley.

New Climbing Book

You heard it here first!! This May a new book will be released by Lindsay Elms , noted mountaineer, historian & author, and one of the directors of Strathcona Wilderness Institute. 'Above the Bush: a Century of Climbing on Vancouver Island' will cover the history of mountaineering on the island from 1912 to 2012. The book is at the layout stage right now & will be published within the next couple of months.

Elms previous book, 'Beyond Nootka' recounts tales of the early explorers, surveyors and mountaineers, up to 1941. Lindsay has given numerous presentations on the history of Vancouver Island exploration, including talks at the Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows.

The front cover will feature a new painting by well-known Cumberland artist Clive Powsey. Powsey's spectacular watercolours capture the beauty of Strathcona Park mountains as well as surrounding landscapes of earth, air & water. For the past couple of summers Clive has presented an art talk & walk at the Wilderness Centre as part of the summer programming.

Botany Class 22

There are more than half a dozen vaccinium shrubs in Paradise Meadows, and a couple more plants that seem similar.

Botany Class 21

Next in the botany series, two common shrubs that have distinguishing berries.

Botany Class 20

Next in the series of sub-alpine shrubs, another pair of white and pink flowering plants.

Blue Sky Day

A perfect blue sky scene today up at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Park, with the classic view of Mt. Albert Edward and its mirror image, Mt. Regan.

The snow base at the sub-alpine is about 3.9 m (12.8 ft.)