Think about the last Saturday of April.

Lord willing, we will be holding our 2010 Spring work day.

Any maintenance or improvements that your group wants to do towards making Camp better for all, Please let me know what your plans are before work day. All are welcome to come without a job prepared, but you might get stuck with one of the jobs off my list - like washing / cleaning / painting an outhouse.

I walked around Camp and in about 4 minutes, came up with a short list to start with:
-All bricks brought back to, and brick pile cleaned and organized. (They seem to grow legs for different projects and never get returned - ie: left in the Lake / on the beach / in the bush / here and there / everywhere.)
- Clean, pack and stack blocks needed for changing room building.
- Block layer needed for 13 lineal ft of block walls
- Fix or rebuild picnic tables
- Carpenter to re & re window and door casings (then paint or varnish)
- Chimney sweep

The Camp is looking great!
Thanks to all the groups that leave it clean, rake up, and take the empty rolls out of the outhouses!!

Starting to see winter time around Camp!

The snow level is at or around 2,000 ft elevation (and so is Chilliwack Lake). Last trip in, there was snow on the road past the Provincial Park and one would need either a 4x4 or chains to get in. With the big wind and rains, there were no trees or slides across the road. - No huge rocks either.

Please remember that if you are using the Lodge in the winter, you have to close the valve under the sink and prime the pump if you want it to hold a prime. Please remember to open the valve to drain the pump so that it won't freeze and break! ....Put a bucket under the drain so you won't get your foot wet..... Also don't try to prime the pump without closing the valve.... you'll get the same result.

Any questions about the emergency phone system, please call me before you go up!

Kris

"Sabout" Time ...A couple of work day pics

I guess I only missed a month. Last post was in July and it's only September!

Total of 69 people came on work day to clean, dig, mix, feed, eat, pour, cut, rake, shovel, carry, organize, wash, clear, swim, brush, burn and did I mention eat? Great weather, fellowship, food, jobs and great people all added up on a beautiful September day.
We finished the paver stones on the picnic shelter floor, then built a set of stairs and a ramp up to the floor level! PLEASE keep all motorized vehicles on the roads!

The picnic shelter is 24 X 60 feet has a paver stone floor, low wattage flourescent lights wired in for connection to your generator or inverter.

The Picnic shelter has a retractable roof (plastic tarp) that is hung straight up and down off the ridge line during the winters to let more light in (and shed the snow)

We laid another row of large pavers down the side of the lodge to join the front to back porch. We aim to encourage less sand dragged into the Lodge!

We washed windows, vacuumed, swept and gave the trailer a thorough cleaning. We did NOT get time to connect the wood stove properly in the trailer so PLEASE - Do Not Use the wood stove until that job gets completed.

We ate again!

We prepared the drains, forms and sump, mixed cement and poured a slab for a new "Changing House"

69 volunteers came and all (or most) managed to smile while numerous cameras clicked away.

We cleared forest fire material and chopped most of it into 12 inch lengths and stacked it in the woodshed. (The other 80 wheelbarrow loads were burnt. )

We cleared all the way between the old boatshed and the Chapel.

We prepared a place and built a bench to sit, relax and enjoy the view of God's creation.

We started taking bookings for 2010. (Ticket prices are more valuable but less costly than the Olympics)

THANKS to all who came and helped on the 2009 Fall Work Day!

No takers for the Job?

No one bid on my job at Camp - so I had to come back from the Maritimes. Thanks to those who kept good care of the Camp. The place looks real good! Any groups with ideas for fall work day, please let me know.

New news for July 23. As of noon, July 24th, there is a campfire ban in place. Please check Forestry website before heading up to Camp.

http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayBan.asp?ID=244#CampfireBans

This open fire ban applies within BC Parks and all public (Crown) and private land outside of organized areas. This fire ban does not apply within municipalities or regional districts with their own burning bylaws. This ban does not restrict fires in stoves using gas, propane, or briquettes. This restriction does apply to open flame campfire apparatus (i.e. propane campfires, etc.).A campfire ban will be in effect until weather conditions no longer pose a threat to wildfire starts.

Please take extra precautions with any and all heat sources...... Vehicle exhaust etc.

We have installed a gas pump to help wet down the bush areas around the lodge. Please familiarize yourselves with the operation of the pump. Remember to refill the gas tank when you leave and please lock the lock onto the hasp when the lid is open and lock the lid before you leave the Camp. (same key as the gate)





Again - Many of the groups tell me that they had to ask strangers to leave the Camp. When asked "How did they drive in?" I was told that the gate was only left open for a minute for part of their group that was still coming! ... None of these people saw the private property signs??

Please observe the rules. Keep the gate locked. Your party can walk the 2 minutes to come get the key and lock it behind them again.

As always - no caretaker on site!

Any one want a volunteer position for a bit? I'll offer double or triple my pay.... for the next 6 weeks, I've traded a view of THE Lake for the Atlantic Ocean. >Halifax Citadel>

Some of the jobs that I usually do (or ensure that they are done)

-Bring a shovel and stop at culverts along the last 5 miles to ensure that they are not blocked. (Roll rocks off the road)

-Remove all the empty toilet paper rolls from, and sweep out the outhouses. ...Seems no one's Mom ever comes Camping so it rarely gets done!

-Wipe down the counters and clean the windows in the Lodge.

-Check the batteries for the phone system.

-Take away the rest of the garbage that the last group missed.

-Empty, cleanout and put 3" of fresh water in the mouse traps.

-General Camp condition check.

In the mean time, as there never is any caretaker there, User Groups, please ensure that the checkout sheet items are completed, sheet is filled out and (preferably) e-mailed to me right after your Camp time. Pictures of any good times with your group or potential problem areas would help also!

We had a debris torrent last Saturday afternoon that plugged a culvert and washed over the road. The group at Camp had to clear a path to get their vehicles out! Please remember that you are travelling to a wilderness location Camp and be prepared for wilderness situations that may come up. This includes wild animals, rough or impassable roads, vehicle troubles and Camp visitors that we always welcome warmly and show them that the exit is pretty well where they came in.

There have been pests in Camp that we do not want to encourage. City racoons that have been trapped elsewhere and dropped off in the "Wilderness." Do not leave your garbage out and be careful with them in the evenings. They are brazen and not afraid of people. DO NOT FEED THEM! - This also includes the Canada Geese! If you enjoy walking on green lawns, green beaches and green docks, visit Deer lake and go for a swim there. You don't even have to know how to swim as the water there is thick enough to walk on without faith!

Any problems, please e-mail me asap

Thanks,

Kris

Thanks to Telus and the other volunteer workers

Saturday we had 27 Telus workers volunteer their time to run 3 Km of cable to bring dial tone into the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. Total cost estimate of $27,500 was reduced by donation of time from the workers and some materials from Telus.

Thanks to all who pray for continued road access and for safety of all who attend and work on Camp projects! Thanks to the Crew from Northside that gave their time to bring cooking equipment, (sharp knives), culinary skills, and music to serve the community. They prepared and served lunch and dinner to the volunteers that came to work to provide emergency communications capability to both the Provincial Park and Chilliwack Lake Camp. Thanks to the people who came up to drop off tables and chairs at the temporary kitchen at the Provincial Parks service yard. Thanks to the crew that went down to Camp and vaccumed the cobwebs out of the lodge, swept up, raked, emptied the ashes from the fire pit. Thanks to the guys who gave time expertise , materials and equipment to mount and wire up the solar panels, antennas and radio equipment to facilitate any emergency communications needed for Camp.

The Provincial Park people are so VERY happy to be able to have access to emergency communications that they gave space for us to erect an antenna for a radio shot to extend dial tone down to Camp! Still a little bit of "Tweaking" to give better service, but it works way better than the old system.
Please remember to keep campfires as small as possible to lower the chances of forest fire! Wind can come up and blow sparks into the tinder dry bush. Please clean up and burn small brush from around the woods all over Camp. The more of that we burn in a controlled fire, the less chance of wildfire!

Thanks for your help with this!

This system is to be used for emergency communications only..... not to call Mum to say "Hi" or talk too long as it is battery operated. You may need the battery to be strong enough to complete your call in the case of an emergency!

Road's Open

If you have one of these!









And one of these!
You can do this......





..............If first you wade through a mountain of paperwork.

Please Thank God that we live in a country where they do listen, then return a call / write a note, and send your Thanks to James Murphy & Joe Lavia at Chilliwack Forestry as well as your MLA that you wrote asking for help to get this done.

Call (604) 660-2421 or 1 800 663-7867 to ask "Enquiry BC"for their contact information. If they do not have a toll free number, Enquiry BC can transfer you to their number free of charge, give you their e-mail addresses or their snail mail addresses!

Thanks all

May 23 lunch time.Good news still rolling in!

Thanks to those who continue to offer help! We have volunteers for:
-Praying for safety for volunteers working up there as well as the Camp users while attending Camp and the safety of the facility when there is no one there. (Any / All please continue to pray)
-Cooking team complete with barbeques to prepare lunch and dinner for the crew working on the telephone line extention up the road and the radio installation that will extend dial tone down the 8Km to the Camp.
-Portable kitchen trailer.
-Boat to bring volunteers down to Camp. Many of these volunteers have never seen the Camp and the reason for the communication needs
-Some tables and chairs so we will have enough. I am going to ask all volunteers to bring one chair for themselves. We might need a couple more fold up tables.
-Enough volunteers to complete the project.
- Some offers of donations towards the cost of having Camp closed for 3 months, feeding volunteers and installing the communications system. (Total estimate of $7,500)

I have to work today, so if anyone wants to drive up this weekend to check the road and Camp, please send me pictures of the blasting location as well as any other thing on the road and the condition of the Camp.

Thank you all for your support of efforts to continue to make the Camp safe and available to user groups!

3rd blog today! More good news

I got a call from a Scout Leader who persisted and got through to the Forestry engineer this afternoon (Friday, May 22) and he was told that the road is OPEN! Praise the Lord!! Now we need to fill the weekends that were cancelled. Anyone want to go up there tonight?
Please call or e-mail me to ask about open bookings!
Thanks
Kris

When was that last post? - 2 hours ago!

Thanks for the support and encouragement.
I have had calls and e-mails offering :
-2 boats.... we may not need those - talked to Parks this Am they said lots of booming and trucks full of rocks coming out of the road!
- a mobile kitchen
- a trailer with chairs, tables, BBQ, propane heater......won't need the heater! The long range forecast is for above average temperatures expected!
-Radio installer / technician
-someone to take my job when he retires in 2 years!
-offer of "Anything else that you need (that I have)"

-Still looking for carpenter / handy guy that doesn't mind heights.
& given the weather forecast - Juice Jug(s) with ICE

Thanks again!!
Kris

What day was that last post? ....only 2 days ago

Prayers, calls / e-mails went to all the right places! I got a return call (after no answer for 3 months) from Barry Penner's MLA office. The rock will be moved within 2 weeks!

I also got a call with a reminder to myself to remember the reason for the Camp and who is in charge. This is a reminder for you, in case any of you stopped praying for the youth that attend Camp, for the safety of the facility and the volunteers that give their time there.

Thanks for all those that responded! I hope to post a real great picture of the road on the other side of the rock.

All those who Prayed, called or wrote... Please pray, call and write to say thank you when the rock is gone!!
Kris

Latest update from Monday, May 18th

Big rock truck and a large excavator parked at the end of the paved road. That's progress! I imagine that they will be blasting it this week and it could be open by next weekend. (They wouldn't want to leave their machinery sitting there for nothing)

Thursday May 7 / 09

I guess that Forestry meant that they were working at working on the plans to work on the rock. Here's the most recent pic taken this afternoon. It is a great thing that God has a better plan than I do!

The trees are growing nice and green on top of the rock. If they can tenaciously hang on there, I guess we can hang on here!

It's always a beautiful drive up there, especially with the snow line about 1,000 ft above the lake. (That's 300 meters for the more recent born people)

I'll keep you posted as soon as I know anything more! Anyone remember "Max" with the bicycle from Austria trying to go over the Trans Canada Trail on the May long weekend a couple of years ago? Another guy from Germany tried this week, sure wished that someone told him that the snow was too deep over the Paleface Pass after carrying his bike over the rock!

Road rock update on Monday, May 4/09

I just talked to Forestry and they are working on the logistics of getting the contractors and their equipment to the site for this week. They don't want to promise anything, but previously they said that it would be about 3 or 4 days work to get it done. I imagine that if they get started late this week, they wouldn't want to leave their equipment sitting up there over the weekend, so would continue working until the road is clear!

I talked to a couple that hiked into the Camp last week and they said that all appeared OK at Camp!

April 26th Road Rock Update

Good Morning all.

Here's the latest communications with Forestry. On March 16, I phoned, visited and sent pictures to Forestry to let them know that the road was blocked. I received this back.



"Kris, a professional engineer from the regional office will be brought in to assess the site for safety before any removal of debris can take place however, the area must be free of snow. This project will be given high priority once the snow leaves so if you're out there from time to time, an update on snow conditions would be appreciated. "



I drove up a few times to check conditions and received reports from a few people that had also been there. I dreamed of a lot of different ways to move it and received offers of help from ticketed blasters and some other ideas... the only one that was legal was to let Forestry look after their own road. We are happy that they have said that it will be a "high priority" instead of saying that they didn't need access yet so would look at it when they need access.



On April 13, I sent pictures of the area clear of snow to Forestry and got this reply on April 21.



"Thanks Kris for the update. I just got back today from being out of town and will forward this to James to update him on conditions as well as organizing our regional PEng to review the site to ensure its safe to work around the area. I will keep you posted once I hear more definitive information."



I'm pretty sure that they want to have it cleared up as soon as possible as it not only affects the Camp, but it affects recreation access in the area and is blocking the Trans Canada Trail.

Funny thing, I took this picture on April 18th at the Canso Causeway going up to Cape Breton. (Information travels fast sometimes!)

You can click on the picture to make it readable. (I did take the note back down again as I'm sure it will be clear before I get back to Cape Breton!)

Thanks for the update Pic.

Thanks Lou & Shelly for the update pic taken Easter Sunday! I have e-mailed this pic to Forestry as I promised that I would let them know as soon as the snow is gone for safe assessment of the slope above and safety to work below! A little more warm weather and rain will melt the last of the snow in the 1st valley before the rock slide.

Spring work day postponed.

Only the 2nd time in 25 years that we have had to redate the spring work day. Last Spring there was still too much snow to drive in a car or 2 wheel drive on the Friday- (By Sunday, it was driveable) Some still came in with 4x4's and there was a small group of about 15 people.

This picture was taken in March, 1990 when there was 3 avalanches over the road. We thought that we were going to have to cancel work day, but the Government found money in their budget to clear the road for an environmental study group to monitor the speed of spotted slugs. (or something like that!) - We were thankful for their concern.

As soon as the snow is gone, Forestry will be making it a high priority to blast and remove the rocks that are blocking the road at the 1.1 Km point. If anyone has a chance to drive up there in the next 2 or 3 weeks, please send me a note and / or some pictures. I won't get a chance to go up there for the next 3 weeks or so as I am being sent back east to work.

Thanks for all your help and encouragement. Some groups have said that "Clear or not, we're going in by boat, hiking or float plane." From 1948 to 1965, those were the only choices. Hiking was more difficult than the others. One guy missed the boat, so he paddled down the lake on a log! (My brother Kerry!)

This picture of a "CB' was taken in the late 1940's. Note there is no propeller.... didn't work too well as a glider. That's why if you stand at the end of the dock and look left (South), the big rock on the point is called "Propeller Rock". The propeller is still down there somewhere. The plane nosed into the lake and stopped very suddenly! They towed it back to camp, brought in a new prop and flew it out again!

See the dents while being towed in.

20 feet high!

At this time, until we hear otherwise, road access to the Camp is CLOSED. Any groups wishing to boat in, can get a gate key from Parks for access to the boat launch. Any groups wishing to cancel bookings to make firm plans elsewhere will be refunded your deposits or we can hold it for another booking. The physical work could be completed in 4 working days.... The paperwork and the thinking about it, will take longer than that. Your guess is a guess as to the time of the thinking process. My guess is: also a guess. Prayers are always answered. We will have to wait to see what the answer is.

Here's a better picture of the rocks on the road. The caption on the arrow says 20 feet! At this time, it appears that we need to leave it to Forestry to clear their road. The mountain of paperwork required for us to clear it ourselves appears to be bigger than the rock itself. Thanks to those that would have been willing to do the drilling and blasting, if the legal permissions had been attainable. Initial conversations with Forestry were encouraging, but with their fiscal year end budget completed as of Mar 31, they don't know yet what will be available as there is an election looming. Maybe it would help to make a friendly call or drop an E-mail or letter to your MLA , just to let them know that this important access to a beautiful recreational area has been blocked and it is in everyone's interest to make budget funds available to move that ROCK! Your MLA's information can be easily looked up at http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm If anyone knows Forestry personnel, a pleasant word encouraging them that opening the road is good for community groups that use the Camp as well as tourists that start arriving in May to travel over Paleface on the Trans Canada Trail. (Remember "Max" from Austria trying to drive his bicycle over the pass, thru the snow in May!) The more "they" hear about this from all different areas and sources, the better.

This is also a reminder for us pray for those in authority as well as safety for those travelling (and working) on the road all year!

Here's a couple of Pics taken at Camp this February to remind us of God's creation. Thanks to Andrew Holliday for these reminders. Any one of those stars hurtling through the sky could fall and land anywhere!

Rock slide followup info Monday Mar 16

Thanks to all who have called and e-mailed. I have had offers of ticketed blasters willing to blast.... and lots of guys willing to come watch! If we are going to remove it, left to our own devices, we could clear it within 2 weeks and we would need a small fundraiser to cover what we couldn't get done at "Camp prices." Unfortunately "our own devices" wouldn't include the environmental impact studies and other impediments that the Gov't has put in their own way. (Blasting might prematurely loosen tree leaves or the splashing in the lake might scare fish or something) ..... sorry - just being fishecious.
No one has called in response to the Craig's list ad for the 4,000 granite fireplaces. - Just kidding! If I thought it would work, I would try.
It seems that our best idea so far is to let Forestry look after Their road. In past dealings with Forestry, I have been told many times, that there are 3 designations for Forestry roads.
1. - Active industrial. (The industrial user maintains the road)
2. - Residential. (A community with a post office... Forestry maintains the road.)
3. - Closed. (Closed roads usually have the culverts dug out and the road is decommissioned)
We fall somewhere in the middle - between closed and decommissioned!
My first contact with Forestry left me feeling very optimistic even though it is only 2 weeks left in their fiscal year - all their money has been spent or allocated. Unfortunately his initial inquiries showed that road is under the jurisdiction of another department that is charged with making money, not spending it.
At this point, it is on their list and they have asked me to send them an email in two - three weeks and at that time, they should be able to give me a better update on what they are planning to do.
At this time, pray with us that they would surprise themselves with the speed that things fall into place. Pray that doors, paths and options would be clear and available for them to get at it and clear that road. It could be done in three or four days. It is more expensive to remove the rocks, but faster than getting permissions to push them over the cliff into the lake.
I will try to update this blog as soon as anything changes, but in the mean time, please e-mail or call with any encouragement, thoughts or ideas.

Blessings from above.

March 15th

What a beautiful day for a drive into the wilderness. Fresh fallen snow on the trees, quiet snowflakes drifting down and an opportunity to get out and walk for a bit!

We are so thankful that there was no one stuck at Camp past (or under) the rocks on the road.

The one larger rock is estimated at 20' high, 20' deep and 30' wide. ... 12,000 cubic ft @ 166.5 lbs / cu ft = only 1 million, 998 thousand lbs.... Hmm just shy of 2 million pounds. There's also numerous smaller rocks.... only about 40,000 lbs each.

My first thought... :-( well skip that one.

2nd thought: This has got to be a blessing...... I wonder if we would get any response on Craig's list? We just have to come up with the right wording. Maybe 400 granite fireplaces.... 3,000 lineal ft of garden wall (4' high)

Anyone with a blasting ticket? How about a high pressure water cannon? A huge road building machine? Everyone can pray. Pray that the right solution would work out soon.

Any ideas gratefully accepted. At this time, there is no access past these rocks although there is a few young guys with 4x4's that think they would like to try!

It is a HUGE praise item that no one was hurt or trapped on the other side of this rockfall!

Quick note - I'm getting questions about Spring Work day. (April 25th)
Call me ahead of time with job ideas that your group would like to take on.
Any Capital projects need to be something that would make Camp cleaner, user friendly and low maintenance for all user groups. Call ahead with the size of your group and how many meals you will be looking for on the Saturday.
Thanks
Kris

A few thoughts about the ongoing job list.

Maintenance always needed:
Clean BBQ's. Dump the junk into the ash pit & rearrange the lava rocks.
Clean out air inlet to airtight stove.
Clean the glass and empty ashes
Clean the windows, inside & out.
Clean Kitchen stove.

Remove used tp rolls and burn them.
Road Crew to fill, grade, rake & compact potholes
Sweep outhouses. Wash walls floors & skylights
Sandpaper & remove initials from the building or the dock.
Wash beds, ceiling, walls & light fixtures inside the lodge.
Clean & organize a kitchen cupboard.
Repair & paint picnic tables.
Wash out the garbage cans and the mouse trap.
Clean Kitchen, tables, cutting boards & counters.
Empty kitchen sink sumps and outside pump sump
Yearly honey wagon for outhouses.
Seasonal Maintenance:Fill water fire extinguishers in Spring.M-t water fire extinguishers in Fall
Sweep chimneys
Tighten roof screws (for metal roof)
Put up picnic shelter tarp in spring. Take down picnic shelter tarp in Fall
Clean and bleach out well.

Reset nails and stain front deck.

Stain Lodge. Can do one side at a time or all at once!

Bring a gas powered blower. Clean off sidewalks and pathways.

Cut already down trees, split and stack in woodshed.(Please don't cut logs that can be used for lumber!)

Donations needed:
New kitchen stove.
New or used kitchen cutlery (Knives, Forks and spoons)
Gravel for the roads around Camp.
Cedar Colour Oil stain
Flyswatters and a propane mosquito catcher.
12 Galvanized, 1/2" turnbuckles. (Short & Stocky)

20' shipping container.
Small Kubota type Tractor / loader / backhoe or trackhoe.

Road's Cleared

Thanks to a generous volunteer for clearing the road making access possible for 3 groups booked in February. Anyone interested in a winter adventure, give me a call!

Welcome Back! These pics taken Saturday Jan 17th.

It has been a long time since I have updated this Blog. It has been real quiet at Camp, but all is in good shape. Where are the groups that want to cross country ski or sled in? Up above the fog that has been blanketing the lower mainland it has been beautiful up there!

This first pic was taken from about 1/2 way down the side of the lake, looking North. There is about 1 foot of snow on the road and it has been rained on and then frozen again so is easy for walking, cross country skiing, driving a quad or snowmobile. It might be a tough go for a 4x4 as there is 2 snow slides across the road. The big melt that came in the second week of January didn't affect the area around the Lake as it never got that warm up there. (It sure is evident on most of the drive for the first 25 Km after you turn at Vedder Crossing!)

This pic was taken looking north from the Camp dock.

Small tree across the road

Back Yard snow.

Snow line on the beach shows that the water never came high during the big melt of January 09!

Slide # 1 across the road. (Next group booked in has said "No problem.... a little shovelling and we'll wheel right over that!") Once they cross that and a small tree across the road, there is only one more little bit smaller slide and they're home free! The snow averages about 12-18 inches deep (that's 30-45 Cm) for the younger crowd and is pretty crusty where the snowmobile tracks have packed it down a bit. Have a look at a few more pics and think about a winter adventure for your group.

This pic is the 2nd slide.

Not very many times that I get away from there without taking a picture of the Chapel reflection. Every picture looks better than the last. Not a better photographer or camera, but siding, stairs - inside and out, new roof, the insulation that you can't see, the deck, windows, doors, paint, wiring, lighting and beds. Lets keep it up!

Get together with your group to plan your group's next Camp improvement job. Let me know b4 the last Saturday in April. Spring Work Day April 25, 2009. I'm still working on replacing our emergency communication system as our AutoTel is no longer supported and is not working.