Longhike Logistics

Organization Timeline

As far in advance as possible (just do it now)

• Decide when Longhike will take place. It usually happens the weekend before Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (Second Monday in October) such that most member can come.
• Decided where post-climbing festivities (dinner, parting, accommodations, breakfast) will be held. The facilities/location must hold 150 people. This is the most important element of Longhike. From '06 to '09, Evans Lake Forest Education Center was selected since they best fulfilled our requirements. Due to a newly restructured pricing scheme (2010), Evans Lake has now become unaffordable. A new location must be selected as soon as possible to insure availability of facilties.
• Book a room for the pre-trip meeting on a night (preferably Wednesday 6:30 pm) the week before the trip. It should be able to fit more than 150 people. A room with a big chalkboard makes it easier to sort out rides. Bring digital camera to take pictures of driver/passengers groups on chalkboard (it's faster than writing them down). A digital projector is optional if Longhike coordinator has a digital presentation. Room bookings are done via the club's Public Relations Officer.

At least 6 weeks before event

Door prizes

• Get door prizes from MEC – Grassroot Product donation (~$200)
• Where: Online application @ MEC website

VOC's MEC membership number: 521

• When: Up to 6 weeks before Longhike.

One month before event

• Post a call-out for climbing instructors on the message board. Make a wiki page to compliment it. Have them contact you so there is some quality control over who can instruct. Discuss at Exec meeting to have feedback about climbing qualification of instructors volunteering if you personally don’t know them. Depending on the final projected Longhike budget, instructors may have to pay a fee in order to balance budget.
• Get a SOL (Special Occasion License) form from a BC Liquor store. Someone with a serving it right certification must do this. The certification can be done online at www.servingitright.com, takes 2 hours to complete and cost $35. Bring paper filled form (no faxing) to RCMP in Squamish (1000 Finch Drive) to approve and sign it. Bring completed form to BC liquor store to purchase it. Give it to the AMS and get insurance (this is expensive and must be done at least 3 weeks in advance of the event!)
• Book a DJ for Saturday night. Over the last few year, old VOCer Arlin Kalenchuk has been our main DJ with Oker (Tom Chen) mixing too on the last two Longhikes. Arlin has all the necessary gear but Oker requires renting some equipment. It's highly recommended to get some lights to increase the dancefloor ambient.

2-4 weeks before event

Longhike Tickets

• When: SAC Clubs days (mid-September)
• Number of ticket: 150 (depending on venue size)
  • Tickets are non-refundable
  • Students can resell them to other students
• Sign-up list (Spreadsheet):
  • Name, Student#, Climbing level (1,2 or 3), Food preference (veg/omnivore)
  • Make sure numbered tickets are correct
  • Make sure pre-trip meeting is written on the ticket and participants know that it's mandatory.
  • Ticket template are in the Exec section of the VOC website or the VOC Google Docs account (VarsityOutdoorClub at gmail dot com)

Volunteers (Beer serving, cleaning)

• When: Two weeks before trip
• Where: message board, VOCene
• Counts as a workhike
• Make a section on the Longhike wiki page with different tasks:
  • Serving beer (must be sober)
  • Cleaning up after dinner, breakfast and party

Rocket candy necklaces

• Where: Costco (need membership)
• When: Any time before Longhike
• At least 200 necklaces (150 attendees)

AMS Beer float ($$)

• Where: ask Treasurer
• When: ?

One week before event

Request Beer Quote
Includes kegs, pumps and ice buckets. The last few years, we been ordering 3 kegs from Howe Sound Brewery in Squamish (37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC). Get beers that most people will drink. Credit card deposit are necessary for each keg and will be refunded when all equipment is returned

Instructor Meeting

• When: 1 hour before pre-trip meeting
• Where: same room as pre-trip meeting
• Pair up instructors (similar experience level)
• Go over the 3 different rock levels
  • Rock 1: Intro to rock climbing
  • Rock 2: Top rope/Anchors
  • Rock 3: Trad
    • If there's a demand, can have
      • Rock 0: Hiking
      • Rock 2.5: Sport
      • Rock 3.5: Rescue/Aid
• Review safety committee’s notes. (Mandatory helmets!)
• Figure out how many instructors are needed at each level
• Decide general areas (Neat and Cool, Burgers and Fries, etc.) for instructors
• Instructors are in charge of their students and should make sure they all get to post-climbing venue/festivities
• Post information on Longhike wiki

General Pre-Trip Meeting

• When: 6:30 pm, Wednesday before trip
• Reserve a room sufficient big to accommodate everyone (ie. Wood 6, Buchanan A100, etc)
• Check with VOC Public Officer to do it
  • When: At least 2 weeks before the pre-trip meeting
• Go over schedule, what people need to bring, safety issues
• Student bring dessert
• Bring their own cups for Beer ($1 charge for plastic cups)
• Organize rides
• Write Driver names with their Rock level, departure area and available spots on the chalkboard.
• Let carless students add their names & phone number to the appropriate drivers
• Write down the list of drivers and phone numbers so you know if anyone’s missing
  • Preferred: Take pictures of chalkboard, save time and more efficient.
• Choose a meeting time in the Smoke bluffs parking lot in the morning and after climbing (generally staggered by level to avoid overwhelming the mess hall for Dinner)
• Bring printed maps to post-climbing venue/festivities for drivers unfamiliar with the area

>48 hours before event

• Order beer kegs and accessories.