Archive:Exec report - Special Projects 2006 - 2007
Special Projects Coordinator: Christian Veenstra
Overview
This was my first year as Special Projects, also I went on to do it again the next year so this exec report is quite lean, and written over a year later.
Major Projects
Sphinx Hut renovations
The Sphinx Hut was renovated in the summer of 2006, spearheaded by Roland and myself. This has it's own wiki page: Burton_2006_renovations. Of note is that parks were super friendly, flew in all our stuff for the project, and gave us a few free rides across the lake in their motor boat. Simon Gravel was the head ranger up there at the time, and Kendra Wood was the senior ranger. Their email addresses both follow the firstname.lastname@gov.bc.ca format.
In addition to the stuff on the other wiki page the roof was leaking pretty bad, which got fixed in October with an abundance of roofing tar (maybe asphalt caulking? I can't remember) and some new aluminum roofing screws (big ones, with the built-in gasket). Some sheet aluminum was brought up to fix the roof as well, but it ended up being used to make a light reflector for the lantern, which actually greatly increased the light in the cabin. We also applied for a donation from Home Depot, but didn't get anything.
Brew Hut Finishing Touches
Since Brew III was recently built, there were a few finishing touches. The hut got a final coat of paint on the window sills, a wood shed was constructed out of debris from Brew II, and the last of the non-combustible debris from Brew II was flown out via helicopter.
Brew Hut Outhouse
The Brew Hut Outhouse also got worked on alot, that was headed by Scott Nelson. Currently, it could use a re-vamp as the door seems to be self-destructing. Probably having a door which doesn't open as low would facilitate easier shoveling - likely it would be good if it was easy to shovel beyond the bottom of the door.
Brew Hut Ski Route
Much work also went into the Brew Hut Trail, spearheaded by Scott Nelson. He got the retro-reflective markers from Astrographic. The retro-reflective markers are really nice, and highly visible at night. They are a slightly thinner gauge than the new markers we got for Phelix this year from Inprotect, and were a bit more expensive. However, Astrographic is capable of making the 2 sided diamond markers which one side folded over - Inprotect won't make these (presumably the thicker gauge prohibits bending). A very small fraction of the markers have been damaged due to snow creep.
Memorable occasions include a party of 20 VOCers bushwacking in the fall with a whole pile of crap, including an aluminum ladder, do do some cutting. One VOCer suffered from shell-shock during this procedure.
Currently the route is in really good shape, although a few parties still manage to get lost on either the logging road or in the Alpine.
Metal Lock Boxes
Metal donation boxes were constructed by Jeff Mottershead and I, which I carried into both Brew and Phelix huts. They have greatly increased our hut revenue - probably by about 400%. Matt Gunn flew into Harrison Hut over Christmas (or New Years, I forget) and dropped off one there. As far as I know it has never been installed. Hopefully either Roland or Matt knows the combo (I emailed them today - will update the page when I have it). There was some talk of installing one in Sphinx, but in the end we didn't ask them since it's in a park.
Phelix Creek Trail
Work was started on the Phelix Creek Trail - namely a route was chosen, permission granted from Ministry of Tourism Sports and the Arts, and MEC gave us an access grant. We also applied to the ACC for an access grant, but didn't get it. Ministry of Tourism Sports and the Arts required a bit of email harassment and telephone calls, but Tim Hoskin (Squamish Recreation Officer) and Robyn Begley (the geotech) were fairly helpful. Again, email addresses both follow the firstname.lastname@gov.bc.ca format.
The application to MoTSA is here:
The application to MEC is here: File:VOC Phelix Creek MEC Access Grant.pdf
Sandra Nicol did the ACC application, and may still have it.
Routine Maintenance
Brew
Brew Hut got a new lantern globe, and maillon installed so people would stop knocking the lantern over. Brew also got a new coleman stove, and the old one was packed down.
Outstanding
It seems that the outhouse door is self-destructing. That should get fixed next summer.
Phelix
A new stove and catalytic heater was packed into Phelix, which now has two working stoves. Lantern globes were also replaced, and maillon installed. Phelix also got a new broom, toilet seat, and door handle.
Outstanding
The roof has started to leak in the loft on the South side. This needs to get fixed this summer. The door also keeps swelling and jamming. A hand planer has fixed the problem a few times now, but it seems to keep cropping back up. Maybe if enough material is removed it will stop seizing, or maybe we should get a steel door.
Sphinx
Sphinx got majorly overhauled, and is in good shape.
Outstanding
The stove and lantern have been on the fritz lately - the stove seems to not shut off lately, and the lantern flares up when being lit. The hut was filled with soot recently, due to people trying to light the lantern inside and experiencing a lot of sooty flare up. Could use a wash and fixed appliances.