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vanclimber
Apr 11, 2007, 11:18 PM
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Registered: May 31, 2002
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Hi Folks. I usually don't post very often on the boards but I just thought I would bring to your collective attention an area in British Columbia, Canada that has been plagued with access issues. Skaha Bluffs is a provincial park which is surrounded by private land. Previously, there was an agreement in place for climbers to access the area via a pay use parking lot, established on private property owned by a man named Hugh Dunlop. He has graciously let us park there for years, but has decided to sell the land. Basically this was the only way to access the park, but a new proposal has been developed by The Land Conservancy http://www.conservancy.bc.ca which will ensure access for future generations. Please take a moment to read this information passed on by The Access Society http://www.access-society.ca regarding the situation. If you can help, please do. I am a MEC member and they have decided to match donations as well as making a very generous donation themselves. I am not affiliated with The Land Conservancy, just trying to help out an area that has some great climbing. Peace.
SKAHA - 2007 AND BEYOND
SUMMARY
Access to Skaha is in place for 2007, and The Land Conservancy of B.C. (TLC) and Skaha rockclimbers have been working hard on public access to Skaha for 2008 and beyond, with support from Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Access Society, and others. TLC has agreed to buy 300 hectares of nearby private land (sublot 18 - southeast of Braesyde). When/if the land is bought, and needed work done, it will provide permanent public access to Skaha. Thanks to TLC’s partners, a generous donation by the current owner, and other donations, much of the needed money has been raised. We need to raise $1 million by June 30th, and the climbing community must do everything it can to help. (The owner of sublot 18 extended the deadline from April 30th.)
Please forward this newsletter to all those who may be interested in it.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP DONATION - $250,000
Mountain Equipment Co-op announced on April 10th that it will contribute $250,000 to the Skaha purchase. It is the largest such grant in MEC’s history, and a great contribution toward protection of the area for its outstanding recreation and conservation values.
MEC also recently announced that it has joined 1% For The Planet, an alliance of businesses that believe in providing financial support to environmental initiatives. Since 1987, MEC has given in excess of $9 million to Canadian conservation and access projects through its grant programs. Now it will donate 1% of annual gross sales to Canadian causes. This translates to an estimated $2 million in 2007 alone. See www.mec.ca
ACCESS SOCIETY COMMITMENT - $10,000
The Board of the Access Society has committed $10,000 toward the Skaha purchase. It is a major investment for the Access Society, our biggest ever. The Board believes it important that the Access Society show leadership on this issue, on behalf of all the climbers of B.C. We hope that all climbers, and other climbing-related organizations and businesses, will follow our lead. It's essential for the climbing community to show that it supports the purchase, in all ways possible.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP - MATCHING MEMBER DONATIONS, UP TO $100,000
Mountain Equipment Co-op will also match donations by its members to TLC's Skaha fund, up to $100,000 total. To donate, see www.conservancy.bc.ca/MEC-skaha
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Make a donation to TLC, soon, and encourage all your friends to also do so. If you're a member of MEC, make your donation at www.conservancy.bc.ca/MEC-skaha, and double your donation. Otherwise, see the links below.
Join the Access Society, renew your membership, make a donation. Members + resources = more effective. Memberships, renewals, and donations are all helpful - $10,000 is a lot of money to us.
If you can help with fundraising, or have ideas or connections that may help, contact TLC or the Access Society.
Make sure all your friends know what's happening, and are helping. Spread the word!
SUPPORT THE LAND CONSERVANCY
Please send all donations to TLC. They encourage you to not only make a donation, but to also become a member.
Donations & Membership: To make a donation, go to www.conservancy.bc.ca, and click on the ‘Skaha Bluffs’ icon at the bottom of the home page. It takes you to the donations page – click on the green ‘MEC Members’ button. Membership icon also on the main page, or by mail.
Contact Information: TLC's head office is at #301 - 1195 Esquimalt Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 3N6, phone (250) 479-8053.
Capital Campaign & Corporate Donors: If you can contribute a substantial amount, or know someone who might be able to, contact John Keller at TLC in Burnaby, at (604) 733-2313 or jkeller@conservancy.bc.ca
TLC’s intention is that sublot 18, together with Skaha Bluffs themselves, will become part of a new provincial park, managed for both its outstanding recreation and natural values. If for some reason the purchase is unsuccessful, TLC will keep aside all money raised, and use it either for whatever other solution is arrived at for Skaha, or for another project of direct benefit to the climbing community of B.C.
PARKING AND ACCESS - 2007
Parking will continue at Braesyde, through 2007 only.
$10/passenger car/day, $20/day for vans (6 - 15 passengers), $30/day for buses, $75 for an annual pass, $5 for drop offs.
Please use only Braesyde for parking and access. There is no legal parking along Valleyview Road, which leads to Braesyde, and all other accesses to Skaha require trespassing on private land.
Valleyview is a narrow, winding road. Please drive carefully, and watch for children, animals, and other safety concerns.
The Dunlop family continues to own Braesyde. They have generously provided public parking at Braesyde, and access to Skaha, since 1992. Thanks to the Dunlops for their hospitality, and to the city of Penticton and the Agricultural Land Commission for permitting the parking.
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vanclimber
Apr 20, 2007, 12:31 PM
Post #3 of 27
(19140 views)
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Registered: May 31, 2002
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bump
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vanclimber
May 11, 2007, 5:19 AM
Post #4 of 27
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Registered: May 31, 2002
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new info from the Access Society regarding Skaha:
Access to Skaha is in place for 2007, and The Land Conservancy of B.C. (TLC) and Skaha rockclimbers have been working hard on public access to Skaha for 2008 and beyond, with support from Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Access Society, and others. TLC has agreed to buy 300 hectares of nearby private land (sublot 18 - southeast of Braesyde). When/if the land is bought, and needed work done, it will provide permanent public access to Skaha. All the land, added together, will make a respectable provincial park, valuable for both recreation and conservation. Thanks to TLC’s partners, a generous donation by the current owner, and other donations, much of the needed money has been raised. The climbing community needs to raise the balance of $1 million by June 30th, and we need your help to do it.
BLACK DIAMOND DONATION - $10,000
Black Diamond, the well-known U.S. based manufacturer of climbing equipment (www.bdel.com), has committed $10,000 toward the Skaha project. Many thanks! Other climbing manufacturers and retailers who can help should contact TLC - John Keller, at (604) 733-2313 or john@conservancy.bc.ca
PROGRESS REPORT
So far the following has been raised or committed:
Access Society - $10,000
Mountain Equipment Co-op - $250,000 (plus funding for TLC's work)
Black Diamond - $10,000
Individual donations - $44,745 (as of May 2nd)
MEC matching funds - $42,507 (not all donations qualify for matching funds)
Total - $357,000
We need to raise $1 million - the price is in fact much more. The more we can raise within the climbing community, the more convincing it is to other funders and donors. Solid public and community support can often be leveraged.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP - MATCHING MEMBER DONATIONS, UP TO $100,000
Mountain Equipment Co-op will match donations by its members, up to $100,000 total ($57,493 to go).
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Make a donation to TLC, and encourage all your friends to also do so. If you're a member of MEC, make your donation at www.conservancy.bc.ca/MEC-skaha, and double the amount.
Check out the website!! Thanks for the views!
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c-money
May 11, 2007, 11:46 PM
Post #5 of 27
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Registered: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 252
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Please donate! Skaha won't save itself...
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c-money
Jun 6, 2007, 6:38 AM
Post #6 of 27
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Registered: Apr 26, 2004
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bump
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c-money
Jun 7, 2007, 1:26 AM
Post #7 of 27
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Registered: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 252
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Update
from- CLIMBERS' ACCESS SOCIETY OF B.C.
- ACCESS NEWS - June 6th, 2007
A. SKAHA SUMMARY
Fundraising continues, to ensure a future for climbing at Skaha. About half of the needed $1 million has been raised or pledged. We need to raise the rest by the end of June. If you haven't already made a donation, please do so now. Every bit helps! Mountain Equipment Co-op will match its members' donations, and the better support we have from our own community, the more it helps with fundraising from other sources. (There are other fundraising initiatives in progress, which we'll report on when there's news.) The total so far is over $450,000:
a.. Mountain Equipment Co-op (donation) $250,000
b.. Access Society $10,000
c.. Black Diamond Equipment $10,000
d.. Cliffhanger Vancouver and Cliffhanger Coquitlam - $2,500 each
e.. General donations $52,561
f.. Stock donation $51,535
g.. Mountain Equipment Co-op matching member donations, up to $100,000
h.. Donations and pledges directly to The Land Conservancy $9,495
The fund-raising concert in Vancouver on May 11th went quite well. About 50 attended the event, which featured singer Mia Harris and pianist Karen Lee-Morlang. Thanks to the Harris family for the initiative!
FUNDRAISER - SQUAMISH BREW PUB - JUNE 9th
There will be a Skaha fundraiser at the Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company in Squamish on Saturday June 9th, at 9:00 PM. Thanks to Alec Fernandes for the initiative, and the Brew Pub for its hospitality. Details:
Doors: open 9:00 PM, admission by donation, suggested minimum $5.00.
Raffle: Each person gets one raffle ticket, with entrance. Additional raffle tickets $5.00 each. We have some great prizes from Arc'Teryx, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Climb On, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and others. The raffle will be at 11:00 PM.
Entertainment: Presentations by TLC, Rich Wheater, and others, and presentation of a donation cheque. Followed by dancing to a DJ, and a big party.
Volunteers: We need some volunteers to help with this event, from 7:00 PM - 12:30 AM. Tickets, door, memberships, donations, setup, and so on. Contact the Access Society at (604) 228-1798 or info@access-society.ca if you can help.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP - MATCHING MEMBER DONATIONS
Mountain Equipment Co-op will match donations by its members, up to $100,000 total.
BACKGROUND
Access to Skaha is in place for 2007, and The Land Conservancy of B.C. (TLC) and Skaha rockclimbers have been working hard on public access to Skaha for 2008 and beyond, with support from Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Access Society, and others. TLC has agreed to buy 300 hectares of nearby private land (sublot 18 - southeast of Braesyde). When/if the land is bought, and needed work done, it will provide permanent public access to Skaha. All the land, added together, will make a respectable provincial park, valuable for both recreation and conservation.
Thanks to TLC's partners, a generous donation by the current owner, and other donations, much of the needed money has been raised. We need to raise the balance of $1 million by June 30th, and we need your help to do it.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
a.. Make a donation to TLC, and encourage all your friends to also do so. If you're a member of MEC, make your donation at www.conservancy.bc.ca/MEC-skaha, and double the amount.
b.. Join the Access Society, renew your membership, make a donation. Members + resources = more effective. Memberships, renewals, and donations are all helpful
- $10,000 is a lot of money to us.
www.access-society.ca/getinvolved/membership.aspx
c.. If you can help with fundraising, or have ideas or connections that may help, contact TLC or the Access Society. Other climbing manufacturers and retailers that can help should contact TLC - John Keller, at (604) 733-2313 or jkeller@conservancy.bc.ca
d.. Make sure all your friends know what's happening, especially climbers, and that they're helping. Spread the word!
SUPPORT THE LAND CONSERVANCY
Please send donations to TLC. They also encourage you to become a member.
a.. Donations & Membership: Go to www.conservancy.bc.ca, and click on the 'Skaha Bluffs' icon. You can also join or donate by mail.
b.. Contact Information: TLC's head office is at #301 - 1195 Esquimalt Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 3N6, phone (250) 479-8053.
c.. Capital Campaign & Corporate Donors: If you can contribute a substantial amount, or know someone who might be able to, contact John Keller at TLC, at (604) 733-2313 or jkeller@conservancy.bc.ca
If the purchase doesn't work out, TLC will keep aside all money raised, and use it either for whatever other solution is arrived at for Skaha, or for another project of direct benefit to the climbing community of B.C.
SKAHA THANK YOUS
Many organizations and companies have have helped a great deal with the Skaha purchase. We've worked with many of them in the past, and will do so again. Please take the time to personally thank them - it's well earned. They're human beings, too. No one likes being taken for granted, and everyone likes being patted on the back for a good job. They all have websites, phone numbers, and an info@ e-mail address. Give it a try!
copyright (c) Climbers' Access Society of British Columbia, 2007.
Box 72013 - Sasamat R.P.O.
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6R 4P2
(604) 228-1798
info@access-society.ca; www.access-society.ca
(This post was edited by c-money on Jun 7, 2007, 1:30 AM)
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dropkicked
Jun 17, 2007, 11:41 PM
Post #8 of 27
(17726 views)
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Registered: Nov 18, 2006
Posts: 28
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bump
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zoochy
Jul 4, 2007, 11:06 PM
Post #9 of 27
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Registered: May 2, 2006
Posts: 6
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"About half of the needed $1 million has been raised or pledged. We need to raise the rest by the end of June"
It's July.
What happened?
Where did the $ I donated go?
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c-money
Jul 4, 2007, 11:57 PM
Post #10 of 27
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Registered: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 252
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here is the latest:
FROM CASBC:
SKAHA
SUMMARY
To date the total donations are over $531,000, including contributions from Mountain Equipment Co-op, Arc'Teryx, Black Diamond Equipment, The Edge Climbing Centre (North Vancouver), Cliffhanger Vancouver and Cliffhanger Coquitlam, and several sections of the Alpine Club of Canada. The Access Society has itself pledged $10,000, our largest ever such commitment. The Land Conservancy of B.C. needs more time to fundraise for the purchase of sublot 18, in particular government and foundation funding. It remains confident that, given an extension, the goal of providing long-term access to the Bluffs for climbers and the public will be reached.
More information about the extension and the campaign should be available by late next week.
BACKGROUND
TLC's goal is to secure public access to Skaha for 2008 and beyond, with support from Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Access Society, Skaha rockclimbers, and others. TLC is working hard to complete a deal to buy 300 hectares of nearby private land (sublot 18 - southeast of Braesyde). When/if the land is bought, and needed work done, it will provide permanent public access to Skaha. All the land, added together, will make a respectable provincial park, valuable for both recreation and conservation. Thanks to TLC's partners, a generous donation by the current owner, and other donations, much of the needed money has been raised.
Since the fundraising campaign for sublot 18 began in early March, donations have come from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and England, from climbers, outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, concerned citizens, and corporations. TLC has also gained 150 new members.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
a.. Make sure all your friends know what's happening, especially climbers, and that they're helping. Spread the word!
b.. Join the Access Society, renew your membership, make a donation. Members + resources = more effective. Memberships, renewals, and donations are all helpful - $10,000 is a lot of money to us.
www.access-society.ca/getinvolved/membership.aspx
SUPPORT THE LAND CONSERVANCY
For more information about the campaign, or to become a member:
a.. Website: www.conservancy.bc.ca
b.. Contact Information: TLC's head office is at #301 - 1195 Esquimalt Road,
Victoria, B.C. V9A 3N6, phone (250) 479-8053.
If the purchase of sublot 18 doesn't work out, TLC will keep aside all money raised, and use it either for whatever other solution is arrived at for Skaha, or for another project of direct benefit to the climbing community of B.C.
SKAHA THANK YOUS
Many organizations and companies have have helped a great deal with the Skaha purchase. We've worked with many of them in the past, and will do so again. Please take the time to personally thank them - it's well earned. They're human beings, too. No one likes being taken for granted, and everyone likes being patted on the back for a good job. They all have websites, phone numbers, and an
info@ e-mail address. Give it a try!
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chossmonkey
Sep 13, 2007, 11:16 AM
Post #11 of 27
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Registered: Feb 1, 2003
Posts: 28414
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Bumpitty bump.
They are still short and the deadline is the end of the month.
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double
Oct 1, 2007, 3:39 AM
Post #12 of 27
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Registered: May 29, 2003
Posts: 136
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Is access still in place for the Oct 6-7 weekend?
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coastal_climber
Oct 5, 2007, 9:14 PM
Post #13 of 27
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Registered: Nov 17, 2006
Posts: 2542
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Has the land been purchased?
>Cam
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mercphony
Oct 5, 2007, 11:22 PM
Post #14 of 27
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Registered: Sep 26, 2006
Posts: 24
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Nope..
http://skahabluffs.blog.com/
They are still short, the article doesn't give an amount though.. A final extension for fundraising has been given; January 15th, 2008.
lets hope we get the funds!
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coastal_climber
Oct 7, 2007, 4:55 AM
Post #15 of 27
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Registered: Nov 17, 2006
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Sweet.
Has Valhalla Pure Outfitters contributed? I'm surprised they haven't.
>Cam
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binrat
Oct 20, 2007, 11:57 PM
Post #16 of 27
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Registered: Jul 27, 2006
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coastal_climber wrote: Sweet. Has Valhalla Pure Outfitters contributed? I'm surprised they haven't. >Cam
Binrat
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coastal_climber
Oct 24, 2007, 3:20 AM
Post #17 of 27
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Registered: Nov 17, 2006
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Go here: http://www.vpo.ca/...ontact&sid=index
I'm not sure what to ask them. Or should I contact the Access Society first?
>Cam
Edited to add: I emailed the Access Society regarding VPO's possible contributions. I will post the reply.
(This post was edited by coastal_climber on Oct 24, 2007, 3:24 AM)
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getsomeethics
Oct 25, 2007, 11:14 PM
Post #18 of 27
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Registered: May 2, 2002
Posts: 313
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bump.
i donated $50.
not sure when i will back to skaha, but i hope it is still open when i do!!
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coastal_climber
Oct 25, 2007, 11:44 PM
Post #19 of 27
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Registered: Nov 17, 2006
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getsomeethics wrote: bump. i donated $50. not sure when i will back to skaha, but i hope it is still open when i do!!
Thanks.
I sent an email to the access society:
"Has VPO been asked if they will contribute?"
They replied with:
"Thanks, Cam. Did you have a particular Valhalla store in mind?
I'd have to check with The Land Conservancy as to what exact donations they've received. They have the list, we don't, although we know some of the donors.
It wouldn't surprise me to hear that one or more of the VPO stores in the Okanagan had contributed, anyway.
Several VPO stores are Access Society members, and the Squamish one a steadfast supporter."
>Cam
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binrat
Nov 24, 2007, 3:55 AM
Post #20 of 27
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Registered: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1155
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Bump;
I have not been to Skaha, it on my list to tick off for BC. Where does this stand??
Binrat
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kriso9tails
Dec 20, 2007, 11:45 PM
Post #21 of 27
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Registered: Jul 1, 2001
Posts: 7772
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binrat wrote: Bump; I have not been to Skaha, it on my list to tick off for BC. Where does this stand?? Binrat
Well, I recently received an email about this, but it was work related and I haven't seen much posted about it anywhere else, so I feel like it'd be in bad for me to post the contents... especially since the email wasn't all that clear.
It does seem that things are looking up for Skaha Access. A binding deal has been secured and the land is slated to become a Class A Provincial Park... or something. Protection for climbing and the flora and fauna.
All will be clear in January.
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binrat
Dec 21, 2007, 3:00 AM
Post #22 of 27
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Registered: Jul 27, 2006
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Can you post it as soon as its offical??
Binrat
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erick
Dec 29, 2007, 5:45 PM
Post #23 of 27
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Registered: Aug 12, 2005
Posts: 191
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hope all turns out well. i drove through penticton in november and had a chance to see the area. oh how i would love to climb there someday!
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erick
Jan 13, 2008, 6:50 PM
Post #24 of 27
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Registered: Aug 12, 2005
Posts: 191
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i heard last week from a very excited MEC worker that it is secured for sure.
Does anyone have any confirmation on this or is she just getting my hopes up for no reason?
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macblaze
Jan 14, 2008, 2:15 AM
Post #25 of 27
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Registered: Jun 23, 2005
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17-Dec-07 Their blog:
In reply to: This past weekend the conditions for the sale where removed with the sale closing set for January 15th, 2008,” says Regional Manager of TLC’s Okanagan Office, Anne Armstrong. “Just image what a great gift it would be to have all the fundraising for the Bluffs Campaign tied up in a big red bow for Christmas?” The final details on funds from government and foundations are now in place and TLC is set to secure the land forever for everyone. What remains is to raise the last $150,000 that TLC needs to complete the project. By buying the property, TLC and their partners will provide a permanent access route to one of Canada’s premier climbing destinations Skaha Bluffs and save rare endangered habitat. |
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