HALTON OUTDOOR CLUB BULLETIN BOARD
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This Week's News |
Sunday,February 5th, 2012- 8:06 p.m. Items marked with a red star * are changes made today.
Hiking
* 1.
Tuesday,
February 7 - SOUPFEST HIKE
Join
us for this annual hike (not published in The Iroquoian magazine). Meet
at
For $10 you get to select four
delicious cups of soup from the best restaurants in the area (bread included).
The proceeds go to Living Rock Ministries, an NGO that does great work
with troubled youth in
* 2. Wednesday, February 8- Oakville- 12 km.
Meet for a 9:00 a.m. exit at Oakville Place (NE corner of Plaza), Trafalgar Road in Oakville. We will hike along the Morrison Creek NW of QEW and Trafalgar R d. Hiking boots, and icers recommended. Med.-1.
* 3 Sunday, February 12- Rattlesnake Point Loop- 8 to 10 km.
Meet for a 10:00 a.m. start in the upper parking lot of Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area on Appleby Line, north of Derry Road. We will do a loop hike of the Conservation Area trails- 8km. If there is not too much snow we will go to the Interpretive Centre at Crawford Lake as well-10km. Bring a lunch and icers. Parking fee in effect or Conservation Area pass. Mod.-5.
Skiing
Skiers reported that conditions at Scenic Caves on Sat. Feb. 4 were good with grooming being excellent. Skiers reported that conditions at Highlands on Sunday were marginal. They need more snow.
*1 Wednesday, Feb. 8- Mansfield
The destination probably will have to be changed. Unfortunately the ski areas are requiring a lot of fresh snow right now and Mother Nature is not cooperating. Currently I have only 20 people signed up and so I need two things here- snow and 10 more trip participants before I can warrant the hiring of a bus. I will talk to some resorts tomorrow in search of a destination. I will keep you posted. Final trip status report will be posted on Tuesday.
*2 Saturday, Feb. 11- Allegany
This destination is situated 100 km south of Buffalo and for those who attend annually it is well worth the extra drive, and the hassle at the border. People love to ski here. One of the traditional group activities is to ski downhill all afternoon on a trail that ends up at the bus stop. When conditions are good, Club members rave about this ski destination. Currently I have 25 people signed up and because of the expense of the trip, I need at least 10 more participants. In addition, we will only go if conditions are guaranteed to be good. If participating you must bring your passport. Bus pick up for this trip is unconventional. The bus will depart Oakville at 7:45 am and travel to Burlington, the second stop for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Third stop is Vineland occurring at around 8:20 am. at the Victoria Ave. exit. Allegany does not have snowshoe trails. It does have ski rentals, a waxing hut, and a small cafeteria selling a limited food selection. We suggest you bring a lunch and perhaps a dinner as well since you will not be getting back home until approximately 8:00 pm. In addition to the bus fare that you have already paid, we will be collecting on the bus an additional $20 from each person to pay for the increased bus fare. There are no trail fees.
If we do not have good enough ski conditions by Friday and/or if not enough people have signed up for this trip, we will try to choose a local Ontario destination.
* 3 Sunday, Feb. 12- Hardwood Ski and Bike
This resort has 10 different loop trails, each ranging from 3 km to 19 km and these trails are ideal for both Classic and Skate skiing. There is a trail for every level of ability as well and there are snowshoe trails as well. There is a full-service cafeteria, large eating area, retail ski shop, ski and snowshoe rentals and waxing area as well. Here are the fees for the day:
Trail fees for skiing: $21 for adults, $18 for seniors(60+), and $13 for youth
Trail fees for snowshoeing:$14 for all ages
Rentals of Classic Ski Package-$31.08 for adults, $25.43 students and $21.47 for children 5-12
Snowshoe Rental:$20.91 all ages.
REGARDING ALL SKI TRIPS, REMEMBER TO CONSULT THIS BULLETIN BOARD OR THE CLUB ANSWERING MACHINE FOR TRIP UPDATES. BEFORE GOING, WE TRY TO ENSURE THAT ALL TRAILS ARE TRACK SET AND THERE ARE ENOUGH TRAILS OPEN AND SNOW COVERED TO ENGAGE ALL SKIERS FOR A FULL DAY. IF THE CLUB CANCELS A TRIP, YOUR CHEQUES ARE SHREDDED.
IN ADDITION, I REMIND YOU THAT TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOWER BUS FARE OF $20 VERSUS $25, I MUST RECEIVE YOUR CHEQUE AT LEAST 7 DAYS OR LONGER BEFORE THE TRIP.
In Other News!
IT IS PARTY TIME AGAIN!
In place of the tail gate party, we are having a chili-fest and crazy hat day! The date for this event is Sunday Feb.26 at Highlands Nordic. We have managed to procure our very own lunch room there and you will be able to purchase a bowl of chili, a roll, and a small drink for $8. Tickets can be purchased on the bus that day for this event. In addition, we are having a crazy hat day and so come all decked out in the craziest hat possible. Three prizes for the most outlandishly styled hat will be awarded and so come and enjoy the fun.
Also speaking of parties, the annual Spring Dinner Social will be held on Thursday May 17, 2012 at Geraldo's in La Salle Park, Burlington. Cocktails are at 6 and dinner is served at 7. Price is $40 per person. Club recognition awards, the John Katan award and several door prizes will be presented. You may purchase tickets on the ski busses or you may send in a cheque to the Club office and a ticket will be held at the door for you. Tickets must be sold by May 7. At the time of purchase, please indicate whether a regular or vegetarian meal will be required.
PHOTO CONTEST: A reminder that the photo contest is underway. There are 8 great prizes. The more participants the better. See the fall and soon-to-be-issued winter newsletters for details. Please carry your camera in your pack, not in a pocket or on a waist belt so as not to break either yourself or the camera if you should fall. Happy picture-taking!
Lake Placid- Feb.12-17,2012
Two spots have become open on our forthcoming trip to Lake Placid. We will stay at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel and partake in some excellent skiing. As you might recall, Lake Placid was the site of a winter olympics several years ago and so there is plenty of opportunity to ski some great trails. Cost is $690 for double occupancy and trip includes two buffet dinners, five breakfasts, accommodation, transportation by Pacific Western coach, trail fees and all taxes and gratuities. If interested please fill out the coupon in the November newsletter and send it in along with a cheque for the full amount. For further questions, please call the Club office.
Are you interested in cross country skiing amongst some of
the world's most beautiful scenery? If so, you may wish to join us on a
trip to the
The land cost of this trip is $2100 which includes hotel
accommodation for 9 nights, 9 breakfasts, 5 dinners, all ground transportation
to and from the airport, guide fees and trail passes for skiing. Lunches
are not included but there will be an opportunity to purchase supplies close to
the hotel. Optional extras could be dog sledding and/or a flight seeing
trip from Haines Junction over the glaciers. The airfare is not included
in this price. Tentative airfare is $1132 which requires reservations to
be made by December 1, 2011. Flights will be on Air
To sign up for this trip, complete the coupon in the Club newsletter and send it in along with a non-refundable cheque for $200 deposit with today's date. Final amount will be due on Jan. 15, 2012. Call the Club if you need further information.
Membership Information
It is now time to renew your Club membership for the year 2011-2012 Just click on the “picture link” for “membership application” to call up an application form, and then fill it out, print it and send it to the Club for processing. Membership renewal forms will also be available in the September newsletter. The membership fees are as follows: $50 for an individual, $85 for a couple or family, and $30 for students. Annual membership expires Oct. 31 of each year.
Upcoming Extended Trips
SKI
TRIP TO
SKI TRIP TO YUKON-MARCH 19-28, 2012
Hiking up some (hopefully dormant) volcanos in Iceland, June 2012
We need more people to sign up to make this unique trip possible. We would like to have at least 35 members with us. Maximum is 40. The food in Iceland is superb, lots of salmon and trout and the best roast lamb you have ever tasted. Also, while we are there, the sun never sets which is a truly unique experience. Depending on Icelandair‘s schedule, we will leave about June 15th.
Your reservations are urgent because hotel rooms must be booked by the end of Septemper and it is unlikely that we can accommodate any latecomers. For additional information please phone Heinz and Inge Jaeger at 905 634 1239.
Tentative Itinerary
(Please note that there may be changes in the number of meals included)
Day 1: Early in the morning we will be picked up at airport by our friends and guides, Gugga and Kristjan. We drive to the Viking hotel in Hafnarfjordur for breakfast and either in the morning or afternoon, depending when the hotel has our rooms ready, we take a tour of Reykjavik with it‘s pretty lake, and where we find many small restaurants for lunch on our own. Accommodation in Reykjavik.
Day 2: Today, starting at 9 o‘clock, we have a tour around the Reykjanes Peninsula. We see a lake that started leaking during the earthquakes in the year 2000 and which is the site of a crime novel by Arnaldur Indridason „The Lake“. Driving by this lake you may think you have come to the moon. The volcanic landscape cannot be described otherwise. Near the lake is a geothermal area which exploded in a period of earthquakes just after 2000, but is considered safe again for tourists, but the water is too hot for swimming. We end the day in the town of Borganess where we stay overnight at the Hotel Hamar.
Day 3: Drive to Borgarfjordur through the Whalefjordur which is the longest fjord in the southern part of Iceland. We pass popular salmon rivers and see sites of the Sagas (The Icelandic legends written in the 11th-13th centuries). We drive through green valleys and lakes that were created during the iceage. One of our stops is by Reykholt which used to be owned by the scholar Snorri Sturluson who wrote many of the Sagas and kept the heritage of the Scandinavian countries alive. Then we drive to the most powerful hotspring in Europe and to the fascinating Lava-waterfalls cascading from underground into the lovely “ White River“. Accommodation inthe Hotel Stykkisholmur. Nwar the hotel is a golfcourse for anyone interested, but be certain to book in advance.
Day 4: Today we start exploting the „Head of the Island“, and the Western fjords. This is the area where Eric the Red had a farm; his son went from here to discover America, landing on the north end of Newfoundland. We drive on to the capital of the western fjords, Isafjordur, where we try to stay for two nights.
Day 5: In the morning a sail to the island of Vigur where we will see the eider ducks and the Puffins at their natural surrounding, nesting in the island as well as the arctic tern. Here you are provided with sticks to protect your heads from the attacking terns while walking around the island with a local guide. In the afternoon we drive to a nearby town, visit a museum on fishing during early ages in the country, go to the town of Bolungarvik where a woman was known for being the best fisherman ever. Accommodation in Isafjordur or Flokalundur.
Day 6: We drive the western part of the western fjords, at the westernmost point of the country you can almost touch the puffins. The cliff is one of the highest in the country but still you drive ‚down‘ to the cliff. Here an English trawler was stranded just after world war II, but all the men on board were miraculously saved. We will also visit a museum close by, showing films from the area. Accommodation in hotel Flokalundur which was one of the first places settled in this country of ice and fire.
Day 7: Today we will drive the southern part of the westfjords. This part of the country was eroded by glaciers during iceage and everywhere you can see this, locals say the trolls have shaped the mountains the way they are. This part of Iceland has the lowest population density so you often feel you are alone in the world. In the afternoon we will be heading to Akureyri, the "capital of the nort". Accommodation in Holar or in Akureyri.
Day 8: Drive over to Myvatn, a natural wonder. All day spent at Myvatn sightseeing. Visit to the earthbaths and the pseudocraters is among our goal today. Accommodation in Akureyri.
Day9: A free day in Akureyri. There is lots to see here: an interesting town with a beautiful church, a Botanical Garden with unbelievable flowers just 60 km south of the arctic circle and a great outdoor swimming pool with several hot tubs.
Optional: Tour to Hrisey Island for 4 hours.
Visit to Dettifoss.
Birdwatching in Myvatn with a local guide.
Day 10: Today we drive over to Reykjavik, on the way we stop at a waterfall and climb an extinct volcano called „Grey Trousers“. Accommodation in Reykjavik .
Day 11: A free day in Reykjavik and our farewll dinner in the evening.
Optional: The Golden Circle Tour, which is highly recommended for those here for the first time, to see the geysir and the place where the first parliament met more than a thousand years ago.
A trip to Landmannalaugur
Whalewatching
Walking on the galcier
Overnight in Reikjavik
Day 12: On the way to the airport for our flight home in the afternoon, we visit the Blue Lgoon for a relaxing swim in the warm water.
Hotels : Reykjavik 1+2 night
Borganess, Hotel Hamar 1 night
Stykisholmur 1 night
Isafjordur 1 or 2 nights
Flokalundur possibly 1 night
Holar possibly 1 night
Akureyri 2, possibly 3 nights
Meals: Breakfast 12
(Subject to change) Lunch 9
Dinner 10
TRIPS RECENTLY TAKEN
HIKING,
BIKING, KAYAKING TRIP TO
HIKING
TRIP TO
CYCLING,
KAYAKING AND HIKING TRIP TO
HIKING
TRIP TO
HIKING
TRIP TO
SKI TRIP TO
SILVER STAR SKI TRIP TO
HALIBURTON
SKI
TRIP TO ROYAL GORGE AND
SKI
TRIP TO
MARCH BREAK TRIP TO
KAYAK
TRIP TO THE
HALIBURTON HIKING FESTIVAL
BIKE
TOUR OF UPSTATE
SKI TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIE
SKI
TRIP TO STOWE
SKI
TRIP TO THE
HIKING
TRIP TO
CYCLING TRIP THROUGH NORTH HOLLAND