KHC January 2022 Newsletter

May be an image of 2 people, nature, snow and tree

Sylvia Nicholson

January 2022 Newsletter

The Kamloops Hiking Club wishes you and yours a Happy New Year and a welcome to 2022! Let’s take a moment to thank all those hike leaders and volunteers who, without them, the club could not operate. When you have a chance, I encourage you to personally acknowledge a volunteer within the club and consider this growth opportunity for yourself. If you would like to become a future leader or volunteer within the club, reach out to any existing hike leader or board member and get involved!

KHC Winners

Congratulations to hike leader Doug Smith who won this month’s hike leader Atmosphere gift card. Our members thank you Doug for all the hikes you’ve been leading!

A big shout out to member Liz Cornish for winning this month’s member participation prize. Each month one member is recognized for participating in a hike. Get out there and participate for your chance to win!

KHC Activity

The month of December 2021 saw 13 events hosted by hike leaders.

Membership Renewal and New Member Sign Up Reminder

The new year brings membership renewals. Existing members can begin to renew their memberships on February 1, 2022. New membership registration will open on February 15, 2022. The annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in March 2022.

KHC Member Brad Harrison is offering KHC Members a Companion Rescue course covering all facets of companion rescue, including the use of shovels, transceivers, and probes as well as rescue strategies as well as a general review of avalanche particulars and companion rescue protocols. Look for an upcoming posting from hike leader Paulette Gendron for this exciting opportunity! Read more about Brad here.

KHC Hiker Leader & Volunteer Event Reminder

In appreciation of all the hard work volunteered by leaders and club volunteers, a hike/snowshoe & fire roast event has been planned. The event will be on January 29, 2022, at Lodgepole Lake. We will meet at 10 am for those who wish to snowshoe before the Fire Roast Event which will begin at noon. Any spouses of leaders and volunteers who are club members are also welcome to attend. The anticipated attendance is approximately 50 people. Food will be provided, however, we ask that attendees bring their own beverages, chairs, etc.

At this time, there are no COVID-19 restrictions for outdoor personal gatherings.

KHC Guidelines and Expectations to be aware of

As BC and much of the world see surges in COVID-19 Omicron cases, the Kamloops Hiking Club Board Members would like to remind all members to remain vigilant and remind themselves of the Kamloops Hiking Club COVID-19 policy. See the BC provincial and regional restrictions website for more information on current COVID-19 restrictions.

The club will follow and comply with all governmental regulations and recommendations with regard to the Covid-19 outbreak. This includes requirements for self-isolation, quarantine, and social distancing as the regulations and recommendations evolve over time. Although hiking is a low-contact activity, some measures the Club will take include the following:

Club members (including hike leaders) will comply with the self-isolation requirements with regard to international travel and possible further restrictions as they are defined by the government. Travelers will not participate in club events until the isolation period is over.
Event carpooling is discouraged during the pandemic.
Members are asked to practice social distancing principles during events.
Members who have any symptoms of the flu are asked to not register and/or cancel from any event.
During the pandemic, the inclusion of Guests will be discouraged.
The use of gloves, masks, sanitizers, etc. is supported, where needed.
Social events will not be scheduled during the pandemic period
The Board of Directors will continue to review the policy as required and will communicate updates and changes

Backpacking Preparation

Starting to get that backpacking itch? This is a great time to start planning for next year’s backpacking season. Two things to consider in preparation for an excellent season are your fitness level and equipment. MEC has a great backpacking checklist for backpackers of all levels. Get out that gear and identify items that you may need to buy or will need replacing. The checklist can be found here.

Backpacking requires strength and stamina. It’s best to build this up over time so when the season arrives you are ready to get out and enjoy. Snowshoeing, skiing, and other winter sports are the perfect way to maintain your fitness level or get in shape. You can also do some easy exercises on your own in preparation.

Run or walk in sand – It builds the muscles that protect your knees and ankles.
Build range of motion – Get a resistance band to strengthen your muscles through their full extension. Standing on a tennis ball or balance disc is great for this too as it builds the small stabilizer muscles around the ankle and knee.
Crunches – Building your core strength will help you keep your balance on uneven surfaces.
Squats and lunges – Keep your back straight and take each squat and lunge slowly to strengthen your core muscles.
Push-ups – Good upper body strength (especially in your back) will serve you well on long trips where you need to carry a heavier pack.
Cardio – Getting this is as easy as walking on a trail. (City-dweller? Hitting the treadmill or stationary bike at your local gym works too.) Whichever you choose, make sure to get your heart rate up. This will help build your lung capacity so you can hike longer.
Step-ups – Before a backpacking trip, weigh your pack (use 20 lbs. to start) and step up onto a park bench 16 to 18 inches high. Add 5 pounds a week until your pack is as heavy as it will be on your hike. To prepare for an extended, multi-day hike, do this exercise three times a week until you can do 700 steps in less than 30 minutes.

Happy Hiking,

Nicole Yanko ~ KHC Board Member at Large

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