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Regional News: Whistler-Pemberton
By Mike Miller, BCHPA Regional
Director for Pemberton/Whistler/North Vancouver
Overview:
The Whistler Pemberton Valley had an increase in flying this year.
The commercial operation at Blackcomb did well in the early months
of summer. The McKenzie launch and all of the other launches in
the area had an increase in use.
I think there was someone flying on every good or even marginal
day. Most of the increase came from more active local pilots and
visits from Vancouver area flyers. A trend of bivouac flying started
this summer. On one night, I think 7 pilots camped out in the alpine.Only
a few new pilots were seen this year, with a handful of new students
who will carry on into the next season.
We had no difficulties with the LWBC or local
people.
No new sites were pioneered this year, although some that are less
known were worked on and more people were exposed to them.
As to accidents, there were no accidents in Pemberton, although
there were a few incidents.
All of which were due to bad judgement by the pilots.
I've divided this report into a site by site activity report as
follows:
- Site Name
- Site Description
- Site Activity
- Site Upgrades
McKenzie
Site Description
Access is either up the Pemberton Farm Road east and then turn left
at the power lines or through Mt.Currie reserve and up Reid Rd,
turning right at the four way intersection and right under the power
lines. The road is in good shape, with the 23 cross ditches slowly
rounding out.
Site Activity
McKenzie is the most used site in the valley. It constantly has
paragliders over it all summer.
The Pemberton Community Centre continued to allow us to use the
field free-of-charge as long as it was not booked for other activities.
I would say well over a thousand flights went off there this year.
Site Upgrades
We did launch grading and brushing 2 years ago that is still being
paid for. Machine transport costs were covered through last years
BCHPA disbursement and donations from the locals and visiting pilots.
This year we have machine hours to pay for. The Solstice Fly-In
made some money and there have been some donations but we will only
cover 75% this year. This includes the BCHPA payment for this year.
Luckily, all of the operator costs were donated by a local pilot/machine
driver.
The work on McKenzie Launch this summer consisted
of brushing out some bushes on the side and moving the outhouse
over to a new hole. We fertilized and seeded it twice this year,
but the dry summer took a toll on the grass cover.
Future upgrades will consist of :
- fixing a huge hole in the road on the final descent to the parking
area caused by this falls rains. DONE
- installing a permanent first aid kit and back-board. PARTLY FINISHED
- more brushing and clean-up below launch. ONGOING
- planting and fertilizing. DONE
- maybe a watering system. BEING INVESTIGATED
East
Launch
Site Description
Overlooking Mt Currie townsite this launch is accessed from Mosquito
Lake and a 45 minute hike. We mostly use it in the spring when a
steady easterly outflow from Lillooet Lake occurs and we can soar
some cliffs.
Site Activity
Used in the spring mostly. All by local pilots
Site Upgrades
Some small brush clearing occurred. The rocky slope had some holes
filled with loose boulders.
Hurley
(Tenquille Lake)
Site Description
The access road is up the Hurley road and turn right at Spur 12.
The spur road is cross ditched, deep and often, making it a lot
less desirable to drive. The launch itself is slowly shrinking although
two wings can still be laid out.
Site Activity
Not many people went up there this year because McKenzie was so
good and the road is difficult for any vehicle that has no ground
clearance.
Site Upgrades
Future upgrades will consist of:
" It would be nice if we could tone down some of the 'speed
bumps'
" Brush out the last section of road and around launch
Birkenhead
Site Description
If you turn into the Birkenhead Lake Road you take the first left
just before the powerlines.
It is about 4900feet AGL. Faces East and has a flat take-off full
of sharp rocks that drops off steeply.
Site Activity
Very little use (twice?) due to the rare east wind and high valley
winds.
Site Upgrades
No work was done and as far as I know.
Will possibly store a tarp on launch to lay out over the sharp rocks.
Miller
Ridge
Site Description
A relatively new launch we hike to from a logging road just past
the Ryan River up the Pemberton Meadows. We drive 4500 feet and
then hike the last 1000 along a well marked trail. The take-off
is a grassy alpine ridge facing east.
Site Activities
Once the snow melted we used this one about ten times overall. A
beautiful morning flight of over 5000 feet.
Site Upgrades
None needed except maybe a good windsock.
Pizzle
Point
Site Description
This one is still under development. For the last three years a
crew has travelled up and cleared off a spot along a deactivated
logging road. The road is good followed by a little scramble along
the re-contoured road for ½ hour.
Site Activity
Since we have no good landing until Lillooet Lake recedes, this
late summer/fall site was only used once that I know of. A group
went there this fall and all had nice flights and good landings.
Site Upgrades
Unknown
Other Sites:
Whistler/Blackcomb
This year the Mountains again decided we were too strong a risk
to allow flying. They don't like the "participant exclusion"
part of our liability insurance. We are trying to get them to at
least allow the locals fly there. To date, they refuse to allow
paragliding.
Black
Tusk
No known flights there this year.
The
Chief
No reports from there. Although I believe one local has used it
on a regular basis.
Future
Goals:
- Possibly holding the Provincials here. Maybe
leading up to a pre-PWC event. Now a definite with Mark Dowsett
leading the way.
- Investing in more public relations to keep
our image "in the good."
- Establishing a secondary landing field when
the Community Centre is being used. Many private land owners have
expressed an interest in being alternative landing sites. Wind
socks will be distributed and new area maps with co-operative
land owners will be posted.
- Trying to keep the pilots aware of decision
making, necessary equipment (radio, tree-rescue kit, etc.) and
interpreting/paying attention to local weather conditions.
In
Summation:
I am happy with the way flying is going in this
area. We have had an increase in awareness by the public and are
slowly increasing the pilot base.The Solstice Fly-In went well,
despite marginal conditions. It was a good party and showed the
area off.
Mike Miller, Pemberton/Whistler/North Vancouver
Regional Representative
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