Let me be Frank. Welcome New. Members Cycle Info. Board Meetings. Executives 5. June 2017-Halton Outdoor Club

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1 Let me be Frank 2 Welcome New 3 Members Cycle Info 4 Board Meetings 4 Executives 5 Future Trip Goderich 6 Future Trip Monteregie 7 Future Trip Limberlost Future Trip Scotland Future Trip Silverstar Future Trip Chile Argentina Past Trip Collingwood Comfortable Hiking Extended Trip Report Links and Laughs Supporting Retailers Palmer Drive, Burlington ON L7M 1X

2 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Let me be perfectly Frank May 2017 These past two months have been very hectic for the executive members as we prepare for the spring session and close off the winter season. Hopefully the membership has been able to take advantage of all the club activities in April and May. We started the month of April with the annual Spring fair that was very well attended by both the membership of the club and potential new members. The Directors provided a showcase of the spring activities and a big thank you to our advertisers who displayed their products. We held our annual general meeting also in April and conducted the business of the club required by the by-laws. We say good-bye to Toni Quinn who spent 5 years as our skiing director and wish her well as she moves to British Columbia. We also will lose the dynamic in-put and futuristic thinking of Patti Blair as our Publicity Director but she has agreed to continue to put together the "Up-Dater". The Club welcomes Cheryl McCarney, Nora Fulcher and Jim Blair as new directors for a three-year term. We concluded the month of April with a very nice social at the Beaver and Bulldog organized by Vice-President, Teri Kramer. This social event gave us the opportunity to socialize with club members. The last two executive meetings have covered a wide variety of issues and please read this newsletter to keep up-to-date on club activities. The executive dealt with and approved the following: spring hiking, cycling and paddling programs; recommendations from the annual general meeting: up-date from the treasurer on the income statement; guidelines regarding reimbursement of expenses (tabled until the June meeting); discussions on the family bundle memberships. We also heard an international trip presentation from Isabel Bravo to Chile/ Argentina in the fall of Isobel Bravo, a long-time member of the Club, presented a future international trip to Chile/ Argentina in the Fall of Keep an eye on the website for future updates. We look forward to seeing many of you participating in the spring activities. Look up the schedules on the web-site by date. Check out the extensive paddling schedule provided by Dorothy Rideough--one day, weekends and those of longer duration. Remember you must have taken some of the training courses. Best wishes to those heading to Newfoundland under the leadership of Gayle Laws and those going to Scotland in August for a hiking trip under the leadership of Teri Kramer. Be safe on the roads and trails on your cycling adventures. Best Wishes to Paul on a speedy recovery. Enjoy the outdoors. Frank J. Cooney 2

3 Welcome New Members June 2017 Bonnie Quinn The Halton Outdoor Club s annual Spring Info Fair was held on Friday, April 7,2017 at the Mainway Arena. At that event, the Club had 104 new visitors and many of those people have subsequently joined the Halton Outdoor Club. I would like to extend a welcome to both returning members and new members. For those new to the Club, you are now enrolled in an organization that will provide you with many wonderful opportunities for years to come. As a new member, we hope you will take advantage of the various outings and trips that Club leaders have planned. This Club is mainly run by volunteers and our planned events can only be successful if you as a member participate. We currently offer you day trips, weekend trips and extended trips in paddling, hiking and cycling. You can take advantage of our skiing and snowshoeing next winter. To check out what is happening, please visit our website at and then click on the Calendar. All of our paddling and cycling events are listed on the calendar and to register for paddling and cycling events, just click on the event found on this calendar and follow the instructions. Be sure to register for all trips and lessons. The trip leaders will be given a copy of the attendance report for each event and the leader then can send you a personal to let you know about changes or additions to the event and about cancellations if they occur. For hiking events, please visit the hiking schedule to learn about local day trips. All you need to do is to show up at the trail head and I would advise you to the hike leader to let him know you are coming. That way if cancellations or changes need to be made, the leader can send you a personal to keep you informed. Some of our hiking trips are listed on the calendar- the yellow bus hikes are listed on the calendar and also any overnight hiking trip as well will be listed here. To register for the hiking trips found on the calendar, just click on the event and follow the prompts on the website. Our Club offers paddling lessons, another exciting event for new paddlers as well as paddlers wishing refresher courses. These lessons occur up at Guelph Lake over the June weekend. There are courses in learning to paddle for beginners, refresher courses for those with limited experience, advanced skills for experienced paddlers, advanced rescue and roll, and risk management for those interested in future leading. As stated earlier, to register for these courses visit our calendar for June and click on the course that interests you. Make certain to visit our website at where you can find other important information that you need to know. Click on About HOC to learn about Information Nights and lessons including information on all available sports. Click on Calendar and Schedules to find current schedules for all sports plus extended trips, upcoming events and day ski trips. Click on News and Updates Messages to find schedule changes and updates. Click on Members to find trip registration forms, newsletters, extended trip information and member to member forum. Help sheets can also be found here if you are having difficulty. You will receive an electronic newsletter four times a year in the months of November, March, June and September. Also every few weeks you receive via our Updater which as the name implies, keeps you up-to-date with what is currently happening. The answer to all of your questions can be found on the website, in the newsletter or in the Updater. That being said you are always welcome to either me or give me a call with questions or concerns that you may have. I can be reached at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca or or I am looking forward to seeing you out on the trails or on the water this Spring and Summer. The Halton Outdoor Club assumes no responsibility for any advertising set out in the Newsletter or any other written material provided by other parties. Send articles and pictures for the newsletter to the HOC News Editor at editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Advertising space is available to everyone, and is subject to Club approval. Rates for advertisements are available upon request, editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca. Personal ads (for sale, or social) are free, once per year, to members of the Halton Outdoor Club. 3

4 H.O.C June 2017 Edition HOC Cycling Programs June 2017 Paul Gautreau After a bit of a rough start thanks to Mother Nature, the cycling programs are underway, with lots of day trip options for Road Cycling and Trail Riders on most weekends throughout the season. We are also planning a few weekends away, where participants can come for the day and cycle on a Saturday or Sunday, or spend the weekend and cycle both days. Collingwood in June, Lindsay in July and Fort Erie/Niagara in August are currently planned. For more details, check the Trail Riders Spring and Summer schedules and contact the trip leaders. Future Board Meetings Bonnie Quinn The next Executive meetings are scheduled to occur on the following dates: Monday, June 12, 2017 Monday, July 10, 2017 No meeting in August Monday, September 11, 2017 All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the home of Bonnie Quinn, 3310 Palmer Drive, Bur- We do need volunteers to lead some of the scheduled trail rides so if you are interested in exploring those opportunities, please let us know at cycling@haltonoutdoorclub.ca A reminder to those of you interested in joining us for a cycling outing that the schedules can be found on the website in the Schedules tab. Look for the Cycling sections and there you will find printable pdf files for both Road and Trail schedules. We encourage you to register online for any rides you wish to participate in. Registering for the ride lets the leader prepare for the day and will provide you with an advising you in the event of any changes to the ride schedule or meeting point. Enjoy the season and I hope to see you cycling soon! Club Items for Sale Club Badges- $5 each. These badges contain the Club name and logo and can be sewn onto any cloth surface. Great for promotion of the Club. You may purchase these badges on the ski busses. Club I.D. tags- one for $3.00 or two for $5.00. These tags are great to attach to your back pack or your fanny bag, ski bag, pannier, etc. They contain on one side places for your name and identification. The other side contains information with regard to your health. They are meant to identify your gear and to let a trip leader 4

5 Addresses of Board Members Bonnie Quinn- Manager Frank Cooney- President We are always looking for interesting reading Submit your articles to Teri Kramer- Vice President Madeleine Davidson- Treasurer Cheryl McCarnery Peggy Humber- Newsletter Editor Phillip Armstrong- Hiking Director Jim Blair- Skiing Director Paul Gautreau- Cycling Director We are always looking for interesting pictures Submit your pictures to Dorothy Rideough- Paddling Director Nora Fulchur Promotion and Publicity Director Freda Wright- Recording Secretary Cherie Jackson- Membership Director Nancy Hubbard- Communications Director 5

6 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Future Trips Goderich and the Maitland Trail Fri June 16 th to Sun June 18 th A brand new weekend trip to Ontario s West Coast. The Maitland Trail 48km follows the north side of the Maitland River Valley. Varied terrain from flat sections, gentle slopes, to steep climbs. Hike along ridges, to down along river flats. Sometimes rugged. Many beautiful vistas and rewarding hiking. The three long hikes will average 16km each to cover the whole trail to qualify for an end to end badge. The three shorter hikes 8km to 10km each will select the highlights of the trail and leave some time for a little sightseeing a or even a swim at the falls should you wish. We ll be staying at the Hotel Bedford a turnof-the-century Victorian hotel located on the historic Square in Goderich. The 35 guest rooms are located on the second and third floors. There are no elevators. Walk up only! Free wireless is advertised but there are no fridges in the rooms. The rooms are air conditioned. The Hotel Bedford boasts its own Paddy O'Neil's Restaurant Pub featuring over a 100 menu items to choose from, as well as Joe Friday's Sports Bar. The Itinerary may be changed a little based on some advice from the Maitland Trail Association and a scouting trip to be done when the snow and mud are gone. Friday: We leave at 8-30 a.m. from our usual 777 Walkers Line in Burlington. Have your lunch and walking gear ready. It s only about two hours drive time so with a rest and coffee stop along the way of 45 mins we ll be able to start hiking well before noon. The long hike will be from Auburn to Sharpe s Creek line about 16km.The short hike will be from Little Lakes Rd along the Maitland River Valley about 8km ending at the same place. We ll check into our hotel about 5 p.m and we have an area reserved for us in the Pub restaurant downstairs for 7 p.m. The meal is not included in the package to give people some flexibility. Saturday: Goderich to Benmiller. Along the beach and boardwalks of Goderich across the river on the Minetesung Bridge to the Tiger Dunlap Tomb. The trail then follows the winding river valley to Falls Reserve and Benmiller. The long walk will be about 20km so an early start will be needed. The short walk however will only go as far as the Tomb to be picked up by the bus and dropped off near the Falls Reserve Park. The trail is followed through the park along the river and perhaps a swim at the falls. It s not far from the falls to Benmiller and refreshments at the Inn before the exhausted long hikers arrive. We will arrange a group meal out for the evening hopefully at a nice local place. The dinner will be included. Only your drinks and tips to the drink waiters will be extra. Sunday: We will have to check out of our rooms before starting the hikes today. The long hikers only have about 11km to do from Sharpe s Creek to Benmiller or vice versa. The short hike is undecided but could be at the Hullett Wildlife area or even along the Huron Shoreline at Point Farms. We will be back in Burlington about 5-30 p.m. Trip Cost is $350 per person double occupancy or $490 per person single. Included are : coach transport and driver tips, 1 Dinner, hotel rooms and taxes, continental breakfasts at the hotel, park entrance fees. The only tips not covered are for the room staff who you may tip at your discretion. Register by logging in to our web site and going to the Calendar and Schedules page. You will pay for the trip in full on-line, through PayPal (no deposit required). Our goal is to have this trip available for on-line registration by March 10 th. Cancellation Policy: You can cancel up to May1 st and only be charged a $25.00 processing fee. After May 1st, you will be responsible for any costs that the club incurs on your behalf. This could include transportation, accommodation, meals, leader subsidy, etc. If you cancel out of a double occupancy, you will also be responsible for the cost difference for your roommate. Trip leaders :Phill and Anne Armstrong 6

7 TRAILRIDERS Extended Trip to the Montérégie Region of Quebec Thurs Aug 31 Wed Sept 6, 2017 Leaders: Rick Brady and Susan Zeesman You don t have to go to Europe for great trail cycling. Join us for trail rides along multiple scenic waterways in the region south of Montreal. The trails are well groomed (paved, stone dust, packed gravel), flat and suited to hybrid bikes. Routes are predominantly off-road or on signed bicycle lanes although there may be a few kilometers of road cycling required overall. We plan to ride km per day, for 5 days (Sept 1-5). The guided ride will have a pace km per hour **. Faster cyclists are welcome to go off on their own. Maps will be provided. Each cyclist will be responsible for his own transportation. Our first stop will be Salaberry-de- Valleyfield, Quebec, where we will stay at the Plaza Valleyfield for 3 nights. This hotel is situated in the central part of town and is close to the water, restaurants, parks, grocery stores, and fast food spots. It is rated 3.5 stars on TripAdvisor and the rooms are being renovated this winter. While in this area we will cycle the Beauharnois Canal, the Soulange Canal, the Lachine Canal and Rapids, and Ile St Helene. We will spend the second half of the trip (3 nights) at the Holiday Inn Express in St-Jean-du -Richelieu, Quebec. This hotel is rated 4 stars on TripAdvisor and is not far from the central part of town. There are restaurants and grocery stores close by. From this location we will cycle the Richelieu River, and ride out in the countryside towards Farnham/Granby. Both hotels provide a buffet breakfast each day (included) and we will have a locked room to store our bikes overnight. Lunch will be included for one of our rides and there will be opportunities to get lunch items from the grocery store or to purchase fast food at the lunch stops. Dinners will be onyour-own, with one group dinner (with separate bills). Information about grocery stores, restaurants, tourist spots etc. will be provided. We need 12 cyclists to make this trip a go and will take a maximum of 20. The cost is $527 per person double occupancy. Single supplement is $471 dollars. Registration for this trip will be done online and opens on March 20, Go to the HOC website calendar, find August 31, 2017, then click on the Montérégie event to view details and "Register. (Tip: For easy navigation to the month of August, open the calendar in Year view.) If you need to cancel, contact the club office. If you do so before July 15, 2017, you will be entitled to a full refund minus a $25 processing fee. For any cancellations received after July 15, 2017, you will be responsible for any fees that the Club incurs on your behalf: for example- fees for accommodation, food, leader, etc. unless a substitute is provided by you. Questions about the trip details can be directed to Susan (susanzeesman@gmail.com). Questions/ problems with regard to registration discussed with Bonnie (info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca). Guided Group Pace ** km per hour, for km per day with rest stops. All rides are out and back. Faster cyclists are welcome to go off on their own (with maps provided). **Competency level- This is a Level 2 trip developed for cyclists who can sustain a pace of km per hour on a flat paved surface in low/no wind. This pace is the level of ability expected for the guided rides. have the ability to ride km per day. Most of the rides are out and back, or have a loop tacked on, and can be shortened in adverse weather conditions or physical difficulty. 7

8 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Limberlost/Algonquin Fall Colour Hiking Trip Friday, October 13-Sunday, October 15, 2017 Clive and Freda Wright Online Registration Opens June 20, 2017 This notice is to advise of a forthcoming two-night/three day trip hiking the Canadian Shield, part of the larger Precambrian Shield. We hope Mother Nature will be kind to us and show off the Algonquin Highlands in all its fall splendour. Accommodation will be at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Huntsville. We will depart Friday morning making a brief pit stop en route to Huntsville. Unfortunately, Arrowhead Provincial Park will be closed until the snow arrives so we are unable to spend some time hiking there. However, an alternate venue is being researched. After hiking, we will check into the hotel, leaving time to purchase food and snacks for upcoming lunches. There will be a group dinner (included)at a local restaurant that evening. On Saturday we will travel into Algonquin Park. There are many options for hiking along the highway 60 corridor, all of varying distances. It is anticipated we will take the Track and Tower Trail, a 7.7 kilometre trail that winds its way around two lakes and through some beautiful Algonquin scenery, with some interesting historical sites along the way. There is an optional trail that spans a linear distance of 5.5 kilometres for those who wish a shorter hike. Saturday evening is free for you to dine at your restaurant of choice. For those of you who wish to dine in Huntsville, arrangements will be made for the coach to drive us and pick us up later. There s quite a variety of restaurants in Huntsville area. We will forward some suggestions for restaurants at a later date. Don t forget though, it will be a Saturday and if you wish to dine with a large group, a reservation may have to be made. On Sunday the group will venture into the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve, located east and north of Huntsville. For those of you who took this trip two years ago with Phill and Anne Armstrong, Limberlost is a peaceful, year-round wilderness haven with many lakes and more than 10,000 acres of unspoiled mixed forest. Historically, Limberlost Lodge began operating in the early 1900 s as a premier recreational resort and was the first in the region to install a mechanized ski lift. Through changes in ownership and facing competition, it lost its acclaim as a premier destination but did continue as a resort for many years. The current owners are now preserving the reserve s wilderness and they have introduced new forest stewardship practices. 70 kilometres of pristine hiking trails have been re-established, ranking them once again among the best in the country. Our long and short hikes will feature prominent vistas of lake and forest. Lunch will be taken on the trail. We will depart for home directly from Limberlost with a food stop en route, if required. The trip package includes: Return transportation by luxury coach from Burlington to Huntsville Accommodation for two nights at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Huntsville. Two hot breakfast buffets are included Dinner for one night at a local restaurant Hiking for three days at Algonquin Provincial Park, Limberlost Forest Reserve and a spot, yet to be determined, en route to Huntsville. Taxes and Gratuities, except gratuity for room chambermaid service (your choice) 8

9 Trip Cost per person: General Information Double Occupancy: $ Single Occupancy: $ Not Included in the Package: One dinner Lunches. All hotel rooms have a mini fridge and we recommend purchasing food to bring for lunch and snacks on the trail Refreshment or meal stops en route Alcoholic beverages, phone calls, other personal expenses Gratuty for chambermaid service Huntsville was founded in 1869 by Captain George Hunt. At that time Huntsville was a hamlet, in competition with other settlements. However, the arrival of the railway in the late 1800 s brought major industry assuring Huntsville s future. For those who may wish to spend some time in Huntsville, there is a waterfront trail approximately 4 km and for the art lover, Huntsville boasts the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery as well as a beautiful sculpture of Tom Thomson outside the Civic Centre. Artists from Huntsville and the surrounding areas have created murals of the works of the Group of Seven and can be seen on a number of buildings in Huntsville. Huntsville is also celebrating the 100 th anniversary of the life and work of Tom Thomson in To Book: Online registration opens June 20, Go to Extended Trips on the website. Click on the trip then click register. Provdie the information requested. Use your credit card to make payment. Full payment will be required. If you do not have someone with whom you wish to share a room, indicate anyone in the relevant registration box. Cancellation Policy: You can cancel up to September 1, 2017 and only be charged a $25.00 processing fee. After September 1, 2017, you will be responsible for any costs that the Club incurs on your behalf. This could include transportation, accommodation, meals, leader subsidy, etc. If you cancel out of a double occupancy, you will also be responsible for the cost difference for your roommate. 9

10 Future Trip Scotland Hiking Trip August 5-19, 2017 August 2016 Teri Kramer Come to Scotland with us! Imagine yourself hiking the highlands around Glencoe in week one and walking the Fife Coast during week two. Scotland 2017 is a hiker s paradise. HF hike leaders will guide us up,down and around the stunning Scottish countryside During week one at Glencoe, we will explore the lochs, glens, ridges, and peaks of the magnificent Western Highlands. We ll discover the rich history of the region. Three guided hikes of varying difficulties will be offered on five hiking days. Elevation changes are more significant on more difficult hikes. The hilly terrain will provide challenging walks for those who choose them, and medium level hiking adventures for others. For seven nights and six days we will stay at the HF house,allteshellach, a lochside inn complete with pool, great views and beautiful grounds. On our free day,participants can visit the renowned National Trust for Scotland Glencoe Visitors Centre. Enjoy thespectacular scenery from the viewing platform and cafe. Explore the landscape, wildlife, and history ofglencoe in the interactive exhibition, Living on the Edge. For week two, we will explore the best of the beautiful Fife Coastline from Dalgety Bay to the historic town of St. Andrews, discovering picturesque fishing villages and the rolling Lomond Hills. Oneach of five days, hikers will be asked to walk a 16 km linear route. The walking pace will be relaxedwith a number of stops. Time will be spent investigating points of interest and historic sites along theway. The terrain is less challenging with minimal elevation change compared to that of the WesternHighlands, creating a medium level hiking experience. H.O.C June 2017 Edition dining and access to the fine Lundin Links Beach, just a 10 minute walk away. On our free day, there will be an opportunity to spend a day in Edinburgh. Just a few of the many interesting sights in the city include the famous Edinburgh Castle, Outlook Tower on Castle Hill and Lady Stair s Close with memorabilia of Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson The cost of the trip is $ Canadian, based on a minimum of 20 participants and a maximum of 26, double occupancy. This figure is an approximation at this point as a number of variables are at play. The price is calculated on a pre Brexit British Pound. Airline bookings cannot be completed until the fall of 2016 so that price remains an estimate until then. Flight dates will influence whether or not we require an extra overnight in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Included in the price of the trip are 14 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner, return airfare, gratuities, and ground transportation for hikes and transfers to hotels and airports. Not included are alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages purchased at the hotels, housekeeping staff gratuities, laundry, personal expenses incurred on the days off when hikes are not provided, personal expenses for purchases made on travel days such as food and drinks, sea view room supplements of GBP5 per person per night. As pricing becomes permanent every attempt will be made to keep you apprised of the situation. TO RESERVE a place on the trip, please locate the Trip by Air Form on the membership page of the club website at Fill out the form and print it. Mail the form along with a $50.00cheque made out to the Halton Outdoor Club to Halton Outdoor Club, 3310 Palmer Drive, Burlington Ontario L7M1X3. On the back of the cheque please put the name of the trip, the date you registered, and your phone number. You have until September 29, 2016 to contact Jill Sanderson at Teachers Travel to let her know that you have signed up for the trip and to provide her with your contact information Jill Sanderson, Tel: jill@teacherstravel.com Second deposit... Please make a $450.00, nonrefundable payment to Jill at Teachers Travel by September 30, You may pay by cheque or credit card. No additional cost is added for using a credit card. We will stay at the beautiful, family owned Old- Manor Hotel in Lundin Links. The hotel offers sea view 10

11 Scotland Cont Final deposit Please make a $ , nonrefundable payment to Jill at Teachers Travel by May 15, The final amount could change as noted. Jill will have the final figure. CANCELLATION POLICY You may cancel your trip up to September 29, At that point you would receive a refund cheque from the club in the amount of $ All other payments are nonrefundable. The Halton Outdoor Club strongly recommends that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance for your trip. Coverage may be purchased through Jill at Teachers Travel or you may purchase it elsewhere. If you are thinking of deviating from our flight arrangements, here are a few details to be aware of. Deviation is allowed at the end of the trip only. You must fly over to Scotland with the whole group. The deviation fee is $ We are using Air Transat as our carrier for the trip. If you are deviating you must use an Air Transat flight on your return. The departure location does not have to be Glasgow. If the ground transportation we have arranged for the whole group does not mesh with your new flight arrangements, you will have to book your own ground transit. You will still be required to pay the ground transportation portion which is part of the overall cost of the trip. It is important that you let three individuals know well ahead of time if you are planning to deviate. Please notify Bonnie, Teri and Jill Sanderson our travel agent. 11

12 SILVERSTAR SKI TRIP: January 20-28, 2018 We return again to our much-loved Silverstar, in the Monashee Mountains above Vernon, BC. On this nine-day trip we ski at both Silverstar Mountain Resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. Silverstar is one of the best x-c training sites in North America. We often see international and Olympic teams there. Sovereign Lake is a private x-c club, which has hosted a world cup. Together they boast over 100 kms of well-groomed, track-set scenic trails. Three exceptionally beautiful and exciting trails around and over the mountain connect Silverstar with Sovereign Lake. H.O.C June 2017 Edition with dinner, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, laundry, items of a personal nature, and unforeseen costs such as might arise from delays or other circumstances beyond the club s control. Important: The trip price is based on current airfare. In the event that flight costs are higher there will be a surcharge to cover the difference. Though unlikely, other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control such as additional airline surcharges or other eventualities could result in a supplemental payment. Air Canada requires either a hard shell ski bag or (at present) accepts a signed waiver in lieu. Registration opens on February 20, To reserve your spot, there are two steps. First, register for the trip online --before April 15, to reserve your spot: Go to the HOC website calendar, find Jan 20, 2018, then click on the Silverstar event, choose "Register" and make your $25 non-refundable payment. Trail passes allow us to ride ski lifts to the mountaintop. From there we ski the upper trails and can ski downhill to either the day lodge at Sovereign Lake or back to Silverstar village. Options are to go down one trail and back up another, or to do various combinations of scenic mountaintop trails then ski back to the village for a well-deserved hot chocolate at Bugaboos café. Village trails conveniently begin and end in the heart of the village and provide many kilometers of scenic skiing as they wander around the mountainside. This trip is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers. Silverstar mountain hosts give free, guided orientations to all the trails for both skiers and snowshoers. Other activities include downhill skiing (additional pass required), snowshoeing at both venues (separate pass may be required), guided night snowshoe hikes, a lit trail for night skiing, tubing, skating, sleigh rides, galleries, shopping etc. We will stay at the Vance Creek Hotel on the Silverstar village common. Most units will include a kitchen and will be assigned on a first come first served basis. The village is a colourful combination of Victorian and western architecture, centered around a busy pedestrian-only common. There are a number of shops, including one specializing in x-c gear, as well as a variety of restaurants across the price range. There is a very small general store, which carries a limited supply of groceries and wines. En route to Silverstar from the airport we stop for groceries and at a liquor store. The cost per person sharing a double is $2, (3% surcharge if paid by credit card). The price includes: return air fare and taxes on group flights between Toronto and Kelowna January 20 and 28, 2018; round trip coach transfer (for guests booked on group flights); eight nights accommodation at the Vance Creek Hotel, including buffet breakfast (continental breakfast on departure day) and taxes and gratuities incluced, welcome reception with wine and a trail orientation by a speaker from the Nordic department at Silverstar; four three- course dinners set menu, (taxes and gratuities included); cross-country trail passes to Silverstar and Sovereign Lake for seven days. Step two: pay a non-refundable deposit of $164 per person to Teacher s Travel. This covers non-refundable commitments already paid by the club on your behalf. You may either send a cheque payable to Teacher s Travel or pay by phone using your credit card. There is a surcharge for using a credit card. Jill Sanderson at Teacher s Travel can be reached at The final balance is due November 10, 2017 and is nonrefundable. Unused group airline seats must be released by April 15, To get the group rate and to be sure of being on the group flight you must book before April 15. After that date there is no guarantee of being able to be on the group flight and you would no longer be eligible for the group rate. Once the deposit has been paid, the following cancellation penalties apply: up to November 10, 2017 the deposits are non-refundable; from November 10 to departure the full trip cost is non-refundable. If you cancel out of shared accommodation you are responsible for the cost differences for your roommate(s). If you as an individual have to cancel the trip, please let Bonnie at the Club office know as soon as possible. We recommend cancellation and medical insurance. Coverage can be purchased from Teachers Travel. If you have any questions about the trip please contact Toni at skiing@haltonoutdoorclub.ca. Any questions about payment should be directed to Teacher s Travel. A minimum number of 22 participants is required to run this trip. Maximum group size is 40. SILVERSTAR Not included: Halton Outdoor Club Administration fee ($25), transport to/from Toronto airport, lunches, 4 dinners, airline checked bags and ski bag charges ($25 per checked bag each way at present cost), hotel gratuity (optional), beverages 12

13 Future Trip - South America Trekking Trip November 17 - December 5, 2018 May 24, 2017 Isabel Bravo Duration: 19 Days, November 17 th to December 5 th, 2018 Dates to be confirmed based on Air Canada flights and accommodation availabilities Trip cost pp based on doubles is $8,000 CAN + internal flight This price is a budgetary estimation. The final cost will be calculated based on currency exchange in 2018 and airline bookings. Look for more trip details in the next Newsletter. Come to explore South America with us! Imagine yourself hiking at the end of the world among guanacos, horses, rheas (ostriches), Patagonia conures (parrots), condors and many amazing birds and flowers. The area is known as hikers, mountaineer and bird watchers heavens. Highlights 9 full trekking days in Central and South Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) Explore the end of the World at Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park The Glaciers National Park, Laguna Capri with panoramic views of the impressive Monte Fitz Roy Perito Moreno Glacier- Ice Trekking with taste of whisky on the glacier ice Torres Del Paine National Park trekking and nautical tour at Lago Grey, Ascensio Valley to the base of the majestic Tower of Paine, enjoy part of the W circuit trails La Campana Park- breathtaking views of the Andes in the realm of the condor Discover Buenos Aires, the city of Tango and Carlos Gardel, with a Tango show/dinner Discover Santiago with its colonial architecture, wine tasting and lunch at Santa Rita winery, star gazing at the Andean Astronomic Observatory and tour of Naval cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar Stay in first class hotels and hosterias in the heart of the National Parks and central locations. Room with a view Reenergize with delicious local cuisine, local wines and Pisco Sour. 13

14 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Collingwood Hiking Trip Rain Cloud Follows Patti and Jim Two accommodations had been arranged in Collingwood, the Comfort Inn and the Georgian Bay Inn. Ameer dropped us off and we were happy to change out of our damp clothes and shower. We all met for a lovely, albeit noisy, dinner at the Georgian Bay Inn. We found out that Friday early evenings are when seniors meet and are offered specials on drinks and appetizers. The next day, Saturday, was a longer hike at Pretty River Valley; both levels were offered and it was indeed pretty. Mother Nature gave us rain and cooler temperatures again, however, the rivers, streams and waterfalls gave us spectacular views which we might never see again. After hiking and showering Ameer kindly drove the people staying at the Georgian Bay Inn to the Comfort Inn which was closer to town and the restaurants. Saturday night we were on our own for dinner; there was many eating places to choose from. Halton Club members who booked this trip were excited about a new adventure until until the weather forecast predicted rain for the week-end. When is the prediction ever right? Well, this time it was. Ameer, our driver, arrived with the bus at Walker's Line and we were on our way shortly after 8:30 a.m. We were all sorry to hear that Jim was not with us; he was having back problems again. After a quick stop on the way to Collingwood, we arrived at Boone River Provincial Park and hiked either a long or medium hike in the rainy, cool weather. We were prepared; we had been warned to pack wet weather clothes. It was still an interesting hike even with the rain. On our way to Collingwood we stopped in Creemore where some people wandered the shops in the town and others were drawn to the free beer at the Creemore Springs Brewery. Upon checking the website I found that their beer is brewed in an authentic copper kettle. We were offered a number of substantial tastings of the various selections. There was also a retail store on the premises where merchandise and beer could be purchased. I believe several Club members made purchases. Sorry Jim, I know you would have enjoyed this stop. 14 The final day, Sunday, the forecast predicted no rain and sun after 12 noon. We did our final hikes at Kolapore Island, ate lunch on the bus and headed back to Burlington. We were happy to see Jim on our final day; he had driven up to join us on our hike. Instead of hiking on Sunday several members opted to hang out in Collingwood. There are many unique shops in the town and also a network of multi-use paths which are generally accessible for people who with physical disabilities. Not only are these paths for hiking and walking, they are used for cycling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. I had a look at the Collingwood trails map brochure which described the boardwalk, the Arboretum, the Labyrinth and the Heather Pathway, to name a few. There are many locations along the trails where interpretive signs narrating the history of Collingwood can be found. Another thing I noted in the brochure was the Apple Pie Trail described as the most delicious trail in the area. Some women did look into making a booking at the Scandinavian Spa at Blue Mountain. The pictures in the brochure certainly entice one want to experience this special place, however, it being the weekend, one would have to wait approximately three hours to get in.

15 Something to think about in the future, should this trip be offered. Regardless of the weather, we all had a great time. Halton members are a fun and hardy group and we always have lots of laughs and no complaints. It was a time to meet and chat with new and friends and connect with longer term members. Comfortable Hiking Holidays Toll free 1 (866) info@letshike.com MACHU PICCHU, PERU September 15 to 27, 2017 Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas by hiking through the famed salt pans of Maras, the ancient ruins of Pisac, and trekking high up into the Urubamba mountain range. Then that all important day arrives when we hike into Machu Picchu rounding the corner of the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu with your own eyes will give you goose bumps! (Note: This trip does not involve ANY camping all accommodations are in hotels & lodges.) CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS AMALFI COAST, ITALY April 9 to 21, 2018 Italy never fails to captures the hearts (and stomachs) of its visitors, and the Amalfi Coast lives up to that reputation - towns perched impossibly on mountainsides, one of the most famous stretches of coastline in the world, sapphire-blue water in every direction, an infamous volcano and some of the finest Limoncello anywhere. Come hike in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and on the posh island of Capri. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS Special thanks to Patti and Jim and Clive and Freda for yet again another fabulous trip. We look forward to returning to Collingwood, to explore more of this town and the beautiful trails and countryside. SLOVENIJA Slovenija, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, is a country of amazingly unspoiled beauty. Our program includes hikes behind the thundering Slap Pericnik waterfall, through Vintgar Gorge gushing with white water, on the slopes of & Mt. Triglav, and around the glacier-fed Lake Bohinj. Home base for the entire holiday will be the fairy-tale setting of Bled. Dates were specifically chosen to capture the Bled Days Festival when 15,000 egg-shell candles are launched onto Lake Bled. They illuminate the whole lake and together with magnificent fireworks, all of Bled glitters in endless colours. It ll take your breath away CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS TICO#

16 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Extended Trip Report June 2017 Bonnie Quinn To check out the trips that the Club is offering currently, please go to our website: and then click on Members found on the home page menu towards the top. Then click on Extended Trips. You may click on the name of the trip which will link you to an article that provides you with all of the trip details. To register for any trip, follow the registration instructions in the trip article. If members need to cancel out of these extended trips, we will refund you your trip cost minus a $25 processing fee through Paypal. You would get your refund directly onto your credit card. If a trip is full and you wish to have your name added to a wait list, register for the trip but do not pay. You will be asked to pay, once you have been placed on an active list. Future Trips- Hiking * Goderich Hiking Trip- June 16-18, 2017-room available for more participants *Newfoundland Hiking Trip- July 21 to August 1, are registered and trip is full but a wait list has been established. *Scotland Hiking Trip- August 5-19, are registered and trip is open. Call Club if wish to register. Future Trips Skiing *Silverstar- January 20-28, trip is full but will establish a wait list if necessary. Future Trips- Cycling *Monteregie August 31 to Sept. 6- Trip almost full but we do need one single female and one single male. Will start a wait list if necessary. The Halton Outdoor Club assumes no responsibility for any advertising set out in the Newsletter or any other written material provided by other parties. Send articles and pictures for the newsletter to the HOC News Editor at editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Advertising space is available to everyone, and is subject to Club approval. Rates for advertisements are available upon request, editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca. Personal ads (for sale, or social) are free, once per year, to members of the Halton Outdoor Club. 16

17 Laughs & Links Remember to sign up for the Facebook Paddle Page Remember to sign up for the Facebook Road Riders Page 2017 Paddle Schedule Link 2017 Road Ride Schedule Remember to sign up for the Facebook Trail Riders Page 2017 Hiking Schedule 2017 Trail Ride Schedule

18 H.O.C June 2017 Edition Membership Discounts Ancaster Cycle 365 Wilson Street East Ancaster % off regular priced parts, accessories and clothing. Does not include bikes or labour. Central Cycle 965 King Street East Hamilton % off regular priced items. Brant Cycle 892 Brant Street Burlington % off all regular priced products. Does not include bikes, trailers or labour Adventure Attic 28 King Street West Hamilton % off regular priced items Pieriks Cycle 840 King Street West - Westdale % off regular priced items. Does not include bikes or labour., Grand River Kayak 2 Port Maitland Road % off regular priced items, lessons & tours Highlands Nordic 182 Concession 10 S, Clearview Township, P.O. Box 110 Duntroon, / % off on full priced items

19 Hikers Haven Europe Bound 166 South Service Road East % off all equipment rentals, & regular-priced clothing, footwear and camping gear over $100. Rack Attack Mississauga 3145 Dundas Street West, Unit % off racks Oakville Cycle and Sports Ltd 105 Cross Ave - Trafalgar Village % off all regular priced items. The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. 199 Lakeshore Road East, Unit A % off of all "Woolpower" products All The Right Gears 442 Millen Road % off regular priced items. Does not include bikes and labour. Halton Outdoor Club Classified Bicycle Works 316 Dundas Street East Waterdown % off all in-store items. 15% off tune ups before April 15th. Does not include bikes or labour. 19