In this issue:
- General News & Comment on the recent rescue
- Upcoming Walks and Hikes
- Invitation to apply for the vacant position of Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
- Announcement – the 8th Annual SWI Subalpine Mycology Workshop on September 19 & 20
GENERAL NEWS
While there have been hints of fire smoke in the skies for the past couple of weeks, as in the August 5th photo of Mt McBride at the top of the Newsletter, we have been fortunate that so far the Island has had very few fires, and the winds have tended to push the smoke from fires in the interior and south of the border eastwards, rather than in our direction. And there are only patches of snow left in cooler, shaded areas near most of the Parks highest peaks.
The cooler air on the Plateau in the last week of July felt like that of September, with all the late summer blooms out in full force around Paradise Meadows, as well as other subalpine wetlands including McKenzie Meadows. The reds of the burnets (Sanguisorba menziesii) stand out amid the grasses and sedges, along with the white scented orchids ( Platanthera dilitata) and the blues of the king sceptre gentians (Gentiana sceptrum).
On the Plateau not only do we see the late summer colours, but also the first flush of fungi. On the trail up to Battleship Lake all on the north-facing cooler slope of the ridge that separates Battleship from Lake Helen MacKenzie have appeared a range of large boletes (predominantly Boletus smithii with its reddish cap and predominantly reddish stalk), slippery jacks, webcaps, clusters of the “fried-chicken mushroom, cup fungi and tiny fairy bonnets. The two photos below illustrate Smith’s bolete.
Below is one of the more fascinating species – Scutellinia scutellata, one of whose common names is “eyelash pixie cup”, so named for the tiny hairs around the rim of the diminutive orange-red cup (2cm in diameter or less).
And if you notice a strong odour reminiscent of a rotting carcass, you are close to a decaying bolete!
Words of advice for all venturing out into the Park in light of the recent incident of a hiker lost for 3 days above Moat Lake: be well prepared and exercise caution so as to return to the trailhead safely to tell of your amazing experience.
While the trails on the Plateau are open and mostly dry, with only patches of snow above 1600m, and the weather is sunny and clear, the recent incident of a hiker who fell into a gully off the Mt Albert Edward trail should be a warning that some parts of that trail and others in the higher elevations can be treacherous. Trails follow what has been considered a “relatively” safe route, but one must always exercise caution, especially in areas with steep cliffs and gullies; straying from the trail or attempting shortcuts is not advised. In this instance the weather did not change suddenly, but it can, in the mountains. Always be prepared for rapid shifts in wind and the descent of mist or cloud out of a seemingly blue sky. So have sturdy foot-wear and carry appropriate clothing, water and food. Familiarize yourselves with the trail and its potential hazards BEFORE starting from the trailhead. If members of a group decide to split up, have a very specific plan in place for reuniting. If venturing on a solo trip, ensure that you leave relevant information with family or friends. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety and that of others in your group out on any trail. The backcountry is not forgiving. We do have many dedicated Search & Rescue Volunteers, who come out at the drop of a hat and put in amazingly long hours to bring folks back to safety (as did happen this week), but many of their call-outs could have been prevented with a little more forethought and preparation on the part of those who venture out into the wilderness.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday August 9 (tomorrow) :
Interpretive Walk in the Meadows – Using iNaturalist
Time: 9:30 – Noon
Place: Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows Trailhead.
Distance: approximately 2.5 k around the Meadows
Limit: 10 participants
Leaders: Zeke Gilmore and Kiane Scott
Our summer students Kiane and Zeke will lead you around the meadows, identifying the later blooming subalpine plants, birds, butterflies and more. You will also find out how to upload your photos onto the iNaturalist platform, and how the site can help with the identification of the flora and fauna whose images you have captured.
FMI and to register, email strathconawilderness@gmail.com
Saturday August 15 : Guided Hike to Hairtrigger Lake
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Place: Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows Trailhead.
Distance: 17 km round trip, elevation gain 250 m.
Limit: 10 participants, please preregister
Leader: Jesse Anderson-Burchill (formerly Klahm)
Join our veteran summer SPWC staffer Jesse for this lovely hike across the Plateau revealing the essence of the subalpine in the eastern section of the Park, out by Battleship, Croteau and Kwai Lakes to reach Hairtrigger with its stunning views of Mt Albert Edward and Castlecrag, returning by Lake Helen MacKenzie. Pack lots of water, lunch and a swimsuit to cool off in one of the Lakes.
FMI and to register, email strathconawilderness@gmail.com
INVITATION TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF OUTREACH & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Directors of Strathcona Wilderness Institute invite applications for a paid renewable contract position of Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator to assist the Directors in support of the SWI goal “to inspire awareness, appreciation and stewardship of Strathcona Provincial Park BC through research, education and participation”. The position would start in September.
What is expected of the Coordinator:
1. Promotion of SWI programs & activities throughout the year through various media .
This would include maintaining our website and providing timely notices about SWI events throughout the year, as well as organizing film and lecture events in the winter months.
2. Organization of the volunteers & students who staff the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows and the Buttle Lake Information Hut.
This would include coordinating the daily schedule of volunteers for both locations (both usually open mid-June to mid-October), assisting with the volunteer orientation, recruiting new volunteers and helping with the supervision of students hired through the Canada Summer Jobs program.
What we are looking for in a candidate:
A commitment to the protection of Strathcona Provincial Park.
A commitment to environmental and conservation values.
Experience with public education in the context of BC Parks.
Volunteering experience in a supervisory position.
Strong personal communication skills.
Proficiency in Website & Facebook/Instagram or other platform management
Good working knowledge of computer software for document, image & data processing, plus slide/video projection.
Retail experience with debit terminals would also be an asset.
Remuneration $ 21 per hour.
It is anticipated that the Coordinator will work 30 hr per month during our off-season period November to April and 40-45 hr per month during the summer season to a maximum 450 hours.
To apply:
Please send a letter by email indicating how you meet the requirements for this position, together with a CV or Resume and the names, plus contact details, for two references, to the Chair of the Board, Strathcona Wilderness Institute.
Email address : strathconawilderness@gmail.com
ANNOUNCEMENT 8thAnnual SWI Subalpine Mycology Workshop – September 19 & 20
For this year’s team of experts we are welcoming familiar figures Erin Feldman and Thom O’Dell, as well as Juliet Pendray and Jame Holkko who were with us last in 2022, and a fresh new face Melanie Hesz to provide us with presentations on a number of topics, such as techniques for photographing mushrooms with professional photographer James Holkko, as well as their guidance in species identification in the classroom and out in the Meadows.
The Workshop will consist of an all-day event on the Saturday (Sept 19) in the Ruth Masters Nature Hall, SPWC at the Paradise Meadows Trailhead. This will include presentations that introduce the amazing world of Fungi, and more specific topics including morphology, edible fungi and the art of photographing fungi, followed by in-class identification sessions and forays out onto the trails in the Park. Food will be provided, including our traditional wild mushroom soup for lunch.
On the Sunday there will be an optional hike into the Park, either to the Divers Lake area, accessible from the Paradise Meadows Parking lot, or possibly to the Buttle Lake area on the west side of the Park, off Highway 28 , which is at a lower elevation, but consistently more moist than the Plateau.
Registration Information :
Number of Workshop Participants is limited to 16.
Cost $75 per person ( $25 for students and seniors) [includes beverages, snacks and lunch on the Saturday].
For more information and to register, email strathconawilderness@gmail.com