AGM 2024
Happening on October 23rd, 2024
We are seeking new directors, specifically a board secretary and director-at-large
More details to come
April 21. 2023
Website updated to reflect development fund update: Bolt and Boulder Fund
Come join us April 22, 2023 from noon-5pm at CragX for their Spring Fling Finale bonus to anyone considering becoming a member, if you join SICA at the Spring Fling you will get a free drink for signing up!
May 6. 2022
Topics:
Protect access for climbing at Hartland and other locations within Mount Work Regional Park,
SICA’s 2022 AGM,
Application to become a SICA board member.
Greetings SICA members,
Everyone keep June 1st, 2022 7:30pm-9:00pm clear! The South Island Climbers Association (SICA) will be holding our 2022 Annual General Meeting virtually (for members only). Initial info is provided below following an important update regarding the CRD’s Draft Management Plan for Mount Work Regional Park.
1.CRD’s Draft Management Plan for Mount Work Regional Park
As you are aware of from our emails/posts over the past two weeks, the Capital Regional District is currently developing a plan to guide management in the use and development of Mount Work Regional Park over the next 15 years. We responded with initial excitement and then stepped back to reflect on feedback from the local bouldering community developers and have invited further feedback from our community at large.
We once again invite everyone to take the opportunity to review the Draft Management Plan - https://getinvolved.crd.bc.ca/mount-work and to consider your own feedback on the plan. For additional information regarding this draft management plan, the CRD is hosting a public open house - May 11, 4:30pm-7:30pm, at Saanich Commonwealth Place - Douglas Fir Room.
We further ask that you consider the key points below from the local bouldering community developers when you provide feedback to the CRD by May 16, 2022, via their online survey, https://bit.ly/3EOkVz4.
“Management Plan Key Points regarding Rock Climbing/Bouldering:
Rock Climbing/Bouldering is designated in one specific area (Current Hartland/Cyberia climbing area). This can go both ways for climbing because the management plan can be interpreted that climbing is sanctioned (i.e. allowed) in one area, but the rest of the park could be grey (i.e. ambiguous) for climbing. There is nothing stating that climbing is prohibited elsewhere in Mt. Work park, but because the language is vague it the management plan could be used to prohibit climbing elsewhere. We can choose to view this as a starting point, and as the assessments are completed in the park, we would hope that SICA has a place at the table to discuss our perspective as stakeholders.
This area will require assessment of cultural heritage features (i.e. petroglyphs) that may require protection which would change access and may require special protection (pg. 38)
Short term plan (Table 1, item 21): this discusses the assessments and other considerations related to bouldering. The last 2 points discuss the need for management of these areas and connecting with an external source. SICA is not listed and should be named just like SIMBS (the South Island Mountain Biking Society) is named in this document with respect to the biking areas.
What climbers can do to protect the future of climbing access in this area:
a) Read the summary of the CRD’s plan and fill out the survey.
Climbers need to establish themselves as stakeholders who have a community that is organized. The more survey responses that highlight the need for climbing to be considered and SICA to be involved establishes the size and voice of our community.
Using the comments section is our opportunity to have a voice and to amplify who we are. We want to show that climbers have numbers and they have an organization that represents them in SICA.
b) Encourage folks to become members of SICA. The more members there are, the more weight SICA has to engage the CRD. SICA is a volunteer organization that is relatively new. Increasing membership and becoming involved is important during this pivotal time, we want to have a seat and a voice at the table while these decisions are being made.”
We know if you’re reading this via email you are already a member of SICA, THANK YOU! Since our first post about the draft plan, our membership has grown by 27 members, including West Coast Resoles joining Boulderhouse and CragX as Associate members. This is huge and we ask that you continue spreading the word! Furthermore, if climbing advocacy is something you’re passionate about and you have capacity, we ask you to consider joining the Board.
2.Now more info about our AGM…
The South Island Climbers Association (SICA) will be holding our 2022 Annual General Meeting on June 1, 2022 7:30-9:00pm! (virtually & members only)
The AGM will have the usual Association business including:
Nominate new Board members
Chair:
Open Nomination: Katy Winship (currently serving as Vice-Chair)
Vice-Chair:
Open Nomination: Jane Hofweber (currently serving as Director at Large)
Secretary:
No Nominations
Treasurer:
Open Nominations: Rob Somogyi (currently serving as Director at Large)
Directors-at-Large (* to be voted for at once for a maximum of 6)
Open Nominations: Allen Agopsowicz, James Doyle, Mark Steffen
Prize draws for those in attendance - prizes so great we can’t disclose them at this time!
We will send an official invitation with an agenda to members closer to the date.
Note members - you will receive an email that includes a members-only save the date link.
3.Application to become a SICA board member
If you’re thinking of joining the Board, watch out for future communications on position descriptions and the nomination process, AND if you know someone who should be part of the Board, make sure to share the info. Membership is required to be on the board - $10/year .
April 21, 2022
The CRD is developing a management plan for Mount Work Regional Park. So far, the draft proposes a designated bouldering area be established in the Killarney Lake section of the park - otherwise known as Cyberia, or the Hartland Boulders. We ask you to show your support for this plan!
The draft plan is currently posted to CRD website at the following link: Mount Work Regional Park Comment Form
The above link will be live between April 19 to May 16, 2022. We strongly encourage reviewing the plan, and keep the comments positive - we want to ensure continued support for bouldering in the Hartland area.
Thanks so much in advance for providing your comment, and helping SICA continue ensuring climbing is a sanctioned activity within CRD parks.
Sept 12, 2021
Local Rockstar (aheh) Chris Carter has been putting in the work this season at Petropolis boulders and has graciously made a living document for the area!
Here’s what Chris shared with us!
So I have been working on cleaning up Petropolis all summer and I have created a guide for the area!! It is Almost done but I just had to release it so people can go and check it out!! The link is sharable to anyone! Also if you get any new send you can email me at chriscarter142@hotmail.com and I will add it to the guide!! Get out and crush! Also here is a playlist of some boulders up there to get psyched and for beta!! Youtube Playlist
Link to the Guide
Big thanks from all of us to Chris for all his hard work! Much appreciated. We’ve updated our webmap in the SICA “Local Crags” page to link directly to this guide.
Happy Sending!
Sept 9, 2021
We have an update on Glen Lake! Langford will be starting work on trailbuilding for access improvement and this week!
The work will be broken into 4-5 stages, and the first stage will involve the approach trail from West Shore Parkway to the base of the Umbrage Wall. This first stage predominantly involves improvements to the approach trail, and while it has a safety element, it is also provides erosion mitigation so that our asset lasts a long time.
For the next few months users will notice the following changes within the Glen Lake Crag area:
1. Additional ‘Trail Closed Signs’ by the trail work area – this is to ensure both the safety of trail users and the builders, as there may be loose material in the area
2. A large pile of rock ‘fill’ material near the parking area which will be used to build up the necessary steps / erosion mitigative measures / walls, etc.
3. A crew of workers working daily within the Stage 1 trail area
Regarding the ‘Trail Closed Signs’ – we realize that climbers and trail users may have questions regarding this. Also without steady enforcement we realize that climbers may decide to still use these trails during construction.
- Please respect the trail closures and flagged off areas. They are flagged for safety reasons, especially after hours and on weekends.
- The purpose of the trail closure in the work area is to protect the workers and trail users. However, if the public still wishes to enter the area they do so at their own risk.
- The blast rock material is being used for the trail builders to do their work. We hope the community is able to leave this for them, as we have noticed material being moved around to improve the upper trail areas in the past. Taking the material just adds additional costs to our project, which could mean cuts to other aspects to the project to maintain budgets.
- The trail builders have a protocol in place if they encounter trail users. Users may be able to find a detour route, but again they trek at 100% their own risk.
- If you have feedback about the trailwork and access please reach out to us at SICA – we are in regular contact with Langford.
- Langford has asked SICA to connect any members who wish to volunteer, again if interested please reach out to SICA.
May 27, 2021
SICAs’ first annual AGM was a rousing success! A huge thank you to all of our members who showed up and officially voted in the board! We have a lot in the pipeline and are excited for the 2021 season!
Decemeber 12, 2020
June 30, 2020
Summer 2020 Newsletter (Added Oct 19, 2020)
April 26, 2020
As COVID-19 is still very present we are currently working on Policies for Developers
We are also working on building a relationship with CVRD to gain access to climbing areas in the Cowichan Valley
Hello Climbers!
SICA would like to offer some thoughts regarding outdoor climbing during Phase 2 of the Province’s COVID-19 management plan.
First off, we want to recognize how well the climbing community has reduced their climbing activities in the effort to reduce the spread of COVID. The South Island in particular has succeeded in containing general infection rates.
That said, with weather improving and evolving direction from the Premier and Provincial Health Officer toward a slight expansion of social contact, we have some updated suggestions for ‘COVID-aware’ climbing.
Please note: SICA is not stating climbing is "open season" - but if you feel you feel you can manage risk to you and your community, we ask you keep in mind the following guidelines:
Climb local – If you’re from the Island, consider climbing only on the Island – it cannot be stressed enough that the primary vector of COVID-19 is through individuals who travel, particularly those who travel often and widely. Per the guidance of the Province, please stay local – closer to home the better.
Consider a ‘one partner season’ – Choosing to climb with only one partner for the season - preferably one from your own household – helps manage the size of your social circle. Climbing in groups is still a bad idea! Carefully consider how to social distance while at the crag, isolate or even sanitize gear where possible.
Do not push yourself – Consider taking it easy. A broken leg or compacted spine can require hours of dedicated medical attention. Let’s not put further burden on our already busy emergency workers.
Climb less often – Let’s try to keep traffic levels on handholds down. The easiest way to stop COVID spreading from surface to person is to minimize the amount of people in contact with it. Consider also exploring a local crag you have not been before, particularly ones off the beaten path.
Clean your hands and practice good hygiene – While cleaning your hands at the crag is, at times, futile, try keeping your hands away from your face, consider belay gloves while belaying, and keep a rare bottle of hand sanitizer at the ready. And maybe leave that crag burrito at home.
Finally, while we offer the above to be considered as part of being a responsible climber, and a conscientious member of a wider community, they are in no way to be considered directives for your conduct. Everyone reading this is strongly encouraged to listen and follow the guidance put forward by provincial/local and federal health authorities, as it is their directives to which we all must adhere.
Thank you from all of us at SICA.