BCHPA contributed to the construction and installation of a rescue cache dedicated to Mount Revelstoke for installation in spring 2015. This will contribute to the safety of the site both for local as well as visiting pilots, many of whom are international. The cache includes a Stretcher Kit and First Aid Kit.
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BCHPA, in partnership with the Alberta Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, made a contribution to the installation of a wind meter at the Nicholson LZ to make valley wind speed information available to pilots on launch at Golden, thus contributing to information about unexpected approaching gust fronts.
Nicholson wind meter reading In partnership with the Columbia Valley Cycling Society (CVCS), the Columbia Valley area pilots (about to become the "Columbia Valley Paragliding and Hang Gliding Society") engaged in major improvements to the Mount Swansea launch and access. Because of this partnership with CVCS, which had received a federal grant for the overall improvement to recreational facilities in the area, the BCHPA funds were doubled in value, and all of it went to improve the HG and PG facilities on Mount Swansea. The pending Columbia Valley Society will manage the launch site, maintain the webcam and Tower on top and will formally lease the landing field below, allowing for the construction of a parking lot there as well.
In specific, the BCHPA financial support to the local pilots was used for the following: removing the unsafe old wooden ramp; cleaning up the north launch to create a foot-launch area for hang gliders; tree removal and clean-up of south launch; extension of metal ramp on south launch to make it safer; setting up tower for webcam and installing webcam; purchase of flagpole and heavy-duty Canadian flag for installation at launch; hiking trail improvement for accessing launch from upper parking area. Partners in the overall improvement project included BCHPA, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Columbia Basin Trust, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Columbia Valley Cycling Society, Valley Chamber of Commerce, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Lake Windermere Pointe, M&H Logging, District of Invermere, Regional District of East Kootenay, and many volunteer hours of the pilots in the Columbia Valley. ![]() In Partnership with HPAC, the BCHPA designed and had fabricated a plaque commemorating long time pilot and Golden site steward, Peter Bowle-Evans. Peter played a huge part in making Mount 7 the world class flying site it is today, including securing the funding for, and designing the access road linking the upper resource roads on the mountain, with the launch. The plaque was placed on a prominent rock on the launch, along side memorials for Chris and Willie Muller. |
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January 2015
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