Do you like snow? The Knuckleheads needs your brain

BY ROGER ARTIGUES

The Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association (KWRA) is planning for the future. So we’re running a survey to gauge community interest and expectations for recreation opportunities in the backcountry mountains of qathet Regional District.

The survey will give direction to the Association’s current strategic planning process. KWRA is especially interested in hearing from more women, more youth, and more people who aren’t yet really active, but are curious about spending more time in the backcountry. We are also interested in hearing from people who live in Cranberry, Townsite, Wildwood, and north of town.

The survey asks questions about people’s current backcountry use, desires for future use, and ways the association might improve access and opportunities for backcountry recreation.

The KWRA was formed in 2004, and is named after the Knuckleheads, a series of alpine peaks overlooking the two cabins and trails that were built south of Freda Mountain.

We’re an access group; we work towards making it easier for the community to have reasonable access to the mountains in our backcountry. Whether it’s building and maintaining trails into the mountains, providing cabins to stay in, or promoting avalanche safety, we’re Powell River’s go-to resource for Alpine recreation.

Bucking the trend of typical outdoors groups, the association embraces all types of users; both human powered (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoes) and mechanical (snowmobiles, tracked ATVs, snowbikes).

NO BETTER PLACE FOR A MEMORIAL: At Sentinel Ridge’s newly-constructed Vic Cole Cabin – named for the late backcountry adventurer – his widow Shirley Cole stands by the plaque made in his honour (what a view!) alongside Jim Stutt, the project manager for the cabin construction. Fully outfitted with propane range and kitchen supplies, The Vic comfortably accommodates a dozen, (more if you’re close friends!) Bring your own sleeping gear.

In 2018, after completing the long awaited Vic Cole cabin on Sentinel Ridge, the association formalized our desire to advocate for year round mountain recreation throughout the Region.

Current KWRA President Joel Nordman says, “Originally we only had the two cabins at A and E branches, then the association was asked to take on Emma Lake cabin also. This led to our outlook expanding into the South Powell Divide, and towards asking ourselves where else we should be looking for opportunities for the community to recreate in the mountains. Once we got done with ‘The Vic’ [Vic Cole Cabin] we updated our mission statement to reflect our wish to be Powell River’s backcountry organization. PRPAWs, PRCA, and the BOMB squad have the frontcountry trails handled pretty well but we saw a need for an organization to build and maintain infrastructure further out into the mountains.”

KWRA’s active members have continuously been discussing their dreams for the future. For example, some want an alpine hut-to-hut experience; others a comfortable lodge for day and overnight use. The one unknown has been whether these dreams are ones shared by the greater local community.

We want to ensure that our activities and focus are aligned with what everyone wants.

The Knuckleheads survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. It will help the board plan backcountry accessibility for everyone, including “people who aren’t yet really active, but are curious about spending more time in the backcountry.”

Find it at: Tinyurl.com/KWRAsurvey

Anyone interested in joining the KWRA, finding more information about alpine recreation opportunities, or helping with activities please write to kwrapr@gmail.com or navigate to our Facebook page “Knuckleheads Winter Recreation”.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

SKI IN STYLE: The 1961 A-frame cabin at E-Branch (AKA the Mount Diadem Ski Lodge) burned down in 1977, but now there are three snow-sport huts in the backountry.

BY JOËLLE SÉVIGNY

The Knuckleheads have long been a winter destination in our backcountry for many activities including backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and “ATV-ing”.

In fact, in 1959, a ski club was created and named Mount Diadem Ski Club. Although the ski club was named after Mount Diadem, it was not located there but actually off what is now E-branch. This is because they mistook Freda Mountain for Mount Diadem.

The Knuckleheads were not easily accessible; it included a drive of approximately 25 kilometers on back roads and a three-kilometer trek to the site. Yet, even forty years ago, folks believed the trip was worth it, all in the hopes of finding that sweet light and fluffy powder.

The long journey to this winter wonderland is why people started staying overnight to maximize time up in the backcountry.

An A-frame lodge was eventually built in 1961 and expanded with additions throughout the years. On the slopes, there were also rope tows set up to bring skiers up the mountain.

The view, even just from the road to the ski site, was said to be breathtaking, showing the Coast Mountain range in all its winter finery.

Not everyone went up to the ski area for skiing; some took the trip just for the view, the fresh air, a small hike through the snow for a picnic or tobogganing with the kids.

There was even an annual Ski Ball: a fundraiser held at the Italian community hall where dancing went on to the early hours of the morning.

Unfortunately, in January 1977, a fire destroyed Mount Diadem ski lodge. Following the incident, the club was eventually dissolved.

Thankfully, today, through the efforts of many volunteers and the Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association, we have the A-branch, the E-branch as well as the Vic Cole Cabin to enjoy winter activities with friends and family!

Blast from the Past is a monthly historical column written by the Townsite Heritage Society’s board member Joëlle Sévigny.