A spreadsheet or a balance sheet, it’s a difficult choice for me. Which do I love more? For certain statistics will always be my first love! Based on the numbers, it appears real estate was hopping throughout the spring! So, let’s take a comprehensive look at how Revelstoke's second quarter 2023 real estate market shaped up.
April to June 30, 2023 saw a total of 47 real estate transactions. This includes single family homes, strata properties, manufactured homes and vacant land. In the single-family home category, there were 30 transactions with sale prices ranging from $340,000 to $1,980,000 or an average sale price of $865,933, and an average sale time of 66 days. Nine of the sales were strata properties, three were manufactured home sales and five were sales of vacant land. In total there was $38,799,811 in real estate sales.
To compare, 2023’s first quarter totaled 29 transactions, with 14 single family home sales ranging from $485,000 to $1,610,000, and an average sale price of $876,029. The average sale timeline was 91 days. Eight strata properties, two manufactured homes sales and five in the vacant land category, totaling $28,764,099.
The breakdown – overall real estate sales were up quite significantly from the first quarter of 2023. Almost double in the single-family home category. The timeline to sell a single-family home decreased by approximately 30 days. The average sale price of a single-family home was down marginally as well.
It is of interest to note that six of the sales during the second quarter had a price tag of more than $1,000,000 and varied in sale timelines ranging from 12 days to 212 days. Listing prices of single-family homes remain consistent at $1,237,515. List volume has increased from 35 single family homes listed at the end of the first quarter of 2023 to 41 at the end of the second quarter of 2023.
The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) released an article July 13, 2023 stating, “June home sales continued to outperform expectations, following a very strong rebound in May. However, rising interest rates will likely dampen home sales activity in coming months,” **. Just recently the Bank of Canada hiked its interest rate by another 25 points to five per cent. Thus, again making borrowing, especially for first time home buyers, more difficult. It doesn’t
appear these outside market conditions are slowing real estate transactions in Revelstoke or the rest of BC. As we transition in the summer and fall with this increase the end of the third quarter of 2023 will be telling.
If you’re interested in more detailed information or want a market evaluation specific to your home or property, please reach out. I am always interested in meeting with the members of our amazing community to talk everything real estate and in particular your individual experiences and thoughts!
*Tara Sutherland, Associate Broker – RE/MAX Revelstoke Realty –250-814-8677 or tara@revelstoke-realty.com
** BCREA article https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/bc-markets-showingsigns-of-recovery-as-supply-remains-scarce/
** Information taken from the MLS for Revelstoke specifically on March 31, 2023 and April 18, 2023.
Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine is a free monthly publication featuring the best of Revelstoke outdoor life, food, style, visitor experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, home style and healthy living.
We are an independent, locally owned publication dedicated to showcasing our amazing mountain town and the great people who create the stoke.
Each issue we distribute 2,000 copies to public venues across Revelstoke, including hotel rooms, shops, restaurants, cafes, community centres — everywhere people meet.
For all inquiries, please contact us at info@revelstokemountaineer.com
For Revelstoke daily news online, please see our sister publication www.revelstokemountaineer.com
· 250 814 8710 info@revelstokemountaineer.com
606 Railway Avenue. Revelstoke, B.C. P.O. BOX 112 · V0E 2S0
PUBLISHER
Brandi Schier info@revelstokemountaineer.com
EDITOR
Hollie Ferguson info@revelstokemountaineer.com
REPORTER
Melissa Jameson melissa@revelstokemountaineer.com
EDITORIAL DESIGN/ADVERTISING DESIGN
Chris Payne chris@revelstokemountaineer.com
WEBSITE Chris Payne chris@revelstokemountaineer.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Connor Arsenault
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Connor Arsenault
When we were sitting down to plan this month’s issue with the theme of community history, we were excited to dig into the past and bring forward stories that helped residents understand Revelstoke from a modern perspective. An important priority in this exercise was to look at significant area events that historically did not include the voices or perspectives of all groups within the community. While entire books could (and have) been written on this topic, our reporter Melissa did an excellent job of highlighting just a few historical moments to help introduce people to this topic in Missing from the Record. We’re excited to share this with our readers. We also included a feature on the 30th anniversary of the Revelstoke Railway Museum, a story on giant trees to look at the natural history of the area, among some other interesting community stories.
While working on this issue, alongside the rest of the community, we experienced another collective moment together— the death of
Revelstoke resident and wildland firefighter Devyn Gale. Part of community journalism is helping to shape and share the public record, and while this was a tragedy that gained international attention, what shone through while telling this story was the community solidarity and spirit of the town, alongside so many around the province who are a part of the BC Wildfire organization.
We’re grateful to Devyn’s family who participated in producing this story amid their unimaginable grief, as well as to all the community voices who helped us share who Devyn was and her place in this community. While we can’t truly understand the depth of their grief, we hope there are moments of solace through sharing their memories and understanding the impact her life had on those around her. We are honored to play a small part in preserving her memory through these pages and will be donating to the Revelstoke Community fund set up in her honour.
COVER AND INSET PHOTO: Firefighters from the Columbia zone form ranks ahead of a memorial procession for fallen firefighter Devyn Gale in Revelstoke on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Photos by Jesse Winter6 EVENTS CALENDAR
Find out what's happening around Revelstoke in July 2023 by checking out our events calendar. Don't forget to add your community event online at www.revelstokemountaineer.com
8 DEVYN GALE
The Revelstoke community mourns the loss of Wildland firefighter Devyn Gale. 10
NEW DISC GOLF COURSE
A Professional redesign and overhaul of the disc golf course on Powerhouse Road is happening this summer.
12
REVELSTOKE RAILWAY MUSEUM: 30TH ANNIVERSARY AT MUSEUM
The long and colourful history of one of Revelstoke’s Cultural Cornerstones.
14
PROFILE - JESSE ZAHACY
Jesse Zahacy’s Instagram is about inspiring people to love themselves at every shape and size
16
MISSING FROM THE RECORD Misunderstood moments in Revelstoke’s past.
18
RMR DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
New offerings for resort visitors and construction projects ongoing.
20
REVY.LIVE
Revelstoke's summer-long free music performance series returns to Grizzly Plaza this summer with nearly two months of nightly performances. Check out the list of bands here.
22
THE HUNT FOR CHAMPION TREES
Amanda Lewis’ new book inspires to get out and connect with our forest neighbours.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
DOWNTOWN HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Revelstoke Museum for a one-hour guided tour of Revelstoke’s historic downtown. Discover why the downtown moved from its original location and why Campbell Avenue is so wide, and find some hidden features in Grizzly Plaza. $10.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
DOWNTOWN HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meet at the Revelstoke Museum for a one-hour guided tour of Revelstoke’s historic downtown. Discover why the downtown moved from its original location and why Campbell Avenue is so wide, and find some hidden features in Grizzly Plaza. $10.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
SUNSETTER SERIES
Art First Gallery, 113 First Street West, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The doors of the gallery will be open late for creatives, collectors and appreciators to come explore the talented work of local artists. Everyone is welcome. Visit artfirstgallery.ca for more info.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
REVELSTOKE FARM & CRAFT MARKET/ REVELSTOKE LFI FARMERS MARKET
Downtown Revelstoke, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Head downtown to Mackenzie Ave and First Street where you’ll find not one, but two farmers’ markets full of locally grown produce, arts & crafts and much more.
INVASIVE PLANT WORKSHOP
Mount Revelstoke National Park, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Part of Revelstoke’s Wildflower Festival, join a Parks Canada Resource Conservation vegetation specialist for a workshop focusing on the removal of vetch and other invasive species around Balsam and Heather Lake area. Some light hiking is involved. Call 250-837-7500 or email mrg.information@pc.gc. ca to register. A valid Parks Canada pass is required to participate. For more details and a list of all events taking place during the festival visit seerevelstoke. com/event/wild-flower-festival.
EDIBLE INVASIVE PLANT ID WALK
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Road, 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Led by knowledgeable guides from the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society, learn about invasive plant species and their impact on the local ecosystem while traversing the picturesque Bottoms Up Trail. The highlight of the walk will be the opportunity to identify edible invasive plants and explore their culinary uses. For more information contact the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society at 1-855-785-9333 or info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org. A registration form can be found at seerevelstoke.com/ event/wild-flower-festival.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
DROP-IN WILDFLOWER PAINTING
Mount Revelstoke National Park, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Drop into the Balsam Lake
Picnic Shelter near the summit of Mount Revelstoke for some wildflower watercolour painting. All supplies for a family-friendly painting are provided. Free with a current Parks Pass. A shuttle is available from downtown Revelstoke. For more details and a list of all events taking place during the festival visit seerevelstoke.com/ event/wild-flower-festival.
REVY PADDLE FEST
Industrial Park, Powerhouse Road, see event website for event times
A unique, three-day family friendly celebration of paddle sports, music and movement hosted by the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association. Visit revypaddlefest.com for more information.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
REVELSTOKE FARM & CRAFT MARKET/ REVELSTOKE LFI FARMERS MARKET
Downtown Revelstoke, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Head downtown to Mackenzie Ave and First Street where you’ll find not one, but two farmers’ markets full of locally grown produce, arts & crafts and much more.
DIY TOTE BAG PRINTING
Gazebo, Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre and decorate a tote bag with a hand-cut linoleum block design commemorating the 2023 Wildflower Festival. 20 bags will be available for a suggested donation of $10 each, or you can bring your own fabric items to be customized with this year’s design. For more details and a list of all events taking place during the festival visit seerevelstoke.com/event/ wild-flower-festival.
REVY PADDLE FEST –SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY
Industrial Park, Powerhouse Road, 5 p.m.- 12 a.m.
Enjoy an evening of live music, DJs, food trucks, a beer garden and more. Featuring artist Deekline coming in from the UK. Hosted by the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association, as part of the Revy Paddle Fest. This is a family friendly event. Visit revypaddlefest.com for more information.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
POTTERY GARDEN PARTY
Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mix and mingle among the gardens of the Local Food Initiative outside the Visual Arts Centre for a semiformal garden party and pop-up pottery shop. Watch potters engaging in friendly skills competitions on-site. For more details and a list of all events taking place during the festival visit seerevelstoke.com/event/wild-flower-festival.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15
DOWNTOWN HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Revelstoke Museum for a one-hour guided tour of Revelstoke’s historic downtown. Discover why the downtown moved from its original location and why Campbell Avenue is so wide, and find some hidden features in Grizzly Plaza. $10.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
EXHIBITION OPENING
Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Featuring Alexandra Goodall and Danielle Savage’s Migration Parade in the main gallery. Works by Sarah Hope, Kristina Dicembre and Ariel Plant in the side galleries. Viewing from 2-5 p.m.; social event with live music and refreshments for purchase from 5-8 p.m. Entry $5.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
RED BULL DOWNTIME
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950
Camozzi Road, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Experience the thrill of uniquely Canadian competitions where mountain bike riders of all skill levels compete against the clock. Riders will test their speed on the iconic Macht Schnell trail at RMR, competing for the title of Red Bull Downtime champion and a chance to win a tip to Red Bull Joyride 2024 in Whistler, BC
SUNSETTER SERIES
Art First Gallery, 113 First Street West, 6 p.m. - 9p.m.
The doors of the gallery will be open late for creatives, collectors and appreciators to come explore the talented work of local artists. Everyone is welcome. Visit artfirstgallery.ca for more info.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
REVELSTOKE FARM & CRAFT MARKET/ REVELSTOKE LFI FARMERS MARKET
Downtown Revelstoke, 8 a.m.-1p.m. Head downtown to Mackenzie Ave and First Street where you’ll find not one, but two farmers’ markets full of locally grown produce, arts & crafts and much more.
MIDSUMMERS NIGHT GREEN’S
First Light Farm, 2009 Big Eddy Road, 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
The Revelstoke Local Food Initiative’s annual Midsummers Night Green’s farm-totable fundraiser returns. This year’s event is taking place at First Light Farm and will be a celebration of Revelstoke’s incredible local food scene, and an incredible dinner featuring local produce created by chef Austin Luciow and the Community Kitchen. Tickets are $120 per person and include an incredible meal, two drinks, live entertainment, and a donation to the LFI. For more information or to purchase tickets visit revelstokelocalfood.com
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22
DOWNTOWN HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Revelstoke Museum for a one-hour guided tour of Revelstoke’s historic downtown. Discover why the downtown moved from its original location and why Campbell Avenue is so wide, and find some hidden features in Grizzly Plaza. $10.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
REVELSTOKE FARM & CRAFT MARKET/ REVELSTOKE LFI
FARMERS MARKET
Downtown Revelstoke, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Head downtown to Mackenzie Ave and First Street where you’ll find not one, but two farmers’ markets full of locally grown produce, arts & crafts and much more.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29
DOWNTOWN HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Revelstoke Museum for a one-hour guided tour of Revelstoke’s historic downtown. Discover why the downtown moved from its original location and why Campbell Avenue is so wide, and find some hidden features in Grizzly Plaza. $10.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30
GIRLS GONE MILD –SOCIAL RIDE
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Road, 4 p.m. - 7p.m.
A fun and social ride for ladies to enjoy green and chill blue trails in a supportive environment, led by a professional bike guide from the Mountain Bike School. Explore the mountain, connect with other riders and develop your skills and confidence on the trails. Visit revelstokemountainresort.com for more information.
Genuine altruism -- acts of unselfish kindness to others -is a rare quality. It’s a quality, undoubtedly, that Devyn Gale possessed. She died on July 13, 2023, while helping to protect the community she loved. She was just 19 years old.
Gale was working alongside a team of wildland firefighters, clearing brush within a remote area just outside of Revelstoke where a small fire had started. When Gale’s team lost contact with her, they went searching, then discovered her caught under a fallen tree. Cpl. James Grandy, with the BC RCMP, said the team immediately began first aid. Gale was then airlifted to Queen Victoria Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
At the time of publication, Gale’s death was being investigated by multiple government bodies including the BC Wildfire Service, WorkSafe BC and the RCMP, however police say there is no suspicion of criminal activity involved. Her death, the fourth linked to B.C. wildfires since 2010, received international media coverage. Numerous fire halls across the province, including Revelstoke, lowered their flags to half staff. The BC Government Employees Union, B.C. Premiere David Eby, B.C. Forests minister Bruce Ralston and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued statements. Revelstoke community members, groups and businesses shared their condolences on social media.
It was Gale’s third season as a wildland firefighter; a job she loved. She worked as an initial attack crew member out of the Columbia Fire Zone in Revelstoke. News of her passing deeply impacted the tight-knit firefighting community.
“On Thursday evening, our hearts broke,” the BC Wildfire Service wrote in a social media post on Sunday, July 17. “Devyn Gale…was a trusted colleague, a loving friend, a beloved sibling and a cherished daughter. She personified the
Photo credit: Lisa Takkinen
iconic Reds and Blues of wildland firefighting in British Columbia; she was bravery hard work, determination, leadership and selflessness. She was one of us. She was the heart of us.”
In a statement shared through the BC Wildfire Service, Gale’s family – her parents Philomena and Graham, her brother Nolan and her sister Kayln –wrote about what an amazing sister and loving daughter she was.
“She was so kind and thoughtful. She was the most sensible among us three siblings. She was careful, considerate and hard working. She was smarter and better at what she did than she gave herself credit for. Devyn was an outstanding third year firefighter, a strong leader among her peers in wildfire and was on her way to becoming a compassionate nurse. We are so grateful to have grown up beside her. We are grateful for everything she’s done for us and others, completely out of kindness with no expectation for reciprocation. She truly didn’t deserve this. We love you Devyn and we hope you are OK wherever you are now.”
A graduate of the Revelstoke Secondary School Class of 2020, Gale was a third-year nursing student at UBC Okanagan. In a statement, Dr. Marie Tarrant, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development, said Devyn had strong connections with fellow students and instructors.
“Her loss is deeply felt in our School of Nursing community and beyond,” Tarrant wrote.
“The fact that Devyn was putting herself on the frontline to fight wildfires and also working towards a nursing career on the frontline of our healthcare system speaks to the strength of her character,” said Dr. Lesley Cormack, deputy vice-chancellor of UBC’s Okanagan campus. “We will all need to take time to mourn her loss.”
Gale’s family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the Revelstoke Community Foundation.
The Revelstoke Community Foundation has set up a fund in Gale’s honour. In an email to the Mountaineer, executive coordinator Heather Abbot said when the time is right, the foundation will work with the Gale family on how they wish to see the funds being directed in the future.
“Seeing the loss of Devyn has been heartbreaking but the outpouring of love for Devyn and the Gale family has been incredible,” Abbott said. “We hope this allows Devyn’s legacy and her vibrant life to live on in Revelstoke forever.”
Those wishing to donate in Gale’s memory can do so by visiting revelstokecommunityfoundation.com
Wildland firefighter Devyn Gale worked as an initial attack crew member out of the Columbia Fire Zone in Revelstoke. She died on July 13, 2023, when she was caught underneath a fallen tree while working with her team to clear brush within a remote area just outside of Revelstoke where a small fire had started. Photo credit Nolan Gale/instagram
The disc golf course at the end of Powerhouse Road is about to undergo a huge makeover. This course, which has existed in one form or another for the past 10 years is finally being brought up to par. From beginning as a bit of a renegade course, with just metal and wooden signs on the ground, the transition to the baskets that are standard for disc golf courses is a welcome change for disc golf enthusiasts.
Disc golf is played by throwing these small and maneuverable discs around on a course and aiming for “holes,” similar to traditional golf. The discs are smaller and heavier than the frisbees that everyone is familiar with. This accessible sport has finally gained mainstream popularity, and the town of Revelstoke is riding the wave. Like with golf, in that there’s 18 “holes” to a course and you’re out in nature, that’s where the similarities end. There
are no expensive fees to play and no heavy bags full of clubs to lug around. Just buy yourself a disc and you’re ready to go!
This course lies on City of Revelstoke land, and talks began last fall as to what the future of the park might look like. Disc golf enthusiasts in town became involved in these talks and this led to the formation of a non-profit in October, the Revelstoke Disc Golf Society (RDGS). After partnering with the city, funding for this course overhaul was secured from the Columbia Basin Trust and the Resort Municipality Initiative. While the course is already 18 holes, the new course will be greatly expanded, with seven new holes completely outside the existing land base of the course and maybe only two of the current holes left the same.
The Revelstoke Mountaineer spoke with Will Moores, the President of the RDGS about how the
redesign and overhaul is going.
Moores is very excited about this course getting an upgrade and expresses that for Revelstoke to finally have a legitimate course will be a great benefit for the community. The other courses in Revelstoke include a beginner-friendly, nine hole course at the base of the resort and a course near the confluence of the Illecillewaet River and the Columbia River, which often gets flooded out and overgrown. To have a standardized course available for the entire season will give both locals and visitors another way to get out and have fun, according to Moores.
For the redesign of the course, the RDGS has contracted Kevin Farley of Fluent Disc Sport in Ontario to collaborate and finalize the design.
This course is being designed to accommodate people of all skill levels and Moores stresses that
“the essence of the sport is to get out, throw frisbees and have fun.”
While the holes at the redesigned course will generally be a bit longer than they are now, this course will continue to be a welcoming place for people of all abilities.
Plenty of progress has already been made on the work of rebuilding the course. They’ve completed bird and wildlife surveys, and a number of contractors have donated their time. Loki Tree completed adanger tree assessment and fire crews didchainsaw work and brushing.
The RDGS has a timeline that hopes to see the course completed by the end of the summer, with the goal of keeping the courseopen for the entire time the construction is underway. Once the course is finished, there will be some kind of event or celebration. Keep your ears to the ground. Moores also said RDGS is hoping to host some friendly tournaments, league nights and skills clinics for disc golfers looking to improve their skills.
When asked about the dynamic of working with the city, Moores cites this relationship as being one of the greatest aids to the project.
“Laurie Donato (Director of Parks and Recreation) has been super supportive,” he said. “Working with her and the city, it’s been great.”
One example of the benefit of this relationship was in securing funding. Having the support of the city was an extra assurance of the legitimacy of the project, Moores said.
Other elements included in the Park Plan, which was approved by council this June, are a fenced off-leash dog park and a community garden. There will also be a boathouse for the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association and a few different put-in spots in the river.
To find the park and the disc golf course, head to the end of Powerhouse Road and veer to the right at the end of the road. Alternatively, park at Bridge Creek and walk to the river and turn upstream. The first hole of the current disc golf course is located right beside the river at the downstream end of the park.
To get yourself a disc, either head to Free Spirit Sports or to R Gear at the hill if you want a Revelstoke Mountain Resort branded disc. A driver makes a good all-around disc if you plan on just getting one – just be careful to not lose it in the long grass!
Tourism Revelstoke is proud to support events in our community. This is a great way to not only ensure that our visitors have a great time and see the best of Revelstoke, but to support our community and local organizations.
Through our extensive resident surveying last year, it was clear that community events are a source of joy and pride for many Revelstokians. Directing MRDT funding (hotel tax revenues) to these landmark events is a great way to ensure that our residents benefit from tourism in our community.
Between grant funding and MRDT funding, in 2022 we directed $220,000 of funding towards events. These included LUNA, The Canadian Enduro Series, The Indigenous Spring Gathering, Woodstoke, Revy. Live Outside, Colour the Slopes, and more. In 2023, we have two budgeting streams for events - those that enhance the visitor experience and those that support our destination management objectives. This allows us to direct funding to a wider variety of community events, not just those that satisfy marketing objectives. So far in 2023 we have been able to support marquee events like the Natural Selection Tour, but also important community initiatives like Re Fest, the ACC’s SheTour Event, the Garlic Festival, and Open Mountains’ Queer Climbing Camps.
If you are organizing a community event that needs funding support, please visit DestinationRevelstoke.com to share your great idea and to access our resources and support for community event organizers. Our residents are our most important stakeholders. Thanks for everything you do to make Revelstoke an incredible place to live and to visit.
THE LONG AND COLOURFUL HISTORY OF ONE OF REVELSTOKE’S CULTURAL CORNERSTONES
By Connor ArsenaultTake one look around the Revelstoke Railway Museum and it isn’t hard to see why it’s hailed as one of the best small railway museums in Canada. The museum features tons of interpretive displays, a wide variety of rolling stock outside and the crown jewel resting inside: steam locomotive 5468. Revelstoke as a town owes its very existence to the railway, originally beginning as an outpost on the transcontinental railway line in the late 1800s. These mountains around us are home to some of the most lively history to do with the railway, and the Revelstoke Railway Museum serves to preserve the valuable knowledge and artefacts associated with the birth of our mountain town.
Since the grand opening on June 16, 1993, over half a million people have come to visit the museum and learn about the importance and influence of the railway on the history of Revelstoke. On the anniversary of the grand opening this year, there was a big event commemorating how far the museum has come. Attended by some of the founders of the museum, the mayor and local RCMP, there were many speeches, stories and conviviality. The celebrations also recognized updates to the museum including new washrooms, an elevator and new accessible doors.
The Revelstoke Mountaineer had the opportunity to chat about the museum and the significance of the 30th anniversary with the museum’s Executive Director, Jim Cullen and long-time railway historian and author Doug Mayer. It turns out the Railway Museum has a pretty epic origin story. First conceived at Expo 86 by a bunch of railway aficionados, the idea came to get a steam
locomotive that had worked in Revelstoke to put on display and to create a museum around it.
It was discovered that the Canadian Railway Museum in Montreal had one of these locomotives in their collection and a group of local guys led by Ernie Ottewell made their way out east to get this locomotive and bring it back home to Revelstoke. A year long saga full of trials and tribulations ensued and crowds of people flocked to see this “iron dinosaur” all along the route back to Revelstoke. When talking about it, Cullen said: “It’s kind of a miracle that we have this locomotive.”
These days, there are a multitude of other displays inside the museum, including the original Revelstoke train station sign that our city’s current branding is modeled after. Spoiler alert: it did include the period after the word Revelstoke. If you look in just the right light you can see where it’s been painted over.
Out in the yard there’s a few noteworthy railway cars including diesel locomotive number 5500, which is the first 3000 horsepower diesel locomotive that Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) started using and the great-grandparent of the current locomotives you see powering the trains that rumble through town. Also on display are two snowplows, which as you can imagine play a key role in the history of the railway in these mountains. Behind one of the snowplows is a super interesting-looking machine called a spreader. This is essentially like a road grader, but for the railway and it looks like something straight out of Mad Max.
One of the fan favourites in the yard is the well-preserved caboose. You can even go inside and check it out. The subject of many songs and even children’s story books, the caboose has definitely gone down in history and earned itself an enduring place in the public consciousness.
“If you were a martian coming down from Mars to study Canadian railways, you would conclude it was all about the cabooses,”Cullen joked.
Inside the museum you’ll find the scaled down versions of all the railway cars outside. Revelstoke’s model railway layout is a sight to behold and highlights all of the important landmarks along our section of the railway. It’s very detailed, even down to little woodland animals hiding in the forest.
The museum is also happy about their new exhibit: Revelstoke is a Railway Town. With this new exhibit, the museum is aiming to rekindle pride in the local railway history, and act as a gateway for visitors to the region.
“We have a lot of new people coming into Revelstoke… the nature of our community is changing. We have a choice, we can become another Whistler or Canmore, or we can retain some of our wonderful originality,”Cullen said about the new exhibit.
The exhibit’s storyline really focuses on the social history of the railway here in Revelstoke, which Doug Mayer said had an impact on all community members.
“There was a time when everybody had something to do with the railway in Revelstoke, because there was no Trans-Canada highway,” Mayer said. “Everything you got came on the railway. You need a new refrigerator; it comes on the railway. You pick it up at the freight yard. You can’t be a Revelstokian and
not have some knowledge of how we got here.”
Perhaps the biggest influence the railway has had on present-day Revelstoke is putting Revelstoke on the map. William Van Horne, who was general manager of CPR while the railway was being completed in the west, famously said, “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists.”
Many luxurious hotels were built along the railway line that facilitated the arrival of tourists in this region, including Glacier House in Roger’s Pass. Countless tourists came to visit these mountains and Swiss guides were even brought in to popularize mountaineering in Canada.
Throughout the era of the passenger train, Glacier House was a very popular place.
“I think that set in motion the basis for the tourism business that we enjoy today,” Cullen said. “Tourism isn’t some new thing here. We even had a CPR hotel in Revelstoke, up on the hill behind the station.”
One uncommon area of this valley’s history has become a big focus for Cullen.
“I am on a journey of decolonizing the museum.”
Recognizing the importance of honouring and involving Indigenous people in the telling of this story, Cullen is working to build relationships with First Nations representatives, with the intention of co-creating the representation of the story of the railway.
Just as the railway changed everything for colonialists, it also changed everything for the native peoples who had been inhabiting these valleys for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the first white man and the “discovery” of these valleys and passes.
Over time, the galleries and activities of the museum will integrate with the First Nation’s story. The museum is one of the first railway museums in the country to take an active role in this. By partnering with the Indigenous
Friendship Society of Revelstoke and hosting events and classes led by Indigenous educators about colonization and decolonization, the Revelstoke Railway Museum is using their agency to lead the way on reconciliation among Canadian Railway Museums.
Looking forward, the museum is excited to be hosting Luna Rail, formerly known as Railway Day, their hallmark event, on Sunday Sep. 24. At this oneday family event, there will be railway themed activities, entertainment and demonstrations. This year, they’re teaming up with Luna fest, so expect big things and a lot of fun.
As part of the 30th anniversary, the museum is also holding a fundraiser to restore their diesel locomotive number 5500. This locomotive has been designated “outstanding significance of national importance,” and represents a landmark in the technology of railways. It is in need of an overhaul, and the museum is accepting donations for this cause in person and online.
If you’re looking to get a railway history fix and have some fun ogling timeless artefacts, make sure to get out and visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum this summer. They’re open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week.
JESSE ZAHACY’S INSTAGRAM IS ABOUT INSPIRING PEOPLE TO LOVE THEMSELVES AT EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE
By Melissa JamesonScroll through Jesse Zahacy’s Instagram page and you’ll come across a post with two photos. In the first, she’s posed on her side – model thing with bleached blonde hair – her body carefully positioned so there is no possibility of even a naturally occurring roll or wrinkling of her skin. In the second, Jesse is seated with her knees to one side, wearing a black two-piece. Her hair is no longer bleached, her body no longer thin, it’s natural folds and rolls proudly on display. Below the images, the caption reads:
Bleach blonde hair, the tiniest body I could manage, and it all still wasn’t good enough. I compare these photos and realize they are the same person, same heart, same soul. But one is so deeply broken. The first was the most unhealthy I’ve ever been in my life. The second I’m finally living my life to its fullest. At the end of the day, it’s your choice to choose. And I choose me.
When I meet with Zahacy for this story, she’s open about her life-long struggle with her body image.
“I always knew I needed to make a change in loving myself essentially for who I am today and step into a positive outlook,” she said. “I’ve always been very negative on myself.I’ve always struggled with crash dieting and overworking out and – just to really simplify it – restricting myself. It was just becoming a roller coaster of bad self habits and a never-ending circle. I just thought, ‘I need to break out of this or I’m going to be stuck in this forever’.”
Knowing there must be others who felt the same way, in 2018 Zahacy created her Instagram page, @YourDailyDoseofSelfLove, intent on changing the narrative, learning to enjoy herself, and what she looked like.
“I’ve learned I like myself a lot more in being happy in who I am.”
While research has shown the body positivity movement can lead to improved self-care, reduce unhealthy diet behaviours, lower the risk of depression and boost self-esteem, it isn’t absent of criticism. The most common critiques of the body positivity movement are around it’s lack of inclusivity, with critics often pointing out that most body positive social media accounts are created by cis-gendered, non-disabled white women, and others raise concerns it promotes obesity.
In the beginning, those critiques and comments had Zahacy second guessing her decision to create the account.
“I was still a kid then,” she said. “I was in my early 20s. The project scared me. It was too much too soon, and I didn’t know how to react to the negative comments and people commenting on my body.”
So, she stopped posting.
“At the end of the day everybody is going to struggle at some point in their life with body positivity”
A fourth-generation local, Zahacy has lived in Revelstoke her entire life. She lives with her husband and their two dogs. She has worked at Grizzly Automotive for the last seven years, a job she loves. She has a love of murder mysteries and a penchant for anything true crime. She’s also passionate about speaking out about the dangers found in the toxic diet culture.
Five months ago, older and more confident, Zahacy started posting again. The comments and critiques still happen, but her outlook is that criticism is going to come regardless of how her body looks.
“I think at the end of the day everybody is going to struggle at some point in their life with body positivity and wanting to change in some way to feel
better about themselves. It’s been a major struggle for me. Criticism is going to come in your life whether you’re at your smallest or at your biggest…. People are going to judge you no matter what and you have to be OK with just loving yourself.”
Her Instagram page has also helped her with accountability. For many people who struggle with their body image, it’s easy to slip back into restrictive eating and other toxic dieting behaviours due to societal pressures to be thin. It isn’t the pictures of herself now that Zahacy struggles to post, but the ones from before – the images of her as a bleached blonde, skinny enough to be a Victoria’s Secret model, but at the detriment of her own health.
“I was at my most vulnerable and scared to post my skinnier photos, rather than the ones of me now, because I feel like I’ve grown into the person I’m wanting to become. I’m confident in myself. When I was at my skinniest I was depriving myself and I was really hard on myself. I feel like I was a lot harder on myself, so those were the hardest pictures to post,” she said.
“I’m 28, almost 29. I’ve been on this journey for 28 years. I’ve done every crash diet. Every work out. I’ve lost 70 pounds. I’ve gained it all back. I did it all over again like a yo-yo. At the end of the day, I just have to remind myself what the end goal is. It’s about inspiring myself and other people to love themselves at every shape and size.”
As our time comes to an end, I ask Zahacy to share three pieces of advice for people who want to learn to love themselves. Here is what she said:
“Look at yourself naked in the mirror daily and give yourself three compliments. It could be something as simple as your dimples when you smile, or your hips in your favourite dress.”
“Delete everything diet culture, every toxic account that makes you feel less of who you want to be and deprives you from your happiness. [Get rid of] anything that doesn’t bring you happiness in who you are.”
“It kind of goes off the second – surround yourself with people who are people. People who love and cherish you and accept you for exactly who you are.”
You can follow Jesse on Instagram @YourDailyDoseOfSelfLove
When you’re exploring the history of a community it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to look at only the ‘good,’ particularly where you were born there, or it’s where you’ve lived for a long time. Even tourists, intent on learning everything they can about a place they’ve dreamed of visiting for years, can get caught up in learning one version of history. But, Canada, like other countries built on colonialist ideals, isn’t absent from controversy, and neither is Revelstoke.
In Canada, the whitewashing of history refers to the shrugging off or ignoring the negative aspects of our shared history, focusing on telling a narrative that ignores or Indigenous, Black, or other historically marginalized peoples.
In honour of this issue’s historical theme, here are three examples of whitewashing of historical events that took place in, or near, Revelstoke.
“Before the 1880s, the Sinixt – also known as the Lakes or Arrow Lakes people – lived and thrived in this region as far back as they can remember. Skxikn (pronounced Sku-hee-kin), now known as the Big Eddy, was the site of a Sinixt village or camp and a place of trade and socialization with Eastern Secwépemc people
who often joined them as part of their seasonal rounds. We know there were places of importance to the Sinixt all along the river south of Revelstoke, throughout the Arrow Lakes and beyond.” – Laura Stovel, Revelstoke Mountaineer, 2021
On Oct. 5, 1953, Annie Joseph died. Joseph, who lived at the Oatscott Reserve near Burton, B.C., is the last legally recognized Sinixt person in Canada. The Sinixt, like all other Indigenous Peoples of Canada, have endured centuries of racist, colonialist practices aimed at assimilation and the eradication of their cultures.
In 1956, the Canadian federal government declared the Sinixt extinct.
In Revelstoke, the narrative that no Indigenous peoples could have lived in the area in any permanent sort of way due to its long, harsh winters persisted for centuries, even though it is accepted that other Indigenous groups across Canada, and the world, have made their homes in extreme climates for time immemorial.
In a 2016 interview with the Revelstoke Mountaineer about the opening of a new exhibit exploring Sinixt history, Revelstoke Museum & Archives curator Cathy English said when she first arrived in the community, she was told no First Nations peoples lived in the area, or that they may have been seasonal residents but did not have any sort of permanent home. We now know this to be untrue and the problem was in applying colonial
understanding of “home” to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Efforts to undo the harm caused by the whitewashing of Sinixt history in Revelstoke include the permanent exhibition at the museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the Sinixt, view artifacts and listen to audio displays of their language. The Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke has worked to build connections with Sinixt elders and knowledge keepers.
Identities of Japanese workers killed in 1910 avalanche unknown for nearly a century
On March 4, 1910, Canada’s worst avalanche disaster occurred at Roger’s Pass. In the afternoon of that day, an avalanche came down Mount Cheops and buried the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Men arrived on a work train dispatched from Revelstoke and, along with the help of a rotary snow plow, began to clear the line. Then, disaster struck.
It was around midnight when a second avalanche came down from the opposite side of the valley. An entry in the Revelstoke Museum & Archives curator’s blog titled ‘Overwhelmed- Remembering the March 4, 1910, Avalanche at Rogers Pass’ reads:
“The trench where the men were working became a tomb. When the flurry of snow and wind subsided,
Sturgeon Nosed Canoe Both Sinixt and Yaqan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay Indian Band of the Ktunaxa Nation) used the sturgeon-nosed canoe to travel regional rivers and lakes. Kootenay Lake Archives, Kaslo, BC, 988.040.0724there were few survivors. The final death toll: 58 brave men. […] The victims reflect Canada’s cultural mosaic – they were Japanese, English, Irish, Scottish, Danish, and Polish. Some had lived in Canada for generations, and some were more recent immigrants.”
Of the 58 men who died, 32 were Japanese. It would be generations still until their names were uncovered. Approached by museum curator Cathy English to assist with a research project about the deadly avalanche, Tomo Fujimura — a Revelstoke avalanche technician originally from Japan — spent two years searching for the names of the Japanese workers. Eventually, Fujimura found the names of all 32 men. According to an article in the Revelstoke Current, he found a Vancouver-based Japanese newspaper and was able to match the names against paystubs he had obtained.
“Out of the 32 men, Tomo has found the names of all the individuals and has also tracked down five of the families [sic] ancestors still living in Japan and shared them with their family members’ story,” the Current article reads.
In 2010, 100 years after the deadly event, a commemorative service took place in Revelstoke to honour the 58 men who died. Three descendants of the Japanese labourers attended: Mannusoke Yamaji, who travelled from Japan; Reiko Kazumori and Tomoko Yamaji.
The names of the 32 Japanese men are: Masatora Abe, Matsuei Hayashida, Isamu Hirano, Shinzo Hirano, Heikichi Horiuchi, Nakasu Ikeda, Takefusa Imamura, Kinsaku Ishiyama, Shokei Kamugai, Kenichi Kanegawa, Koichi Kaboyashi, Kanjuro Maeda, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, Kitaro Miyake, Fusakichi Mizukawa, Yasujiro Mochizuki, Kesakichi Omura, Takeshi Onodera, Kisaburo Otake, Hikohachi Sakoda, Kitaro Saski, Seiichi Sasaki, Kenjiro Sato, Tokuichi Takeda, Yasuharu Takeda, Ginzo Tanabe, Aitaro Tsuboi, Genichi Tsuboi, Sentaro Tsujimura, Keisaburo Ueno, Otokichi Wasa, Mannosuke Yamaji.
Chinese labourers missing from the infamous Last Spike photo
An iconic photo of Canadian history, The Last Spike, commemorates the final, ceremonial spike driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway at Craigellachie on Nov. 7, 1885. It was the realization of a campaign promise made by Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John. A Macdonald in the 1870s: to have a railway linking the country from coast to coast. The photo is also an everlasting example of historical whitewashing.
In the photo, railway financier Donald Smith is pictured driving in the last spike. Behind him stands a young boy. Surrounding the two is a small crowd of men. Smith, the boy (18-year-old Edward Mallandaine a.k.a. “The Craigellachie Kid”), and all of the other men in the photograph are white. Prior to the photograph being taken, all the Chinese railway labourers (and any other nonwhite workers) were removed from view.
In total, about 15,000 temporary labourers from China helped to build the railway. They were paid $1.00 a day, while white men received $1.50 to $2.50. They were given the most dangerous tasks and faced harsh working conditions. Hundreds died from accidents, illness, cold and malnutrition.
An article on the BC Provincial Government website about the history of the railway and the legacy of Chinese people in BC states:
“With the beginning of the construction of the CPR in the 1880s, Chinese workers were crucial for the building of the difficult western sections of the railway. Chinese railway workers were brought by ship from both California and China to start building the CPR from the west coast at the same time that European labourers began building the eastern section from coast to coast. Over the course of the construction and by the end of 1882, of the 9,000 railway workers, 6,500 were Chinese Canadians. They were employed to build the BC segment of railway through the most challenging and dangerous terrain.”
There is, however, a possibility that at least one Chinese railway labourer appears in the Last Spike photo. According to an obituary published in the Jan. 5, 1956 in an issue of the Revelstoke Review, Wing Chung was present at the historical event.
“Cathy English, curator of the Revelstoke Museum and Archives for four decades, cautions that the information in the obituary can’t be verified, and the article doesn’t provide further details,” reads a story published by the CBC on May 13, 2023.
“There’s nobody that appears to be of a different race in the photograph, but the newspaper account says that he was there,” English is quoted as saying in the CBC story. “Wing Chung certainly wouldn’t have been included in the ceremony even if he was present there.”
There are many other examples of misunderstood moments and the marginalization of various groups throughout Canada’s (and Revelstoke’s) history. What’s important moving forward is that we recognize these misunderstandings and mistakes and do our best to seek out sources that can help us correct the historical narrative. Ideally these sources should come directly from the marginalized group itself. For example, visiting the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke’s website (indigenousrevelstoke. com/resources) to learn more about the Sinixt, as well as well as the Secwépemc, Syilx (Okanagan) and Ktunaxa peoples who also claim Revelstoke as part of their territory.
The Revelstoke Museum & Archives hosts permanent exhibits about the Sinixt and the 1910 Rogers Pass Avalanche. While in the past, museums have often been guilty of perpetuating colonized versions of history, these two exhibits are examples of how we can retell these stories through the lens of, and with the assistance of, people from marginalized groups.
Clearing out after the 1910 disaster at Rogers Pass. Photo: Revelstoke Museum & Archives Paper cranes commemorate the 1910 avalanche disaster. Photo: Revelstoke Museum & Archives
By Connor Arsenault
Tourism is booming in Revelstoke, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort continues to expand their offerings to our visitors. Some of the biggest new developments include the ongoing construction of a new hotel across from the Sutton Place hotel, the continued creation of the Cabot Pacific golf course, a new pipe mountain coaster and the pending construction of employee housing. Head to the Rockford patio for some drinks after shredding the lift access mountain bike trails at the resort and you’ll be able to see the construction on the new hotel being built across the road. This hotel will have 154 rooms and be equipped with conference spaces, a new restaurant and bar and a fitness centre/ spa. Once completed, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing will move from The Coast Hillcrest Hotel and make this their new base of operations.
The legendary golf course developer Cabot continues to develop the land on the West side of Camozzi Road, above Williamson Lake. The creation of this golf course is highly anticipated by golfers from around the world and Cabot has set their standard high with the creation of their golf course in Cape Breton. Boasting mountain vistas from every hole on the course, and Par of 71,
this golf course will be a great representation of everything people love about mountain golf. The resort is planning on this course being ready for play in 2024.
Present-day visitors to the resort are able to now take their pick of two different pipe coaster routes. Building on the continued success of the original pipe coaster, which opened in 2016, a second track has been installed. Having two coasters allows riders to experience more variety and greatly reduces wait times.
Last but not least, where do all those lifties and construction personnel live? Revelstoke has the perennial problem of where to house all of our workers, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort is looking to make moves to help solve this issue. In April 2022, development permits were issued for the proposed three-building employee housing complex at the resort. Currently stalled by pending building permits, the first phase of this project is scheduled to take between 18 and 24 months to complete once construction has begun.
Throughout the summer, Arts
Revelstoke is hosting live music every evening at the Grizzly Plaza from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The performances feature a variety of genres from artists across B.C. and Canada. For more information on the performers, visit artsrevelstoke.com
AUGUST 1
Goodnight Sunrise – Rock
The duo sings guitar-driver songs with themes of trying to make sense of the world.
AUGUST 2
Ranger Smash – Indie folk / rock / pop
The band is known for their powerful vocals and harmonies, energetic music and passion for groove.
AUGUST 3
Bob Rogers Band – Jazz / funk
The band performs a variety of original songs, as well as their own take on jazz and funk favourites.
AUGUST 4
Garret T. Willie – Rock
The musician gives traditional rock a modern twist, with a mix of fun and heartbreaking stories.
AUGUST 5
Vibetown – Soul / pop
The band’s music is led by horn instruments, taking a jazz-inspired spin on pop classics.
AUGUST 6
Apollo Suns – Jazz / rock
The nine-piece instrumental band creates a unique sound, intended to get the crowd on the dancefloor.
AUGUST 7
Maritime Kitchen Party –Rock / pop / celtic
The band puts their own spin on a variety of recognizable music, from Celtic fisherman songs to upbeat classic rock
AUGUST 8
Zonnis – Folk
The band performs a mix of covers and originals with only an acoustic guitar and their powerful vocals.
AUGUST 9
Childish Bambino – Funk/ Groove
Childish Bambino is a living room project derived from the core band members’ love of and curiosity for funk, groove, and fun. Expect to be tapping your foot as the band members explore new and old tunes in their own creative delivery of jazzy, soulful, and groovy numbers.
AUGUST 10
Spiritual Warriors – Rock / reggae / contemporary
The band performs a mix of Indigenous chants and contemporary music, singing in both English and U’cwalmicwts
AUGUST 11
Dixie Fried Hep Katz – Rock
The band is the perfect mix of old rock and their own modern, fresh style.
AUGUST 12
Buddy Wackett & the Floorwalkers – Honky tonk
The band plays the purest of honky tonk, but also includes a couple waltz songs in their performances.
AUGUST 13
Beef Dip – Rock
The band has a unique style, fusing drums, syncopated riffs and bass to create psychedelic rock.
AUGUST 14
The Doggone Brothers –Country / Bluegrass
The band plays acoustic covers and originals, inspired by bluegrass and old country.
AUGUST 15
Sister Speak – Alternative rock / folk / blues
The musician is known for her soulful voice, guitar-driven songs and socially conscious lyrics.
AUGUST 16
Munro & Patrick – Country / rock / jazz
The duo mixes aspects of several genres with lyrics about the emotions of life.
AUGUST 17
Heather Gemmell – Bluegrass
The musician is a one woman band, blending electric stand up lap steel, banjo, harmonica, foot percussion and acoustic guitar.
AUGUST 18
Kayla Williams & The Yacht Daddies – Pop
The artists play feel-good music that pay homage to 1970s soft rock, with soulful vocals and an upbeat energy.
AUGUST 19
The Trippin Lankies – Folk
The duo plays a mix of original tunes, contemporary favourites and traditional folk music
AUGUST 21
Abigail Lapell – Folk
The artist is a multi-instrumentalist who plays modern folk songs.
AUGUST 22
Half/Asian with Amy the CODA – Pop / Sign language
The duo sings harmonies in both English and sign language with a synthesizer from the 1980s.
AUGUST 23
Jared Wayne and the Neckties – Alternative country / rock
The band performs stripped-down versions of rock and country classics.
AUGUST 24
Blue Moon Marquee – Blues / jazz
The duo performs groovy original songs influenced by artists such as Lonnie Johnson, Louis Armstrong and Blind Willie Jonson.
AUGUST 25
Dinosaur Fight – Rock / pop
The band performs with soulful guitar riffs, drumming and vocal melodies, taking influence from a wide variety of genres.
Hunting for big trees is apt to lead you to some wild and beautiful places. Can you place this image in the environment of Revelstoke?
Photo by Connor Arsenalt
FOREST NEIGHBOURS
By Connor ArsenaultWe have some very big trees in British Columbia. Maybe you’ve stumbled upon some of them in your travels throughout the province, whether it’s in a national park or even in the hills outside of town. These encounters can be serendipitous and awe-inspiring.
While most of us are not actively searching out these giants, there’s a woman who decided to do just that, and she’s written a book about it too. Amanda Lewis set out to visit all of the “champion trees” in the UBC Big Tree Registry and gave herself a one-year timeline for doing it. The result: a wonderful book called Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs and Misadventures in the Forest, detailing her wild journey.
After living away from BC for almost 10 years, working what had been her dream job in Toronto, Lewis felt that the time had come to come back to B.C., and she uprooted herself and moved back to Vancouver. Having grown up on the West Coast, to come back to these forests made her feel at home, and she decided to start a blog documenting her romps through the woods on the North Shore. A friend of hers told her about the BC Big Tree Registry and the idea for this book was born.
The BC Big Tree registry is a database created by the UBC Faculty of Forestry. It is an ever-evolving database, with trees inputted by scientists, forestry professionals and even just regular people like you and me. One of the features of this database is the “champion trees” section. These are the biggest known individuals of a species here in BC.
Not everything went as planned for Lewis on her mission to find the champion trees on the list, and the road to finding these giant trees turned out to be a lot more than Lewis had bargained for. That said, one of the biggest takeaways for her was that it wasn’t necessarily always the finding of the big tree, but paying attention to the surroundings and letting the forest influence her.
If you’re inspired to go and visit some big trees in our area, the BC Tree Registry even has an interactive map, and you can find out where some of the largest trees are around Revelstoke. One key statistic to know when looking at these postings is DBH. This stands for “diameter at breast height,” and is forestry lingo for the width of the trunk.
Some of the biggest trees on the registry around Revelstoke can be found out on Frisby Ridge, down near Akolkolex Falls, up near Downie Creek, and if you’re feeling especially adventurous you can even boat across Lake Revelstoke (regular canoes will work fine) and visit some trees at the base of Frisby Ridge.
Obviously not all the big trees around here are posted on the interactive map, and there’s no substitute for talking with the locals to get personal recommendations on some big old trees to visit.
A lot of these big trees can be way out away from town and down some pretty wild logging roads. Remember to take care and be aware about logging traffic. If you’re going looking for these trees on your own, consider giving a trip plan to someone you trust and bringing survival supplies.
That said, you never know just what you’ll find out there and going hunting for big trees can be a downright spiritual experience. Keep an open mind and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from these ancient giants.
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