Fresh Tracks interesting facts that make Squamish unique

Fresh Tracks

small takes that make Squamish unique

Always there: Squamish SAR

Squamish Search and Rescue saw a spike in emergency calls during the pandemic – and they are warning anyone who heads into the wilderness to be prepared for the worst. “It’s very important that people who are going to venture out into the backcountry — even the front country — of the Sea to Sky that they take an avalanche awareness course, that they invest some time into practising with their avalanche gear, their beacon, probe and shovel,” said B.J. Chute, director of operations for Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR). He strongly urges people to take 15 or 30 minutes to prepare before venturing out, checking weather and avalanche conditions and leaving behind a detailed trip plan that could massively speed up a rescue operation, if required. The Squamish SAR website (squamishsar.org) has detailed information on safety planning. Squamish Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer force of 70 team members, all of whom are equipped with advanced training. But circumstances like weather conditions and nightfall can prevent them from getting to lost or injured people, so they are telling everyone to be prepared to “self-rescue.” “Our winters typically in this area can be quite wet and dark and cold and anything people can do to combat the elements is going to be in their best interests in a survival situation,” he said. “If we are not able to fly into an area, or if somebody is in avalanche terrain, they really do need to be prepared — and prepared to the point of self-rescue, as any professional SAR team may have their response delayed because of circumstances outside of our control.” The Squamish team works in close conjunction with other regional SARs, especially those on the North Shore and in Lions Bay, Whistler and Pemberton. While every SAR team is equipped for all variety of rescue operations, Squamish is noted for an especially talented and innovative swift water response team. Whistler and Pemberton have specific expertise in avalanche response. So when either team needs backup, especially in areas where another team has recognized proficiency, they call on their neighbours. “We train to the same standards and we train together sometimes, which is an incredible system called mutual aid,” said Chute. The 10-year SAR volunteer, who is also a 28-year veteran paramedic with B.C. Ambulance Service, Chute estimates his rescue team will respond to 150 calls this year. Squamish SAR recently adopted an innovative and enhanced mapping software. “It allows us to live-track our SAR team members and we have the ability to link our calling party, our injured or lost subject, into our mapping system, where we can track their cell phones. It’s very user-friendly and easy for us now, if the person is in cell service, to find their GPS location.” Chute emphasizes that search and rescue is always free in the province. Someone who finds themselves in a situation should not hesitate to call 911, he said. “The earlier people can activate the 911 system, the earlier we can launch a response,” said Chute.

Skateboarding at Airhouse Sports Academy. PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER

Got bitcoin?

While there are some big city things Squamish doesn’t have — or want — don’t mistake us for rural, either. We have almost all the amenities you might find in a larger locale (locals might tell you we need a theatre and a bowling alley, but they rarely used them when we had them back in the day). Case in point, we have two cryptocurrency ATMs in town. HoneyBadger Inc. recently installed a bitcoin ATM in the Valleycliffe General Store, located at 1909 Maple Drive #104. “We believe in making bitcoin accessible to everyone,” said general manager Mike Kitt in the news release from HoneyBadger “As bitcoin becomes more mainstream, we want to ensure that people in every town and local community have access and are able to participate in it.” The Valleycliffe machine facilitates the buying and selling of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency allows users to make payments and exchange digital currency instantaneously across the globe. There’s also a cryptocurrency ATM at Baltech Electronics on Second Avenue. It’s a one-way machine. “What that means is you can come to the ATM to purchase bitcoin. So you put money into the ATM and it will send you bitcoin. You can’t come to the ATM and get money out.” Baltech’s Philipe Balit told The Chief he will teach people about the currency in store. “I like educating people about it because I think it is a technology that is really interesting but quite nerve-wracking because it is money and something we are not really familiar with,” he said, adding once pandemic restrictions are fully lifted, he hopes to offer courses on it.

Skateboarding is a Squamish winter sport?

Think skateboarding is only a summer thing in Squamish? Wrong. A diverse group of women shreds all year round on an indoor ramp at Airhouse Sports Academy (1201 Commercial Way Unit #401). The local women’s group, called Sister Shredders, are moving indoors for the winter — after skating at the local park over the summer — skating weekly on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The idea of the group is that women of any age, ability, orientation or background can show up and learn to skate or practise their moves. You don’t even need a board; someone will lend you one. The group started about three seasons ago. Check out what they are up to on Facebook and Instagram or just show up at Airhouse.

Bitcoin ATM in Valleycliffe. PHOTO COURTESY HONEYBADGER INC.

Squamish Spit. PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS

Squamish is Sk_wx_wú7mesh

If you live, work, play or recreate while in Squamish, you are on the territory of the Coast Salish Sk_wx_wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). According to the Nation, the oldest of its archaeological sites within its territory — which includes areas surrounding Howe Sound and beyond - is 8,600 years old at Porteau Cove. The governing body of Squamish Nation is its Nexwsxwníw ntm ta Úxwumixw (council). The current council was elected on Sept. 26. This was a historic election for the Nation, as it was the first to be governed by the Squamish Nation Election and Referendum Law, which was approved through a referendum in 2018. This was the first time the laws had been changed since 1981. The electoral reform allows for online voting through the app OneFeather, the ability for both on-reserve and off-reserve members to vote and call referendums on subjects of their choosing. Changes to candidacy requirements and campaign rules were also made to improve transparency, the Nation said in a news release. “Included in those changes is a historic moment for Sk_wx_ wú7mesh Úxwumixw marking the first time off-reserve members, located in Canada, [the United States], Germany, Belgium, Fiji, and New Zealand, have been able to participate in the voting process,” the Nation stated. One council chairperson, seven councillors, and one Band Manager serve a four-year term, which began in October. Find out more at squamish.net.

What is up with the Squamish Spit

The Squamish Spit is the artificial structure that juts out at the mouth of the Squamish River as it enters Howe Sound, adjacent to the Squamish Terminals. It is famous with watersports enthusiasts due to its access to our gusty Howe Sound wind and for its stunning views of Howe Sound, the Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls. It was installed to serve industry in the 1970s, including the port, but studies have shown it has also detrimentally impacted fish stocks, particularly chinook salmon. To restore salmon connectivity between the Squamish River and the central estuary, the Squamish River Watershed Society, in partnership with Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, began the Central Estuary Restoration Plan in 2017. Though more controversial than many projects before it, this project is part of a continuum of work to restore habitat underway for the last 20 years in the Squamish Estuary. The next phase is to remove the middle of the Spit, but leave the tip intact as an island where kiteboarders can still launch from. The kiting community, and others who use the Spit for recreation, dog walking and the like, have protested the plan, arguing that it is too drastic and other solutions could be found. The Squamish Windsports Society, which represents its 800 or so kiters, has said it feels sideswiped that a realignment, which was part of earlier plans, is no longer happening. All agree the health of the fish is important. The start of demolition of the Spit is this fall. It is yet to be determined how kiters will use the remaining island for its season next summer. Find out more about the project at www.squamishwatershed.com/updates.