The Provincial Capital Commission is opening up nominations for awards to be given to organizations involved in managing and appreciating lands in a Greenway space. The Island Rock Crawlers have nominated the fine gentlemen at Sooke Disposal to receive the award. Sooke Disposal has been instrumental in our annual South Island clean-up at Harbourview. They bring us the disposal bin and empty it after, at their own expense. The cost for this service would normally be about $1,000.

As well, they have been very helpful to us during Rock Crawl. After talking to Sooke residents, I understand that Sooke Disposal also supports other clean-ups put on by such groups as the mountain bikers. They also provide community support in free bins and dumping for baseball tournaments and other community events.

The Island Rock Crawlers have kindly been nominated for these same awards by the Sooke Community Association, Jason Dumont, Sooke Salmon Enhancement and several private citizens. We appreciate their support.

Although the Greenways plan does not include our sport of OHV travel in its literature under recreational activities, it does promote ”fostering of partnerships for the stewardship of natural areas, landscapes and linear greenspaces.” This is where the Island Rock Crawlers can promote a working relationship in the care of lands we travel.

Where in the world is Ron Low?

Our favourite snowbird has surfaced once again in New Mexico. Here’s his latest communication from the deep south where... get this...they need to use air conditioning! And I thought those contraptions were just for pumping up tires and stuff!

Ron says: Just returned from Chili Callenge 2000 in Las Cruces New Mexico. Windy but fun. Took the old Suzuki through 4 trails. Good wheelin' the desert offers different challenges but skills are transferable.

My favourite trail was "eileen ireen" to Hoppin Jalapeno Canyon. The trails leave around 9am and return by 5pm. Airing down to 9lbs. worked best for me. We saw all manner of cactus and thorn bearing flora. No evidence of animals outside the cattle pastured on the BLM range land. Burned $3 gas and covered 60 to 90 kms each trail. Deep canyons strewn with nuggets from basketball to fridge size compete for the bottom of the desert floor, with high mesas and ridges interspersed.

Many liters of water are consumed since the wind will suck what moisture is not lost by the skin burning exposure to the clear blue, cloudless skies. Some use A/C constantly while on the trails.

This year there were 2 other Suzukis registered in the event with over 400 others; CJs, YJs, TJs, in all variations, some Toyotas, Broncos, full size pickups and purpose-built 4X4s show up too. Camping styles run the gamut from sleeping in the back of Cherokees to $500,000 motor homes. Trail rigs arrive under their own power or towed, some on their tires, and some on elaborate trailer combinations from single axel to flat decks on 18 wheelers. Some of the latter have expanded sleepers that include full size kitchens and l ivingroom-size furniture. Vendors sell everything from silver jeeps configured as earrings or pendants, to bumpers and all the appliances ever seen on a 4x4 rig.

No trophies are given out, just raffle ticket prizes. The raffle pays for some of the event and offsets some of the costs associated with it. This year the raffle brought in over $10,000. Would I go again....my bags are packed for next year. Cost was $55 registration and $8 per night camping fee. Ice cream social on Friday, yup all u can eat. BBQ steak or chicken on Saturday nite, they had leftovers. Snack shack provided adequate b'fast and trail sack lunches with ice available on site for $1.25 a bag.

The trail leaders we had were knowledgable, good company and great spotters ... especially Ryan, Nathan, & Susan (in her own TJ). Contact SOUTHWEST 4WD ASSOCIATION...they have a web page.

See u all in April, ask to see my pix of the event.

Susan & Ron Low

Upcoming Events

South Island

Contact Events Co-ordinator
for more information.

March 2000

Mar. 2 - Monthly Branch meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education facilites, 7:30pm. Take the first left turn after passing through the gate.

Feb. 5 - Monthly Club run, Meet at Western Foods parking lot in Sooke at 9:30am

April 2000

Apr. 6 - Monthly Branch meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education facilites, 7:30pm. Take the first left turn after passing through the gate.

Apr. 9 - Monthly Club run, Meet at Western Foods parking lot in Sooke at 9:30am

Mid-Island

Contact Steve Duifhuis for more information.

March 2000

Mar. 16 - Monthly Branch meeting at 7:30 pm at the house behind Bow-Mel Chrysler in Duncan

Mar. 19 - Monthly Club Run, call call Steve, meet at 9:30 am at the new Tim Hortons in Duncan

April 2000

Apr. 20 - Monthly Branch meeting at 7:30 pm at the house behind Bow-Mel Chrysler in Duncan

Apr. 23 - Monthly Club Run, call Steve, meet at 9:30 am at the new Tim Hortons in Duncan

Reminder to all members

Rock Crawl trail clearing will need to be done in April and May, so get your trucks ship-shape now so that trail clearing will not be impeded.

This year, the people assigned to run a particular trail during Rock Crawl 2000, will be the same ones responsible for clearing that trail. Remember that many hands make short work, so team up and get it done!

Spotted!

Wayne Foster trying out this year's version of Cleavage Rock

February 20, 2000

from the Off Road Handbook by Bob Waar

Vancouver Island has many hidden treasures that make great stopping points on your weekend trips. Too many times we’re too busygetting where were going to notice the less obvious attractions, but some of these can turn out to be more fun than the original destination. Such was the case for these three places.

First on our list is the Looper Creek Limestone Box Canyon. We were on our way to Carmanah Valley to check out the giant spruce trees when we found this one. Not long after passing the last turn-off to Nitinat Village, we crossed a bridge over the beautiful Caycuse River. Turning right after the bridge, you follow Rosander Main as it starts uphill and follows the southern shore of Nitinat Lake. There’s a short road immediately on the right that leads to a secluded spot to camp on the bank of the Caycuse River. I chuckle everytime I remember the night four of us guys were camped there, sitting around the fire telling stories about encounters with wild animals. All of a sudden, we heard this loud scratching over by the tents. I found the flashlight, picked up my trusty .22, and nervously tip-toed over to the tent to ward off the intruder (it had to be a bear!). We all dropped on the ground laughing when we saw what had been leaping onto the nylon fabric and creating all the ruckus: a great big toad! Even though he was the largest and scariest hopper I’d ever seen, we had mercy on his soul, and helped him on his way. Anyhow, to get to the limestone box canyon, you proceed up Rosander Main to the top of the first hill, where it crosses Looper Creek. Just before the bridge, there is a wide spot on the right side of the road suitable for parking. If you cross this bridge in your vehicle, the vegetation growing out the sides of the canyon completely mask its depth. Take a walk onto the bridge and look down—the canyon seems only about ten feet wide, but it’s got to be at least a hundred feet down to the creek. The trail down into the canyon starts just on the other side of the boulders where you park. It’s very steep, with ropes to hang onto in some of the tough sections. Once you reach the bottom, there’s some room to follow the creek upstream to a spot almost directly under the bridge. Here’s where you’ll find some incredible limestone tunnels that were carved into the canyon walls by the rushing water. You’ll need a flashlight to crawl around in them, and to spot the colorless crickets that inhabit the darker corners. There are about three or four different openings to look out of, each giving a spectacular view of this natural wonder. The hike back up is tough, but if the season is right, your reward will be lots of blackberries to munch on when you get to the top.

Next on the list is the area around Gordon River Camp. The hills are alive with limestone caves if you know where to look for them. The best way to get acquainted with the sport of caving is to join up with one of the local caving clubs. For more information, please check out these helpful links:

• http://www.cancaver.ca/docs/cave.htm
• http://www.cancaver.ca/misc/gear.htm

• Keep to the established underground routes.
• Do not litter or mark the caves.
• Do not disturb crickets, spiders or other forms of life.
• Do not touch cave formations

Rob deLange

IRC Parts Bin
(buy and sell database)

If you have parts for sale or parts you need, contact Rob McFadyen, Email: mcclan@telus.net with subject = “IRC Parts Bin”