February 18th, 2012
is the date of the Eighth Annual....
because
True Canadians
can't wait until summer to
go camping.
EveryBus
in
April
is
too
long
to
keep
waiting.
Florida is too far to go for a weekend.
If you can't survive the winter without a campout you have come to the
right place.
DESTINATION: 
Valens
Conservation Area
The plan is to camp out at Valens Conservation Area. They
have serviced sites for $33/per night. There are flush toilets and
showers nearby. They also
have skating and Cross country ski trails in the park.
PLEASE NOTE:
Valens has a new winter camping policy that promotes seasonal camping
in the winter. There is a group of regulars in the park every weekend
now. As a result, we will no longer be allowed to register our buses as
"Additional vehicles", though we can still share sites if we wish.
Valens does not take reservations for winter camping, but
don't panic as they simply aren't needed. Let me know if you're
coming, and I will call the park
superintendent,
and he will be sure to get a sufficient number of powered sites
plowed out for
us.
NOTE: It's imperative that
you arrive before 7PM or the gate
may be locked.
Celular service is spotty at the park, so it may not be
possible to call me from the gate to come open it for you. If you know
that you can't arrive at daylight, email me and we can set up a meet
time at the gate; but DON'T BE LATE!
Unfortunately there is no ice fishing at Valens on the weekend of the
21st. If you want
ice, you'll have to buy it in a bag like everyone else.
DIRECTIONS:
From EAST, WEST, or NORTH:
To get to Valens take Hwy 401 to exit 299.
Follow highway 6 south for
8.6KM and go East on regional
rd 97 for 9.6 KM. Follow the Conservation Area signs and you should
have no
problem finding the place.
From the South:
Take the QEW to Highway 403 in Hamilton. Go 7 KM West on 403 to Highway
6 North. Follow highway 6 uphill for 3 KM to regional road 97. Go east
on 97 for 9.6 KM and the park is on your right.
Here is a Google maps link to Valens
Here is a placemark
file to use with Google Earth.
HISTORY:
Dubious? There are pics
from 2004's year's fun-filled event here. And
read the trip
report.
The TCWBC 2005 pics are online here.
The 2006
report is also available.
The 2007 pics are here.
MENU:
Please travel self-contained, though we will have a group breakfast on
Sunday, the infamous Breakfast Burritos. Please bring a contribution.
Depending on the weather, we may opt instead to have a group breakfast
at a local diner.
IF
YOU'RE
COMING:
- Bring firewood if you can.
- Red
cup protocols will be in effect, the park has a no-alcohol policy. If
we don't cause trouble we don't get any.
- Get a fishing license if you're fishing. If you get caught fishing
without one, you
could end up walking home.
- Bring LOTS of warm-weather clothes, and be sure your bus is in good
running order.
- Leave the radio at home; bring a musical instrument instead.
|
WINTER
CAMPING
HINTS
AND
TIPS
Click here for some
great tips and resources for Winter Westfalia Wecweation. ;O)
THIS
EVENT
IS
"WEATHER
PERMITTING"
So
here's the weather forecast
If there's steady rain or a severe blizzard warning, I may call it off.
Otherwise, it's a go. Be assured that I'll keep people updated as the
event gets closer. Simply email Greg@pottsfamily.ca to let me
know that you're interested, and I'll keep you informed as plans
progress.
