On September 12 JP Murray began posting comments to this website reporting that the rehabilitation work being done on Trail #1 included soil containing broken glass and other garbage.

The news item was reported by The Ottawa Citizen yesterday (Sept 25).

I am given to understand that the story was also covered by CBC radio and Radio Canada on Sept 22.

A formal request inviting the National Capital Commission to join in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ottawa Ski Club was sent earlier this month to CEO Marie Lemay. In that request the NCC was encouraged to:

1. Restore a broken monument to Charles Mortureux in honour of the anniversary (“Mort” was a pivotal figure in Canadian skiing and president of the OSC for 28 years).
2. Mark the anniversary by resurrecting some historic ski trail names in Gatineau Park (a request that many skiers have been making for years).
3. Help publicize the anniversary and celebrations surrounding it.

The request was supported by an important list of local ski clubs and groups with a commitment to Gatineau Park. To date I have received official acknowledgement of receipt.

At the time the letter was sent, not all clubs had been able to confirm their support through their boards of directors. Since submission I’ve heard from both the RA Ski Club, Skinouk, SKI X-C FAST and Ottawa Outdoors Magazine who have officially offered their support.

Here’s the list of supporters:

• Alpine Club of Canada – Ottawa Section
• Camp Fortune Ski Club
• Canadian Ski Museum
• Gatineau Valley Historical Society
• Michael McGoldrick’s XC Ski Website
• National Capital Ski Club
• Orleans Nordic Ski Club
• Ottawa Outdoors Magazine
• RA Ski Club
• SKI X-C FAST (a program of the NCD of Cross Country Ontario)
• Club Skinouk
• XC Ottawa
• XCZone

More to come…

If you support the initiative let the NCC know at info@ncc-ccn.ca

Fresh Air Experience is organizing a Guinness World Record setting roller-ski event October 2 according to XCOttawa.

After discussions with the Canadian Ski Museum the historic maps of Gatineau Park ski trails are being offered at $49.99 plus shipping. The Museum is a registered charity so you save the HST, and if you end up picking up the map yourself from their Scott Street location they’ll refund the shipping fee.

The maps are being finalized for printing but since there are only going to be a limited number available you are encouraged to buy yours now.

Here’s the promo I posted on the GuideGatineau main page. The Museum has the same “Buy Now” button here.

Historic Gatineau Park Ski Map

$49.99

Sale Supports Charity
Only 250 Printed – Unavailable after October

Limited Edition commemorative map celebrates 100th anniversary of skiing in the Ottawa region. Funds raised support the Canadian Ski Museum (charitable #119219913R0001).

In 1967 the NRC produced an Experimental Orthophoto Map of Camp Fortune Skiing Area of Gatineau Park. The current president of the Gatineau Valley Historical Society calls that map “one of the best records of Gatineau Park anywhere, in any media.”

The reproduction map is 40 inches wide and spans nearly six miles of the heart of Gatineau Park’s historic cross-country ski trails including forgotten names such as Pipe Dream, Hidden Valley, Mile-a-Minute, and Chicken Run.

The maps are now being prepared for printing. Buying online means your copy will be shipped to you as soon as the ink is dry. You’ll be notified when they’re printed and if you care to pick up the maps by visiting the Canadian Ski Museum your shipping fee will be refunded (3^rd Floor, 1960 Scott St, Ottawa – upstairs from Trailhead). Additional shipping costs may apply to international orders.

Notes: Clicking “Buy Now” takes you to the Ski Museum’s PayPal interface so the funds go directly to them. Also, the maps are not mounted or framed.

As the days cool skiers’ (the ultra keen anyway) thoughts turn to snow. Over at XCOttawa a schedule has been posted of times when portions of parkways are closed off to car traffic so that roller skiers (and possibly other non-motorized users) can get ready for those first flakes of white stuff.

UPDATE: Maps now available for sale here.

I have been spending considerable time working out the best way to reproduce the 1967 NRC Gatineau Park ski map and wanted to share some results. The image at the side can be clicked to enlarge and even at that scale represents only half the level of detail I’ve been able to achieve, so my hopes are hight for a quality reproduction.

As noted elsewhere, funds from the sale of the map will go to support the Canadian Ski Museum, only 200 copies will be produced in a commemorative, attractively mounted format, and sold for a price that I hope to bring in under $250 each. The map will only be available until October 23.

To reserve your copy please email chas.hodgson@gmail.com

The scene I’ve chosen to show here is Skyline Trail including   Booth Hill etc.

Dave Brown writes in the Citizen about avoiding being eaten alive in Gatineau Park (and doesn’t mention mosquitoes or black flies once).

The Gatineau Valley Historical Society is running a hike on Sunday, September 19th.

Calling all History-loving Hikers!
Sunday, September 19th
Larrimac Golf Club – 9:30 am
Highway 105 Larrimac, QC

For the past few years, local historian and avid hiker Allan Richens has led a fall hike along former bush trails, starting with Cooper’s Trail.

The hike kicks off from Larrimac Golf Club property, winds past the foundation of the former O’Rourke farmhouse, and includes a stop at the old Carbide Willson Mill for lunch. This is followed by an optional swim on a little known sand beach on Meech Lake, with the tour ending at O’Brien parking lot (P 12).

The hike takes at least 2-3 hours, not including the stops for lunch and a swim. Hikers should arrange their own car pools at O’Brien’s parking lot to get back to Larrimac if they only want to walk one way.

Allan will lead hikers at a modest pace, and along the way will share his knowledge of the interesting area history and memories of the ancient trails. Sturdy footwear and a water supply are recommended.

Bring your own lunch.

To sign up contact Allan at allanrichens@sympatico.ca or 819-827-1616

Update – Now coverage in Ottawa Sun and Ottawa Citizen

I got an anonymous note warning of a threatening incident to a cyclist. I’m not sure what to make of it so I’m passing it on as I received it. Maybe it’s legit and the sender is just nervous, maybe it’s a hoax, I don’t know. more…

Continue reading →

UPDATE: Maps now available for sale here.

Plans are coming together for the production and sale of commemorative Gatineau Park ski maps in aid of the Canadian Ski Museum.

As mentioned here in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Ottawa Ski Club I’ve gotten permission to reproduce the 1967 (coincidentally Canada’s centennial year) National Research Council experimental orthophoto map of ski trails in Gatineau Park. (click the thumbnail image to enlarge one little area of detail from the map)

The current thinking is that we will produce a limed number of framed or mounted maps and sell them at art-store prices with all revenues beyond production costs going to support the Canadian Ski Museum.

One of the restrictions on the NRC permission to reproduce the map is that sales of the map can’t continue beyond the date of the centennial celebration . This means that if you don’t buy your copy before October 24th 2010 you won’t be able to buy it afterwards.

We don’t have the details worked out yet but if you are interested in purchasing a copy let me know and I’ll send you the info as soon as I have it.