Leg 5. Downhill Cycle

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Single-day leg; 2 hours of cycling.

Demands: Steep, challenging downhill mountain bike riding over roots, rocks, and dirt.

Logistics: The route will go from the Diamond Head Parking Lot to the Chief Grand Wall Parking lot.

Requirements: You must register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:
Friday, April 25^th, 9:00 am — Meet at Smoke Bluffs Parking Lot, shuffle bikes around
Friday, April 25^th, 9:30am — Arrive at Diamond Head Parking Lot, receive torch
Friday, April 25^th, 10:00am — Leave Diamond Head Parking Lot
Friday, April 25^th, 12:00pm — Arrive at Chief Parking Lot, hand off torch to hikers/climbers
Friday April 25^th, 1:00pm — return to Smoke Bluffs Parking lot, retrieve cars from Diamond Head Parking lot.

Cost: Free

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

Trails
Note that Powerhouse Plunge may be out of commission due to fallen trees. If it remains so, we will use the alternative route marked in red.

#55 The 19th Hole
#53 P-Nut's Wild Ride
#45 One Man's Garbage	#49 Tseudo Tsuga
#42 Another Man's Gold	#39 Ring Creek Falls Tr.
#41 Ring Creek Rip
#40 Powerhouse Plunge
#37 The Barber Chair
#34 5 Point Hill (The Raa)
#24 S&M Connector
#23 Endo
#16 Summer's Eve
#7 Smoke Bluff Trail

Upon arrival at the Smoke Bluffs Parking lot, we will cycle along the road or adjacent trails to the Grand Wall Parking lot to hand off the torch at 12 noon to the hikers/climbers.

About the Crisis in Sudan

Sudan is geographically the largest country in Africa and has a population of 39 million. Located in a drought-prone area of western Sudan, the Darfur region is roughly the size of Texas and had a pre-conflict population of roughly 6 million people. The people of Darfur generally fall into two groups: sedentary farming groups (such as the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa) and pastoral nomadic groups (such as the Riziegat, Miseriya, and Beni Halba). Although historically ethnic divisions were very fluid, today pastoral nomadic groups are typically considered "Arab" while farming groups are considered "non-Arab".

Starting in the mid-1980’s increasing land and water scarcity led to tensions between the two socio-economic groups. Those tensions were manipulated by Sudanese, Libyan and Chadian politicians and resulted in the creation of Arab militias that began attacking non-Arab communities. A low intensity conflict in the region in the late 1980s was ostensibly ended in 1990, but the Sudanese government selectively disarmed only the non-Arab forces, leaving the Arab militias intact. With Khartoum's tacit approval and in some cases outright assistance, those militias launched a series of escalating offensives against non-Arab farmers in Darfur throughout the 1990s. Those attacks eventually led to the formation of non-Arab rebel groups called the Sudanese Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who accused the Arab dominated regime in Khartoum of discriminating against and marginalizing non-Arabs in Darfur.

The crisis began in 2003 when the SLA/M and the JEM launched a series of attacks on government military installations. This caught the Sudanese Government by surprise. With few troops in the area and still heavily engaged in the civil war in the South, they responded by expanding and further arming the Arab militias commonly known as the Janjaweed and launching a campaign backed by the Sudanese military against non-Arab communities. Both Sudanese military forces and the Janjaweed, sometimes acting independently and sometimes in conjunction, have deliberately targeted non-Arab civilians in clear violation of international law. They are engaged in a campaign to destroy non-Arab communities in Darfur in an effort to undermine the rebel groups.

Four years later, civilians continue to suffer as the Sudanese government and their Janjaweed proxies restrict international humanitarian access, bomb and strafe civilian targets with aircraft, raze villages, abduct children, murder men and boys as potential rebels, and engage in a campaign of mass rape. Since the outbreak of hostilities in 2003, the crisis in Darfur has resulted in well over 200,000 largely civilian deaths, the displacement of more than two million people, and the suffering of millions more. The decision by the Government of Sudan to conduct ethnic cleansing as a counter-insurgency campaign has attracted significant international condemnation but relatively little action to date.

Following the signing of a provisional ceasefire in 2004 between the Government of Sudan and the two rebel groups, the African Union (AU) provided a small force to monitor that agreement. However, the AU force force lacks the needed equipment, numbers and experience and despite its best efforts has been unable to protect civilians and humanitarian aid workers in the face of intensifying violence.

About the Rally

Join us for the Rally to culminate the 9-day Outdoor Adventure Relay: Sunday April 27th 1-6pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery

Here's a map

Below is a list of bands and speakers that we have confirmed for the event:

Bands

<-- Tambura Rasa is brings you a musical journey; From the richness of India and sensual rhythms and dance of the Middle East, to upbeat sounds of West Africa, joyous dance music of the Balkans and fiery Flamenco of Spain.




The music of Jarimba is rooted in tradition but looks towards the future. By combining the music of West Africa with jazz and Afro-Cuban influences our goal is to take the listener on a musical journey across continents. -->



<--Connor Mcguire: “Connor’s restless energy and perfectionism ear-mark him, to my mind, as one of those talents to watch for on the Canadian music scene.” - Alex Browne - The Peace Arch News





Speakers
note: Genocide in Darfur is a Canadian issue and a moral issue, but not a partisan issue. We made every attempt to invite members from all major political parties to speak at the rally. All parties accepted our invitation, except the Conservatives, who did not respond to our invitation.


Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer (Liberal Party) represents British Columbia in the Senate, and served as Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan from 2002- 2006, until the current administration canceled the envoy without explanation. -->





<-- Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Hedy Fry, M.D. (Liberal Party, Vancouver Centre) is the Official Opposition Critic for Sport and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and among the most ardent advocates in Canadian parliament of a stronger Canadian role in Darfur.







Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Libby Davies (NDP, Vancouver East) is the current Deputy Leader of the NDP party, and along with MP Hedy Fry, among the most vocal of MPs on the topic of Darfur. -->

<-- Dan Grice - Green Party candidate for Vancouver Quadra. "The crisis in Darfur is crying out for global intervention and Canadian statesmanship. The Rwandan genocide must not be repeated through a failure of political will and heart. Canada must assume leadership in rapidly organizing an international emergency initiative to deal decisively and effectively with the situation."

Bound for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Scott Sandison is a midfielder for Canada's National Field Hockey Team. He has 20 National Team caps to his credit. -->

<--Mr. Clive Ansley is a lawyer with specialization in areas including human rights and criminal law. In 1985 he became the first foreign lawyer to establish an office in Shanghai. Mr. Ansley has studied the new Chinese legal system since its inception in 1979, and has published and lectured widely on Chinese law. He has also appeared in a number of foreign court proceedings as a recognized expert on Chinese law, Mr. Ansley now dedicates most of his working time to his lifelong interest in human rights.

Tenzin Lhalungpa is a Tibetan born in exile, and the current president of the Canada Tibet Committee.

Devin Tucker, M.D. - volunteer Medical Doctor in Kalma Camp (Internally Displaced Person Camp) in Southern Darfur with Medecins due Monde, UK.

Exhibits

Waging Peace Canada - Children of Darfur Art Exhibit

Amnesty International




Canadian Red Cross





Canada Tibet Committee

Information About and Sign Up for the Relay

Sign-up is now available for all legs except for leg 5 and leg 9.

Leg 1. Downhill Ski or Snowboard from the top of Whistler to Whistler Creekside: Saturday April 19 (COMPLETE)
Leg 2/3. Snowshoe or Backcountry Ski Traverse from Whistler Village, past Black Tusk, to Garibaldi Lake: Sunday April 20 to Tuesday April 22
Leg 4. Backcountry Ski Traverse of the Garibaldi Neve, passing Mt. Garibaldi: Monday April 21 to Thursday April 24
Leg 5. Downhill Cycle to Squamish: Friday April 25
Leg 6. Hike the Chief by the backside trail or Climb up the Grand Wall: Friday April 25
Leg 7. Cross-Country Cycle along the Indian River: Saturday April 26 .
Leg 8. Paddle down Indian Arm: Saturday April 26 to Sunday April 27
Leg 9. Critical Mass Cycle to Downtown: Sunday April 27

Rally at the Olympic Clock: 1pm Sunday April 27

To make changes to your registration,
email Rebeka at

We are still looking for leg coordinators for a few of the legs. If interested, please check out which ones and what's involved at this link.

Clarifications

• This is a non-competitive, community relay. Once available, sign up will be for specific legs and in teams.
• Teams will join a single leg together, meaning that all members of the team will complete that leg together, and help hand off the torch to the new teams on the next leg. We ask that individuals form teams and not sign up solo.
• Teams may complete more than one leg if they so wish.
• Participation will be entirely free of charge (but not sweat!).
• We ask that each team member sign up to help expedite organization, and to sign an online waiver indicating that they understand what is involved.

Vision & Policy Recommendations

Vision & Mission Statement
We are a politically neutral group of concerned individuals whose goal is to organize and see to fruition a ski, snowshoe, climb, cycle, and paddle relay from Whistler Mountain to the Olympic clock, Downtown Vancouver in April 2008. The purpose of this adventure is to

(a) raise awareness about the current conflict in Darfur, its connection to the Olympic Games, and how Canada can play a more active role in bringing about a peaceful resolution;

(b) mobilize political action on the part of the Canadian government in bring about its resolution, as specified by our specific policy recommendations.

Policy Recommendations

1. Canada and other countries can play a critical role in providing resources and mission support to UNAMID (African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur). Most African countries lack the military equipment, specifically armored vehicles, which are a necessity due to the size and geography of the region. Canada can provide expert help and equipment in areas including communications, logistics and command that are critical to mission success.

2. As negotiations to end the conflict in Darfur are entering a renewed phase, Canada has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to Darfur by appointing a Special Envoy to focus on the crisis.

3. Rebel unification is an important precondition to peace in Darfur, yet rebel groups have become increasingly fragmented as the crisis in Darfur continues. The Canadian Government can play a role in working with other countries to unify rebels.

4. Targeted divestment remains an important means for putting pressure on the Sudanese government to support peace in Darfur. The Canadian government should pursue targeted divestment from Sudan conditioned on the Sudanese government's cessation of atrocities in Darfur and active engagement in the peace process.

Volunteer Opportunities

Below is a list of available volunteer opportunities. Please contact skifordarfur@gmail.com if you would like more information or would like to take on a role.

1. Posterer

• Puts up posters around Vancouver

2. Leg Coordinators (2 positions available for each of the 2 remaining legs listed below)
description: Leg Coordinators should be intimately familiar with the route, should have gone on the route at least once before, and should feel perfectly comfortable with organizing and carrying out a self-sufficient trip on the leg. Leg Coordinators will not be involved in sign-up or waiver collection (this will be done by a Registration Coordinator).

• Works out the logistical details of the route
• Creates description of the leg
• Liaison with participants and with Project Coordinator (Jeremy)
• Goes on leg
• Carries the torch on the leg
  

Leg 2/3 (snowshoe; Sun April 20 - Tues April 22)

Leg 4 (ski traverse; Mon April 21 - Thurs April 24)

3. Photo-Videographer

• Goes on the entire relay and rally
• Takes photo & video throughout

4. Photo/Video Producer

• Collects video and photo from Photo-Videographer
• Produces film

Leg 7. Cross-Country Cycle

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Single-day leg; 14 hours of cycling.

Demands: 40 kilometer cross-country mountain bike ride from Squamish to the head of Indian Arm along a dirt road. Involves 1800m of elevation gain, and a snow-covered pass. This is the most physically demanding and grueling leg of the relay. It is for only the fittest and hardiest of backcountry travelers. Prepare for torture! ;)

Logistics: The cycle begins at the Apron parking lot in Squamish at first light (participants will be notified of time closer to date). After cycle, a water taxi service to Deep Cove from the finish line will be arranged.

Requirements: There is room on the water taxi for 6 people only. Registration will be limited to six plus those arranging alternative transit from the head of Indian Arm. You must register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:

Saturday, April 26^th, 5:00am — Start cycling at the Apron parking lot, Squamish

Saturday, April 26^th, 10:00pm (est.) — Stop cycling at head of Indian Arm

Saturday, April 26^th, 11:30pm (est.) — Finish: Water Taxi arrives at Deep Cove

Cost: Free; The Outdoor Adventure Relay Organization will cover the cost of the water taxi ($300).

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

Leg 5. Climb and/or hike the Chief

View from the summit, looking out over the ocean (Howe Sound).
Come on! If this 8-year-old kid did it, so can you.

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Single-day leg; for hikers: 90 min up & 45 min down . for climbers, it depends on how fast you climb!

Demands: Hiking up the trail takes about 90 minutes, and down is about an 45 minutes. The hike is 2/3 as high as and similar in nature to the Grouse Grind, but bare in mind that there is no gondola for descending. Climbers and hikers will hike down this way after climbing. Climbers/Hikers should be adequately prepared to arrange their own way down in case anything goes awry.The easiest technical rock climbing routes to the top of the chief are many pitches up to 5.10, the grand wall route is at least about 9 pitches up to 5.11 and is the route the relay will follow. Climbers should spread out on a variety of routes to avoid congesting the route. Climbing takes most parties a full day. Hiking to the top is easier but is on a rough and steep trail gaining over 700m in elevation over about 2 km. This trail is over rocky terrain and often wet, and in case of rain everyone will be taking the trail up and down.

Logistics: Meet in Squamish on April 25 as per the itinerary below, climbers should get an early start (~9 am). Hikers need to be on the summit at 5pm, so should start by 2 or 3 (earlier if you want to spend some time on top first).

Requirements: You must pre-register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:

Friday, April 25^th

9:00am — Meet at the Apron parking lot, Squamish, for an early start to climbs. Bring everything you need for the day – food, water, and gear. In the event of rain, then all are hiking the trail.

10:00am — Climbers should all be on their way. Others choosing the hiking option can head up the chief trails, possibly exploring all the summits on the way.

2:30pm (est.) — Hikers should begin their way up.

5:00pm (est.) — Meet on the summit, pass the “torch” to the next group heading back down the trail.

7:30pm (est.) – All are back in the Apron parking lot.

Cost: Free, bring your own food for the day.

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

View from the Parking Lot, looking up at the Grand Wall and the First Peak.

Leg 8. Ocean Kayak Paddle

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Two-day leg; 9 hours of paddling in total.

Demands: each way, 17 kilometers of ocean kayaking from Deep Cove to the head of Indian Arm, and return. Involves paddling on choppy ocean water, with wind, and ocean currents.

Logistics: You must arrange or all of your own equipment and food. Rentals in Deep Cove are available at Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak

Requirements: You must register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:

Saturday, April 26^th, 9:00am — Arrive at Deep Cove, prepare, and get in the water

Saturday, April 26^th, 11:00am (est.) — Leave Deep Cove, begin paddle up Indian Arm.

Saturday, April 26^th, 4:00pm (est.) — Arrive at Granite Fall Campground, set up camp.

Saturday, April 26^th, 9:00pm (est.) — Receive torch from Cross-Country Cyclists (of Leg 7)

Sunday, April 27^th, 7:30am — Leave Granite Falls Campground

Sunday, April 27^th, 11:30am — Arrive at Deep Cove, hand off torch to Critical Mass cyclists (of Leg 9)

Cost: Free.

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

Posters & Fliers

Here are poster and flier images for printing and distribution. Click on the image to see the full-resolution versions, then print.

Leg 4. Backcountry Ski --- Garibaldi Neve Traverse

This leg is still without a coordinator. If you are planning on going on the leg, please consider taking on the role. Contact skifordarfur@gmail.com

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Four-day leg; 4–8 hours per day.

Demands: Total of 45km, 2500m elevation gain. Involves backcountry skiing with a full, multi-day pack for up to 8 hours per day, and camping overnight twice in tents on snow.

Logistics: You must arrange or all of your own equipment and food. Tents will be required for nights 1 and 2; Night 3 is at Elfin Lakes Hut, which costs $10 per person to stay in, $5 per tent to camp outside.

Requirements: You must register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:

Monday, April 21^st, 9:00am— Start at Rubble Creek Trail

Monday, April 21^st, 3:000pm (est.) — Arrive at Garibaldi Lake (camp 1)

Monday, April 21^st, 5:00pm (est.) — Meet Black Tusk traverse Group (Leg 3) at Garibaldi Lake, receive torch.

Tuesday, April 22^nd — Ski to high point on the Neve Traverse (camp 2).

Wednesday, April 23^rd — optional climb of Garibaldi; ski to Elfin Lakes Shelter (camp 3)

Thursday, April 24^th — Ski out to Diamond Head parking lot (finish).

Cost: Free. $5/$10 for Elfin Lakes Shelter fee.

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

Day 1 Map
Rubble Creek Parking Lot to Garibaldi Lake

Day 2 Map

Garibaldi Lake to the High Point

Day 3-4 Map
High Point to Diamond Head Parking Lot

Leg 2-3. Snowshoe or Backcountry Ski --- Black Tusk

This leg is still without a coordinator. If you are planning on going on the leg, please consider taking on the role. Contact skifordarfur@gmail.com

Note. We combined Legs 2 and 3 into a single leg, one that goes from Whistler Creekside all the way to Rubble Creek.

Overview: A coordinated but not guided adventure. Non-competitive. Not a race.

Duration: Three-day leg; 4–8 hours per day.

Demands: Total of 28km, 1300m elevation gain. Involves snowshoeing or backcountry skiing with a full, multi-day pack for up to 8 hours per day, and camping overnight twice in tents on snow.

Logistics: You must arrange or all of your own equipment and food.

Requirements: You must register as a group of 2 or more persons. No individuals will be permitted. If a member of your group is unable to continue for any reason, the entire group must remain with and accompany that individual to safety. Groups must be self-sufficient. This leg is only appropriate for groups that are competent and experienced enough to carry out a trip like this on their own.

Itinerary:

Sunday, April 20^th, 8:00am — Start at Whistler Creekside, receive torch from Downhill ski/board (Leg 1); begin snowshoeing/skiing.

Sunday, April 20^th, 5:00pm (est.) — Arrive Helm Creek Campground (Camp 1)

Monday, April 21^st — Continue past Black Tusk, with the possible side trip to the summit of Panorama Ridge, to Garibaldi Lake (Camp 2)

Monday, April 21^st, 5:00pm (est.) — Meet Garibaldi Neve Group (Leg 4) at Garibaldi Lake, hand off torch.

Tuesday, April 22^nd — Descend Garibaldi Lake Trail to Rubble Creek Parking Lot (finish)

Cost: Free.

How to Sign Up: Get your group of 2 or more people together, select a group representative, then have each person sign up here. Each participant must sign up online.

Ready? sign up now

Day 1 Map

Whistler Creekside to Helm Creek Campground

Day 2 & 3 Map

Helm Creek Campground to Garibaldi Lake to Rubble Creek Parking Lot