Enthusiasts untangle the trails ne of the North Shore's wonderful assets is its wealth of walking and hiking crails.“But there's too many of them,” jokes avid hiker and Lonsdale Recreation Centre manager Perry Kulak. [tis not unusual for people exploring local mountain slopes to get themselves lost to degrees that vary from momentarily confused to clinging to a rock over a ravine. The fault lies not just with inexperience or foolishness, but the fact thac maps often don’t reflect che numbers of paths that crisscross the mountains. Many trails are so poorly or inconsistently marked thar it is casy to get mixed up at an intersection. A classic example is the North Shore’s famous Baden Powell (BP) Trail, which is a collection of mountain paths from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay that cross many other paths, animal trails and logging roads. “Even hiking clubs are hesitant to lead hikes on the BP Trail; it is so easy to lose people,” says Kulak. Improving the BP and sectling on standards for trail markings and signage along it is the first priority of the North Shore Trails Technical Committee, which Kulak was instrumental in bringing together, The committee has reprezer.tatives from the three North Shore munici- palittes, the GVRD Parks Departments, the GVRD water district and B.C. Parks Department — the six govern- ment jurisdictions the BP crosses. White he might not place it up there with achieving world peace, Kulak is finding that achieving agreement on certain standards, plus a commitment to carry out the improvements, is challenging for such a group. Once that is done, however, the new guidelines can be applied to other North Shore trails. Better mapping is also key to these improvements and increased safety for hikers Some of those available are cither on too small a scale or are plain inaccurate. The “Vancouver's Northshore” map gives an overall picture, but is lacking detail. The best maps are out-of-print examples produced by Roger Freeman, according to Kulak who dreams of a dav when good taps for any given hike will be on a computer network and instantly accessible. It is always safest to bike an unfamiliar area with someone who is more knowledgeable. There are several hiking clubs co join, including one organized through the North Vancouver Recreation Commission, and another through the West Vancouver Seniors’ Centre. The West Vancouver Recreation Commission also offers several hikes through its programming, many of them guided by local expert Naomi Chard. - By Maureen Curtis Now Aocatlable Sureaw Ye Jtorage a f Firearm storage by the day, week, month or year. No worry about your firearms getting into the wrong hands. Storage for unrestricted, restricted or grandfathered arms, ete. Government certified firearms safely courses FIREARM SALES «© HUNTING SUPPLES ¢ REPAIRS | : 7 Ri 5 tel: 987-9298 "A | Tok (003 f fax: 987-2215 | AT NEVADA BOB’S WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR GOLF & TENNIS NEEDS Come & meet our friendly staff. Operating at our present location since 1987 TETS HAYA “OUR PUTT FOR A BIRDIE IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICE” Additiona! 10% off if ad presented on or before August 7/94 (not valid on Pro Line equipment or items on sale). North Van store only North Vancouver 900-801 Marine Drive 988-6383 Vancouver 230 Marine Drive 324-1144 North Vancouver Location Capilano | NEVADA BOB’S Be high tech equipped shop @ Name: Naomi Chard. News photo Teny Pete Born: Ottawa, Oniario. Claim to fame: A jorester by training, this mother of three leads hikes through the West Vancouver Recreation Commission to teach peo- ple to love and respect nature. Involved in the Guiding movement, Chard offers special programs through the Nature House at Lighthouse Park and trains leaders to make better use of the out- doors. Last book read: Michener’s “Centennial.” Favorite food: salad. What you like about the North Shore: Its rural atmosphere and, in West Vancouver, that end-of-the-road feeling. Favorite North Shore recollection: Discovering the blue gentian flowers in bloom at Blue Gentian Lake at the end of August. News ph Name: Wendy Lacosta. Born: Nova Scotia. Claim to fame: Formerly the West Vancouver fitness coordinator, Wendy has been the supervisor at Eagle Harbor Community Centre but is filling in temporarily as director of the West Vancouver Seniors' Activity Centre. Lacosta is happy tnat the seniors' centre has received enough funding to go ahead with its expansion but is look- ing forward to being involved in the development of the replacement of the Eagle Harbor centre. After living in West Vancouver for some years, she is now building a house on Bowen Island. Education: Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Master's in Science from Dalhousie University. Last book read: “The Girl with the Botticelli Face.” Favorite food: Depends on the day. What you like about the North Shore: Sense of community and recreational opportunities. Favorite Nerth Shore recollection: Skiing off the back cf Cypress Bowl through powder snow. COLLISION SPECIALISTS | Our 36th Year 1.C.B.C. - B.C.A.A. - A.RA. APPROVED CENTRE FREE COURTESY CARS FOR COLLUSION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR * Estimates, Consultation* 985-7455 Same owner