Banff Mountain Film Festival:
10 students have the opportunity to attend the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tuesday, April 26th 2011 for FREE Courtesy of the VCS Outdoor Club. If you are interested sign up with Ms. Gapp by April 4th (this is the date tickets go on sale).
The show will be at The Bagdad Theatre 3702 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard Portland, OR 97214
 Doors open at 6pm Show starts at 7pm. Carpool from Valley at 5pm. We’ll grab a bite to eat along Hawthorne before the show.

·      Rock Climbing @ Stoneworks
After School in May, dates TBA
Overnight at Smith Rock: Memorial Day Weekend

·      Guler Ice Caves:
Monday May 30th (Memorial Day), or Saturday, June 11th

·      Hike in the Gorge: Saturday May 14th
Location and Departure TBA

·      Spring Surfing with Swim Team Coaches:   
Mandatory Informational Meeting – Wednesday June 1st 6:30pm Meeting in HS classroom TBA
Surf Trip- Sunday June 5th

COMING THIS FALL 2011
·      69th Annual Roy Webster Cross Channel Swim:
September 5th 2011

Jump from a Sternwheeler into the mighty Columbia (on the Washington side) and swim with the current the 1.1 miles back to the Oregon shore. $60 registration fee.

Four VCS freshman ventured forth to Smith Rock State Park this past weekend to brave November temps and test their novice rock climbing knowledge against 'Rope de Dope,' Smith's 40 ft. boulder block. "It's intense!" agree the foursome. Guided by Matt Spohn, a professional guide and climber from Stoneworks Climbing Gym in Beaverton, the students were joined by VCS Staff Ms. Gapp (Librarian) and Ms. Fellows (Library Assistant).

Arriving in late afternoon the group tackled a couple of routes and then headed for Skull Hollow Campground for ghost stories, burnt marshmallows, and pizza--after their Coleman stove refused to boil water for pasta. Swapping anecdotes around the campfire, students enjoyed the comraderie of a small group while alternately dodging the smoke monster and doing battle with the cold by squeezing HotHands warmers.

The following morning brought a light skiff of snow...or chunky rain, depending on your perspective. Spohn led a hike over Misery Ridge for a view of the distant Marsupial Group, a basalt canyon, irrigation canal, and the much photographed Monkey Face, a free-standing 350 foot pillar with some of the most challenging climbing routes in the world. The afternoon provided another opportunity to tackle Rope de Dope and  'Shamu,' a 5.9 1 pitch sport route.

Students had prepared for the trip by attending free climbing lessons (subsidized by Outdoor Club funds) conducted in the Eagle's Gym on campus (home to a modest climbing wall), and trips to the Stoneworks Climbing Gym. Safety precautions learned at the gym were implemented in the field, enhanced by the use of helmets. Students also practiced their knowledge of belaying, knot-tying, and  wilderness ethics.

The four student participants look forward to future outdoor club outings and encourage others to join them. Be sure to check out the VCS Outdoor Club's Flickr photostream, which includes photos from the trip.