CDMC
The CDMC was formed in 1927 by a few people interested in exploring Forbidden Plateau. These pioneers were the original route finders or trail builders in this area and as the years went by, club members extended their trails further into Strathcona Park. Most of these trails are still in use today and if you look closely at the trees, along the way, you can see the original "blaze" or axe marks made by these early explorers.

The mountain club constructed a cabin, in 1928, on the eastern shoulder of Mt Becher, as the access that we enjoy today wasn't in place back then. The addition of this getaway allowed members to realize that they now had access to a full range of backcountry pursuits, especially winter activities.

During the Winter of 1929, 2 members introduced skiing to the club… Clinton Wood, on a pair that he had ordered from the Prairies for the astronomical price of $15 and Jack Gregson, who built his own pair. Another new addition to the club, that winter, was a toboggan which was also purchased from the Western Provinces. Many early members found the cost of skis prohibitive and elected to purchase snowshoes, instead.

Trail building increased during the Depression era of the 1930's with the efforts of a local official, who lobbied the provincial government's work programs. Clinton Wood, Courtenay's water commissioner, not only realized the tourism potential of the plateau but also the need to provide employment for out-of-work locals.

Years later, Sid Williams recalled the great effort it took to access Mt Becher, from the Valley, during the early days of the club. After crossing a floating bridge, near Bevan, it was a 15 km hike to the cabin since snowshoes and skis were not yet popular. Often, members would trudge up the mountain in deep snow, spelling each other off as they ploughed through the drifts.

Clinton Wood built the first Forbidden Plateau Lodge, in the early 1930's and a road was completed to the 600 m level, which essentially cut the distance in half to the Mt Becher cabin. It was Sid Williams who popularized the use of sealskin climbers which allowed club members, such as himself and Dick Idiens, to access the steep eastern flanks of Mt Becher. Dick, was both a founding father of CDMC and accompanied the first recorded winter summit of Albert Edward. All of these early pioneers of CDMC are commemorated with geological features named after them.

Ruth Masters, CDMC's eldest member, joined the club in the late 1930's during a time when the local mountains were attracting interest from all over the Island. Telemark skiing started to have an impact and in 1938 CDMC held the first Vancouver Island ski meet… Mt Becher was known for having the only terrain on the BC coast where 60 m jumps were possible.

During 1938 Ruth was invited, by her friend Kathryn, to climb the Comox Glacier on a trip led by Kathryn's father Geoffrey Capes. This mountaineer was a founding member of our mountain club and this trip resulted in Ruth's entry into the club.

Prior to serving her country overseas, Ruth worked as a junior guide and camp cook for Eugene Croteau, who operated a lodge on the shores of Croteau Lake. Ms. Masters has almost single-handedly, with the support of CDMC, placed the names of lost veterans onto local geological features.

Ruth has fought tirelessly for the environment, during her CDMC tenure, from attempting to save Buttle Lake in the 1950's to being awarded a BC Environmental Award in 2000. She has twice won the Comox Valley Citizen of the Year Award and in 2004 she donated her Courtenay riverfront acreage to a Land Trust to be preserved in perpetuity.

Melda Buchanan, a long-time member of CDMC and also a staunch supporter of the environment, is remembered in Seal Bay Park with both a monument and geological feature… In 2009, CDMC considered contributing funds towards the writing of her biography.

Over eighty years later the club continues to develop, improve and maintain trails throughout the district. In the 1960's CDMC made up many directional signs for the Forbidden Plateau area, thanks in part to Ruth's talents and these can still be seen today. Also, the club has placed cairn signs on the summits of many Strathcona Park mountains. For its Millennium Project the club built nine tent platforms at the Lake Helen MacKenzie campsite in Strathcona Park.

Many of CDMC's early members have been memorialized with local features bearing their names and other members have been accredited with first ascents of Vancouver Island peaks. These early pioneers of our club were instrumental in instilling a mountain spirit in the Comox Valley that still exists to this day. Some of this can be attributed to our many active elders, that had the torch passed to them and who now continue to lead the way (for CDMC) into the 21st Century.

CDMC is a member of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC and the bulk of our dues cover insurance costs. Another portion of these dues go to supporting wilderness conservation and access as well as other issues that are of interest to backcountry travellers.

(We would be happy to add your contribution, including old photos. Please contact us... see the Home page)