On June 8th of this year, the Four Wheel Drive Association of B.C. hosted the 8th annual Stave Lake Clean-up event. We decided that this would be an excellent opportunity to make use of the 2010 Dodge Ram that Chrysler loaned to us, so we showed up to help with the clean-up. The event was very well organized. There was a sign-in station just off of Dewdney Trunk Road where volunteers were entered into a prize draw, given garbage bags, as well as donuts, cold beverages, and later in the day, hot dogs. There was a first aid attendant present, and the City of Mission provided free access to their dump. Local businesses also pitched in. Mike Salo of Fraser Valley Metal Exchange provided a scrap metal bin. Lloyd Davies, owner of DAVIES Sand & Gravel Ltd., and Keith, Darryl, and Glenn Weed, owners of C & C Trucking Ltd, provided drivers and dump trucks to haul garbage to the dump. Even the weather helped out. It cleared up by the late morning, which made it slightly more bearable to be picking up other people's garbage. And there was garbage aplenty.

From grow-op waste to bags of used diapers, the garbage dumped in the Stave Lake covered the spectrum of what people throw away. Most significant was the fact that most of the garbage was typical residential stuff. Old furniture, building materials, kitchen waste, and appliances. Of course, there were also the abandoned and burned cars, bottles, cans, and camping garbage.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Volunteers at the check-in stand.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Hauling garbage that was dumped down this bank.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Some of the garbage that was winched up from below.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Anyone hear of Gunkel before?

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

The big Dodge Ram hauled a lot of garbage.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

One area I helped clean-up was littered with hundreds, if not thousands, of spent shotgun cartridges.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Stripper clips. Can't these be re-used?

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Live ammo.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Some moron (or morons) thought it'd be a good idea to shoot up this tree.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Unloading.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Even the kids got involved.

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Stave Lake Clean-Up 2010

Handing out the draw prizes.

Most of the volunteers I met were from the fourwheeling community although I met some Geocachers as well, and I later heard that there were 21 Geocachers in attendance. The total haul was 22,260kg (44,520lb) of garbage, and 2 tons of scrap metal. Even with all the volunteers present, that represents a long day of work from everyone involved. Thanks to everyone who organized the event, turned out to help, and volunteered their time, money and services. You all deserve a round of applause.

...lars