Dates: Monday, August 25 to Thursday, August 28
Location: Washtock Family Campground, 52702 Chaumox Rd, Boston Bar, BC
Register Here: https://forms.gle/ZSiNfLxm2Loc1kwe9 (Limited Space Available – registration required!)
The RASC Vancouver Centre is hosting its first ever large scale, multi-day, dark sky star party. A star party is an overnight excursion at a dark sky location. This is a chance for amateur astronomers to spend the night chasing targets they want to add to their observing list and/or astrophotography album. It is a chance for astronomers to hang out with other astronomers and share experiences and knowledge.
We must be clear in stating that this event is not for the public-at-large, but for enthusiastic amateur astronomers who own observing equipment and would like to spend a few days experiencing the wonder of a dark sky environment. If you do not own your own observing equipment, then this event is not for you (no spectators please).
This star party is being held on a privately owned off-grid campground just outside of Boston Bar, BC, and nestled within the unspoiled beauty of the Nahatlatch Valley. The skies are dark (Bortle 3) and the location is secluded offering incredible views of the night sky with plenty of faint dark-sky objects visible.
If you are a manual observer or astrophotographer, we hope to see you at this event. There is a fee to attend and registration is required as space within the campground is limited. The event site within the boundaries of the campground will have space for tenting, trailers, and RVs. The event site will have pit toilets. The other end of the campground has flush toilets, hot showers, and a sani station all available for use by event participants at no extra charge. The campground also has a small store that offers basic food stuffs, fresh seasonal vegetables from the on-site garden, farm fresh eggs, and free-range beef raised by the campground owners. Please be aware that the last 6 km to the campground is gravel road but government-maintained.
Fee Schedule & PAYMENT
| RASC Vancouver Member | Non-Member | Youth under 18 |
| $20 per night | $23 per night | Free |
RASC Vancouver will email you with the final payment amount and information within 24 hours after receiving the registration form.
Registration not confirmed until full payment is received.
100% refund available until 14 days before event. (August 11th)
Payment methods available:
1. eTransfer
2. Credit Card
3. Cheque
Rules and Etiquette:
Map of Campsite:
Things to do in the area:
- River rafting at REO Rafting. 3.5km drive of approximately 10 minutes.
- The Nahatlatch, Fraser and Thompson Rivers are all justifiably well known for their river-rafting experiences. Of the three, the Fraser and Thompson are more prominent, though not necessarily more challenging than the Nahatlatch; In fact, the Nahatlatch provides more excitement in its varied run than either of the others. The later in summer you try the Nahatlatch, the better your chances of being able to run the Narrow Nahatlatch Canyon, a Class IV-V mind-altering experience. Although it’s entirely possible to run the Nahatlatch and its tremendous series of rapids unaccompanied, the majority of paddlers opt for the services of a certified guide, at least the first time.
- Nahatlatch Provincial Park (Nahatlatch Lake), approximately 25km, 40 minute drive.
- Hiking trails along the Nahatlatch forestry Service Road. Mehatl Creek Falls hike trailhead is near the 38km marker. It is an 8km roundtrip with an elevation gain of 80 meters. Be prepared for a 3 hour trip. For further details and warnings go to: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/blog/nahatlatch-river-mehatl-creek-falls-grizzly-falls/
- Fishing along the Nahatlatch River and the three lakes in the provincial park (Check for licensing requirements and season openings.)
Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact:
[email protected]