Pub Night
The second Thursday of the month has been designated as the Ottawa Section Pub Night. We change locations every month – check the e-letter and the website for details. The Ottawa Section "Social Collective" invites our new members as well as members, who haven't had a chance who haven't had a chance to participate in the past, to come out and have some fun. We also invite potential members to come and check us out. And, if you’re wondering why you should attend …
Respectfully Submitted by Darrel Newman
It has been said that the ACC is a “drinking club with a climbing or hiking problem”. This is not exactly the case for the Ottawa Section – there’s lots of climbing and hiking but not much drinking. AA and MADD would be proud of us; but this shouldn't be the reason to miss out on some great socializing.
Are you are afraid that, if you attend, you won’t know anyone? Don’t worry! Here are some clues you can use to identify us:
1. Check the foot gear. If a goodly number are wearing hiking or climbing boots – that has to us.
2. Check for MEC, HH or Sierra Design labels on clothing. If the percentage is high – that’s likely us. And if it isn't the ACC Ottawa Section, you might just join that group for beer anyway; since they must be pretty cool to dress that way.
3. Look for ratty beards. That’s always a give-away.
4. Check for colourful maps or mountain pictures all over the table – you’re getting warmer.
5. Lots of arm waving and animations that look like climbing handholds can also be a clue.
6. That little ACC Centennial Flag is a dead give-away.
7. Hooting out loud and lots of raucous laughter means that I have told another of my “groaner” jokes.
Why would you want to attend these Thursday night festive occasions?
a. An opportunity to meet with fellow club members in an indoor setting with comfy seats and good beer.
b. No chance of getting frostbite or sunstroke from this event.
c. Very little chance of spraining your ankle, skinning your knees or breaking any bones … unless you do that on the way out of the pub. That, then, is whole other movie.
d. 50 pounds of climbing gear is not required.
e. We can all aspire to be better at pub activities than any of those extreme mountain men.
f. The food is good.
g. You can fib, exaggerate and add not-so-correct details to your adventure stories. No record is kept and you can deny it all later
h. “And there I was at 10,000 feet hanging on by my fingernails with a 65 pound pack on my back” is a great way to start a tale. No need to explain that you haven’t left the helicopter yet.
i. And, FINALLY, for all those folks who owe me a beer or two, you can pay-up at Pub Night. I will be the guy with grubby boots, MEC labels, tall tales and a very thirsty look. And for the record, I drink Guinness.