Hi all -

Since the time I created ClubTread.com back in 2001, it has grown by leaps and bounds – and so has the amount maintenance and cost that is required to keep things running smoothly. As many of you are aware, over the past year or two I have not been able to devote as much time and attention as I used to towards system maintenance, updates, moderation, etc.

I am very interested in seeing the ClubTread community continue to flourish. For this to happen there needs to be ongoing investment into keeping the technology be up-to-date. Given my current time constraints, I feel that it is better to turn the site over to a new owner that is experienced in supporting online groups and providing the infrastructure to do so.

Although Vertical Scope is taking over the operational aspects of the website and you may see some changes appear as a result, the forum itself should not be greatly affected. I will still be involved and contribute to ClubTread as much as time permits, and Darren, the existing moderator will still maintain the role in the forum. At some point in the near future, additional staff will be brought on board to provide extra assistance to the community. In addition, you should start seeing some of the updates you have asked for being made, including a future roll out of improved forum software.

I've been talking with these guys for a little while now and they are a great group. I'm confident that ClubTread will continue to live on for years to come and become even better!

Jim Hamlin (Longshadow)

Thanks for the update and your commitment Jim. I have no doubt that the time, effort and heart that goes into ClubTread is significant and this move is going to be a positive one.

Cheers!

Thanks for letting us know!

Cool!

Thank you so much for founding this fantastic web site! It has made a big difference in my own life and I am sure countless others.

Scott

Hello all,

My name is Phil, I am taking over the webmaster duties on ClubTread.com for Jim. I just wanted to take a moment to make a quick introduction and also let you all know that the site you know and love is what we want to work to keep growing. There are some minor changes planned but this is mostly things I want to do to make sure to make the work your mods and admins do here feel less like work.

If you have questions please let me know, I will do my best to answer them as quickly as possible. In a short time you will be introduced to a few other people on here that I work with. This is our support team and they are here for exactly that, to support you.

-Philip

Looking forward to the changes. You might want to check the site feedback/suggestions for existing problems.

thanks for the heads up, I will look now!

Thank you so much Jim (and those behind the scenes over the years) for starting this website and community, and keeping it growing strong with each passing year. It has opened up so many growth opportunities for me, and others I'm sure, and has been responsible for forging many new friendships and relationships. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

And THANK YOU for those who will continue to keep this forum alive and well moving forward.

Jim

This web creation of yours has become such a vital source of up-to-date trail condition and access info. I've benefited from that aspect of it, so many times. It's also a rich repository of inspiring adventure reports and amazing outdoor photography.

Many thanks for bringing this together over the years.

Here's best wishes to the new overseers with anticipation of good things to come.

Me too. I'd also like to suggest improvement of report section which is by far the most popular part of the site. For instance we have a member that continuously rotates same 3 or 4 trips couple of times per week, and posts report each time. While most people -including myself- enjoy and appreciate constant condition update, this has bad side effect of saturating the board rapidly and thus causing other, unique reports to sink down very quickly and potentially not be seen.

On Alberta side there is fantastic "Alberta Conditions Update" thread for such purposes. It is very well received and members that hike known trails that are beaten to death and don't really require full blown TR use this to post quick update together with few photos. My suggestion would be to implement something similar in BC Report section. In other words constant Panorama Ridge/Black Tusk flow is great, but redirect to "BC Conditions Update" Thread.

This site is an incredible service to the community. Thank you Jim!
Thank you also for setting things up so that it can be run sustainably in the long run.

I will have a look and see what can be done. I am hoping down the road we can move the site to a more robust software platform like vBulletin and ad a more feature rich experience for everyone. Site conversions are not an over night thing so no need to fear any big changes to anything on here happening other than me working to fulfill requests you all bring to our attention.

Yes,a big big thank you for all the hard work,this site has helped to enrich my life for sure