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Skagit Alpine |
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Skagit Alpine Club - December 2009 Newsletter
Skagit Alpine Club mission statement: "To promote the use and prevent the abuse of outdoor recreation areas"....SAC Articles of Incorporation
Meeting: Submitted by Wade Bessett
The December meeting will once again follow tradition and be a grand tasty potluck held at the Reverie BBQ restaurant in old downtown Mt. Vernon. Matt and Cheryl Kaufman have offered their place to our club for several years now, so please give them a hearty thanks by stopping in for a meal once in a while. We're purchasing $25 bbq smoked chicken and $25 pulled pork from them for the potluck and giving a little more for a donation. Please bring a tasty dish and laughs and stories. Bring your own beverage. We will use the restaurant's dishware and utensils. Please bring any decorations you'd like, preferably of the Christmas, outdoor, wintry type. Wade could use some help with setting up and decorating from 5:30 on, so feel free to show up early.
What? Potluck: Last names A-H bring a side dish, I-Q bring a dessert, and R-Z bring a main dish.
Where? Reverie BBQ is located at 1300 S. 2nd Street in Mount Vernon (just a few blocks south of the library)
When? Wednesday, December 2; we'll set up at 6:00 and try to start eating by 6:30
Secretary‘s Report: Submitted by Chris Noskoff *Secretary Note: Due to extreme lack of sleep and way to much overtime prior to the meeting, some details may have been lost in note taking and or just not heard. Please except my apologies for any mistakes or omittances in this report.
Old Business:
There was discussion brought up by Jason Griffith regarding club insurance. The executive committee has begun looking into our insurance needs and plans to meet later this month and come up with a plan.
New Business:
There was an announcement about Little Mt. Trail work parties; the dates for this year are as follows: November 21, December 5 & 19. Trail building at Little Mountain Park is underway and help is needed! Volunteers interested in helping with trail building can meet on these Saturdays at 10am at Little Mountain Park. Wade Bessett
gave us a Social Committee update: The annual SAC Christmas party is coming up
on the first Wednesday of December (12/02) and Wade suggested that we return to
Reverie BBQ in Mt. Vernon and to make a $150 donation to them also. Wade made a
motion that we go ahead with that plan, JG second it and the motion was passed.
Jason Griffith mentioned that the Skagit Museum is putting together a display about the history of recreation in the area. If any members have anything of historical significance, contact JG. Jill announced that A.S.A.P will be holding their annual auction and fundraiser at Boundary Bay in Bellingham on November 14th. Dallas talked a little about Mt. Erie and the latest happenings there. He said that there is a climbing committee being formed to give us a voice over the battle of the mountain. Program: Club members show slides of their favorite trips this year.
Program:
Christmas Party!
Lookout: Submitted by Marie and John Erbstoeszer Park Butte Lookout Stewards 360-336-5896
Park Butte Lookout As many of you know, Lief Hazelet, with the US Forest Service Mount Baker Ranger District, has worked with the Skagit Alpine Club for many years in the maintenance of the Park Butte Lookout. His support, guidance, and work have been essential to the successful upkeep of the Lookout and our ongoing working relationship with the US Forest Service. Just a few examples of his work within the past few years include that he and Otis Allen reroofed the Lookout and also replaced a support pole. For many years Lief worked with Ginny and Fred Darvill when they were the Lookout Stewards and more recently we have had the pleasure of working with him. The big news is that Lief will be retiring at the end of 2009 and we wish him the best in his retirement. Lief, fortunately, did say that he hopes to continue to have some involvement with the Lookout. Otis Allen, who also works for the US Forest Service, will be our new contact for the Lookout and we look forward to working with him.
Outings:
Conservation Report: Submitted by Jenny Lee Rae
National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP) – Every year Washington State receives about $1.8 million from NRTP. The money is used to fund critical maintenance programs by the Forest Service and non-profit volunteer organizations. In 2009 Washington Trails Association (WTA) used NRTP funds to pay and train experienced crew leaders, scope trail projects, recruit volunteers, coordinate logistics for work parties, pack in gear for Volunteer Vacations using stock, and other key support for volunteers.
NRTP is funded through the federal transportation budget with gas tax money derived from recreation activities. However, despite Congress’ commitment in August to extend NRTP, funds have been trickling into the states very slowly. Typically, grantees have received funding for approved projects by this time of year, however this year the USDOT did not formally approve the list of grants and agencies like WTA are facing the prospect of going without the funds.
According to Jonathan Guzzo, WTA Advocacy Director, “Without NRTP funding, hikers can expect to encounter more damaged bridges, blocked drainages and deteriorating trails. The nearly two million dollars provided to Washington state by NRTP each year is an essential component of keeping our trails maintained.”
Please contact Senator Patty Murray and ask her to use her position as a member of the Transportation Committee to ensure that NRTP funds go to the trail projects they are intended for. For more information go to: http://www.wta.org/trail-news/news/trail-projects-await-promised-dollars
Gray Wolves in Washington The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Gray Wolf Conservation and Management in Washington. Gray wolves are listed at both the federal and state level as endangered in most of Washington.
Two breeding pairs of wolves have been found in Washington, a result of increased dispersal of wolves from recovering populations in Idaho and Montana, and dispersers from British Columbia. In response to this, and in anticipation of the eventual return of all wolf management to the state, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife initiated development of a state wolf conservation and management plan. The draft plan establishes conservation/recovery objectives for downlisting and delisting the species, and identifies strategies to address conflicts and achieve recovery.
WDFS is taking public comment on the draft plan until January 8, 2010. Comments can be made online or sent in via fax, mail or email. For more information go to: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildlife/management/gray_wolf/mgmt_plan.html
Index Climbing Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) is working to raise $300,000 to buy the Lower Town Wall and surrounding crags near Index, Washington. The area is currently threatened with closure and even possible quarrying and we seek to preserve it as a climbing park. In March of 2009 the owner put up no trespassing signs because she was prepared to market the area to interested quarry operators. Seeking to prevent any quarrying and loss of climbing access, the WCC secured an option to purchase this property in May of 2009. WCC also obtained the owner's commitment to allow climbing to continue while we raise the money to buy her land. Donations can
be made online, by mail, email, or phone
Special Announcement/Event: 1. Mt. Erie Submitted by Maggie Sullivan
On Nov. 2, 09, the Anacortes City Council adopted the ACFL '09 plan. In a nutshell, little was changed from the draft plan. Preservation takes precedence over recreation. Any "scramble areas" will be approved by the Forest Advisory Board. The FAB will establish permit requirements - which will be approved by the City Council. Read the adopted '09 plan on the Anacortes Park and Rec web site. Items on pages 4, 5 & 6, 13 & 14, 18, 28 and 32 specifically apply to climbing on Mt. Erie.
2. Sunday, February 28 at 2 pm Submitted by Janet Oakley (Skagit County Historical Museum) A History of Snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest Did you know that some of the biggest names in snowboarding were from Mount Vernon? Learn all about the origins and growth of this enormously popular winter sport from Nicole Evans, Special Events Coordinator and Marketing Assistant for the Mt. Baker Ski Area. This post 25th Annual Banked Slalom and Winter Olympics slide show should be a great talk.
Skagit County Historical Museum 501 South 4th StreetLa Conner
Admission: $4.00 at door, $3.00 for seniors. Members of the museum FREE.
3) Fri, Dec. 4 Friends of NW Weather and Avalanche Center present SNOWBASH 2009 feat. THE TALLBOYS 7th annual SnowBash fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. Join us for an evening of good beer, good friends, gear raffle and bluegrass by the Tallboys. 8pm ~ $25 www.nwac.us www.thetallboys.com For tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85577
Trip Report:
None! Your prose is welcome and encouraged! –Ed.
Climbing Class: Submitted by Chris Danilson
1) Don Howard, Chris Noskoff, Alex Korteum and Chris Danilson spent two and half days up at Snoqualmie Pass last weekend to fulfill the requirements for their Mountain Oriented First Aid certifications. These guys, who contributed signficantly to last year's mountaineering course, have committed to taking leadership roles in putting the class together next year.
Tuques (look it up!) off to SAC and these dedicated volunteers for stepping up and expanding the qualifications and resources of the club. For active club members who have never done a MOFA course, I think each of us who went through this would highly recommend it.
The time and energy that went into this has given me a geater appreciation for the commitment of other MOFA folks and our Search and Rescue folks too. Thanks guys and gals!
2) The Banff Mountain Film Festival will be in Bellingham December 1, 2009
Western Washington University U-ASP Films For tickets visit www.tickets.wwu.edu or call 360-650-6146 asp.films@wwu.edu
3) Finally, about a dozen club members turned out for the annual Avalanche Safety and Awareness Program (ASAP) fundraiser event at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham on November 6th. ASAP could be considered a "sister organization" to SAC as we have supported each other in various ways over the past several years. Michael Jackson (ASAP founder) has been a guest lecturer for our mountaineering class the past couple years.
This year's event again featured
excellent bluegrass music, killer fish tacos, live and silent auctions of high
quality climbing and ski gear, and the usual array of malted barley beverages.
Thanks to all who attended and, for those that didn't - try to get there next
year as you won't be disappointed. Officers: President – Jason Griffith (360) 419-7480 jkgriffith@gmail.com Vice President – Jonathan Frostad jonathanfrostad@hotmail.com Treasurer – Ginny Darvill gdarvill@fidalgo.net Secretary - Chris Noskoff cnoskoff@gmail.com Newsletter - Corrina Marote corrina.marote@gmail.com Webmaster - Steve Trent skagitalpineclub@comcast.net Programs – Jason Griffith (360) 419-7480 jkgriffith@gmail.com Lookout - John and Marie Erbstoeszer erbst@cnw.com Outings - Lynn Postler sancho999@comcast.net Conservation Com- Jenny Lee Frederick jennyleefrederick@gmail.com Social Com- Wade Bessett bessettw@hotmail.com Climbing Com - Chris Danilson
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