Skagit Alpine

Skagit Alpine Club – May 2009 Newsletter

Skagit Alpine Club mission statement:  "To promote the use and prevent the abuse of outdoor recreation areas"....SAC Articles of Incorporation

Meeting:

Our May meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on THURSDAY May 7th at Skagit Valley College in Walter Hall T-31. The following shortcut is to a campus map http://www.skagit.edu/images/color_mvCampus.pdf. 

Secretary‘s Report:

Old Business:

Thanks to all who brought in their unused clothing, gear and books. There were some deals to be had by all.

Food and Drink Schedule:

New Business:

·       Maggie Sullivan gave a brief update on the happenings between the ACFL/COA and the climbing community and the usage of Mt. Erie.

·       Maggie said that the new management plan for the ACFL is available for reading and commenting.

·       There will be additional meetings held where the public can comment on the management plan.

·       Sullivan is encouraging all outdoor recreation people to comment on the new management plan, write letters and to educate yourself by reading the plan on the Anacortes parks website.

·       Jason G suggested that executive committee come up with a Skagit Alpine Club comment or statement regarding this issue.

CDD suggested that Maggie contact our Conservation chair person, Jenny Frederick (sorry if that name is bad sp), and discuss further plans.

Program:

"Backcountry Skiing in the Desert Southwest"

Steve Barnett, May 7, 2009 7pm

The Skagit Alpine Club is pleased to host guidebook author and backcountry ski legend Steve Barnett at this month's meeting.  With a ski career spanning more than three decades, Steve has hunted down touring opportunities all over the world.  He was one of the founding fathers of the modern tele resurrection in the 1970's, writing the seminal how-to book entitled "Cross Country Downhill" in 1979.  For this presentation, Steve will be sharing some unique touring areas he has visited in the desert Southwest.  Stretching from Zion to the Grand Canyon to Baja California, these destinations are sure to pique the interest of folks who love to ski sunny slopes amongst improbable scenery.  Please join us as Steve shares some great stories and images!

We will be meeting in Walter Roberts Hall*/ T-31. /*The following shortcut is to a campus map http://www.skagit.edu/images/color_mvCampus.pdf.

Lookout:

Outing(s):

2009   SKAGIT COUNTY TRAIL MAINTENANCE ON THE PNT

Want to do some local trail work with a wonderful group of people?  No experience needed.  Wear long pants, bring rain gear, work gloves, lunch, and get ready to have fun!  Meeting place is the Cook Road Park-n-Ride, exit 232 from I-5 north of Burlington.  Meeting time is 8:15 AM.  If you have any questions email Lynn at sancho999@comcast.net.  Hope to see you there!

Trail Work Correction - The Forest Pass is ONLY given to volunteers that work on the Easy Pass work party which is contracted with the Forest Service.  Passes are NOT given for volunteering with the PNTA or Little Mountain.  Sorry for the confusion.  Lynn and Sancho 

GENERAL TRAIL WORK

Trail work will be done on the FIRST and THIRD Saturday of each month EXCEPT JULY.

May 2 and 16                               

June 6 (National Trails Day) and 20 

July 11 and 25          

August 1 and 15

September 5 and 19

October 3 and 17

Conservation Report:

See separate attachment

Special Announcement/Event:

Trip Report:

JB’s photo log of the Yellow Aster Butte climbing class field trip:  http://jbsphotos.smugmug.com/

Climbing Class:

SAC Mountaineering Course (Week 3 Update)

The mountaineering class of 2009 seems to have a direct line with the weather gods. Can you believe it - three April weekend outings without a serious drenching!!!

Anyhow, the students have definitely been holding up their end of the deal by continuing to work on their conditioning and practicing the myriad of skills/techniques we're throwing at them. Yesterday (April 18) we headed for Mt. Higgins, which proved to be a bit of a "test piece" for students due to the rain soaked sugary snow conditions. 

Post holing up to their poop holes, the students got to experience the joy of humping ropes and kicking steps up to the avalanche path where they practiced ice axe arrest. A couple of scraped chins and a tweaked knee are evidence that there is clearly some technique involved in this skill. Hoping all is well for the folks!!!

Given the snow conditions and time constraints, we shortened up our objective to climb the west peak of Higgins (as opposed to the middle peak "Skadulgwas"). The students got to practice ascending and descending fixed ropes up a somewhat exposed forested ridge to the summit. The students and instructors all got to enjoy a nice sunny lunch break, excellent views, pictures and smiles on the 4,900' summit. 

After a long slog back to the cars, we made our way back to Skagit Valley where some met for beer and grub at the brewery. All in all, a pretty nice day.

CDD

Oh, and once again, hats off to the folks helping to make these outings such a success. The level of organization has been excellent and I've received nothing but postive feedback from the students regarding the time commitment, patience and attention to detail.

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