Skagit Alpine

Skagit Alpine Club – May 2010 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 Wednesday, May 5th at Skagit Valley College in Robert’s Hall T-31. The following shortcut is to a campus map http://www.skagit.edu/images/color_mvCampus.pdf. 

Secretary‘s Report:

Old Business:

(Notes from April Meeting)

Jason Griffith announced the death of George Reeves' son who perished in an avalanche in BC. There is a condolences card going around for club members to express their sympathy for Geoge and his family.

Food and Drink Schedule:

New Business:

(Notes from April Meeting)

CDD- Said that the 2010 SAC Basic mountaineering course is off and running well. The class is full this year.   

CDD- Annual Leavenworth trip is coming up April 23rd through April 25th. All members are welcome to join the climbing class participants and instructors at Bridge Creek campground, Group Site. SAC is paying for the site.

JG-WTA will be holding their work parties all summer now. There are also work parties for the PCT to help out on. Contact Lynn for details.

JG- Reminder that next month’s meeting will be a special one. Dallas will be talking about 50 years of climbing as well as sharing a slide show. Come early.

Financial Report: Ginny says we have about 6295.00 in the bank. and Insurance has been paid.

Wade suggested that we stir things up a bit for the July SAC picnic. Please submit any ideas to Wade.

Program:

"Two Summers on the Continental Trail" 

Todd Landswerth (sp?) will talk about his hike of the 3100 mile trail, linking the crest of the Rockies from Canada to Mexico.  Many folks have heard of the PCT or the AT, but only a dozen people or so a year attempt to hike this lesser known cousin.  Todd will share some of the tips he's developed for long distance hiking and is sure to entertain all with images and stories from his journey.  Please join us!

Lookout:

Outing(s):

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL WORK SCHEDULE

Submitted by Lynn Postler

Attention Hikers and Climbers!  Here is an opportunity to help keep our local trails cleared and beautiful.  The PNTA volunteer group works on trails in Deception Pass State Park, Blanchard, Anderson, Swift Creek, and along the South Fork of the Nooksack.  Meet at 8:15 AM at the Cook Road Exit for a day of fun and work.  Bring your lunch, work gloves, and rain gear.  All tools will be provided.  For more info email Lynn at sancho999@comcast.net.  Hope to see you there! 

May 1 and 15

June 5 (National Trails Day) and 19

July 3 and 17

August 7 and 21

September 4 and 18

October 2 and 16

Conservation Report:

Climbing Class:

Mountaineering Course Update (4-20, 2010)

We’re four weeks into the class and our 20 new club member/students are proving themselves up to the challenge! So far, no one has dropped, so these pups either showed up ready to play or are taking these new physical and mental challenges in good stride. Keep it up guys and gals!

To date, the students have muddled up to Oyster Dome to test the legs, lungs, boots, etc…, followed by a stellar day of playing on ropes at Mount Erie. Then, last weekend, the gang headed off to Sauk Mountain to practice ice axe arrest, glissading, and the ever-glamorous post holing technique. The summit was attained by all despite marginal snow conditions and weather.

In case you’re interested, one of the students (Cac Kamak) has posted pictures from the first two outings on his site: http://gallery.me.com/cackamak#gallery. These are some very nice shots for those who may be on other details or out of commission. Thanks for sharing Cac!

This weekend the kids will enjoy their final “lap of luxury” outing as we climb, camp, and cavort around Leavenworth and Peshastin Pinnacles. Our “all-comers” group camp at Icicle Creek (i.e. open to all club members) has been a blast for all who have attended in the past few years. But, remember, “What happens at Icicle Creek, stays at Icicle Creek”.

Once again, all of our hats should be off to the many dedicated club members who either helped ensure that this years’ course came together and those who are taking time to assist with the class sessions and outings.

And that’s all I have!

CDD

Special Announcement/Event:

Washington Trails Association Work Party schedule:

Sign up at www.wta.org

Trip Report:

Submitted by Chris Danilson

Chair Peak circumnavigation with Kaleetan Peak summit– March 27, 2010

For anyone who hasn’t been in the backcountry with SAC president Jason Griffith, it always starts like this – “Hey Chris, wanna go do a backcountry ski trip – nothing too committing?” Of course, I bite and say, “sure Jason, whadaya got in mind?” Thus begins a description of a mountain/route that I’ve either never heard of or considered, but seems doable. Knowing that Jason just did the very strenuous and committing Triple Couloirs route on Dragon Tail, I figured, well, maybe this time it will be more of a cruise than the usual trip with Jason.

An early departure from Mount Vernon and good traffic gets to the upper Alpental parking lot in good time. As we pull in, we observe the mass of backcountry skiers from greater Seattle area swarming into the backcountry. It’s a blue bird day, and our skin track wastes no time in gaining elevation as negotiate the slopes toward a notch between The Tooth and Chair Peak. Thankfully, we’ve followed a fresh skin track to this point, but I’m still sucking wind. A snow ramp leads us to the notch and we continue to benefit from a splinter group putting down nice a track for us. However, we get a bit of a scare when a cornice collapses directly above us, wherein I stumble-fall-wallow (visualize turtle on its shell). The snow stops short and we’re shaken, but OK.

The notch and ski down to Melakwa Lake is a little heavy and I’m on recycled longer skis, which present a challenge for me. Jason, in his usual style arcs graceful turns down the slope on his split board. Back on skins, we set our own track as we head toward Melakwa Pass and our objective of Kaleetan Peak (elevation 6,260’). The southeastern approach is up a snow-choked gully that, due to swirling winds and recent snow is getting loaded up. Oh, and there’s an dubious looking cornice that may or may not allow us passage. We assess and approach slowly/cautiously. Before long, we’re swimming in belly deep snow using the hand dig-step kick method at snail-like rate of ascent. We’re not loving the next 500’ but the last gets even more exciting, with a small release, squatting beneath the one-ton overhanging cornice, and negotiating about 15’ of ice (sans crampons) before entering onto the south ridge of Kaleetan.

The climb up and ski down Kaleetan is all good, but we have concerns about the icy down climb and snow stability below. Jason takes the lead and I lower board and skis down via ski pole to hand out under the cornice some more. It’s getting warmer, and we both just want to get the heck down from here. Again, J tests the slope and ultimately rips a nice line down and I follow and wallow on boards too skinny and long for the conditions. Anyway, we’re safe and having lunch and grateful for the adventure, scenery, and camaraderie on this fine day. The best skiing of the day was had on the north slopes below Melakwa Pass, as we cross paths with a few folks doing our tour in reverse.

A skinless cross country-style ski across the mile-long Snow Lake leads us to the last climb of the day up and over the ridge into the South Fork Snoqualmie Drainage. Here we see the effects of sun and the masses who don’t venture too far. There’s nary a slope untracked and lots of wet sloughs and pinwheels making for a gloppy sloppy ski and traverse back to the parking lot. Like most trips with Jason, I’m destroyed at day’s end, but glad for the experience. We find the requisite pizza & beer at the Flying Pig in Everett and home early enough to “keep the peace”.

Stats (approximate): 7.5 miles, 5,000’ total vert., 9 hrs.

Gear: alpine ski/board and related & axe

Weblink: http://www.skagitalpineclub.com/Newsletters/Trip%20Reports/Kaleetan%20TR.htm

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 –

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