Skagit Alpine
Skagit Alpine Club – February 2012 Newsletter
Skagit Alpine Club mission statement: "To promote the use and prevent the abuse of outdoor recreation areas"....SAC Articles of Incorporation
Meeting:
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday February 7th at the Burlington Library.
http://www.ci.burlington.wa.us/page.asp_Q_navigationid_E_78
"Burlington Public Library is located at 820 East Washington Avenue, one block south of Fairhaven at the corner of Washington Avenue and Holly Street. See map below.
There is a book drop on the north outer wall of the building, approximately 100 feet to the right of the library entrance.
From I-5 traveling North or South:
Take exit 230 off I-5 (Burlington/Anacortes)
Turn right at the light at the end of the off ramp onto Hwy. 20/Rio Vista
Ave.
From the South: Turn left at the 2nd light onto Burlington Blvd.
From the North: Turn left at the 3rd light onto Burlington Blvd.
Turn right at the first light onto E. Fairhaven Ave.
Turn right at the four-way stop (approx. 8 blocks) onto S. Anacortes St.
Turn left at the first intersection onto E. Washington Ave.
The Burlington Public Library will be on your right.
Secretary‘s Report:
Old Business:
The ski trip February 24-26 is full. As it stands, some poor soul is already sleeping on the floor. If you would like to get on the waiting list, contact Jonathan.
Food and Drink Schedule:
Refreshments signup:
Food Beverages
New Business:
Dave Meyer will be holding a Wilderness First Aid class April 14-15. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Dave. If you have not taken a class of this type, it is highly recommended.
The Intro to Mountaineering Class is a go for 2012! This year, the class will be a 5 week class that focuses solely on mountaineering skills. The class is slated to run from May 1 with a summit of Mount Baker on June 3. The classroom sessions will be run by Jonathan and outings will be led by many of our great club members. We are hoping to take on 18-20 students to start, expecting 16 to stay on track. This class has filled up every year in recent history and often has a waiting list. Word of mouth is the best way to spread the word!
A “class helper” meeting will be held at Jonathan and Andrea’s house on January 26. Contact Jonathan for more information.
The club would like to look into the bylaws to see if the climbing committee needs to be redesigned.
The Club Outing Committee will be the new means of gear use for club outings. Don Howard, Emily Boehm, and Josh Gourley will be those in charge of distributing appropriate gear for club outings and keeping appropriate gear in the club inventory.
Please help your local trails! Trail building on Little Mountain takes place the second and forth Saturday of each month at 10 am.
Program:
Two noted northwest mountain photographers, Steph Abegg and John Scurlock, will collaborate on a special presentation at the February 7th meeting of the Skagit Alpine Club. Steph will give a slideshow on their joint six-day aerial photography adventure in September, 2011, amongst the massive and rugged Canadian Rockies. Highlights include Mt. Robson, Kakwa Provincial Park, Jasper National Park, Columbia Icefield, Valhallas, Bugaboos, Mt. Assiniboine, and more. John will also discuss the making of his new book, "Snow & Spire: Flights to Winter in the North Cascade Range". Copies of the book will be available as well, with proceeds going to benefit the SAC. Please join us for what is sure to be an amazing show!!
Lookout:
Outing(s):
1. Tips and Tricks for Home Dehydrating
Do you have a dehydrator sitting in the garage gathering dust? Maybe you just need a few time-saving tips to make your dehydrating more efficient. You might have toyed with the idea of dehydrating your own foods for health reasons or dietary restrictions but you don't know where to start. No matter your experience, gather your questions and head to the Burlington Public Library on February 1 at 6:30. I (Chris Gourley) will talk about easy dehydrating from jerky and fruit leather to whole meals you can cook up on the trail. along with time-savers and must know pointers.
Please invite your friends or send this along to anyone you think might be interested. This is a club AND community event. RSVPs are appreciated, but not necessary to weebat@yahoo.com.
The Library asks that we park across the street at the old Parks building to save space for library patrons.
2. Avalanche Beacon Practice
Dates: January 22 AND February 19
Time: 8:30am
Location: Mt. Baker Ski Area, Heather Meadows upper parking lot
Leader: Sonya Bailey
Group size: 12
Gear: Snowshoes or Backcountry Skis/Splitboard, Probe, Shovel, Avy Beacon, Lunch, Snacks, Water, 10 essentials, dress for weather.
Description:
Informal beacon practice. I am not intructor, but I want to get backcountry travelers, me included to practice avy skills. Discusions of avalanche science. Weather & Conditions permitting, get some turns in from Artist Point. I welcome others to contribute their expertise on the avy / backcountry subject.
Sign up by contacting Sonya at sonya.bailey@comcast.net or cell 727-415-4752.
Conservation Report:
Climbing Class:
Yes!
Special Announcement/Event:
1) Summit for Someone: Yours truly, Newsletter Editor, has committed to Summit for Someone 2012. The cause benefits at-risk city kids (urban youth) between the ages of 13 and 18 who will get to challenge themselves in a meaningful way on a week-long wilderness trip in a ratio of one adult volunteer to one teen. So here’s the deal: I need to raise $4000 in order to go on this climb. The climb I chose was Mt. Rainier next September because I have not climbed it before. Please sponsor me – any amount ($5 on up!) will be greatly appreciated by me and the kids who benefit from this program. Here is the website to sponsor me: http://www.summitforsomeone.org/main.php?page=4&climber=8205 You may also search under my name, Corrina Marote, at the main Summit for Someone webpage. Also, here are more details on the program that benefits the teens: http://www.summitforsomeone.org/main.php?page=36 Let me know if you have any questions.
Trip Report(s):
1. A trip down memory lane, submitted by Mark Nelson:
A FULL CLIMBING SEASON
The 1963 climbing season provided an opportunity for exploration, challenge, and enjoyment to both Mike Killien and me.
The season began for me early in May with a practice climb in the Peshastin Pinnacles. The next weekends, I climbed in the Twin Sister's Range, Church Mountain and made an attempt at Mount Rainier.
Then Mike and I began our partnership which resulted in our attaining over twenty summits in three different states. In June we climbed "The Tooth", Mix-up Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, Kyes Peak and East Willman Spire. The last part of June, I made my first ascent of Mount Baker with the Skagit Alpine Club.
In July, Mike and I again hit the climbing trail, climbing the following peaks: Sharkfin Tower (second ascent of the south face), Devil's Peak (new route of the east face), Mt. Johannesberg, South Peak of Ingalls, Main Peak of Ingalls, and the East Peak of Ingalls.
In August, Mike and I headed for the Tetons, but on the way we stopped off and climbed Chimney Rock, the "Devil's Tower of the Northwest", in Idaho.
We spent one week in the Tetons, climbing six peaks and one pinnacle. The highlight of the trip was the climbing of the Grand Teton (13,766 ft.) and Symmetry Spire (10,546 ft.). On August 12 in Jackson, Wyoming Mike and I parted company. Mike headed for Port Arthur, Texas and his new job, while I traveled back to Sedro Woolley and more climbing.
During the last part of the climbing season, I climbed Magic Mountain, Mount Larrabee, and spent two weekends at Castle Rock.
As I think back over the 1963 climbing season, three things stand out uppermost in my mind: first of all the companionship of my fellow climbers during the season, especially Dick Nelson, Reed Tindall, Al Clairmont, Jack Newcomer, and Mike Killien; secondly, the opportunity to climb in various areas of Washington and two other states; and lastly, the valuable experience and knowledge gained in the mountains.
Dallas Kloke
Skagit Alpine Club
The THIRD ANNUAL BULLETIN
January-December 31, 1963
President: E. G. Englebright
2. Submitted by Jessica Gigot
January 15, 2012
Skagit Alpine Club Outing
Trip: Backcountry Ski Trip
Participants: Leader, Corrina Marote; Participants, Emily Boehm, Miyabi Gladstein, Jessica Gigot (SAC Mountaineering Class of ’10) and Brian Dempsey (’09)
Destination: Rainy Pass/Nason Ridge
We arrived at Smithbrook Rd. north east of Steven’s Pass at 9:30 am. Much to our surprise it was a bright, blue-sky day. That morning we had traveled through snow and sleet starting in Mount Vernon and we were ecstatic about the clear weather we found at the trailhead. We followed the road out of the parking lot (3200 ft) and headed west, following in the track of snowmobilers.
While the avy reported there to be considerable avalanche danger we decided we would be safe at lower elevation (< 6,000ft) and stay off steep open slopes. The road switchbacks were not ideal, but the two new feet of new snow made the direct route up through the trees hardly worth the effort. However, at 3900 ft our trusty snowmobile track ended which required us to break trail for the remainder of the way up. Luckily with five of us we could take turns frequently.
We arrived at Rainy Pass (4600’) at 1 pm. After a brief chat with some rowdy snowmobilers and a bite of lunch, we took a quick ski down the north slope. With snow up to our thighs, a 20 degree slope and minimal trees, it was a safe and steady first run down to the creek bed (500 ft elevation drop). This would be a good area to do laps in the future for an easy and protected afternoon of skiing. As we came back up to the ridge the clouds came in and the snow began to fall; we were also at our turnaround time of 2:30 pm. We agreed on a fairly open route through the trees to the southwest. As we dropped into the trees the pitch was steeper than our northside run (~30+ degrees) which gave us the speed we needed to cut through all of the snow.
This was a great ski with powder spraying up on all sides. We passed over the road once on our way down and glided our way back to the lower part of the road. We did not encounter any exposed rock, but we did find some holes as we approached the lower part of the road and headed back to the cars.
A fantastic day and an awesome first outing of the year for the club! Thanks Corrina!
Officers:
President – Don Howard dhoward@pobox.com
Vice President: Chris Noskoff cnoskoff@gmail.com
Treasurer – Andrea Bachman ambachman76@gmail.com
Secretary - Chris Gourley weebat@yahoo.com
Newsletter - Corrina Marote corrina.marote@gmail.com
Webmaster - Steve Trent skagitalpineclub@comcast.net
Programs –
Lookout - John and Marie Erbstoeszer erbst@cnw.com
Trail Work - Lynn Postler sancho999@comcast.net
Outings – Emily Boehm emily.c.boehm@gmail.com
Conservation Com- Emily Mendell emily.mendell@gmail.com
Social Com- Karen Howard platypusshankie@gmail.com
Climbing Com - Dave Salyer & Chris Noskoff