Skagit Alpine

Newsletter of the Skagit Alpine Club

April 2007

“To promote the use and prevent the abuse of outdoor recreation areas."

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Meeting:
We're meeting April 4 in T-39 (Walter Roberts Hall) at Skagit Valley College. Roberts Hall is in the north-central area of the campus. The following shortcut is to a campus map http://www.skagit.edu/images/color_mvCampus.pdf.

Secretary‘s Report:

Old Business:

A Gear Swap will be held on April 4th from7-8pm in lieu of our normal SAC meeting. The proposed after-party at Skagit River Brewery generated even more enthusiasm.

New Business:

Thanks to Lynn, Craig, and George for providing treats at the meeting! We look forward to the treats Rick and Monica will bring to the May meeting.
Don Jenkins is climbing Mt Rainier to raise money for “Big City Mountaineers.” His goal is to raise $3500 and he has raised $900 so far. Rick Rogers made a motion for SAC to donate 1 cent per foot of elevation gain. Jeff Smith seconded the motion.

Committee Reports:

Climbing Committee--Rick Rogers reported that the Climbing Committee met prior to the 3/7/07 SAC meeting to plan for the 2007 Mountaineering Class. Nineteen students have signed up so far, the SVC will cap enrollment at 30. Class began on Tuesday, March 27th. Tuesday night lectures are held in SVC room T-19. To volunteer for an outing, look for the outing list on the SAC website and contact the trip leader.

 
Conservation Committee—Maggie Sullivan and Harold Mead reported on their Scotch Broom pulling efforts on Mt. Erie. They have plans to continue the clean up around Mt Erie, along the highway, etc. Optimum pulling conditions include damp ground (but not too wet) and pull it before the broom goes to seed. They are hoping to rappel down the East Buttress on Erie to continue the clean-up. If you want to help with this clean-up effort, contact Harold or Maggie.
Blanchard Mountain—Maggie Sullivan also reported on the efforts to “save” Blanchard from logging. See the “Friends of Blanchard” letter posted in the March SAC newsletter for more information and don’t forget to contact your legislator to make your voice heard!

Cathy is serving as the Interim Social Chairman while Wade is traveling.

And, last but not least…John Seehorn shared an incredible slideshow of his trip to Australia. The secretary’s personal favorite…John holding the “Joey.”

Program:

Helen Thayer, first woman to solo the North Pole will speak April 6th 7pm, at the PUD in Mt. Vernon. There is a suggested $3 donation at the door.

Outing(s):

If anyone would like to post an outing for April, please contact the outings coordinator, the webmaster, and the newsletter editor. Contact information is listed at the end of the newsletter.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION
24854 Charles Jones Memorial Circle #4 Sedro-Woolley WA 98284 360-854-9415

2007 SKAGIT COUNTY TRAIL MAINTENANCE ON THE PNT
Want to do some trail work? No matter where you work, wear long pants, have work gloves, have plenty of fluids to drink, and bring a lunch. Each person working will have to sign a liability release form. Parents or guardians of those under 18 must sign for the minor.

For information call 360-424-0407 anytime up until 8 a.m. the morning of the work party. Tools will be provided--hazel hoes, loppers, McLeods, Pulaskis, chain saws, brush cutters. You may bring your own tools if you wish.
If you can only work until noon, please call ahead to see if the work site will be conducive to your leaving early. Sometimes we will be working behind locked gates or far up logging roads and it would not be convenient for people to leave early.

Meeting place is the Cook Road Park-n-Ride, exit 232 from I-5 north of Burlington. Exit the freeway, turn right and then immediately turn right onto Old Highway 99. We meet across the street from the 76 gas station. Meeting time is 8:15 a.m.

GENERAL TRAIL WORK2007 Skagit Trail work schedule for April through October.  Trail work will be done on the FIRST and THIRD Saturday of each month April 7 and 21May 5 and 19June 2 (National Trails Day) and 16July 7 and 21August 4 and 18September 1 and 15October 6 and 20

Conservation Report:

Nothing for April.

Trip Report:

Hopefully coming soon: Excelsior Ridge trip, the Oval Peak attempt, and the Hog Loppett.

If you had an outing you would like to describe or embellish, whether the trip was with other SAC members or not, please contact the webmaster and the newsletter editor. Contact information is listed at the end of the newsletter.

Special Event:

Nothing for April
 

Officers:

President – Paul Sherman  293-2984 or 391-6078 (cell),  pshermanpt@verizon.net

Vice President – Jeff Smith

Treasurer - Kim Griffith  (360) 419-7480 jkgriffith@gmail.com

Secretary - Angie Vandenhaak Angela.Vandenhaak@wwu.edu  (360) 756-6950

Newsletter - Corrina Marote corrina.marote@gmail.com

Webmaster - Steve Trent skagitalpineclub@comcast.net

Programs - John Seehorn jseehorn@hotmail.com

Lookout - John and Marie Erbstoeszer erbst@cnw.com

Outings - Lynn Postler sancho999@comcast.net

Conservation Com- Maggie Sullivan 724-3158

Social Com- Wade Bessett bessettw@hotmail.com