Skagit Alpine

Skagit Alpine Club – May 2008 Newsletter

Meeting:

Beginning in May our meetings will be held on a new day!  Our new day is the first Tuesday of the month.  May’s meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on May 6 at Skagit Valley College in Robert Hall room T-41.  The following shortcut is to a campus map http://www.skagit.edu/images/color_mvCampus.pdf.

Secretary‘s Report:

President Paul Presiding

Old Business

1. President Paul Sherman reminded club members to renew your membership.  You get the SAC newsletter and a sticker!
2. Chris Danilson reported that the SAC Mountaineering Course offered through Skagit Valley College was cancelled due to low enrollment.  Maggie Sullivan proposed that we offer a year of free SAC membership to the people who signed up but now can’t take the course so they can connect with potential hiking/climbing partners and get to know others in the club.  Chris D. said that some people who signed up had already paid for membership.  No decision was made.
3. Maggie gave an update on the proposed changes to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands management plan and how SAC members can voice any concerns they might have.  In particular, some SAC members are concerned about restricted access to climbing routes on the South Side of Mt Erie.  Maggie encouraged everyone to attend the public meeting on Aril 3^rd to voice their concerns.

New Business

1. Ross Lake National Recreation Area is updating its management plan this year.  You can go to their website to see the four possible recommendations.  The final plan won't be until next year.  The Forest Service is developing a Suiattle Access and Travel Management Environmental Assessment which will decide which roads stay open and maintained, which will just stay open and which will be closed.  The Forest Service is also planning on repairing a bridge over the Suiattle River for the Pacific Crest Trail and also may replace the Ice Caves Bridge. (Submitted by the Prez)
2. Lynn Postler shared that she has put together a framed certificate for Jenny Darville letting he know that SAC has agreed to take on maintenance of the Darville Trail.  This is different than the plaque that will be placed at the Park Butte Lookout in memory of Fred.
3. Paul Sherman and Jason Griffith reported that they have had some trouble getting space for SAC meetings on Wednesday evenings.  They proposed possibly moving the monthly meeting to the first Tuesday of the month.  An official announcement will be made if/when this decision becomes final.  In the meantime, if you have concerns about changing the day of the week that SAC meets then please contact President Paul.

Program by Ken Wilcox was great and extremely informative!!!

Food and Drink Schedule:

This month Bob Kandiko will share some images and stories form climbing and hiking in the High Sierra.   The scenes of sun-kissed granite are sure to get folks in the mood for the upcoming climbing season, and perhaps give some a reason to head down south and sample the legendary stone.  A long-time climber and adventurer, Bob has climbed extensively and travels the world when he isn't at home in Bellingham teaching. Bob has been a frequent presenter to the alpine club over the years and his excellent images and engaging stories never disappoint!

Lookout:

Outing(s):

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION  GOTOBUTTON BM_1_ Http://www.pnt.org

24854 Charles Jones Memorial Circle #4, Sedro-Woolley WA 98284    360-854-9415 

2008   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. 

Conservation Report:

Reminder: The next ACFL Advisory Board meeting will be Thursday - May 1, 08 at 7pm at the Fidalgo Senior Center on 22nd in Anacortes.  At this meeting there will be another public comment periord in which people can comment on the Forest Lands new draft plan. 

  Remember:  "Letters are important, as we can read them, think about it, then read them again...keep them coming...."

    Letters can be delivered at the meeting or be sent to Gary Robinson, Director Anacortes Parks and Rec    P.O.Box 547, Anacortes, WA  98221 or gary@cityofanacortes.org  .    

  To read the '91 Management Plan on line, google City of Anacortes.org,   -go to  Planning,  -go to Comprehensive Plans, -go to Anacortes Community Forest Lands.

  To read the '08 Draft Plan, google City of Anacortes,  -go to Parks and Rec, in the links  -click on Draft Plan.  

   Or - call the Parks and Rec office at 293-1918 or go to the office at City Hall.)

After the ACFL Board recommendations, the draft will go before the city planning council and finally, the city council.

Blanchard Mt. update

  Harold Mead recieved a call from Bill Wallace of DNR about the Blanchard Advisory Board, developed last year by the Strategy Group.  Apparently the group will begin to meet to discuss issues regarding the mountain.  Last year, Friends of Blanchard Mt. participated in the Strategy Group and will therefore have a seat at the table.  Harold will be the representative from Friends.  He was also the contact person to the Friends group for the Skagit Alpine Club.  More on this as it occurs.

Climbing Committee:

The climbing class has been cancelled due to low enrollment.

Trip Report:

Notice:

Special Announcement:

Officers:

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

Vice President – Jeff Smith 425-478-2698

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 – Jason Griffith (360) 419-7480 jkgriffith@gmail.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

Climbing Com-Chris Danilson cdanilson@yahoo.com