Quote: "Hold fast to dreams, for it dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” – Langston Hughes
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It seems like a completely different world from last time I wrote this note. The birds are still singing, the sun is still shining, but rather than enjoying the springtime with our friends, we’ve been ordered to avoid each other. Depending on your personal situation, that’s easier said than done. I am by no means a public health expert. Most importantly, please stay safe. If you choose to participate in activities that could require you needing medical or SAR services (no matter how remote that chance is) please think about the potential consequences of your actions. I’m just about as selfish as anyone can be (just ask my wife…), but your personal choices now will affect everyone else.
Cheers!
April Meeting:
Canceled due to state physical distancing requirements
Above: Me, enjoying some artificial hand crack and contemplating my upcoming work trip to NYC. (Photo: Leslie)
A letter from the President:
Dear members of SAC,
I hope everyone is coping and finding ways to stay healthy and active during this difficult time.
As you may have heard by now, we had to cancel the 2020 Basic Mountaineering Course because of the COVID-19 outbreak. We had some great discussions and made careful considerations leading up to the decision to cancel. Juliet Holznecht, the BMC leader/coordinator this year, did an outstanding job with managing the course details to date. While discussions were going on about what to do with the BMC, Juliet kept the students and instructors well-informed and up to date on what we were thinking.
Students will receive a full refund for the course. Still, we hope they will consider joining the Skagit Alpine Club. As club members, they will be able to participate in various other social events later this year, as well as the Skagit 60 Challenge.
Canceling the BMC will have a financial impact on the club. This is because we needed to retain and pay for our current insurance policy, which is typically covered by the BMC tuitions. We chose to keep the insurance because it was the best rate available and it allows us the flexibility to do other activities this year that could require insurance.
Club officers and active committees are currently exploring ways to recover some of the losses. Leslie Parks has already sent out a message regarding the gear that the club will be selling. Other ideas for recouping our losses include conducting a few short courses later this summer or early fall and having a silent auction as part of a Skagit 60th Anniversary celebration at the end of the year. We will keep members posted on ways they can help.
In the meantime, the Skagit 60 Challenge is a great way for members to stay engaged. First, let’s be sure to stay healthy so we can beat the virus. Then, once the world goes back to normal, let’s get out there, tick off those Skagit 60 peaks, continue to hone our skills, and strengthen our friendships with fellow climbers!
Be well, everyone. See you soon.
~Andrea Bachman
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…” -John Muir
Skagit Alpine Club Meeting Notes: Mar 10, 2020
Mallorie gave an awesome presentation on her journey from the BMC to the top of Chimborazo as a guide in just five years.
Jason Griffith gave a short plug for the Skagit Mountain Rescue, as fresh volunteers are always needed. Here is a link to the Skagit Mountain Rescue application packet:
https://www.skagitcounty.net/Sheriff/Documents/SAR/sar%20application_smru.pdf Here is a link to more about the Mountain Rescue Association: https://mra.org/ Jason emphasized that there is no pressure to apply, as mountain rescue isn't for everyone. Folks interested should feel free to come to a meeting or training to get a flavor for Skagit Mountain Rescue before they apply. They meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, either out at the Port or in the field somewhere. Usually from 1800-2030ish. Contact Jason at jkgriffith@gmail.com to find out more.
Old Business:
The March 6-8 Baker ski weekend was a success and the snow gods definitely delivered the goods for us! As usual, SAC members could be found in all areas in and around the Baker Ski Area. We met up on Saturday night at the cabin for an amazing potluck feast. In total, we had up to 25 adults; 3 toddlers and 3 infants at the cabin, including some in campers. This might’ve been a first for SAC: those with kids outnumbered those without… Good times!
The new year means dues are due! With the cancellation of the BMC, we need your dues now more than ever. As of right now, we cannot afford our expenses. I hope our 60th anniversary is not the same year we closed because we ran out of funds. You can pay your dues here: https://www.skagitalpineclub.com/copy-of-join
Park Butte Stewardship
Travis and Eniko are now proud parents, and as a result are looking to pass on the Park Butte Stewardship. The job mostly entails organizing the annual work party. For more details, please see the description Travis wrote in the last newsletter or reach out directly to him at richardtgomez90@gmail.com.
Wilderness First Aid
The Wilderness First Aid Course is now being offered online, due to the Coronavirus. Please see this link for details: https://www.backcountrymedicalguides.org/wilderness-first-aid-courses/wilderness-first-aid-bellingham
SAC Leavenworth weekend is scheduled for May 8-10, 2020. We have reserved the Bridge Creek Group Camp site. More details to follow.
SAC 60th Anniversary!
Help us celebrate 60 years of SAC by climbing mountains! The club will attempt to summit all the Skagit 60 peaks in 2020 to commemorate the formation of the club in 1960. Details on trip planning and progress will appear on the website and will be discussed at monthly meetings. There is a mountain on the list for every ability and every season, so get out there and climb in 2020! And when you send big (or small) please spray about it, using Trip Report tool Raymond built. And pictures! Cause I know most of you have some form of ADD when it comes to reading vs looking at climbing porn pictures!
The website used to track our progress is now live at skagit60.com. You will also be able to find a link on skagitalpineclub.com.
Please go to skagit60.com and sign up with the email you are receiving this newsletter with. After you sign up for an account you will be able to the following:
· Tick peaks
· Add interest in climbing peaks so others can contact you when they go to climb the peak
· Submit trip reports
There will be a live leader board on the site. This will be a great way to have a centralized tracking system for this awesome goal.
If you have any issues please contact our amazing webmaster, Raymond Devries, at skagitalpineclubwebsite@gmail.com.
As of now, there are still 54 peaks left to tick!
Basic Mountaineering Course:
The BMC is canceled. We’re looking at rescheduling parts of the course depending on guidance from the state.