July 15Th – Pikes Peak Group Program
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July 2014 | No. 203 July 15th – Pikes Peak Group Program Jes Meiris Presents: Big wall speed climbing on El Capitan Please join us in welcoming Jes Meiris to the monthly program Her passions include climbing big walls in alpine style, of the CMC’s Pikes Peak Group at 7:30 p.m. on July 15th in the mountain biking, hiking, playing piano, and snow sports. All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 N. Tejon St. Personal climbing adventures have yielded ascents in Squamish BC, Yosemite CA, Red Rocks NV, Smith Rocks OR, the Cascades, and Colorado's Rocky Mountains to name a few. With climbing partner Quinn Brett, she held the women's speed record on the Nose of El Capitan (10 hours, 19 minutes, on June 10, 2012), and just a couple of days ago reclaimed the record. Come hear about the history, the training for climbing almost four thousand vertical feet, the mental challenges, and bringing all the elements together for a successful climb. Jes is a Colorado native whose passion for the outdoors was kindled at a very young age. After living on both coasts and a few places in between, she made her home in Colorado Springs during the winter months. She coaches a competitive climbing team for Fountain Valley School, leads both indoor and outdoor technical skills clinics, and works as a At the monthly presentation Jes will discuss valuable lessons professional model. During the summer she travels regionally, she has learned through climbing and guiding, including her guiding rock climbing and mountain biking trips. In addition, speed ascent of the Nose on El Capitan. she works as a senior field staff member for the Rocky Mountain Field Institute. 1 Conservation Corner Your PPG Council Good News on Trail Openings! As we go to press, word is that the trails around Bear Creek are likely to open Chair – Rick Keetch (Interim) soon to non-motorized recreation, pending the construction of re-routed 719-634-1165, [email protected] trails in that area. In addition, there is increasing high-level pressure on the Past Chair – Rick Keetch Forest Service to work on reopening the Severy Creek Trail. 719-634-1165, [email protected] Ice Cave Creek Workday: July 12 BMS Director – Collin Powers 719-685-2470, [email protected] In June, 32 volunteers built a tough 200' of trail along Ice Cave Creek above Palmer Lake, including a large wall. The new tread avoids some obstacles that Conservation – Tom Mowle made the trail very unfriendly for biking. In July, we will work on an easier 719-216-3932, [email protected] stretch. Please sign up at cmc.org and move us closer to completion of this Education & Training – Eric Hunter trail! 719-266-9647, [email protected] Equipment Manager – Tom Mulcahy 719-482-8821, [email protected] CMC Adventure Travel Membership – Tony Eichstadt 740-601-3611, [email protected] July 7–18, 2014 | Iceland 2014: Landmannalauger to Skogar Step into a totally different world of breath-taking, sometimes surreal- Newsletter – Dave Anderson looking scenery, steaming hot springs, waterfalls, and deserts. Hike hut-to- 719-484-9069, [email protected] hut through multi-colored hills containing hundreds of steaming hot springs. Outings –Chris Mattingly August 8–24, 2014 | Trek the Haute Route in Switzerland 719-268-6774, [email protected] Hike the famous Swiss Haute Route and witness one of the greatest Programs – Roger Kilcoyne collections of 4000-m peaks in all of the Swiss Alps, wander through tiny 719-323-3740, [email protected] villages and hamlets, traverse lonely passes, and fill your days with wonder. Public Relations – Neil Butterfield August 15–26, 2014 | Mt. Ararat/Mt. Musala 337-258-2365, [email protected] A combination of hiking, cultural experiences, and a limited amount of Assisting – Christie Lee technical mountaineering. The outing will offer the opportunity to climb the 719-635-2336, [email protected] highest peaks in both Turkey (Ararat) and Bulgaria (Musala). Safety & Leadership – Paul Schoell August 31–September 15, 2014 | Tour of Mont Blanc 2014 719-440-7777, [email protected] This classic world hike has the perfect mix of awe-inspiring mountain views SESI – Christie Lee and vibrant influence of three distinct European cultures. We will cross the 719-635-2336, [email protected] Alps in Italy, Switzerland, and France enjoying the views. Sergeant at Arms – Heather Ditmore September 7–14 | EcoGo Four Pass Loop 719-217-7417, [email protected] CMC's first EcoGo stewardship excursion! Volunteers will help preserve one Treasurer – Jackie Crouch of the most popular Wilderness areas in the state by rehabilitating dispersed 719-231-3513, [email protected] camping areas in sensitive riparian habitats. February 20–March 8, 2015 | World Summit Series, Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia At Large: Visit Sydney and Kosciuszko National Park; climb Kosciuszko (one of the Seven Mike Erickson Summits); visit Tasmania with 4 days of guided walks to alpine and coastal 719-482-5062, [email protected] regions on this beautiful island. Doug Hatfield April 25–May 7, 2015 | Grand Canyon Raft & Hike 2015 719-200-9488, [email protected] Take a motorized raft trip and add 5 extra days for hiking along the way. This Greg Long 12-day raft trip ends with a helicopter ride out of the canyon and a plane 719-659-0345, [email protected] flight back to the put-in. For B & C hiking levels. Mary Mourar May 13–26, 2015 | Scotland's Highland Way and Ben Nevis Climb 719-633-2614, [email protected] Hike Scotland’s West Highland Way beside lochs, waterfalls, and craggy mountains in the Scottish Highlands. Tour medieval Edinburgh, Stirling, the Interested in serving on the Pikes Peak Group Council? Please contact the Chair. Eliean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands, and a Scotch distillery. See full descriptions of these trips and register at cmc.org. 2 PPG Classes Pikes Peak Intro to Mountain Biking September 9, 11, 13, 20, 27, 2014 Learn the gear, maintenance, safety, and entry level techniques for basic mountain biking. Mountain biking is a great way to enjoy the wilderness with a little more skill and finesse, of getting out for a short outing after work, and for building cardio before a big climb. There will be two classroom sessions in Colorado Springs and three field sessions for the mountain biking class. The cost is $40. There are also rental costs if you don’t own the gear. The mountain biking classroom dates are 9 and 11 Sep, and the field dates are 13, 20, and 27 Sep. A general fitness level to go on a full day bike ride is required for the field sessions. The field sessions will be progressive in nature to build on skills. For class details, please contact Eric Hunter at [email protected]. Pikes Peak Intro to Desert Trekking and Canyoneering September 24, 28, October 1-5, 2014 If you have only been hiking in the high altitude for your summers, there is another world out there. When you have climbed enough peaks to wonder what other environments might be out there, the next step for you may be desert terrain. Come learn the proper gear, safety, and entry level techniques for basic desert trekking and basic canyoneering. There are many nuances to this environment that should warrant a safe approach such as provided by this class. The course cost is $60. The classroom session will be in Colorado Springs and is on 24 Sep. There is a one day field session in Colorado Springs to cover some basics and evaluate fitness levels scheduled for 28 Sep. Then we go on a five day trip to the desert scheduled for 1-5 Oct. This year's desert trip is planned for the San Rafael Swell in Utah. A general fitness level to go on a full day hike with mild scrambling with little to mild exposure in hot terrain is required for the field sessions. The field sessions will be progressive in nature to build on skills. Attendance at the classroom session and local field session will be required to attend the Utah trip. For class details, please contact Eric Hunter at [email protected]. Trip Leader Training – Safety and Leadership September 25, October 2, 5, 2014 This is one of two required courses necessary to obtain the CMC trip leader certification. Completion of this course along with Wilderness First Aid (WFA) will allow you to lead trips through the CMC. (It is suggested that if you are a current leader and it has been five or more years since you attended this course, that you take it to refresh your skills at no cost.) Some of the topics covered are: CMC leader and trip requirements, leader skills, group dynamics, emergency procedures, and website operation. There will be two evening classroom sessions and a field session. The cost of this course is $25. For details (and if you are a current leader wishing to take this course as a refresher), please contact Paul Schoell at [email protected]. Wilderness First Aid (WFA) October 9, 16, 18, 2014 To enhance your safety on all trips, the Pikes Peak Group offers a Wilderness First Aid course. This sixteen-hour accredited course includes instruction devoted to medical evaluation and treatment in situations where definitive medical care is not readily available. This highly hands-on course consist of two evenings of classroom presentations and activities followed by a full day of practical training in the field. Completing a WFA course is a requirement for those desiring to lead CMC trips. Because the principles and procedures of dealing with medical situations are not repetitively practiced by most trip leaders, current trip leaders should also take this course to renew their WFA training.