The newsletter of the Group of the Mountain Club Volume 43, No. 12

Bob Reimann, Chair, Emcee

Dave Covill, Volunteer of the Year 2011, holds aloft the trophy carved by Jonathan Walter.

Jonathan Walter views some of the 16 VOY trophies he has carved with personalized themes for the VOY’s honored.

Debbie Malone . To register for CMC trips online, go to www.cmc.org, sign in as a member, and December 1, AMC click on TRIP SIGNUP. Search by whatever criteria you like; fewer criteria “Snowshoe Routes: Colorado’s Front Range” or any assistance. We will also be happy to sign you up for trips if you don’t Author, Alan Apt have computer access. 7:00pm Foss Auditorium Free to Members & General Public Author’s Book Review & Signing For more information about schools, speakers, volunteer opportunities, and Sponsored by: CMC Press, special events, go to www.cmc.org and click on PROGRAMS. To see Publisher Date Time School/Event 1-Dec 7:00PM CMC Press Book Signing and Snowshoe Clinic 3-Dec 8:30AM Denver GPS Navigation 4-Dec 8:30AM Denver GPS Navigation 5-Dec 6:30 PM Adventure Travel Committee 6-Dec 6:30PM BSTS Lecture March 10, Saturday 11-Dec 3:00PM RMOTHG Holiday Party 12-Dec 5:00 PM BMS Committee Meeting To register: 14-Dec 5:30 PM BSTS Committee http://www.cmc.org/BIRC 14-Dec 6:30 PM Denver Group Council Meeting 19-Dec 6:00 PM Denver Safety and Leadership Committee 2-Jan 6:30 PM Adventure Travel Committee Meeting 3-Jan 6:00 PM WTS Committee Meeting Not certain which snowshoe brand or model to buy this Closed for Thanksgiving at 3pm November 23rd Come to Winter Trails Day at either Echo Lake or Reopens Monday, November 28th Estes Park where snowshoe vendors will allow you to try a variety of models in the surrounding area. Free Closed December 22nd – January 2nd to General Public but registration preferred. For more Reopens January 3rd information go to: http://www.rei.com/event/32456/session/40599 Contact: Location: Drumwright Room, AMC, Golden Centennial Celebration Fest July 21, 2012 - Buena Vista Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley The event of the summer to bring members state wide A woman’s travels and travails in Africa together for recreation, fun, food, music & beer! Leaders in the 1890’s needed to lead trips in Collegiate Peaks – lake hikes, Bizarre Thailand, by Jim Algie. 13er & 14er hikes, bike trips. Contact Linda Lawson at The Lunatic Express by Carl Hoffman [email protected] ************** Denver Safety & Leadership Volunteer administrator needed. Administrator updates portions website and administers Leaders Club Facebook Location: Location: Lower Level Conference Room, AMC account; edits and publishes DS&L newsletters; and Contact: Frank Burzynski [email protected]. backs up the DS&L Committee member responsible No meeting in December, but back to regular meeting in for IT reporting. Experience needed: familiar with MS January. Thanks to all the members who volunteered at Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher. Experience in the Annual Dinner to sell books and to Jim Petersen for technical writing helpful. Contact John Walters, DS&L being the photographer for the event. Chair, at [email protected]

This schedule is printed in the hard copy of the MHM for those members who do not have computer access. Members should call the leader to register for a trip and learn of meeting time and location. The Abbreviated Activity Schedule may be changed by leaders adding or deleting trips at any time. Contact Membership Services 303-279-3080, Ext 2. Date Leader Phone Number Trip Title Type 1-Dec Deborah Nicklaus 303-750-9850 CMC Climbing Wall Climbing Wall 2-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Frisco Nordic Center Snowshoe/Ski Nordic Center 3-Dec Derek A Taylor 303-727-0912 Ski Keystone Downhill Ski Trip 4-Dec Chris Bartle 720-236-3189 White Ranch (Trailblazers) Moderate B 4-Dec Roger M Leikas 303-548-4433 Twin Sisters Pks 11,413', 11,428' 4-Dec Dave Goldwater 303-985-9651 Hassel Pk. 13,215' 4-Dec Janice Schmidt 303-697-9195 Barr Camp Easy D 4-Dec John Collard 303-617-4773 'Platte Pk' 11,941' / Shawnee Pk 11,927' 4-Dec Virginia Mary Ellis 303-377-3896 Current Creek Mod. II Ski Tour 4-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Frisco Nordic Nordic Center 4-Dec Tim Gattone 720-987-5534 Breckenridge Downhill Ski Trip 5-Dec Joe Leahy 720-839-3245 St Mary's Glacier Easy Snowshoe 6-Dec Linda A Jagger 303-759-9776 Centennial Cone Park 6-Dec Dave Goldwater 303-985-9651 Forest Lakes 10,840' Diff. Snowshoe 8-Dec Sarah Thompson 303-249-8422 AMC Climbing Wall Climbing Wall 9-Dec Janet Martel Full Moon Hike Moderate A 10-Dec John Manzione 303-730-3091 Stevens Gulch Snowshoe Moderate B 10-Dec Ryan Ross 303-832-6296 Dakota Ridge Moderate B 10-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Long Scraggy Pk. 8,812' 10-Dec Steve Bonowski 303-914-8255 Mt. Sheridan 13,748' 10-Dec Mark Porter 303-470-0444 Jim Creek Easy III Ski Tour 10-Dec Tim Gattone 720-987-5534 Devils Thumb Ranch Nordic Center Nordic Center 11-Dec Debra Kirk 303-522-5999 Boulder Grand Slam Easy D 11-Dec John Collard 303-617-4773 Payne BM 11,780', 'No Payne' 11,789' Moderate D 12-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Eldora Nordic Ctr SS/ Cross-Country Ski Nordic Center 13-Dec Stan Moore 303-929-7802 Guanella Pass to Scot Gomer TH Mod. Snowshoe 15-Dec Janet Reichart 303-881-4134 AMC Climbing Wall Climbing Wall 16-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Snow Mtn Ranch Nordic Ctr SS/Cross-country Ski Nordic Center 17-Dec Tim Hill 303-502-4122 BMS Tune up Hike Manitou Incline Moderate B 17-Dec Steve Bonowski 303-914-8255 Quandary Pk 14,265' 17-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Deer Creek Canyon Park 17-Dec John Raich 970-482-8977 Powder Ski Tour Mod. III Ski Tour 17-Dec Bruce C Badger 303-730-7068 Mod. Snowshoe 17-Dec Linda A James 303-783-3849 Leader's Choice on Colorado Pass Downhill Ski Trip 18-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Little Scraggy Pk.9,192' 18-Dec Ron Schmidt 303-697-9195 Mt Morrison 7,881' 18-Dec John Collard 303-617-4773 Windy Pk. 11,970' Moderate C 19-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Breckenridge Nordic CCtr SS/Cross-country ski Nordic Center 24-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Apex Park / Lookout Mt. Nature Center loop Easy C 24-Dec Peter Bohm 303-803-0203 Christmas @ Vail Downhill Ski Trip 25-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Raleigh Pk. 8,183' 25-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Christmas Day SS/Cross-country Ski Nordic Center 25-Dec Richard Lilley 720-493-9702 Leader's Choice Special 26-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Bergen Peak (9,708' ) Loop Moderate B 30-Dec Linda K Lawson 303-793-0144 Chief Mountain 11,709' Moderate A 31-Dec Cheryl Ames 303-940-2043 Centennial Cone South Side Easy B 31-Dec Steve Bonowski 303-914-8255 Mt. Falcon Park Loop Moderate B 31-Dec Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Lower Chicago Lake Diff. Snowshoe

Continued on Page 5 Denver Group Schools For more information and to register for Denver Group Schools, go to www.cmc.org, log in as a member, and go to PROGRAMS, EDUCATION. Members of other CMC Denver Group Standard Refund Policy: “Student/Participant requests for refunds of tuition/fees must be requested in writing to the appropriate school or event director. Requests place in a school.” Contact: GPS Navigation will teach you the skills needed to plan and execute trips using modern GPS devices and related computer software. All the relevant tools and techniques needed to successfully navigate on trail and off trail via GPS will be addressed via a combination of Day and additional materials will be made available for classroom and home study use for those who do not have those tools already. It is highly recommended students have Map & Compass skills, know how to activate their GPS unit and scroll to a few simple screens prior to enrollment. country ski and prepare for the backcountry! We can accommodate students ranging from never-evers to folks who have skied for years. If are small - often less than ten students - with at least two instructors. Just ask around - your fellow CMC members are our best marketing tools! Or check us out online at http://www.cmc.org/denver/schools_winter_crossCountry.aspx Conference Room D at the CMC clubrooms in Golden www.cmc.org This is an entry level class. We will cover thread and tool handling as we tie at least 8 popular, versatile patterns for trout. Tuition covers all good quality tools, hooks and materials necessary. There is an emphasis on techniques that are applicable to many patterns. Requirements are patience, good humor and if you have visual challenges like me a pair of drugstore magnifying glasses can be helpful. Fly tying can ultimately between classes---please set aside some time to do this. Class size is a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8.

Mandatory Orientation Meeting Dates Bill Haneghan, BMS director, at Please come join us for one of the mandatory informational orientation sessions to learn more about BMS! We will tell stories, show a short PowerPoint and have previous students and current instructors available. Tom Creighton, Director at If you participate in winter activities such as Ice or Snow Climbing, Backcountry Telemark or Tour Skiing, Ski Mountaineering or Snowshoe in the backcountry, you want to know what AIARE Level 1 training can do for you. If you want to become a Backcountry Winter AVLANCHE TERRAIN. Probe techniques and beacons will be usedFilled as components of Companion Rescue.

Jim Kennedy . This is the 29th year of providing quality volunteer instruction to help “never-ever,” beginner, intermediate and advanced-level telemark skiers learn and/or improve their telemark skiing skills and teach them how to transition those skills into the backcountry.

Prerequisites: tickets will be available for you to purchase for $30 each at the lecture night. Standard CMC cancellation policy applies. Registration form found at www.cmc.org , sign in as a member, and click on Education, Telemark Ski School. Contact: experience the outdoors with the Winter Camping School. This is a non-survival school for those who want to enjoy the winter, snow and moonlight in comfort. WCS concentrates on the fundamental understanding, equipment and techniques to keep warm in cold environment on an overnight stay. It covers topics as dressing, traveling, campsite set up, cooking and sleeping comfortably in the winter among others. The school does not have any prerequisites, other than positive attitude and tolerance to new endeavors, and recommended for not only aspiring campers, but everyone who intends to spend extended time in the backcountry in the winter like snowshoes and skiers. This is an excellent course for grandparents and pole-traverse aspirants, but a no-no for hunters. should include two day trips and two overnighters. Current and past WCS participants have priority on these trips. These CMC trips are all snowshoe trips, skis are not allowed. Register on line, cmc.org, Programs, Schools John Walters: Michelle Jung or Brendan Reiss Registration by application: http://www.hikingdenver.net/schools/skimountaineeringschool This school is intended to develop the skills, attitudes and awareness needed for ski mountaineering tours such as ski descents of Colorado’s 13ers and 14ers, ski traverses and ski mountaineering routes in Europe and Canada. Participants may use alpine touring, telemark, or split snowboard equipment. Students need to be in good physical condition as evidenced by being able to hike 1000 vertical feet in an hour, have the ability to ski black diamond slopes at downhill areas, have some familiarity with backcountry skiing and basic mountaineering skills and experience. The emphasis of this course is NOT to teach ski techniques but to INTEGRATE ski equipment and skills into the mountaineering experience.

The goal of the school is to graduate only members who can safely and competently participate in club mountaineering activities. BMS is a physically/mentally challenging and rewarding school for CMC members interested in high peak climbing and/or rock climbing. BMS teaches the skills needed to pursue these activities safely and competently. These objectives are achieved through a time-intensive schedule of lectures Tuition: $275 paid in advance of class. ORIENTATION MEETING/APPLICATION: Attendance at one of the BMS orientation meetings for prospective applicants will be Tuesday, January 10 and Monday, January 16, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the CMC Conference Rooms in Golden. Obtain an Application by registering for CMC Trip #13262. Applications due February 29, 2012. Standard Denver Group policy for tuition refund applies. Contact: BMS Director Bill Haneghan at [email protected]. 31-Dec Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 Breckenridge Nordic Center and Frisco Nordic Center 31-Dec-2 Jan Linda A Jagger 303-759-9776 Pikes Pk. 14,109' 1-Jan Linda Lawson 303-793-0144 Don Thurman Memorial Snowshoe Moderate B 1-Jan Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Gray Wolf Mtn. 13,602' 1-Jan John Stidman 303-733-6781 Butler Gulch Mod. III Ski Tour 1-Jan Richard Lilley 720-493-9702 Leader's Choice Special 2-Jan Marland P Billings 303-323-5638 Mt. Galbraith 7,260' Easy B NOTE: great trip for recent HAMS graduates who want to try out their glacier skills. Graduation from HAMS or equivalent experience is required. Ski or snowshoe in Yellowstone, enjoy wildlife viewing and steaming geysers. Travel via bus & snow coach. Contact leader for details of items included in fee. Cycle through quiet country roads while experiencing the culture of Vietnam. Trip includes stays in French colonial hostels and beach front B participants depart for home and Option A participants continue for four days of biking in Mekong Delta.

Base camp near Moab in this fun and exciting adventure and explore the famous mountain biking and hiking trails in the Moab area, and Arches & Canyonlands National Parks. Ride or hike with groups of various sizes and abilities for four days of adventure in this amazing desert or rent one in Moab. Carpooling is encouraged. There are rides and hikes suited for beginning to advanced riders of all ages. Gary Helleng or Daedra Pierce / Say, “G’Day” and explore the unique wonders of the Land down Under. Arrive and tour Sydney. Itinerary includes Blue and Snowy Mountains, Kosciusko National Park and Australia’s highest peak, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, and a visit to the rainforest. Participants Terry Hardie and Sharon Silva Death Valley is home of the Timbisha Shoshone tribe. Temperatures will be a moderate 65 to 75 degrees. Hike and visitt the Scotty’s famous castle and explore the remains of abandoned mines. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is due by December 31, 2011 with the balance due by January 15, 2012. On this 11 day burro assisted day hiking adventure, explore Sierra Madre Mountains and the Copper Canyon area. Trip starts in Los Mochis, Mexico with travels to El Fuerte by train and other locations by burro and bus. Join Pemba on his homeland trek to Nepal Himalayas in the renowned Khumbu region where you will partake of Nepalese and Tibetan cultures. The trek offers striking scenery of unspoiled terrain with close up views of Everest and its neighbors. You will also spend time in the Sherpa village of Sengma and in Kathmandu. You will spend time with Pemba’s family off the beaten path. Travel through the best of the canyon on a motorized raft for 188 miles. Hiking into areas that can only be reached by river. Register with leaders.

Linda Ditchkus Hike across England from the North Sea to the Irish Sea by following an ancient Roman wall built in the 10 year period beginning in 122 AD by Hadrian Aelius. This marvel of medieval engineering amassed about two million tons of stones, which formed the 85-mile wall and integrated forts separating Roman occupied England from Scotland. Stay in small hotels and B&Bs, dine in nearby restaurants and pubs near the Wall. Along the way, visit the Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum and the Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum. Janet Martel Travel over 70 miles on the Yampa River, the last undammed tributary of the Colorado River System. Untamed Class III and IV rapids, sandy beaches, deep, colorful canyons and habitats for native plants and animals offer a splendid journey. Carpool to Vernal, UT. Participants provide own tents and sleeping bags. two days of hiking around Seward. Participants use own camping and cooking gar; no kayaking experience necessary but participants need Night time temps range as low as 10-20 degrees F. From the Reykjavik bay at 11:30PM, witness the sun FINALLY setting over the western horizon--and if you’re up at 2:30AM, you’ll see it start to rise! Our 7-day trek travels through diverse landscapes. Your last trekking day is spent descending from that pass, enjoying 29 A mandatory pre-trip meeting for all participants will be held in April 2012. Participants are encouraged to attend at least 1 of 2 CMC leader- led hikes in May and June 2012. Picture the German and Austrian Alps scenic region of pristine lakes and creeks, high mountains, green pastures and thundering river gorges. The trip starts at a Bavarian Castle and will visit the highest German peak, Zugspitze. In , explore glacier carved valleys of Stubaital, close to , and hike and climb in the Zillertal area. leader’s expenses.. Cost may vary depending on currency exchange. Hikes at B & C levels. include six dental professionals, joined by CMC volunteers who staff the clinic, manage lines of patients, assist in record keeping, and help day hiking or visiting Buddhist monasteries; hiking includes river crossings and crossing 17,000 ft passes. The State CMC has announced it’s staging a series of events next year for members and non-members to celebrate its historic centennial year in 2012. The events will collectively call attention to the club’s 100 years of backcountry education, conservation and adventure, help members celebrate a century of achievement, and provide a platform for new members to be introduced to the club and the activities it offers. The Centennial Celebration Series Kick-off on February 11 features a keynote presentation by former Denver Post reporter, Mark Obmascik, author of Halfway to Heaven, his 2004 book about climbing Colorado’s 14ers. Special guests include famed Colorado landscape photographer John Fielder and Colorado historian Tom Noel. Subsequent events in the Centennial Celebration Series include a group membership photo taken by Fielder 100 years to the day after the volunteer appreciation day and a holiday party. In addition, the Centennial Peak Climbs continue throughout the year. For details and registration: cmc.org/centennial

Social Activities Calendar- CMC Member

ANY MEMBER CAN - host a social activities event. Anyone can host a movie, concert, winter picnic; leaders are welcome to host hikes, snowshoe or ski trips.

NEW IDEAS WELCOME. Contact: Patricia Leslie 720-296-9422 or [email protected]; Kathy Kane (303) 751-0936.

Personalized Financial Planning “I will help you pursue the summit of your Join us for a fun Vernon E. Bass, CFP day trip to the Frisco Nordic Center. No experience necessary for easy snowshoe trails. Rentals, lessons, and a cozy lodge make this a Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. 4704 Harlan St., Suite 660 · Lakeside, CO 80212 season.. Patricia Leslie , free showing; tickets required Please give me a call for information or an appointment. through the Tattered Cover, Colfax location. RSVP Patricia Leslie 303-458-5250 Or via email: [email protected] store website. RSVP for dinner to Patricia Leslie by Wednesday the 7th. , 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Hanson’s, 1301 S. Pearl. . to the Eldora Nordic Center* . dinner to Patricia Leslie. to Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center near Winter Park*. Payments can then be made through Membership Services at , 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Chad’s, 275 Union Blvd. in at the DU log cabin home by the creek. This is our second year at to this home and it is a real treat!! See attached link for a Breckenridge Nordic Center.* living room or enjoy the outdoor hot tub under the stars . Must register by December 18th. or in the snow. We will be doing a potluck dinner on Saturday night. Nordic Center. Snowshoe or cross-country ski on the easiest or http://summitrentals.com/vacation-rentals/colorado/ at the Frisco Nordic Center, including rentals, a cozy lodge, snacks, frisco/creekside-retreat-l203.html and clothing. Master and Queen Rooms - $59 per night per person; shared rooms so bring a friend. Queen sofa bed, twin to the Frisco Nordic Center. and full beds on the loft are $56 per person per night. The couch is $25 per night or a total of $75. All 733-2815. served.