The Backside of Beyond Bardini The Bardini Foundation Newsletter Winter 2014/2015 Issue 2014 Bardini The Buttermilks 2014 Fund Raiser Activities Gets Their Due Not As Many Donors Early summer trips into the wilderness this year were put off into late summer due to Finally As Last Year Don Lauria’s trip to Cedars Sinai for an afib ablation procedure. But in late Au- In March, the Bardini Foundation was ap- Last year’s was a better than average gust, Don led four clients on a 13 day trip proached by the local chapter of the Ameri- fund raiser, but it came from fewer do- over Lamarck Col to Darwin Bench, into can Alpine Club for financial assistance in nors. We would like those of you that Evolution Basin. From there to Wanda the Buttermilk pit toilet project. skipped writing a check last year to make Lake, Lake Helen, Dusy Basin, and back sure you write one this year. And, of out over Bishop Pass. Two of the clients The scenic and awe-inspiring Buttermilk course, if you find your name on the do- were guided up Mts. Darwin and Goddard Country has long been one of California's nors list on page-2, you should make sure on the trip. premier bouldering destinations with a long you’re on next year’s list, too! history of ground-breaking ascents and Tim Villanueva supervised a rock climb- some of the proudest, boldest, and most For tax purposes your donation is 100% ing session at South Lake for two Bishop aesthetic lines in the world. These massive tax deductible. If you require confirma- youths. They learned how tie in, to belay, glacial erratic boulders sit in the foothills of tion Bardini will snail mail or email you a and to rappel. Kids don’t need to be the Sierra Nevada under an impressive letter confirming the date and amount of taught how to climb - they just need to backdrop of high peaks - just a mere four your donation. Make your check out to: learn how to do it safely. miles to the west of Bishop.. Bardini Foundation, PO Box 1422, Bishop, CA 93515 Without sufficient snowpack, the Founda- The issue of getting a toilet in the Butter- tion had no demand for winter tours, but milks has a long history. For years the Tim did teach a couple of avalanche American Alpine Club has worked with the courses. He was also busy being certified Bishop community to raise funds to get a in two areas - as a Leave No Trace train- toilet implemented--around $5,000 not in- er and as an interpretive guide. Gradu- cluding conservation grant money from ates of the Leave No Trace course gain both the AAC and the Access Fund as well skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques as local donations. The issue was with the and ethics to their clients and prepare to land manager, the Forest Service (not the teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a BLM) and a lack of funding for maintaining variety of settings - such as schools, the toilet (which could run between $2,000- camps, parks, wilderness and front coun- $5,000 annually). try areas. As a certified interpretive guide, Tim has developed the skills and There was a desperate need for this re- knowledge to effectively communicate the source and the Bardini Foundation present- unique local natural and cultural heritage ed a check for $1500 to the American Al- of the Sierra wilderness to his clients. pine Club to show our support for the envi- ronmental integrity of this famous boulder- ing area. The local community in conjunc- tion with the American Alpine Club, the Access Fund, and the US Forest Service worked together towards the eventuality of the toilet. And now it exists Learning the ropes at South Lake In This Issue 2014 Contributions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Incoming - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Eastside Story - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - -3 Errata & Hike Photos - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -4 2 The Backside of Beyond Winter 2014/2015 Issue 2014 Contributions Another Letter From Incoming Virginia Anderson Individuals Benefactor $1000+ Bardini Foundation: Paul Rudder The enclosed is a small token just to let you know that I still have fond memories of Hope all is well. I frequently think of Allan Angel $500+ Allan when he was a student of mine in a and Tom — Mexican volcanoes, Grand couple of classes at Alameda High. Teton, and various scrambles in the Ta- Yvon & Malinda Chouinard As I have told you, Allan was a delightful hoe area. Michael Graber young man, a pleasure to have in class. He Wayne Griffin, Ketchum, ID Brian Parks had a real talent for writing; When there was a stack of essays to read, I would put Al- Sorry I’ve been such a slug about getting lan’s at the bottom of the pile, knowing I you a donation check. Loved seeing the Patron $200+ would enjoy reading it, and it would be a “Monarch Divide” article - the cool thing kind of reward for having waded through the was driving the van over and then skiing Jim Barbieri others. Gil D’Urso back!. One day when I came into the class- Wayne Griffin John Moynier, Rocklin, CA Peter Hackett room, I found Allan in a corner at the ceiling Bob Nagy level, having achieved that height by elbow- Well, last year I commented on your great ing and kneeing his way there. It was not snowpack. I hope I didn’t jinx you guys. unusual to see him scaling the walls of the All the best for the coming year. Partner $100+ Christian Science church across the street, Brian Parks, Madison, WI or climbing two stories to get to the roof of Molly Attell the school gym. His brother Dale was often Thanks for keeping up Allan’s love of the Jeff Dozier with him. Charles Grobe mountains. Dennis Hennek Anything that could be climbed was Jeanne Walter, Bishop, CA Glenn Hirayama irresistible to Allan. Ken Kerner So much talent and charm lost so much Hope this finds you happy and healthy Bob & Annamaria McElroy too soon. and getting out. I flew over Mono Lake, John Moynier Thanks to the Bardini Foundation for Tuolumne, and Yosemite last week on the Paul Trester keeping his work, plans, desires, and way to Santa Cruz — it looked pretty dry. Clark Trowell memory alive. Jeanne Walter Good skiing in Sun Valley on man made Virginia Anderson David Weston snow. All best. Dick Dorworth, Ketchum, ID I hope all is well with you. Sorry for the Contributor $50+ delay. I sure hope to get back to the Sier- John Eilts ra before too long. Take care. Jane Dulaney Peter Hackett, Ridgway, CO Lee & Susan Hughes Bonnie Kamps Good luck this year and keep up the good Joe Kelsey work. Valerie & David Powdrell Ken Kerner, Valencia, CA Sydney Quinn & Dennis Schumacher Clifton Slade Sorry this donation is late. Meant to send it in January but [ … ]. Retired last March Sustainer $25+ and hope to spend the summer at my cabin on Lake Mary. [Maybe] … some Virginia Anderson sort of climber reunion/party at the cabin. Stuart Alt Molly Robinson Attell, Carmel, CA Richard Barker Dick Dorworth Frank Pierson Send us 6 mugs and a couple of hats if Richard Sykes they are available. Thank you for your Deborah Tomczik work with the kids. Gil D’Urso, La Crescenta, CA Organizations Angel $4000+ Tim Villanueva with a novice belayer DEW Foundation Winter 2014/2015 Issue The Backside of Beyond 3 that inspired the true pioneers of the sport. It’s just that we felt lucky to be Eastside Story on the rising wave of newness. We recall one of the very few days we were at Mammoth that first winter. By Allan Bard and Tom Carter After unloading from the gondola we stood with our backs to the swelling tide of humanity, while what unfolded before us lay the great expanse of First published in Eastside Journal Issue #1 Spring/Summer 1988 the Sierra, quiet, without tracks, thousands of square miles in its totality. There it was, the undiscovered inland passages, the eddies, the backwa- ters and lagoons that led us out to the uncharted “nothing atolls”. Night creeps slowly onto the Eastern Sierra. The range lies under the wraps of twilight, curling in the blanket of darkness, hidden in shadow and Location, elevation, situation. That says it all. The L.E.S. found by some profiles against the last stray beams of a color flecked sky. The giant’s skinny skiing highlanders isolated them on the high plateaus where they distant rolling foothills stretch west to the coastal ranges at the tattered hid out like indulgent cargo cults. While other zealots, when asked at edges of its bed roll. As the land recedes into the shadows there is an roadheads of their plans or direction of travel, grinned like rum runners intrigue, an anxiousness for the light of morning to reveal the Sierra’s star- and pointed to the crest muttering about their annual homage to Valhalla. tling mass and power. But for now, the gray and purple hues of twilight The winter’s adventures took lives and saved lives and many were tempt- profile this incredible range against the White Mountains to the east and ed, for it was worth the risk. We knew well enough that the ripened stage shroud the valley between these two bookends of granite and snow. The was set and on skis it was the best! slopes of the Sierra plummet into the silent trough as abruptly as the White Mountains rise out if the void between them.