HigHer tHan everest 16 • make it spiritual 28 • tHe fourteeners and beyond 36 Trail & TThe Coloradoimberline Mountain Club • Winter 2011 • Issue 1013 • www.cmc.org Rocky Mountain HigH Trail & Timberline 1 Letter from the CEO Celebrating in Style n October 1, the CmC officially Climbs, and ryan ross is helping to put on launched its 100th year anniver- a majority of the events throughout the year. sary. i’m pleased to announce Thank you! Owe’ve dramatically expanded our plans to Registration for the first two events is celebrate the club’s milestone. We’re going open now at www.cmc.org/centennial. See to hold a series of “big-tent” events to better the entire calendar of events on page 6. take advantage of this once-in-a-century op- I look forward to seeing you at as many portunity to honor our history, drive fund- of these events as you can attend. One thing raising, increase membership, and celebrate i know for certain: We will end our centen- in style. Here’s your chance to be a part of nial year knowing we did everything we club history. could to celebrate this once-a-century mile- We’ve got a star-studded lineup to help stone in style. us celebrate, including a few local celebri- Happy 100th, CmC! ties. none of this would be possible with- out the help of a few committed and hard working volunteers. Our 100th anniversary Committee is comprised of linda lawson, Giles Toll, Steve bonowski, al Ossinger, Katie Blackett John Devitt, and bob reimann. beth Dw- yer has worked tirelessly on the Centennial Chief Executive Officer Where your dues go 3% - Other Many of you enjoy the CMC through a variety of our offerings, whether they are trips (local and international), stewardship 10% - Development projects, schools, volunteering with our youth program, read- ing one of our world class guide books, or meandering through our mountaineering museum. As a responsible nonprofit and charitable organization, we feel it’s imperative to show trans- 25% Colorado's parency to our members and supporters and help to educate everyone on “where your membership dues go.” Oftentimes, I Marketing MountainsTimeless 17% are hear comments like “Why do you need to fundraise, my dues Membership should cover all the programming?” or “How can I support the Services Timeless programs beyond the adult activities I participate in?” Well, it’s our hope that the chart explains exactly where 9% 24% your yearly membership dues go and what they cover. As you Administration, Payroll and can see, most of your dues cover direct benefits to you as a mem- IT, and Contract Services By designating the CmC or the CmC Foundation in your will, ber. A couple of our programs areas such as conservation and youth education rely solely on foundation grants and individual Depreciation your investment in them lives on. donations to survive. The good news is that we have a diverse circle of revenue that helps us get through tough times.. Even bet- ter news is that many of you are generous with your donations 12% - Insurance to help our youth, conservation department, and museum grow. Please don’t hesitate to ask me, your trip leaders, school instruc- Join the 21st Century Circle today. Contact our Development Director tors, membership services, or any other CMC ambassadors if you at 303-996-2752 to learn more about planned giving. have questions about the chart. 2 Trail & Timberline Photo: Glenn Randall Photography Trail & Timberline 1 Departments 01 Letter from the CEO 06 On the Outside 08 Mission Accomplishments learn the latest from the conservation and education departments, as well as the mountaineering museum. 12 Around Colorado 35 What's happening in your group? 14 The Clinic Climbing for a cause. By Jake Norton 18 Pathfinder in a quandary? look to Quandary. 24 28 By Brendan Leonard 40 End of the Trail 24 The Four Sacred MounTainS oF The dinÉ 32 The MySTery cliMb oF 1883 remembering those who have passed. To climb or not to climb? Sacred or revered? The mystery of a Rocky Mountain News story, printed on July 29, 1883, suggests that the Four Sacred. Crestone Peak was scaled that year by an intrepid reporter and friends. 42 CMC Adventure Travel By John Lacher Could it be true? Want to get away? Wander the world with your Text and photos by Woody Smith friends at the CmC on these classic trips. 28 Make iT SpiriTual John minden doesn’t think of himself as disabled—or able- 36 The FourTeener FileS (and beyond) bodied. He just climbs. Who made the lists this year? Will you join them? By Chris Case By Linda Crockett, Teresa Gergen, Dave Goldwater, and Chris Ruppert Photos by John Minden on The cover another beautiful day high in the rocky mountains. Chris Case WinterTrail & Timberline • issue2011 1013 • www.cmc.org 2 Trail & Timberline Trail & Timberline 3 Yeah... We Can’t Wait Either. For Members Mark Husbands “deep” in the Aspen backcountry • Photo by: Nick Sprang member benefits Trail & → Join us on over 3,000 annual trips, hikes, and activities in the state’s premiere mountain-adventure organization. Timberline → Expand your knowledge and learn new skills with our schools, seminars, and events. → Support our award-winning Youth Education Program for mountain leadership. → Protect Colorado’s wild lands and backcountry recreation experiences. The official publication of the Colorado Mountain Club since 1918. → Enjoy exclusive discounts to the american Mountaineering Museum. → travel the world with your friends through CMC Adventure Travel. ediTor, → Receive a 20% discount on all CMC Press purchases and start your next adventure today. Check out our deals on deeply direcTor oF phoTography & deSign → it pays to be a member. Enjoy discounts of up to 30% from retailers and corporate partners. See www.cmc.org/benefits for details. discounted backcountry skis and boots! Chris Case → Receive the shared Member Rates of other regional mountaineering clubs and a host of their perks and benefits, including lodging. [email protected] Visit cmc.org/Alpine6 for details. adverTiSing SaleS opportunities to get more involved CMC MEMBERS RECEIVE Robin Commons Charitable Donations PLEASE PRESENT [email protected] Join our select donors who give back to the club every month by using electronic funds transfer (EFT). It is easy and convenient, you can 10% OFF INSTORE. MEMBERSHIP AT REGISTER discontinue anytime, and you’ll provide support for critical programs. Sign up at www.cmc.org/support. By naming the Colorado Mountain Club in your will, you will be able to count yourself among the proud members of the 21st Century The colorado MounTain club Circle. Read more at www.cmc.org/legacy. Please consult your financial advisor about gift language. 710 10th Street, Suite 200 By donating $1,000 or more to the Annual Campaign, you'll enjoy the exclusive benefits of the Summit Society, including hikes to places that the Golden, Colorado 80401 CMC's conservation department is working to protect, an annual appreciation event, and a complimentary copy of a new CMC Press book. The CMC is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. If you have any questions about donations, please contact Sarah Gorecki, Development Director, at 303.996.2752 or [email protected]. Volunteer Efforts If you want to share your time and expertise, give back to the club by volunteering on a variety of projects, from trail restoration to stuffing www.cmc.org envelopes. Visit www.cmc.org/volunteer for a complete listing. Contact Us The Colorado mountain Club is organized to Our Membership Services team can answer general questions every weekday at 303.279.3080, or by email at [email protected]. ▶ unite the energy, interest, and knowledge of the students, explorers, and lovers of the mountains of Colorado; The Colorado Mountain Club is a proud member of ▶ collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains The Colorado Mountain Club thanks the Scientific Community Shares of Colorado. on behalf of science, literature, art, and recreation; SCFD and Cultural Facilities District and its citizens for their continuing support. ▶ stimulate public interest in our mountain areas; www.scfd.org ▶ encourage the preservation of forests, flowers, fauna, and natural scenery; and ▶ render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region. SCFD SCFD olorado ounTain lub © 2011 c M c all rights reserved it PAYSSCFD to be a member! ▶ 50% off admission at the American Mountaineering Museum Trail & Timberline (iSSn 0041-0756) is published quarterly by the Colorado mountain Club located at 710 10th Street, Suite 200, Golden, Colorado 80401. Periodicals postage paid at Golden, Colorado, and additional offices. Subscriptions are ▶ 25% off titles from The Mountaineers Books $20 per year; single copies are $5. POSTmaSTer: Please send address changes to Trail & Timberline, 710 10th Street, Suite 200, Golden, Colorado 80401. advertisements in ▶ 10% at Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder Trail & Timberline do not constitute an endorsement by the Colorado mountain Club. ▶ 10% at Bent Gate Mountaineering, Golden Please recycle this magazine. ▶ 10% at Wilderness Exchange Unlimited, Denver Printed on 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper. ▶ 10% at Mountain Chalet, Colorado Springs not a member? ▶ 10% at The Trailhead, Buena Vista visit www.cmc.org/join ▶ 10% at Rock'n and Jam'n, Thornton 4 Trail & Timberline Trail & Timberline 5 CENTENNIAL KiCK-oFF CELEBRATION What A fun, low key dinner event celebrating people in the club throughout the decades Date Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, 4 - 8 pm Where AMC Invitation Open to the public Keynote speaker Mark Obmascik, author of a hilarious book about his climb in 2004 of all the 14ers, and a book about bird watching (the movie of which stars Steve Martin and will be re- leased next month).