TRAIL &
22 A CENTURY OF T&T • 24 TREKKING IN ICELAND • 29 PHOTO CONTEST • 38 “NO BARRIERS” ASCENT
TIMBERLINE The Colorado Mountain Club • Winter 2018 • Issue 1035 • www.cmc.org
THE
CENTENNIAL EDITION
The World’s Best Mountain Films
March 1-3 | 7pm | CMC.ORG/banff Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO Proceeds support the education & conservation efforts of the Colorado Mountain Club
Letter from the Executive Director 100 Years of Trail & Timberline
I
n 1918, a few CMC members began producing Trail & Timberline in an effort to better disseminate information to Colorado’s mountaineers. The goal was to ensure that our members and the general public would be educated and informed on all things mountaincraft in Colorado. From trail reports and tips on what gear to bring on a winter outing, to updates on members and Club happenings, Trail & Timberline served as the Club’s mouthpiece to the state’s outdoors community. Back in 1918, the Colorado Mountain Club was a small, but fiercely dedicated group of outdoorspeople with a vision for a Club that unified us in our love for the outdoors. Early members led trips into the backcountry with limited mapping and basic gear. They were ascending some of Colorado’s most technical peaks in button-down shirts and pleated trousers for the men, and long woolen skirts and jumpers for the women. Our early members were filled with a pioneering spirit that is still at the heart of what the CMC does today. Undoubtedly, a lot has changed since 1918—and not just our gear. Trail & Timberline is now the biannual magazine you see here, filled with stories that inspire us to become better climbers, stewards, and human beings. As Trail & Timberline has evolved, so too has the CMC. The Club is now reaching more and more Coloradans every year, encouraging responsible recreation for people of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. We’re always working to deliver on our promise to be your activist and leader for Colorado outdoors. The CMC now boasts over 6,500 members. Our Youth Education Program serves over 7,000 of Colorado’s next generation each year. Our Conservation Team is avidly restoring our trails and advocating for policy change. Our press provides the most robust and reliable guidebooks in Colorado. Now, in 2018, our goals remain much the same. The CMC strives to be your leading resource for climbing, trekking, winter sports, and all types of human recreation in our state. We work to protect and restore the places you play. We strive to educate Coloradans, improving accessibility to the outdoors for youth and adults alike. And we do that thanks to the hard work and support of our community—all of you. I’m honored to step into the role of Executive Director for the Colorado Mountain Club. As we celebrate the hundredth year of Trail & Timberline, I couldn’t be more excited about the direction our Club is heading, and I’m thrilled to be working alongside our staff, volunteers, and members to continue pushing the CMC forward into a new era.
Photo by John Easterling
Yours in climbing,
Keegan Young Executive Director Trail & Timberline 1
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22 Trail & Timberline—Then and Now
29 #NoSummitTooSmall
24 Trekking Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail
38 Rolling On
A look back to celebrate the past 100 years of Trail & Timberline. By Reed Fischer Explore a world of volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls in the land of fire and ice with CMC Adventure Travel. By Bill Blazek and Patty Laushman
Get to know the award winners from this fall’s #NoSummitTooSmall photo contest. A “No Barriers” ascent to the summit of Mt. Bierstadt for Nerissa Cannon. By Jeff Golden
Winter 2018 Trail & Timberline • Issue 1035 • www.cmc.org
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Departments 01 Letter from the Executive Director 06 On the Outside 08 Mission Accomplishments
Reflecting on the last few months of change and growth at the CMC through the lenses of our membership, conservation, youth education program, press, and development departments.
14 Around Colorado
Find a local CMC chapter and get involved!
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18 Pathfinder
A Colorado winter classic: Flattop Mountain Trail. By Alan Apt
20 Safety First On the Cover
The importance of wilderness first aid. By Jared Caldwell
26 CMC Adventure Travel
Join the CMC on an adventure around the globe in 2019.
32 The 14er Files
Meet the 14er class of 2018 and read their stories.
44 End of the Trail
Remembering those who have passed.
Early CMC members silhouetted on the summit of Longs Peak. Photo courtesy of the CMC Archives
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Trail & Timberline 3
TRAIL & TIMBERLINE
ADVENTURE
COURSES
The official publication of the Colorado Mountain Club since 1918.
Editor Reed Fischer
editor@cmc.org
Contributing Editor Sarah Gorecki Designer David Boersma Advertising Sales
advertising@cmc.org
The Colorado Mountain Club
START YOUR KIDS ON THE PATH OF ADVENTURE WITH YEAR-ROUND COURSES FROM YEP. WINTER HUT TRIP: February 16-18, 2019 Spend a weekend in the backcountry at the CMC’s Brainard Cabin. Enjoy snowshoeing, learn avalanche awareness, backcountry travel techniques, build snow shelters and more!
SPRING BREAK IN MOAB March 2019 Hit the road with Teen Ventures for five days of camping, climbing, hiking and river sports in Moab. We’ll head to Arches National Park, paddle the Colorado River and make spring break a blast. SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS JAN. 7
Get the kids outside this summer with courses ranging from educational to experiental, and beginner to advanced.
WWW.CMC.ORG/YEP 4
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710 10th Street, Suite 200 Golden, Colorado 80401 303-279-3080
The CMC is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
www.cmc.org The Colorado Mountain Club is organized to ▶ unite the energy, interest, and knowledge of the students, explorers, and lovers of the mountains of Colorado; ▶ collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains on behalf of science, literature, art, and recreation; ▶ stimulate public interest in our mountain areas; ▶ encourage the preservation of forests, flowers, fauna, and natural scenery; and ▶ render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region. © 2018 Colorado Mountain Club
All Rights Reserved
Trail & Timberline (ISSN 0041-0756) is published biannually by the Colorado Mountain Club located at 710 10th Street, Suite 200, Golden, Colorado 80401. Subscriptions are $10 per year; single copies are $5. Advertisements in Trail & Timberline do not constitute an endorsement by the Colorado Mountain Club.
Please recycle this magazine. Printed on 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper.
guide to membership
We summit 14ers, enjoy fly-fishing excursions, climb rock faces, backpack through wilderness areas, explore the culture of Europe, and so much more. Being connected to thousands of other adventure-loving mountaineers makes your membership matter. The CMC has regional groups all over Colorado... find the group nearest you and get outside! The Club comprises regional Groups across Colorado to serve the local needs of its members and partners. Plus, activities of any CMC Group are open to members regardless of home group affiliation. Build your trail family by meeting people through the skill clinics and great trips that we offer. Questions? Contact us anytime at office@cmc.org or 303-279-3080 x2.
VOLUNTEER and give back to
CONNECT with your outdoor
the organization – Become a volunteer trip leader, be an instructor with our courses or help out with youth education (YEP)
community – Make new friends and adventure buddies by interacting with other members
GO on a CMC-led trip – the Club offers more than
GIVE
to your favorite cause – Make a taxdeductible contribution toward conservation, youth education or the area of greatest need
3,000 trips annually. From easy after-work hikes to difficult 14er routes, there’s something for everyone
EXPLORE the world with Adventure
PROTECT the natural environment –
Travel – Receive special member pricing on active vacations in the US and abroad
ATTEND a CMC event – Members
receive exclusive pricing for film festivals, famous speakers, Backcountry Bash and more
MEMBER-ONLY DEALS & STEALS
MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF! MEMBER PRICING Courses and Skills Clinics Adventure Travel - Domestic & International Trips Youth Education Adventure Courses
Lend a hand on a conservation project and meet other passionate about stewards of our lands
LEARN a new outdoor skill and enroll in
a CMC course – No matter your skill level, you can always know more!
GUIDE BOOKS & PACKGUIDES Save 20% on CMC Guidebooks and Packguides, and be the first to know about upcoming titles
FILM & EVENT DISCOUNTS Banff Mountain Film Festival Backcountry Film Festival Backcountry Bash Happy Hours
GEAR DISCOUNTS • Asana Climbing • Backcountry.com • Expertvoice.com (100+ brands) • Camp USA • Mountainsmith • Slackline Industries • Icebreaker • Local gear shops • ... and MORE!
LOGIN TO CHECK OUT YOUR DEALS AT:
CMC.ORG/MEMBERS/MEMBERBENEFITS 1 Trail & & Timberline Timberline 5 Trail
On the Outside Lunch on the trail with a view—enjoying a quick pit stop to admire the beauty of Snowmass. Photo by Kellon Spencer
Mission Accomplishments
Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and High Peaks: New Books from CMC Press By Clyde Soles, Publishing Director
THE CMC PRESS HAS ramped up production of new books this year. In February, we published The Best Bears Ears National Monument Hikes, by Morgan Sjogren, which features 25 great trails within the original boundary of the monument. The first guidebook for the area, it includes a discussion on the history and controversy as well as information on the prehistory of the region. Addressing the single biggest complaint about previous editions, the fully updated Colorado Trail Databook, 7th edition, from the Colorado Trail Foundation, is now printed on waterproof paper. Since this invaluable book must last for four to six weeks (the average thruhike time) in all types of weather, this newest version will survive intact. Author and photographer Marlene Borneman outdid herself on Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, 2nd edition. Completely updated with fantastic photos and the latest scientific classifications, this beautiful pack guide features 180 of the most common flowers in our region. Prolific author David Muller added Colorado Summit Hikes to our collection this spring. This full-size book features 113 summits with spectacular views that can be reached without technical climbing skills. Who will be the first to complete the tick list? Who will set the FKT? For those more into scenery than challenges, Colorado Waterfall Hikes, by Sandy Heise, is sure to please. This wonderful new book offers 50 trails to some of the best waterfalls around the state. Of course, Colorado is known for its high peaks. The Colorado 14ers: The Best Routes is a completely revised edition with the latest trail information and maps from the Colorado Mountain Club Foundation and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. This essential guide offers 8
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Find the state’s best wildflower spots with Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, 2nd edition. Available now for $16.95.
The Colorado 14ers Pack Guide is ready to guide you up your next 14er ascent— whether it’s your first or your final peak. Available now for $14.95.
Tackle your 14er list the right way, with The Colorado 14ers: The Best Routes. Available now for $24.95.
Start bagging peaks with Colorado Summit Hikes, 2nd edition. Available now for $24.95.
historical anecdotes, background on why CMC recognizes 54 peaks as 14ers, and some of the fastest known time records. Complementing the big book, The Colorado 14ers Pack Guide, 4th edition, provides condensed trail descriptions along with the new topo maps in a compact form that you can bring with you on your adventures. Don’t leave home without it! For those along the Front Range, you’ll definitely want a copy of The Best Jefferson County Hikes, by David Muller. Available in December, this full-size guidebook covers 111 trails that are all within an easy drive from Boulder to Colorado Springs. In the northern part of the state, be sure to watch in December for The Best Fort Collins Hikes, 2nd edition, which updates the previ-
Enjoy some of nature’s most impressive features with Colorado Waterfall Hikes. Available now for $24.95.
ous hikes with all-new maps and adds five more favorite hikes of the Fort Collins CMC section. All of these titles, plus 50 more books, are available at cmc.org/Store and CMC members get 20% off! ▲
Stewardship Crew Accomplishments By Todd Loubsky, Conservation Manager
IN 2018, CMC IMPLEMENTED the fourth year of the Stewardship Crew program, hiring two crews of young natural resource professionals to complete high priority conservation projects on public lands throughout Colorado. The program aspires to achieve the dual goals of increasing the capacity of public land management agencies as well as coordinating and leading volunteer projects across the state. This year, the Stewardship Crews worked on public lands for a total of over 150 field days, at the Flat Tops, Kit Carson Peak, the South San Juans, the Upper Colorado River, the La Garitas, the Cimmarons, and the Rio Grande Natural Area, to name a few. The crews supported over 1,600 volunteer hours on various projects on USFS and BLM lands while inventorying over 150 miles of trail, utilizing CMC’s Rapid Trail
Assessment tool; clearing several hundred miles of trail corridor; cutting out over 500 trees using vintage crosscut saws; installing fence of all kinds; constructing steps; and generally improving trail access and experience. Prior to the start of the field season and throughout the course of the summer, CMC Stewardship Crews completed five weeks of training on a variety of conservation techniques and strategies. These training topics included outdoor leadership principles, technical trail maintenance and construction, Wilderness First Responder certification, S-212 wildland firefighter chainsaw certification, volunteer recruitment and management, an overview of federal land management agencies and designations and, of course, crosscut saw use and safety. The Stewardship Crews’ work
Floating to the work site with the BLM on the Upper Colorado River near Kremmling, CO. Photo by Todd Loubsky
is generously supported by external funding from foundations and agencies across the state, including the Telluride Foundation, the BLM State Office, the National Forest Foundation, Roundup Riders of the Rockies, and the Upper Rio Grande and PikeSan Isabel Resource Advisory Committees. In total, the Conservation Department raised more than $110,000 from grant and agency partnerships to operate the Stewardship Crews this year. ▲
CMC Champions Wilderness Bills and Forest Planning Efforts By Julie Mach, Conservation Director
THREE WILDERNESS BILLS WERE introduced in 2018 to protect some of the state’s most iconic and diverse landscapes: the Continental Divide Wilderness, Recreation, and Camp Hale Legacy Act protects 90,000 acres in Eagle and Summit Counties, the San Juan Wilderness Act protects 60,000 acres in Southwest Colorado, and the Colorado Wilderness Act protects over 740,000 acres throughout the state. CMC has championed all three campaigns through media engagement, events, and letter writing to urge congressional support. Forest Planning continues on the Rio Grande
National Forest and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. Because these plans will dictate how forest uses, such as recreation, timber, and other activities will be regulated for the next thirty to forty years, CMC has been actively working with conservation groups and the Outdoor Alliance to ensure hiking, climbing, and skiing opportunities are prioritized for the future. SAVE THE DATE for the Colorado Wilderness Conference, which will take place April 26–27, 2019, in Buena Vista! Join Conservation staff, land managers, and grassroots advocates from across the state to discuss new
Working alongside Rocky Mountain Field Institute staff on Kit Carson Peak. Photo by Todd Loubsky
designations, campaign strategies, stewardship of existing Wilderness, and more. ▲
Supporting Public Land Volunteers in the Upper Arkansas Valley By Allison Stewart, Public Lands Partnership Coordinator
WITH INCREASING VISITATION AND interest in Colorado, CMC’s efforts to support balanced recreation are more critical than ever. Coordinating and scheduling volunteer projects requires constant planning, material and tool preparation, communication, and labor. In 2018, CMC’s Public Lands Partnership Coordinator for the Upper Arkansas Valley, Allison Stewart, helped to coordinate over 50 volunteer projects with the BLM and the Salida/Leadville Ranger Districts and held a first-ever Adopt-a-Trail
Training for interested trail and road adopters in Cañon City, Colorado. Our community and partners continue to show up to express their investment in public lands with thousands of service hours across the region—the love of our public lands is the commonality that brings locals and visitors alike to this part of the state. Volunteer appreciation events will be held locally; however, we’d also like to acknowledge the impressive collective work of these volunteers here. Thank you!
To learn more about Allison’s work and get involved, visit arkvalleyvolunteers.org/. ▲
Volunteers from various organizations come together for a group training in Cañon City to learn about the trail and road adoption process. Photo by Allison Stewart
Trail & Timberline 9
Meet a Trip Leader: Andy Hawks How long have you been a CMC member? Since 2012
Our Loyal Members:
Favorite road trip song: “I-70 Blues” by Rapidgrass. The song made for I-70 ski traffic. Favorite trail food: A Snickers bar. Not only is it a tasty summit treat, but as every BMS student knows, it doubles as a bomber snow anchor you can trust your life to in a pinch. A Snickers bar is the best multi-purpose gear! Best outdoor advice you’ve ever been given: The best piece of outdoor advice I’ve been given is probably “Join the CMC!” That opens the door to hearing outdoor advice every day from an incredible array of really wise and experienced folks. But what stands out for me is some of the things I’ve learned about enjoying these outdoor experiences as a couple. Continuously engaging in challenging climbing and mountaineering situations with your life partner over an
9 YEARS
The average length of a CMC membership.
32 PERCENT of our members have been with the Club for over 10 years.
9 PERCENT of our members have been with the Club for 6-9 years.
extended period of time can be some of the most rewarding activities you’ll ever do, but it has moments where it can also be very stressful.
1,870
Coloradans became members of the CMC last year
61,220 YEARS The cumulative length of all active CMC memberships
THANK YOU
for your ongoing support of the Club
Favorite joke: I found out today that the rock in Clear Creek Canyon is really gneiss. And to think, all these years I’ve just taken it for granite. ▲
What Is Your Mountain Legacy? By Jay Cordes, Development Director
THE COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB has been a driving force for recreation and advocacy in Colorado for over one hundred years. Our rich legacy has only strengthened throughout the century, as we’ve worked to provide the tools and skills necessary for all Coloradans to explore our great state responsibly. You are a crucial part of that legacy. As we enter 2019, the Club is focusing on our capacity to better serve our members and supporters. This means training more trip leaders, increasing our offerings of high-quality trips, and improving our infrastructure to support growth of the Club. As a member and supporter of the CMC, you are the CMC. There are countless ways you can carry on and cement the Club’s legacy for years to come. The Colorado Mountain Club continues to count on your contributions to fund our critical mission areas of education and conservation. Your support at this year’s Backcountry Bash was overwhelming and resulted in one of the most successful fundraisers in CMC history. We’re looking to carry that momentum into the new year, and 2019 will see more films and speaker series events to engage members and support the Club. The CMC’s Development Team isn’t just working on events—we are teaming 10
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Thanks to all of our friends who joined us at the Great Divide Barrel Bar in Denver to celebrate the 26th annual Backcountry Bash. Photo by Terrence Wong
up with corporate partners to bring members new and exciting benefits. Be sure to check out your member portal to take full advantage of your membership! As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the CMC is
honored to have your help as we pursue bigger and better summits this coming year. We wholeheartedly appreciate your support, and continue to invite you to contribute to CMC’s mountain legacy. ▲
Youth at the CMC: Highlights from 1918 to Today By Doug Maiwurm, Youth Education Program Manager
FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY edition of Trail & Timberline I was inspired to research the history of youth involvement at the CMC. After pouring over old editions of T&T I was pleased to learn that youth have been integral to the CMC for nearly 100 years! Some highlights: 1919—Students from Cheyenne Mountain High School are granted membership in the CMC. 1930—The Denver Juniors Group is founded by George Kelly. Membership was for teens ages 14–21. Initial outings included digging up a dinosaur near Canon City (it is unsure if the dinosaur was discovered or not!), hiking Devil’s Head, and skiing. Like other CMC groups, the Juniors planned their own outings and elected their own group officials. Junior outings were accompanied by an adult sponsor to provide mentorship and a watchful eye. The first sponsors were representatives from Denver’s East, West, North, South, and Manual High Schools. 1931—First Juniors summer outing: ten days of camping, climbing, and hiking at Cameron Pass, all for a cost of $8.50. Future summer outings typically focused on climbing trips to one of Colorado’s major mountain ranges. Winter cabin ski trips took place over December break. 1939—Two Juniors climb Capitol Peak during the Summer Outing. 1951—CMC hosts the first annual Junior Giant Slalom ski race at Berthoud Pass for local youth ski clubs. 1957—Denver Juniors Summer Outing to the Sangre de Cristo range. Tragedy strikes when Banks Caywood suffers a fatal fall while descending Little Bear Peak. 1966—Denver Juniors write the first “Juniors Issue” of T&T. “Our issue is mainly of poems, fairy tales, recipes, pictures, and sketches with few serious climbing reports.” They describe traditions such as starting every trip at least a half hour late, pie eating contests, poorly cooked camp meals called “grunge,” and hiking watermelons to the top of mountains. The Juniors continue to pen dedicated T&T issues through the 1970s. 1968—HIKE-OUT program recruits CMC volunteers to get under resourced junior high students from Denver on summer hikes. 1970—Denver Juniors hold a raffle to raise funds for their first out-of-state outing to the Wind River Range. They are the third largest
CMC group at 136 members! 1974—Denver Wilderness Kids Group is formed. Their mission is to help parents “connect families interested in getting their kids into the wilderness experience.” It all began with a Memorial Day trip to the Great Sand Dunes. 1989—CMC joins the newly formed Scientific & Cultural Facilities District of Denver. The SCFD funds support cultural facilities whose primary purpose is for enlightening and entertaining the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement, or preservation of visual arts, performing arts, cultural history, natural history, or natural sciences. 1994—Denver Wilderness Kids membership reaches 140 families. 1998—CMC state office moves into the American Mountaineering Center. Classroom spaces, Mountaineering Museum, and indoor climbing wall at the AMC hold great potential for new and expanded education opportunities. 1999—The CMC Youth Education Program (YEP) begins as the Mountain Discovery Program, started by Brenda Porter. The first program teaches Avalanche Science through hands-on activities to school and community groups. Over time, curriculum expands to include mountain safety, geology, and the physics of climbing. 2004—Denver Juniors is the last of the junior clubs to end (Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Ft. Collins, Boulder, and Pikes Peak all had small juniors groups over the years).
YEP carries on the CMC’s tradition of youth involvement with Adventure Courses and Camps. 2018—This year YEP connected with more than 7,300 students through school and community partnerships and adventure courses in the Denver metro area! We still call the AMC home and continue to receive substantial grant funding through the SCFD. Colorado Wilderness Kids is now known as Colorado Wilderness Families and still plans outings annually. Over the years CMC group formats have shifted and outdoor education has become more formalized, but the CMC still gets young people excited to learn and play outdoors in Colorado. ▲ Special thanks to Katie Sauter and Eric Rueth at the American Alpine Club Library for their assistance with researching this article.
CMC members enjoy a sand burial at Great Sand Dunes National Park, circa 1974. Photo by Tom Thorpe
Not much has changed since the ‘70s—Youth Education Program participants enjoy the same burial at Great Sand Dunes National Park in 2018. Photo by Doug Maiwurm
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Adventure Travel Provides Opportunities for Globe-trotting By Reed Fischer, Marketing & Communications Manager
IN 2018, THE COLORADO Mountain Club’s Adventure Travel program brought over 250 explorers to seventeen international and domestic destinations. The Club exists to help Coloradans follow their outdoor passions and experience new things in the wild—and what better way to experience our world than through travelling to unfamiliar landscapes and cultures? This year, trip participants were treated to thru-hiking in Japan, mountain biking in Moab, high altitude ascents in Mexico, and much more. Each participant took something unique away from their journey, whether it was a new skill to apply back home in Colorado, or a greater appreciation for the diversity of the globe. Want to create memories of your own? The CMC has another terrific year of trips planned for 2019 including destinations like Scotland, Iceland, and the Grand Canyon— with many more trips still in the planning stages that are sure to delight. Head to cmc. org/AdventureTravel to view our current trip offerings and to stay up to date when new trips are added! ▲
Wildflowers in bloom along the trail of the Laugavegur Trek in Iceland. Photo by Patty Laushman
CMC Waiver Promotes Safety: Updated Edition Matt Stevens, CMC State Board President
JUST OVER THIRTY YEARS ago, Al Ossinger, a long-time CMC member and former president of the Club, penned an article of the same title in the April 1987 issue of Trail & Timberline. Back then, Al, Glenn Porzak, and other lawyer-members of the Club, together with representatives of our insurance provider, reviewed the Denver Group’s waivers and expanded their use to the broader Club membership. Al’s article was short and sweet, just six bullet points: • Early last year, during negotiations to renew the liability insurance for the CMC, some lawyers in the Club and our insurance representatives recommended that waiver forms, similar to those used by Denver Group activity schools, be extended to the entire membership. Such waivers, for a long time out of favor in the court system, have once again become important in liability cases. • The exact wording has been carefully crafted by lawyer-members to have the legal impact necessary to protect the Club adequately. Any softening of the language 12
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would make the waivers useless in court. • Primarily, it is hoped as a result of signing the waivers that everyone will be more aware of the safety aspects of mountain trips in which they participate; their personal responsibility to go on trips only for which they are physically and mentally prepared, and for which they have, and know correctly how to use, the proper equipment. Participants are all expected to follow the directions of the leader. And everyone must realize the inherent dangers in the mountain environment and that accidents can happen even in the best of situations, should nature choose to demonstrate its predominance. • It remains the responsibility of Club leaders to intelligently schedule, prepare, and scout their trips, and to set the route and pace of trips to maximize the safety aspects for all participants. It is important for leaders to keep their groups reasonably together for safety and for the basic comradery for which the Club was founded 75 years ago.
• After due consideration, the Directors determined that the only feasible way to deal with the waivers is to require all members and guests to sign the form. To establish any system by which all need not sign would be too cumbersome even with our computer. • The waiver is not intended to cover any aspect of transportation on a trip. The Club expects all the drivers in a car pool to conform to state law, requiring auto insurance to cover the incidents from the meeting place to the trailhead and return. This coverage is not the responsibility of the trip leader or of the Club. Al’s comments continue to ring true decades later and, with the passage of time, waivers have become prevalent across all aspects of modern life, from using a chairlift at a ski hill to downloading an app on your smartphone. The liability waivers the Club uses are legal documents that members and guests sign to acknowledge risks and release potential legal claims. In fact, in section 13-22-107(1)(a)(II) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the state legislature has recognized that waivers are essential to the provision of sporting and
recreational opportunities in the state. As you may have noticed, we are again in the process of updating both the content of those waivers and the methods by which you may sign them, and so another article seems to be in order. This time around, we’re working with attorneys at the Denver office of the law firm of Morrison & Foerster, LLP, to help us create the latest iteration of our waivers. As our name The Colorado Mountain Club implies, and our membership of students, explorers, and lovers of the mountains of Colorado represents, we do dangerous things. We try to do them in a safe manner; however, climbing mountains, ice, and rock, and even going for a walk in the woods are inherently dangerous. The earth is in constant motion; weather blows, wets, burns, and chills; lightening zaps; water freezes and thaws; rocks shift; people make mistakes or errors in judgment; snakes bite; bears are, well, bears; and there are few railings or paved paths where we choose to spend most of our recreational time. The American Alpine Club, our sister organization in the American Mountaineering Center, in Golden, publishes a book each year titled Accidents in North American Climbing (prior to 2016, the book was titled Accidents in North American Mountaineering).
There are copies in the AMC’s library, and they are well worth a read. The most recent edition focuses on accidents that occur when lowering or rappelling off fixed anchors while single-pitch climbing, but also includes all sorts of alpine mishaps. The Colorado chapter contains accidents in Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, and the Elk Mountains, among others—all locations that are familiar to Club members. A quick search of the web reveals there have been at least 57 deaths on the Colorado Fourteeners since 2010. In the face of these very real dangers we, individually and collectively, venture up, as our over 3,000 volunteer-led trips attest, each year. However, the Club is not a guide service. The ethos of our Club is to pool our collective knowledge, resources, and skills to (among others) “render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region.” To that end, the waivers remind members and guests that our activities are dangerous and that they are not abdicating the personal responsibility to safeguard themselves and their fellow travelers by, as Al noted in his article thirty years ago, participating in only those activities for which they are physically and mentally prepared, and for which they have, and know correctly how to use, the proper equipment.
As a membership organization, there’s not much to the Club that isn’t its members and volunteers. And unfortunately, we live in a litigious time and culture. So, for at least the past thirty years we’ve had a series of waivers that our members and guests have signed to protect ourselves from, basically, ourselves. The waivers are meant to prevent the initiation of a lawsuit or, if an action is successfully maintained, to limit any prospect for monetary recovery. The goal is to clearly lay out each CMC member’s and guest’s acknowledgement of the risks we are undertaking in our various trips, schools, and other Club activities, and the promise that we will not sue the CMC or its volunteers. Simply put, we can’t have the choices of one or a few of our members threaten the more than 6,000 of the rest of us. I hope this provides some clarity on the new waivers and I look forward to meeting up on trips or at schools. Be safe out there, and have fun! ▲ The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy or position of the Colorado Mountain Club. These views and opinions are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.
2019 TOUR STOPS: JANUARY 18 Pagosa Springs
FEBRUARY 21 Telluride
JANUARY 31 Carbondale
FEBRUARY 22 Colorado Springs
FEBRUARY 7 Golden
MARCH 1 Leadville
FEBRUARY 15 Salida
MARCH 12 Fort Collins
FEBRUARY 21 Boulder
TBD Grand Junction
Tickets: $10 CMC members | $12 public | cmc.org/bcff BCFF2019-half.indd 1
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Around Colorado Our groups across the State Fort Collins Group
Friends of Routt Backcountry Chair: Leslie Lovejoy Email: leslie@lovejoygraphics.com Website: cmc.org/FriendsRB
Shining Mountains
Chair: David Sanders Email: sandeaa@comcast.net Website: cmc.org/ShiningMountains
Longs Peak
Website: cmc.org/LongsPeak
Chair: Gordan Thibedeau Email: gthibedeau@comcast.net Website: cmc.org/FtCollins Newsletter: fortcmc.org/newsletters.html
Boulder
Chair: Lori Barkus Email: chair@cmcboulder.org Website: cmc.org/Boulder
Denver
Western Slope
Gore Range
Website: cmc.org/WesternSlope
Chair: Dale Pfaff Email: dpfaff@ftek.com Website: cmc.org/GoreRange
Chair: Brian Le Blanc Email: cmcdgcc@gmail.com Website: cmc.org/Denver Newsletter: Mile High Mountaineer
Aspen
Chair: Mike Miller Email: miller866@comcast.net Website: cmc.org/aspen
Pikes Peak
Chair: Kristen Buckland Email: buckie06@hotmail.com Website: cmc.org/PikesPeak
El Pueblo
Chair: Jill Mattoon Email: jill.mattoon@judicial.state.co.us Website: cmc.org/ElPueblo
Friends of Colorado
Chair: Scott Otteman Email: scotteman@aol.com Website: cmc.org/FriendsOfColorado
Negotiating Capital Peak’s infamous Knife’s Edge in late summer 2018. Photo by Thomas Jaramillo
WE ARE THE CMC The Colorado Mountain Club is the state’s leading organization dedicated to adventure, recreation, conservation, and education. Founded in 1912, the CMC has helped Coloradans enjoy the mountains for more than a century. The Club acts as a gateway to the outdoors for novices and experts alike, offering an array of year-round activities and events. The CMC’s local chapters host a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, and many other outdoor activities. See cmc.org/Calendar for current listings.
Get Involved in Your CMC
Trailblazers skinning up on a backcountry ski day. Photo by Kahle Toothill
• There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the Club. All group activities are led by dedicated and skilled volunteers. Visit cmc. org/Volunteer for more information or contact your local group. • To ensure the continued enjoyment of Colorado’s pristine places, the CMC leads efforts to protect wild and public lands with its conservation and stewardship programs. cmc.org/Conservation • The CMC’s Youth Education Program inspires confidence and academic achievement in youth through school programs, summer camps, after-school programs, and young adult programs. cmc.org/Youth • The Club has published its magazine, Trail & Timberline, since 1918, and operates the CMC Press with more than 60 titles in print. cmc.org/Store • The American Mountaineering Museum celebrates the rich history of the mountains and mountaineering. mountaineeringmuseum.org
Mountain Education
CMC Trailblazers
Staff Lead: Logan Chandler Email: loganc@cmc.org Website: cmc.org/Trailblazers
Colorado Wilderness Families Chair: Jennifer Teece Email: jteece@yahoo.com Website: cmc.org/CoWildernessFamilies
The CMC offers many educational opportunities through our regional groups. CMC courses appeal to people new to the outdoors as well as people looking for new ways to enjoy the mountains and expand their personal horizons. These affordable courses encourage individuals to improve their outdoor skill sets. CMC instructors are volunteers and members of the Club. They are experienced users of the outdoors who have polished their skills on Club trips and demonstrated their leadership abilities. Safety and personal responsibility, respect for the natural environment, and leadership skills are stressed in all courses. Students of all ages gain the skills and knowledge to comfortably participate in mountain trips. See cmc.org/schools for a calendar of upcoming schools.
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CMC Conservation has deep roots—going all the way back to the dedication of Rocky Mountain National Park in September 1915. Photo courtesy of CMC Archives
Wanted: YOU! To Carry On CMC’s Legacy of Conservation By Julie Mach, Conservation Director
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or CMC’s founders and earliest members, “conservation” of wild landscapes was not a duty or assignment but rather a lifestyle of engagement in mountain activities born of passion and necessity. The Club’s early leaders were not paid to advocate for Wilderness, nor did they receive accolades on Facebook and Instagram for clearing trees and building trails. Rather, the intrinsic naturalness and solitude and beauty of the mountains resonated within them and they recognized the threats of development and overuse and human disruption of the fragile values possessed within these landscapes. Protection was an attempt to preserve those values. CMC’s legacy of conservation work runs deep. In 1912, charter members Enos Mills and James Grafton Rogers worked tirelessly to designate the Estes Park Valley and beyond as Rocky Mountain National Park. Their success in 1915 marked the beginning of CMC’s conservation legacy and changed millions of lives. This is the very heart 16
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of the Club—action initiated by experience and passion. In 1921, the Club played an important role in defeating proposed legislation that threatened the national parks. Over the years, CMC also worked to oppose dam and water projects while supporting the 1964 Wilderness Act and Colorado Open Space Council. As hiking and mountaineering became popular in the early twentieth century, stewardship was a precursor to recreation, not an afterthought. Access to the backcountry was limited and trailblazers co-opted logging roads and game trails to create a network of routes to reach peaks and lakes and vistas across the state. These were not all the most sustainably designed trails, but they set the stage for access to unparalleled recreation opportunities in the West. Route maintenance was the responsibility of each individual as part of a collective recreation community long before it coalesced into structured volunteer events. In the early years, the Club placed signs in scenic areas warn-
ing campers to be tidy and protect the birds and flowers. In 1946, the Club began hosting an annual tree planting weekend, and in 1974, formal trail maintenance outings began. By 1981, CMC began to professionalize its conservation work with the hiring of a part-time staff director to represent the Club in environmental issues. Over the last thirty-five-plus years, the Club has weighed in on forest planning, litigated on oil and gas development, dabbled in climate change policy, and focused its environmental engagement on the passions of members and through a series of Conservation Department staff. In 2018, the department narrowed its focus to protect the places that sustain the Club’s deepest passion: human-powered outdoor recreation. Through advocacy and stewardship (which are sometimes one and the same), CMC Conservation promotes solution-oriented planning and implementation of projects on public lands that benefit hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. We are not experts on wildlife, or forest health, or water law (there are plenty
As hiking and mountaineering became popular in the early twentieth century, stewardship was a precursor to recreation, not an afterthought.
of conservation groups in Colorado that are), but we are absolutely experts on the recreation experience, user impacts, and sustainable access in Colorado’s mountains. Our work is unique in that it is bipartisan, specific to Colorado, and leverages advocacy with results on the ground. Although much of this work is spearheaded by paid staff in the CMC Conservation Department, the Club’s true power still comes from our members as grassroots advocates and stewards of Colorado’s public lands. Over the last year, CMC activists generated over 2,800 comment letters to legislators and land managers on pressing conservation issues including national monument protection, forest planning, wilderness legislation, and winter recreation issues. Similarly, hundreds of volunteers contribute several thousand hours each year to trail maintenance and stewardship projects across the state. But while the numbers sound good and have been increasing in recent years, CMC Conservation is only reaching a fraction of CMC members and an even smaller percentage of the overall recreation community in Colorado. For the 100,000+ miles that CMCers hike annually, we maintain only about 150 miles through our Stewardship Crew Program. Of our 6,500 members across the state, less than 15 percent wrote letters and less than 2 percent volunteered for a stewardship project in the last year. Where and when did we lose that inherent commitment to conservation? As recreationists who seek adventure and exploration on public lands, why are we falling short when it comes to protection and stewardship of these places? Conservation should not be an obligation but an opportunity: a chance to enhance our assets as a recreation community and support our land managers in preserving the naturalness and solitude we seek in the mountains. We implore you to adopt the ethos of CMC’s founders and generations of Club members by living conservation and taking action through whatever means fit your lifestyle. Stay up to date with our Conservation e-newsletter, respond to our Action Alerts, attend public meetings, or dig in the dirt! CMC Conservation needs you more than ever as the power behind our policy Responsible recreation has always been essential to the CMC—read up on what that to protect public lands and recreation. Please get involved meant in the early years of the Club. Photo courtesy of CMC Archives today: www.cmc.org/conservation. ▲ Trail & Timberline 17
Pathfinder
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FLATTOP MOUNTAIN TRAIL By Alan Apt
Winter in Colorado is a special season. It invites peace, solitude, and reflection into our lives, encouraging us to return to some of our state’s classic environments. Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most quintessential spots for winter exploration in Colorado. The Flattop Trail offers an option for everyone—a moderate-to-challenging ascent in the summer, a journey for more experienced winter adventurers, ski laps on the northeast slope for backcountry powder seekers, or a quick family outing to snowshoe part of the trail. The Dream Lake overlook is another shorter outing. The trail offers views of Bear Lake and the tops of Glacier Gorge and Longs Peak in less than a mile. You will need an early start and good weather to summit. This mountain has several popular ski routes north of the main trail toward Lake Helene. You will want AT or tele skis for skiing. Take the Lake Helene-Fern Lake Trail to the northeast slope for ski laps. The first mile can be hard-packed and icy, requiring carrying skis. It is best skied after a major snowstorm. You need winter mountaineering gear to summit safely. ROUND TRIP: 8 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate to challenging SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate snowshoers/skiers to expert skiers HIGH POINT: 12,324 feet ELEVATION GAIN: 2,849 feet AVALANCHE DANGER: Low for the most part, to considerable on upper NE slopes; check with RMNP MAP: Trails Illustrated #200, Rocky Mountain National Park CONTACT: Rocky Mountain National Park GETTING THERE: From the Beaver Meadows entrance of RMNP, turn left/south in 0.25 mile onto Bear Lake Road and follow it 9 miles to its terminus to reach the Bear Lake parking lot.
Flattop Mountain Trail offers a stunning and unique view of Longs Peak in all its glory. Photo by Alan Apt
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THE ROUTE: Starting from the Bear Lake parking lot, walk to the right toward the lake. When you reach the shoreline you can see the impressive massif of Hallett Peak and Flattop. Go to the right. At the first intersection, about 0.2 mile, the trail to the left continues around Bear Lake; stay to the right and go uphill. At the first major switchback, at 0.4 mile, you come to the Bierstadt Lake Trail straight ahead; go left to stay on the Flattop Mountain Trail. From here, your route will depend on what winter adventure you’re looking for.
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Snowshoe Hike/Family Outing— Once you’ve reached the Flattop Trail, the next steep stretch parallels Bear Lake, affording you some of the best views of Longs Peak, Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, and the glacier-carved U-shaped valleys. It’s a perfect place for photographs. In about 0.25 mile the trail veers north into Engelmann spruce trees and you can see east into Mill Creek Basin. If you are doing a family outing with children or visitors you can turn around. If you continue, you climb steadily for approximately 0.8 mile to reach the intersection with the Fern-Odessa Lake Trail that goes straight; go left for Flattop. The rangers try to keep the trail sign uncovered. Going this far is also a nice, relatively quick trip for a family. You could turn around and go back to circle Bear Lake. Backcountry Skiing— Follow the same route as the family outing until the Fern Lake Trail intersection. If you’re looking to ski some laps, go straight toward Fern Lake/ Lake Helene and look for the northest-facing facing slope on your left. The summit trail climbs steadily, mostly covered in fir and spruce trees, until you reach the Dream Lake overlook, which is not marked. Enjoy great views of both Longs and Hallett Peaks. Depending on the depth of the snow, just getting to tree line can easily take a couple of hours. If the snow isn’t too powdery, you can make tree line in an hour and a half, which is approximately 2.5 miles from the Bear Lake trailhead. When you reach tree line you likely will encounter wind, and possibly severe windchill. This is a good time to have a snack and decide if discretion is the better part of valor. The wind can blow some of the trail clear of snow: be prepared to carry skis or snowshoes. If you want to ski down and the snow is good above tree line, track toward the northeast slope and ski down as far as the Fern Lake Trail. Going below that trail will take you into thick trees and willows. From tree line, you will still have another 1.5 miles of very steep hiking. Unless there has been a recent storm, the snow from tree line to the summit is often crusted. If there has been a recent powder event with little wind, enjoy the rare good ski to the top. How long it takes from tree line to the summit depends on conditions. Turn around if whiteouts are possible. The views are nonstop above tree line. As you near the summit there are breathtaking views of Bear Lake valley and the summit of Hallett Peak. On the summit, you can see over the Continental Divide and will also see the trail to Grand Lake. ▲
Getting in some fresh turns on the descent on a powder day. Photo by Alan Apt
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Safety First
Jared leading a WFA class in the backcountry, demonstrating proper care of a wound. Photo courtesy of Jared Caldwell
WILDERNESS FIRST AID:
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE FOR A SUCCESSFUL BACKCOUNTRY OUTING BY JARED CALDWELL, WFA, EMR
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am commonly asked by people who have recently relocated to Colorado, “What should I get first?” I always reply, “Take a Wilderness First Aid class.” Their reply is often something along the lines of, “No, seriously, what kind of backpack or hiking boots should I get?” to which I reply, “Get a good first aid kit after you take the Wilderness First Aid course.” This seems to baffle people who intend get the “Colorado experience,” but when heading into the wilderness, investing in your emergency preparedness and safety is the best investment you could possibly make. While it might not be the most glamorous piece of gear you own, knowledge is certainly the most practical. Taking a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course can help mitigate crises in the backcountry, or avoid them altogether. 20
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If Search and Rescue has to come to your aid, it can take up to a full day to move you just two miles. We begin to see infection set in at just four hours in the backcountry. In the summer, mountain temperatures drop into the 40s or lower at night, and we get lightning nearly every day around 2:00 PM. You will learn to manage these risks and more in a WFA class—as bare essential knowledge before you set out—yet all too often people are completely oblivious to these basics. Several students have reached out to me recently to share stories of backcountry incidents and I’d love to share one with you. A couple who had just taken a class with me this past spring was hiking a trail in Boulder Canyon when they were met by a young lady who was headed back to the trailhead to call 9-1-1 for her friend. The
When you are considering what your next course of action in getting ready for the season should be, I say take a Wilderness First Aid class.
A trustworthy first aid kit can be the difference between risk and safety in the backcountry. Photo courtesy of Jared Caldwell
WFA participants practice carrying an injured Jared to safety. Photo courtesy of Jared Caldwell
Jared rappelling in the backcountry. Photo courtesy of Jared Caldwell
couple continued on to the friend and found that she had taken a twenty-foot fall from atop a rock. Using the skills learned in class, they safely stabilized their patient, assessed for injuries, monitored vitals, and prepared for evacuation, then assisted Search and Rescue with the extraction all the way to the ambulance. As First Aiders, they were the first link in the chain which ensured that a young lady did not die a preventable death from her injuries. Other students have had real-time experiences using improvised interventions to stabilize broken clavicles while trail running, and managing high-infection-risk cuts for extended durations. These were all skills learned in a Wilderness First Aid class, the outcomes of which could have been very different—costly at best, possibly tragic at worst—had they not had some basic skills training. So, when you are considering what your next course of action in getting ready for the season should be, I say take a Wilderness First Aid class, and make sure those with whom you travel have taken one, too, so someone is able to take care of you if you get hurt. There are far too many people going into the backcountry with no experience and less awareness, and, if you aren’t ready to manage it when it happens, you may find yourself in a very dangerous predicament. ▲ Trail & Timberline 21
1968 Trail & Timberline
—Half a Century Old Helen J. Stiles, Trail & Timberline Contributor, 1968
“BROWSING THROUGH SIX HUNDRED issues of T&T is rediscovering good times I wish I’d been a part of. It’s somewhat the same experience as rereading one’s own favorite historical episodes, reflecting on the delights of living in those splendid bygone days. I suppose I don’t wish myself any additional birthdays, but I envied the people who climbed and skied and studied the out-of-doors in the first two or three decades of the Mountain Club. They were still making first ascents all over Colorado in those years. Technical climbing was coming into its own. Skiing was cross-country, or climb your own hill, and what a hardy bunch those pioneers were. Outings went to new places, until they became old favorites—the San
Juans, Gores, Tetons, Snowmass, Wind Rivers. It was, from the sound of it, a great time to be mountaineering. The guidelines for T&T, as well as the CMC, were established in the teens and twenties. It may be the distance that lends the charm; after all, the early T&T’s said many of the things that we have repeated ever since: Pay your dues; bring back the library books; sign up for outings in advance; let the leader lead; it’s your club, we need volunteer help; a poncho and canteen were recovered from last week’s trip, will owner please claim at clubrooms—it sounds familiar.” All scans courtesy CMC Archives. Special thanks to Katie Sauter, American Alpine Club Library Director, for assistance with this article.
The cover of the first edition of Trail & Timberline, welcoming a new era for the Club. 22
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Trail & Timberline celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Club with a special cover.
2018 Trail & Timberline
—A Century Old Reed Fischer, Trail & Timberline Editor, 2018
HELEN J. STILES’ WORDS still ring true fifty years later, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Trail & Timberline. For a century, the publication has served as the mouthpiece of the Club, keeping members updated and engaging with Coloradans across the state. Delving into any of the past 1,034 issues of the publication is like opening a time capsule into the life and times of past CMC members. It’s nostalgia-inducing and awe-inspiring to page through early issues of Trail & Timberline. The publication began as a small leaflet distributed to just 437 CMC members in April 1918. It was created to keep members up-to-date on upcoming trips and stimulate interest in general happenings in the Club. Delving into reports from first ascents in Colorado, seeing photos of the dated outdoor fashion and gear from the early 1900s, and reading poems about the wild from those early issues yields a sense of humility and eagerness. Fifty years ago, the ski train to Winter Park was just $3.00 and Trail
Half a century after the first issue is published, Trail & Timberline celebrates with a limited crest on the cover. We’ve recreated this crest for the 100th year anniversary, featured on this issue’s cover.
& Timberline existed as a monthly magazine. While still focused largely on informing members of upcoming events, changes in membership and general happenings in the Club, the editors of T&T began weaving in stories from around Colorado. In 1968, the mailing list had grown to 2,150 CMC members. From humble beginnings as a small print newsletter to inform members of upcoming outings, increase in dues, or items left behind on trips, to the magazine you hold in your hands today, the Trail & Timberline’s evolution mirrors that of the Club’s. Now, in 2018, Trail & Timberline reaches over 20,000 Coloradans each year, filling their lives with stories from the CMC and our state’s mountains. As an organization, the Colorado Mountain Club now touches the lives of nearly 6,500 members around the state, over 7,000 of Colorado’s kids through our Youth Education Program, and countless Coloradans through our advocacy and conservation work. While Trail & Timberline and the CMC have grown plenty since the publication began in 1918, there’s always room to keep growing into the next century. ▲
A Colorado Mountain Club poster featured in Trail & Timberline reminds readers of the importance of responsible recreation.
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TREKKING ICELAND’S LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL:
A World of Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Waterfalls Bill Blazek and Patty Laushman, Adventure Travel Trip Leaders Iceland showing off why it’s known as Europe’s “Land of Fire and Ice.” Photo by Patty Laushman
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unshine, rain, dense fog. Amazing ancient volca- and camaraderie. Fifteen CMC members enjoyed all nic landscapes, steep hills, deep valleys, relaxing of this and more on a 50-mile, seven-day trek on the hot springs. Cozy mountain huts, great food, Legendary Laugavegur Trail in Iceland in July 2018.
Known as Europe’s “Land of Fire and Ice,” Iceland is famous for its extreme landscapes—thundering waterfalls, glacial rivers, sand deserts, geysers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and otherworldly steaming lava fields that attract the more daring travelers. Since it derives much of its energy from geothermal hot springs and burns relatively little fossil fuel, Iceland also has some of the cleanest air in the world. The 34-mile Laugavegur Trail was chosen as one of the “20 Best Hikes in the World” by National Geographic. We added the Skógar extension, which ends at the stunning 200-foot-high Skógafoss waterfall, giving us a spectacular 50-mile trek. We met in Reykjavik early the first morning and explored Iceland’s capital city before enjoying a group dinner and planning meeting at a local restaurant. The next day we took a private shuttle to the start of the trek in the town of Landmannalaugar, in the Icelandic Suðurland, or Southland, known for its multicolored rhyolite mountains and hot springs. We spent the afternoon enjoying local hikes, basking in the nearby hot springs, and preparing for the rest of the trek. That evening, we cooked our first of many hut meals together in the huge Lanmannalaugar bunkhouse that sleeps almost eighty people. This was the start of a very international experience—meeting and getting to know people from all over the world at Landmannalaugar and all the huts to follow. With shared kitchen and bunk facilities, the huts served as a sort of multicultural hub. We mingled with people from many countries and cultures. It was refreshing to see such a diverse population cooperating well together. Iceland was experiencing one of the rainiest summers on record 24
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since the 1950s. It rained parts of every day except one while we were there. Each of the huts provided both indoor bunks and tent areas for backpackers, and many nights we were glad to have reservations at the huts because the weather could be miserable for those sleeping outside. Some of the huts had shower facilities that offered a welcome clean-up after long days on the trail. Our first day of trekking took us up to the Höskuldsskáli Hut in Hrafntinnusker, passing many fumaroles, volcanic vents, small geysers, and through huge fields of obsidian. High in the Icelandic Suðurland, this hut was still surrounded by many square miles of glaciers and snowfields in late July. The hut was most welcome as we weathered the first of several storms we experienced that raged outside all night long. After the weather subsided, it was on across those miles of glaciers and snowfields and down to the Álftavatn Hut. This hut was down well below snowline again, but next to the Álftavatn Lake, and it gets blasted by the winds off the lake. We had arranged with our outfitter, Icelandic Mountain Guides (IMG), to shuttle our food and overnight gear from hut to hut so we only had to carry light day packs. Upon arrival at Álftavatn, we learned that our shuttle driver’s vehicle had experienced a major mechanical failure on the drive and would be late, resulting in a nail-biting wait for dry clothes and supplies. That night and the next day, the driver and his partner went to great lengths to fix the vehicle and meet us at the next hut, and all the other huts, on time. Our shuttle driver, Kristjan, was a friendly Iceland native who was very helpful and informative at the huts, as well as dependable at shuttling our gear from hut to hut.
The food that Kristjan brought for us was delicious and plentiful. We had one member of our group who is an excellent cook and volunteered to be the head chef each night, with the rest of us rotating all the other kitchen duties. Our chef did a fantastic job of creating great, delicious menus from our ample supplies, which consisted of a wide variety of local foods, including frozen seafood, meats, fresh vegetables and salads, always filling the hut with great aromas! No one went hungry and everyone seemed to enjoy every meal. The third day’s trek included our first of many stream crossings, with two small streams and one major stream to cross. We were well prepared for these, with river shoes and trekking poles, and had no problems with them. This brought us to the Emstrur Hut, which is a group of four small huts. With our group of fifteen, we got one whole hut to ourselves. The fourth day took us over many rolling hills, with great views of the huge Mýrdalsjökull volcano and glaciers, through another major stream crossing, and finally down below tree line, to the lush green valley of Þórsmörk, Thor’s Valley, bursting with many new fresh fragrances. This was a stark contrast to the rocky volcanic landscapes we had crossed so far. Here we enjoyed a very comfortable night at the very large Langidalur Hut. The crux of the trip came the next day on the trek from Þórsmörk to the Baldvinsskali Hut. It started out with another easy stream crossing, followed by 2,800 feet of elevation gain, over the 3,000-foot pass between the glaciated Eyjafjallajokull and Mýrdalsjökull volcanoes. Eyjafjallajokull was the volcano which famously erupted in 2010, halting air traffic across Europe. This route took us back up well above snowline, crossing many more miles on snowfields and glaciers, and through dense fog across the pass, requiring careful navigation. During the whole trek we were heading south from the interior of Iceland and now, from Baldvinsskali, we got our first views of the ocean far below in the distance. This hut was again a welcome shelter from the cold wind and rain. We were rewarded the next morning with a beautiful complete rainbow that seemed to follow us for the first half-mile of the day! The last day was a casual hike, all downhill, from Baldvinsskali to Skogar, passing dozens of spectacular waterfalls, miles of lush fields, and countrysides with grazing sheep, ending at the stunning 200-foothigh Skógafoss waterfall. It was a fabulous finish to one of the world’s great treks. To cap off the trip, we enjoyed a very comfortable night at a hotel in Vík and a well-deserved celebration dinner that we did not have
to cook ourselves. The next day was a relaxing shuttle ride back to Reykjavik with sightseeing stops at the Reynisfjara black sand beach, the arch at Dyrhólaey, and the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which beckons people to walk behind it, a unique view unavailable at most waterfalls. All in all, we had a fantastic trip. There was so much demand for this trek that CMC is offering it again in 2019. There are still a few spaces available, but they are going fast. See the Adventure Travel web page for details: www.cmc.org/AdventureTravel/AdventureTravelTrips/ IcelandTrek2019.aspx ▲
The Laugavegur Trail, known for its diverse scenery, took CMC members over snowy passes and through lush forests. Photo by Patty Laushman
The CMC crew enjoys a reprieve from the trek with dinner and wine. Photo by Patty Laushman
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. Photo by Patty Laushman
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ADVENTURE TRAVEL CMC Adventure Travel specializes in active vacations and small group itineraries to inspiring mountain destinations around the world. See cmc.org/AdventureTravel for more details.
Colorado In-State Outing
July 28-August 2, 2019 Trip Leaders: Linda Ditchkus & Sherry Richardson
This year’s In-State Outing is, for the first time, in Steamboat Springs. Our basecamp will be the Steamboat Springs KOA. As in past years, attendees will have the option of tent camping, staying in a cabin, or RV’ing. Each day will feature at least three hikes, including treks up Hahns Peak and to Strawberry Hot Springs. This year, we’ll also have both road and mountain bike trips—plus all the fine food, fun, entertainment and camaraderie that defines the ISO!
Grand Canyon Rafting & Hiking April 27–May 9, 2019 Trip Leader: Pat McKinley
Experience hidden wonders in the Grand Canyon on this 12-day, hike-intensive raft trip. Professional guides from Hatch River Expeditions will lead the group down 188 miles of river on motorized S-rig boats. This river running experience maximizes time to explore side canyons on foot and see the amazing geology, history, and unique flora and fauna found there. If boats and hikes aren’t enough, the trip will conclude with a helicopter flight out of the canyon and an airplane flight back to the start.
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Scotland Trekking
June 12–23, 2019 Trip Leader: Kris Ashton
This 12-day adventure starts in Glasgow with some good Scottish fun! Explore Glasgow on a food walking tour, then it’s off to Fort William. Here, you’ll hike Ben Nevis, United Kingdom’s tallest mountain at 4,406' elevation (optional). Up next is your 7-day, 79-mile trek along the Great Glen Way. It follows the Caledonian Canal, a ship canal built in the 1800s linking the east and west coasts of Scotland. Sometimes you’ll hike on historic tow paths next to the canal, other times high above it on ancient roads and forest tracks. Each night you’ll stay on a barge where a crew provides local/cultural/historical information and chef-prepared meals. You’ll end the adventure in Inverness and visit the Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns—both sites familiar to Outlander fans!
Iceland Trekking
July 20–31, 2019 Trip Leader: Bill Blazek
National Geographic named the Laugavegur Trail as one of the “20 Best Hikes in the World!” Come explore this amazing trek and include the Skógar extension, ending at the stunning 200-foot-high Skógafoss waterfall. Your 50-mile trek will start in Landmannalaugar, known for its multicolored rhyolite mountains and hot springs. The breathtaking scenery throughout the 7-day hike includes fields of obsidian, colorful mountains, black sands, geysers, glaciers, and glacial rivers. Spend your nights relaxing in mountain huts at beautiful remote locations including one at the foot of the glacier Eyjafjallajokull at the base of the volcano that erupted in 2010 and halted air traffic in Europe.
MORE TRIPS COMING SOON
Head to cmc.org/AdventureTravel to learn more about these trips and stay updated on future trips! Trail & Timberline 27
CMC instructors and trip leaders are the lifeblood of the Club—teaching our nearly 6,500 members and showing them new areas to explore. Photo by Valerie Hawks
Get Involved with the CMC Leadership Project Holly Barrass, Education Director
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e’re thrilled to announce the launch of the CMC Leadership Project in the fall of 2018. The CMC Leadership Project is a statewide program designed to invest in our volunteer trip leaders and school instructors and recognize them for all their hard work. Together, our leaders take our nearly 6,500 members on over 3,000 outings annually and teach over 3,200 members in our schools— creating a community of responsible outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado. The CMC wants to give back by providing opportunities for training and skill development to support and appreciate our volunteer leaders, while building capacity in the CMC. Our objectives in launching the CMC Leadership Project are the following: • Improve the Colorado Mountain Club’s capacity to provide high quality, consistent leader education that is aligned with industry standards • Provide volunteer instructors tangible value from CMC leader trainings, helping them feel supported and appreciated • Improve member retention by building volunteer leader capacity • Improve the local reputation of the CMC as a provider of high quality instructor training • Improve the risk management of CMC programs by improving instructor training • Increase communication and collaboration among CMC groups, thereby creating a more vibrant and cohesive community • Provide a tangible program for funders to invest in • Implement the UIAA Mountain Qualification Label (MQL) program in a cost-effective manner that is not administratively burdensome to staff or volunteer instructors • Ensure the tangible impacts of the UIAA MQL program are readily apparent to key stakeholders of the regional clubs (e.g. donors, volunteers, board members, and staff) 28
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The CMC Leadership Project will improve standardization and communication between CMC groups across Colorado. Photo by Valerie Hawks
The CMC Leadership Project will provide opportunities for our leaders to increase their own skills in areas such as ice climbing, fast and light alpinism, technical climbing, and more. Plus, we’ll be hosting annual leadership summits for our instructors and trip leaders, filled with clinics, guest speakers, gear demos, and more. If you’re not already a volunteer leader with the CMC, now is a great time to start! All in all, the CMC Leadership Project will help unite the CMC, bringing together leaders from across the state, and will standardize training, communication, and processes to better serve CMC members and all of Colorado. You can learn more about the CMC Leadership Project at cmc.org/ Classes/CMCLeadershipProject.aspx. ▲
PHOTO CONTEST LEAH ROSENTHAL @leahstacyrose Denver, CO Leah was born and raised in Aurora, but she hasn’t always been the outdoorsy person you see in her winning photo. After heading to Pittsburgh for school, Leah realized just how special Colorado’s beauty is and returned home to finish her degree at University of Colorado, Boulder. Upon returning to her home state, Leah ignited her love for nature through hiking and trail running in Boulder County. Her explorations of the Flatirons served as an introduction to the Fourteeners, and ultimately the CMC. She’s been a member since 2015 and has worked her way through Wilderness Trekking School, Basic Mountaineering School and, most recently, Alpine Scrambling School. Prior to Alpine Scrambling School Leah wasn’t super convinced of her scrambling ability, and had avoided some of the more technical Fourteeners. Leah’s winning shot shows her putting her newly honed scrambling skills to good use, negotiating the Southwest Ridge of Mount Sneffels with confidence. A lover of seclusion and solitude in nature, her favorite place to explore in Colorado is Chicago Basin in the San Juans. Leah’s #NoSummitTooSmall award winning shot—negotiating the Southwest Ridge of Mount Sneffels. Photo by Leah Rosenthal
KELLON SPENCER @kellon_spencer kellonspencerphotography.com Boulder, CO Kellon has been a Colorado resident for five years. Originally a flatlander, Kellon got his start in the outdoors through camping and exploring the woods of central Illinois. Wanting to blend his love for the outdoors into his work, Kellon took jobs at a climbing gym, then a mom-and-pop adventure company where he got the opportunity to travel to Fiji. He bought a Canon Rebel for the trip, and was immediately hooked on photographing his adventures. His submission to the #NoSummitTooSmall photo contest captures his girlfriend topping out on the third pass of the Four Pass Loop near Aspen. After a 13-mile day and a couple of hailstorms to push through, Kellon describes this moment as “bittersweet,” as they were tired, but able to soak in the beauty of the pass and the relief that their campsite wasn’t too much farther up the trail. Kellon’s favorite place to play in Colorado is Summit County, whether on his legs, on two wheels, or on belay.
Topping out on the third pass of Aspen’s Four Pass Loop—the #NoSummitTooSmall People’s Choice Award. Photo by Kellon Spencer
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CMC celebrated award winners at the 26th Annual Backcountry Bash. Photo by Terrence Wong
HIGHLIGHTING THE 2018 COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB AWARD WINNERS
T
he Colorado Mountain Club is proud to recognize and honor our members who are achieving great things in the world of the outdoors. CMC members serve as inspiring examples, both for the Club and the state of Colorado as a whole. In 2018, the CMC awarded our two highest awards, the Ellingwood and the Blaurock Awards, to two of our most passionate and engaged volunteers. In addition to these awards, the CMC recognized some of Colorado’s blossoming adventurers through the adidas TERREX Colorado Young Climber
Ellingwood “Golden Ice Axe” Award Awarded to a CMC member who best reflects the Colorado Mountain Club’s climbing ethics, demonstrates and teaches strong climbing skills, exemplifies leadership in positive manner, and pushes the boundaries of climbing accomplishments in Colorado and around the world.
Jes Meiris Jes Meiris is a Colorado native, and has had the honor of working with the CMC’s Advanced Rock Climbing Program (Pikes Peak Group) since 2013. Her fifteenyear career as a guide centers on multi-pitch climbing and technical peaks, with an emphasis on strong mentorship and client empowerment. Her philosophy promotes Photo courtesy of Jess Meiris not only quality climbing education and a sense of stewardship, but also powerful decisionmaking, confidence, and other lifelong skills. Jes works all over the US, including in four national parks, is a Warrior’s Way® mental commitment trainer, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, and co-founder of the Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance. Pushing the limits for women in the industry, her record-breaking rock climbs and public speaking events have raised thousands of dollars for various nonprofits, and her primary commitment in life is to make a positive community impact for every action {
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of the Year Award and the CAMP U.S.A. Aspiring Mountaineer of the Year Award. All nominations were reviewed by the CMC Awards Committee before selecting the winners from an impressive pool. The 2018 award winners were announced and recognized at the 26th Annual Backcountry Bash. The event was held in Denver in November, drawing hundreds of CMC members and friends. In addition to celebrating the CMC award winners, the Club recognized 14er and centennial completers.
that she takes. Currently based in Colorado Springs, Jes will continue to guide part-time while training for a new career as a helicopter pilot. Blaurock “Silver Piton” Volunteer of the Year Award Awarded to a CMC member who serves as a positive and inspirational example of volunteerism, investing a substantial amount of volunteer effort in Colorado Mountain Club activities which result cumulatively in a significant improvement to the Club.
Linda Lawson Linda Lawson has been a member of the Colorado Mountain Club’s Denver group since 2000, and has been a dedicated volunteer and leader ever since. Linda’s dedication and involvement in the Club is unmatched—not only was she the first two-year Chair of the Denver Chapter, Linda also served on the Colorado Mountain Club’s Photo courtesy of Linda Lawson Board of Directors for several terms. While going out and recreating on the state’s great trails is a passion for Linda, it is second only to her commitment to serving and educating CMC members and Coloradans on how to learn the skills necessary to safely navigate in the backcountry. Integral to the Club’s {
Safety and Leadership Committee, Linda continues to help the Club navigate its educational landscape while mentoring the next generation of leaders for the Club. Gudy Gaskill Award Awarded annually to a female CMC member who serves as a positive and inspirational example of volunteerism, investing a substantial amount of volunteer effort in Colorado Mountain Club activities which result cumulatively in a significant improvement to the Club.
Bea Slingsby Bea is a 40+ year member of the CMC, and has served and chaired countless committees, most notably the Adventure Travel Committee. Bea is a longtime trip leader in the Club and has led the secondmost Adventure Travel trips of any living or active leader, at 28 trips. Bea successfully integrated the expedition programming of the Photo courtesy of Bea Slingsby former High Altitude Mountaineering Section (HAMS) into the overall AT program. Additionally, Bea is a longtime conservation activist in the Club and still can be counted on to send letters on the relevant issues of the day that affect Club activities. Little known to most, Bea also worked in the CMC office in the late 1970s. Bea has climbed nearly everything there is to climb in Colorado, while passing on to younger hikers and climbers her vast knowledge and enthusiasm. Even now, in her 80s, she continues an aggressive schedule of participating in and leading trips. CAMP Aspiring Mountaineer Award
son assisted with a HAMS grad climb up the Adams Glacier route on Mt. Adams. Her attitude and skills on that trip led her to being invited to be a senior HAMS instructor for the upcoming class. In CMC’s High Altitude Mountaineering School, Allison’s attention to team dynamics and safety are an added asset on the mountain and she continues to Photo courtesy of Allison Franz expand her knowledge and training in efforts to be more competent and safer in the mountains. She shares what she knows and leads by example. {
adidas TERREX Young Colorado Mountain Club Climber of the Year Awarded to both a male and a female student or participant in the Colorado Mountain Club Youth Education Program, 18 years or younger, who has demonstrated exceptional skill and character in the fields of indoor or outdoor rock climbing, or ice climbing, and has displayed good climbing ethics, enthusiasm, and willingness to grow in the field.
Riley Ruff—female winner Riley was exposed to the wonderful world of outdoor climbing through YEP’s Advanced Climbing Camp. As part of the camp, Riley learned the ins and outs of multi-pitch climbing in Eldorado Canyon. The camp was Riley’s first time climbing outside, even though she had been gym climbing for almost four years. Riley says that the skills Photo courtesy of Riley Ruff she learned and the confidence she gained from the camp have made her a better climber and gave her a feeling of accomplishing something new. As she climbed up four pitches and then rappelled down, she vividly remembers looking up at the instructor and saying, “I love this.” Riley now gives her time as a volunteer helping other students in CMC’s YEP program, mentoring them and helping them achieve that same sense of awe that she discovered through CMC. {
Awarded to both a young male and a female resident of Colorado who, in their significant mountaineering accomplishments, have demonstrated a high level of technical ability, safety, and perseverance climbing in Colorado or around the world.
Sterling Boin—male winner Sterling seeks to ski and climb the lines that inspire, while having fun and being safe. Sterling is dedicated to the sport of climbing and ski mountaineering with climbs and accomplishments throughout the United States and South America. In the next ten years Sterling has a goal of taking his ski mountaineering to the professional level. Sterling believes that he has a duty to Photo courtesy of Sterling Boin the environment, other people, and his climbing partners. Working for the American Alpine Club gives him the opportunity to both support climbers all over the US while supporting his personal climbing objectives. {
Allison Franz—female winner Allison has completed climbs of Orizaba, several peaks in Bolivia, and Mount Rainier, including multiple ascents of Colorado couloirs and peaks. Alli-
Ian Welker—male winner Ian participated in Colorado Mountain Club’s climbing classes and clinics and excelled in his discipline. Now being coached at Movement, Denver, Ian continues to work on his climbing skills and is quickly becoming a strong all-around climber. Ian says that the YEP instructors helped him get past his fear of failure and brought Photo courtesy of Pam Welker his passion for climbing to a new level. Through CMC’s classes and camps, Ian learned that climbing isn’t just about getting to the top, it’s about what you do to get there. Ian exemplifies good climbing practices and uses his newly acquired knowledge to improve his mental and physical skills in the climbing arena. ▲ {
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the fourteener files “It’s possible to finish all the 14ers, even at age 74.” —Kent Drummond “The mountains are my happy place. They will always be there, so never rush to reach the top, but be grateful for every step along the way. Be free and enjoy the outdoors.” —Tiffany Miller “I had open-heart surgery for the second time in 2015, which ended my sixteen-year military career in the Army Medical Department and could have stopped my 14er journey at around twenty summits. However, six months after the surgery, my wife climbed her first 14er with me and I was back on track with my mind on the future and not the past. The 14ers helped me to heal and stay strong, and they showed my family that I was still alive and well. Tears came into my eyes on Capitol Peak (a summit I didn’t think I would do a while back), and we made it to Chicago Basin despite the train not dropping us off. I had perfect weather almost every time out since my heart surgery, and the occasional moun-
The Fourteeners List
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tain goat encounter—all of this helped to encourage me along the way. Finishing with my spouse in early autumn (my favorite season) was the perfect finish to a great adventure story, and I’m excited for whatever comes next.” —Travis Sloane “My wife, Carol, and I began climbing the 14ers together in 1984. This August, exactly thirty-four years later, we completed the ‘Grand Slam,’ climbing all of Colorado’s 14ers together.” —Greg Onofrio
sion of completion for the 14ers is actually a submittal for the completion of my second round-trip of all the 14ers. My first completion date was September 25, 1999, also on Challenger! I will continue to venture into the mountains, climbing and hiking and experiencing the beautiful and awesome nature that Colorado has to offer!” —Dan Erickson
“By far, my most unforgettable and most rewarding accomplishment. I love the rugged and pristine beauty of the Colorado mountains and the feeling that you can only experience on top of a summit.” —Rachel Seccia
“Climbing the 14ers has made me grow as a person and has taught me many valuable lessons: perseverance, patience, and humility, to name a few. I may have stood atop each of them for a transient moment but I did not conquer them—they will be here for thousands of years after I am gone. They deserve much respect. I feel so grateful to have these experiences that will be strong memories for the rest of my life.” —Sean Supple
“Climbing the 14ers for over twenty-five years has given me a great appreciation for our great state and has provided a geographic and historical education of Colorado that I didn’t have as I did not grow up here. This submis-
“Go within or go without. These mountain treasures provide abundant opportunity for growth and connection. We are just lucky enough to dance among them.” —Mandy Miller ▲
Those who reported completion of Colorado’s Fourteeners in 2018
No.
Name
First Peak
Date
Last Peak
Date
1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827
Mike Bain Rev. William A. Fisher Zhiyong Lu Matthew “The Legend” Morine Andrew J. Prunty Steve Chappell Aidan Goldie Doug Hodous Joseph Barton DeMoor Mark Wilson Kent Drummond Todd Bublitz Dan Erickson Mark Kennedy Bob Drage Bobby Fuller Barbara Skopec Patricia Perry
Mount Bierstadt Longs Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Bierstadt Pikes Peak Longs Peak Longs Peak Mount of the Holy Cross Mount Princeton Longs Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Bierstadt Mount Princeton Pikes Peak Longs Peak Grays Peak Longs Peak Pikes Peak
11/17/12 8/19/00 5/19/12 5/28/10 11/20/12 8/1/96 7/14/12 8/1/73 7/31/96 6/15/66 7/14/74 7/16/97 7/20/90 6/5/94 8/25/62 7/14/01 8/12/92 9/10/16
Mount Wilson Mount Bierstadt Windom Peak Mount Wilson Pyramid Peak North Maroon Peak Capitol Peak Challenger Point Snowmass Mountain Snowmass Mountain North Maroon Peak Blanca Peak Challenger Wilson Peak Snowmass Peak Mount Wilson Crestone Mount Bierstadt
9/16/17 9/2/17 10/21/17 8/18/15 5/28/16 8/5/17 8/13/18 7/3/03 6/17/17 9/12/17 7/15/16 9/21/17 8/20/17 9/16/97 8/16/06 9/21/15 7/3/96 5/26/18
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1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886
Travis Terrell Alan Bridges Tiffany Rose Miller Tom Renaud Clay Caldwell Laura M Clark Steven M. Kremer Ali Oren Carol Onofrio Greg Onofrio Max Frejlich Mark Jefferson Isaac Borrego Kenichi Kumada Dana Marie Lucero Kay Yeager Adam Stableford Jarred Carr Melanie Shaffer Nick Saladin Megan Rieger Rachel M Seccia Travis R. Slone Doug Redosh Olivia Mannino Daniel Bortz Brian Yohn Wayne Paugh Matthew Williams Diana Williams Andrade Patrick Webber Ray Schindler Caleb Thompson Meredith Stewart Brandon Daun Mike Mackay Betty Bates McCord Sean Supple Sandra Gonzales-Madrid Rose Angry Morgan Graham Ryan Benji Leonard Gadberry Eli Boardman Mark Milburn Ty Fluth Davis Woodward Lawrence M. Wilson Timo Jenny Meyer Jeffrey Ladderud Kent Loar Joe Wright Mandy Miller Jim Karuzas John Manner Joel Quevillon Staci Quevillon Lise Cotter Muzny
Mount Shavano Humboldt Peak Pikes Peak Longs Peak Pikes Peak Mount Evans Mount Sherman Humboldt Peak Mount Sherman Longs Peak Pikes Peak Wilson Peak Mount Elbert Quandary Peak Mount Elbert Pikes Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Princeton Mount Antero Unknown Mount Bierstadt Grays Peak Mount Elbert Mount Sherman Longs Peak Mount Sneffels Grays Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Yale Mount Sneffels Mount Sherman Longs Peak Mount Sherman Culebra Peak Mount Bierstadt Quandary Peak Torreys Peak Grays Peak Quandary Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Bierstadt Mount Bierstadt Quandary Peak Quandary Peak Grays & Torreys Peaks Mount Elbert Longs Peak Pikes Peak Mount Sneffels Mount of the Holy Cross Quandary Peak Pikes Peak Longs Peak Mount Bierstadt Mount Lincoln Mount Democrat Handies Peak Uncompahgre Peak Mount Sneffels
7/15/09 9/5/81 7/22/14 8/3/07 10/12/13 6/9/18 7/4/07 5/27/13 8/4/84 8/8/77 8/7/18 9/8/94 7/23/09 8/6/11 9/1/90 7/21/06 9/8/15 7/3/16 7/4/07 8/9/13 7/4/09 7/6/08 9/14/13 8/1/81 7/24/13 5/18/13 8/6/11 8/19/10 8/5/87 8/16/09 7/20/93 7/30/98 8/3/12 8/1/98 7/15/08 8/8/98 7/14/78 8/5/11 7/21/13 7/15/17 9/18/16 6/20/16 7/25/15 12/28/15 8/12/02 6/5/10 8/5/11 7/24/90 5/30/15 9/29/10 8/31/13 7/1/06 7/1/95 8/6/05 8/1/65 9/13/08 10/1/99 7/5/08 8/1/68
North Maroon Culebra Peak Crestone Needle El Diente Handies Peak Mount Sherman North Maroon Longs Peak (Cables Route) Crestone Peak Crestone Peak Pikes Peak Mount Wilson Longs Peak Windom Peak Missouri Mountain Capitol Peak Mount Wilson Mount Wilson Handies Peak Pikes Peak Mount Elbert Little Bear San Luis Peak Pikes Peak Mount Eolus Huron Peak Wilson Peak Capitol Peak Mount Harvard Mount Harvard Maroon Peak Mount Wilson Longs Peak Wetterhorn Peak Little Bear Peak Maroon Bells Mount Evans Wilson Peak Snowmass (S. Ridge) Mount Evans Mount Princeton Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Mount Elbert Maroon Peak Crestone Needle Mount Massive Sunlight Peak Little Bear Peak Longs Peak Mount Sneffels Handies Peak Uncompahgre Peak Mount Eolus Culebra Peak Mount Wilson Wilson Peak Wilson Peak Mount Antero
6/24/18 5/19/18 7/1/18 7/19/18 7/28/18 7/28/18 7/21/18 7/29/18 8/4/18 8/4/18 8/7/92 8/7/18 8/16/18 8/18/18 8/18/18 8/7/18 8/18/18 8/18/18 8/17/18 8/25/18 7/14/18 8/21/18 9/1/18 8/17/18 8/31/18 9/1/18 9/5/18 9/4/18 9/8/18 9/8/18 9/8/18 9/2/18 9/9/18 9/1/18 9/10/18 8/20/18 9/9/89 9/16/18 9/9/18 9/8/18 8/25/18 9/20/18 9/15/18 8/9/18 9/15/12 8/26/17 9/15/18 9/14/18 9/23/18 8/26/18 9/30/18 9/29/18 10/4/18 9/28/18 8/13/89 9/29/18 9/22/18 9/22/18 9/7/18
Have you completed the Colorado 14ers, 13ers, or any of the CO Hundred Milestones (Highest 100, 200, etc.)? Submit your name to the Colorado Mountain Club by September 1 to be recognized in the official records and be published in next year’s issue of Trail & Timberline. Visit www.cmc.org/14erFiles and submit your name today!
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Beyond the Fourteeners 100 Highest Peaks
No.
200 Highest Peaks
No.
300 Highest Peaks
No.
400 Highest Peaks
No. 40
Kevin Baker
600 Highest Peaks
No.
All Thirteeners
Name
Final Peak
Date
Name
Final Peak
Date
Name
Final Peak
Date
Name
Final Peak
Date
37
Name
Kevin Baker
Final Peak
Date
No.
Name
Final Peak
Date
Name
Final Peak
Date
266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 84 85 86 87 88 89 48
37
Michael Conklin Helen Carlsen Chad Pranger Ryan Richardson Matt Payne Kurt Tagliareni Beth Ramey Tagliareni Ricky Carr Stephen Mueller Robert Kelleher Mike Bromberg Kevin Baker William Young Preston Dennis Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker
Jagged Mountain Red Mountain A Mount Oklahoma Jagged Mountain Thunder Pyramid Jagged Mountain Jagged Mountain Teakettle Mountain Peak 15 Mt. Powell Coxcomb Peak Peak 15 Peak 15 "T 0" V10 V10
Fairview Peak Fairview Peak
8/25/14 6/1/18 8/23/18 8/24/18 9/1/18 9/8/18 9/8/18 9/22/18 9/2/17 6/23/18 8/12/18 8/26/18 9/11/18 9/13/18 9/2/18 9/2/18 9/22/18 9/22/18
Beyond the Thirteeners 700 Highest Peaks
34
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No. 38
Roger Linfield
South Peak
7/31/18
[Opposing Page] Looking out across the San Juans. [Top Left] Looking toward Conundrum Peak from the summit of Castle Peak. [Top Right] Mount Sneffels dominates the landscape from afar. [Bottom] A popular 13er, Gannett Peak, enjoys some pink alpenglow in the early morning sun. All Photos by Jeff Golden
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A “No Barriers” ascent to the summit of Mt. Bierstadt By Jeff Golden
I
n many ways, Nerissa Cannon tackled the ascent of her first 14,000-foot peak just like anyone else. She focused on the ground immediately in front of her. She broke the mountain down into bite-sized chunks. She aimed for the next rock, the next stream, the next bend in the trail. She went slow. She went steady. She paused often to catch her breath. She overcame the doubt reverberating in her mind that the whole attempt was a mistake, that she’d never make the top. These mental gymnastics are common for anyone undertaking a long and difficult climb. Cannon, however, faced an additional challenge that the hundreds of other peakbaggers hiking Mt. Bierstadt on Sunday, Sept. 16 did not. She was in a wheelchair. “Generally, people were just flabbergasted. They didn’t really know what to think,” said Connor Koch, who helped organize the trip through the nonprofit organization No Barriers. “It was a pretty wild scene, for sure, on a 14er.” Cannon, 29, suffers from an undiagnosed degenerative condition that affects her mobility and causes chronic pain. It’s gotten steadily worse over the five years since she first noticed symptoms, and she now relies on a wheelchair to get around. A lifelong lover of the outdoors and human-powered adventure, Cannon understandably went through dark days as her condition deteriorated. She doesn’t hold back when stating how much No Barriers meant to her when she was introduced to the organization at an event at Copper Mountain in 2016, after more than two years of mental anguish following her unclear diagnosis. “No Barriers was lifesaving for me,” Cannon said. “It restored so much of who I thought I’d lost.” No Barriers delivers transformative life experiences to all sorts of people, including those with disabilities. The nonprofit hosts many nationwide events every year, from adaptive outdoor trips to classroom lectures that equip participants to lead complete and fulfilling lives, no matter the obstacles. Still, a hike of Mt. Bierstadt went above and beyond the organization’s normal scope. “In terms of getting someone with this type of mobility issue to the top of a Colorado 14er, it’s definitely a unique one for us,” Koch said. The idea was born when Cannon saw an Instagram contest with a grand prize that included a guided climb of Grays Peak. She didn’t win, but with two and a half years of wheelchair hiking experience under her belt, Cannon heard the siren song that calls to anyone who harbors an affinity for Colorado’s mountains. She wanted to summit a 38
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After an arduous ascent, it was all smiles on the summit for Cannon and her support crew. Photo by Sean Lee
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14er. She discussed the idea with Koch at a No Barriers event in Estes Park in August 2018, and the informal conversation rapidly assumed a life of its own. The pair initially discussed mountains with paved highways or easier trails for a wheelchair, such as Pikes Peak. Cannon decided early that she wanted more of a wilderness experience, away from the asphalt and motorized tourists. When she looked out from the summit, she wanted to see the rapturous beauty of the alpine, not a souvenir shop famous for fresh-baked donuts and T-shirts with John Muir quotes printed on them. “I didn’t want to choose the easy road. I wanted to choose the one that would give me a better experience,” Cannon said. With the goal set, they began the process of recruiting a team. Many hands would be needed to help Cannon negotiate the rocky terrain, even with a specially designed Wilderness Act-approved wheelchair that incorporates mountain bike components for off-road travel. The response was staggering and instantaneous. Among the attendees were Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest; Colorado Mountain Club Executive Director Keegan Young; a crew of staffers from the Arc’teryx Denver store; and volunteers from No Barriers. Without a confirmed diagnosis, Cannon never had the benefit of a dedicated support group as she learned to live with her condition. Having all those strangers show up in the predawn chill to share her quest was an emotional moment. “Seeing those twenty-seven people show up in the dark, most of whom I didn’t even know, and I’m asking them to tow me up a mountain? That was very overwhelming,” she said.
time to get warmed up, outline a communication plan, and dial in the maneuvers they’d use throughout the climb. Far from simply being pulled and carried up the mountain, Cannon completed as much of the ascent as possible under her own power. The initial test came about a half-mile from the parking lot, where the trail crosses Scott Gomer Creek. It was still before dawn, and the party had to negotiate the slick rocks by headlamp. Using a carry system that placed two people at the front of the wheelchair, two people behind, and a fifth calling out directions, they reached the far bank without incident. For the first time that morning, as first light painted the horizon in watercolor hues of purple and orange, Cannon allowed herself to believe she actually had a chance. “I have to say, that was probably the prettiest sunrise I’ve ever seen,” she said. The crew worked into a rhythm. Safety was paramount, both for Cannon and for her teammates. She worried more about their well-being than her own. They charged interminably upward, following the twists and turns of the steep and rocky path. Recent trail improvements included adding steps to some sections, which is great for traditional hiking but an added challenge in a wheelchair. The two-dozen volunteers rotated in and out, ensuring fresh legs as much as possible. The pace was slow, the breaks frequent. The increasing likelihood of success, coupled with the soul-affirming views of Sawtooth Ridge and the rest of the sprawling Mt. Evans Wilderness, kept the vibe optimistic. Everyone understood that the final 500 feet would be the most difficult. The maintained trail more or less peters out, weaving from oversized cairn to oversized cairn before completely disappearing into an abyss of refrigerator-sized boulders. The wheelchair could go no farther. Here’s where the team revealed its secret weapon. Braden Wahr, a 31-year-old climbing coach at Earth Treks climbing center in Golden, volunteered to provide a high-altitude piggyback ride. Cannon graciously accepted, putting her summit hopes in the hands of the Colorado native who began climbing at the age of seven and has since summited all of the 14ers multiple times. “To have someone willing to accept that burden was incredibly humbling,” she said. What followed was a performance that left many of the other team members, many of whom had climbed around the world and in the Himalaya, in absolute awe. Wahr charged upward, seemingly impervious to the ripping wind, biting cold, or the fellow mountaineer on his back. He took her all the way to the summit on his own, only stopping a couple times to rest and catch his breath. “It just felt awesome for her to be able to experience that; it was an honor to particiNerissa and her support crew negotiate the tricky ascent of Mount Bierstadt. Photo by Sean Lee pate,” Wahr said. “You don’t get to be somebody’s legs every day.” Cannon, who previously lived in Colorado but now resides in Cedar Word had spread up and down the mountain of Cannon’s ascent, City, Utah, immediately felt the effects of altitude at the 11,700-foot and the welcoming party that awaited on the summit was straight out trailhead. The route up Mt. Bierstadt begins with a mild downhill of the final scene of a Hollywood blockbuster. Dozens of fellow peakfrom the parking lot, followed by a largely flat section on a wooden baggers formed a human tunnel with their arms. Cheers echoed down boardwalk through a marsh overrun by willows. The team used this through the valleys. A handful of people recorded the moment on their 40
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cell phones, and some of the viral footage would eventually make its way to an international audience. It was a beautiful Sunday near the top of Colorado, and emotions ran high as the team embraced the sanctity of the moment. The wind had abated. Strong sunlight drove away the cold. Clear views stretched all the way to the horizon. A true climber, Cannon only briefly allowed herself to experience the flood of joy before turning her attention to the logistics of a safe retreat. “All I could think was, ‘We still have to get back down,’” she said. “The summit’s the best view, but the true test is being able to get down.” Luckily, Wahr was only getting warmed up. He again took Cannon on his back for the descent. When they reached the area where they’d left the wheelchair, he simply kept going. She seemed to enjoy the freedom of movement more than the taxing effort of maneuvering the chair, he said, and the piggyback ride was a faster option as the party raced the risk of afternoon thunderstorms inherent to mountaineering in Colorado. “He got into some kind of groove. I don’t know, some kind of second wind. He was just rocking. We actually had to stop and wait for the chair to catch up to us at a certain point,” Cannon said. Eventually she did request to return to her wheelchair, honoring her commitment to complete as much of the hike as possible under her own power. For many peakbaggers, the descent is much faster than the climb. Maneuvering the chair safely, however, took equally as long going down. The party still faced another five hours on the mountain. With the glory of the summit behind them, plus aching muscles and exhausted minds, it was up to the leaders to take charge and ensure the team remained functioning. Cannon was one of them. Despite her increasing fatigue, she kept her composure as she methodically worked her way down the trail. “That, to me, was more impressive than the summit itself,” Koch said. The long, grueling hike had gradually whittled away at the size of the party. Six volunteers remained for the final part of the descent. Unable to continue working in shifts, those few put forth a superhuman effort in ensuring Cannon returned to the trailhead without incident. “They stepped up—they really went above and beyond because they knew there was no one else to rotate out,” Cannon said. “We supported each other through that, and you bond really quickly in that kind of situation. They were really inspiring. They really brought it at that point.” Achieving her goal of summiting a 14er has left an indelible mark on Cannon. She says she’ll never forget the views from the summit, the personal strength she found within herself, or the kindness of the strangers who helped her. “The credit really goes to the team. I was just there, another team member. We all got to the top together,” she said. The question of what’s next is a difficult one for people who have just accomplished a major achievement. Some feel lost, struggling to fill the void left by completing something that had driven them for weeks, months, or years. Others skip the afterglow and rush right into the next all-consuming project. Cannon sagely treads the middle path. For now, she’s simply enjoying being in the mountains as often as possible. Bigger plans simmer on the back burner. She’s chewing on the idea of a cross-country roll in 2020, and her speech noticeably quickens with excitement when she mentions the possibility of attempting the 812-mile Hayduke Trail in her backyard of southern Utah. She’s equally enthusiastic about the prospect of paying it forward. She plans to remain involved with No Barriers and other likeminded
[Top] Braden Wahr powers through the final scramble to the summit with Cannon on his back. Photo by Sean Lee [Bottom] Cannon soaking in the sights of the Continental Divide on the summit of Bierstadt—mission accomplished. Photo by Sean Lee
organizations, continuing her personal growth while serving as a mentor for others who are overcoming similar disabilities. “I’d love to take that difficult road with other people who are interested,” Cannon said. Between 35,000 and 40,000 people a year attempt Mt. Bierstadt, according to the Colorado Fourteener Initiative’s 2017 data. Very few of them have to surmount a barrier as challenging as Cannon’s. Every hiker who reaches the mountain’s summit earns a life-altering view that invites reflection and the adrenaline surge of accomplishment, and lessons garnered in the mountains have the powerful tendency of trickling over into the real world. For Cannon, it was all that and more. “The underlying thing that I learned is that you have to keep moving forward. Whether you’re on a mountain, or whether you’re just trying to figure out how to pay the bills, you have to keep moving forward. Only through that action do you make discoveries and changes,” she said. ▲ Trail & Timberline 41
GEAR REVIEW
Cassin X-Dream Ice Tool By Lindsay Hastings
Geared up and ready to go! The X-Dreams are light enough to piggy-back to the ice without weighing you down. Photo by Lindsay Hastings
W
ith winter in full swing, it’s time to bust out those boots, crampons, and ice axes that have been hanging in the gear room all summer. Whether your goals this winter are in ice, mixed, or alpine climbing, the outcome of your trip often relies on the gear inside (or strapped to the outside) of your pack. If you are looking to up your game in any or all types of climbing this winter, then the X-Dreams from Cassin are a must-have to make those climbing dreams come true. The Cassin X-Dream tools are easily the most customizable piece of alpine equipment that I have ever had the pleasure of using, and as a competitive ice climber, this is really important for me. The X-Dreams are equally at home climbing up steep waterfall ice as they are in helping you power through your overhung mixed project. With just a few quick adjustments on the tools, they are ready for anything that you can throw at them (or throw them at). Just about every aspect of these tools can be modified to suit your individual needs. Cassin 42
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makes four easily interchangeable picks that are optimized for ice climbing, competition climbing, and dry tooling. The Ice and Mixte picks are perfect for helping you send
your next outdoor project, while the Race and Total Dry picks can go toe-to-toe with any other picks on the competition scene. The distribution of the weight in these
Prepping the X-Dreams for a day on the ice. Photo by Lindsay Hastings
The Cassin X-Dream tools are easily the most customizable piece of alpine equipment that I have ever had the pleasure of using.
it needs to be, and padded in all the right places for those long alpine routes. One of my favorite features of the X-Dreams is the ergonomic handle design, which is deep enough to prevent banging your knuckles on the ice all day. Cassin undoubtedly understands the needs of climbers, and these tools are a testament to their mountain heritage. From the countless options for customization, to the many comfort measures for long days in the harness, the X-Dreams are the do-it-all tool that should be in every climber’s arsenal.
Whether your vertical goals this winter are in ice, mixed, alpine, or maybe a little of everything, the Cassin X-Dreams have everything you need to take your climbing to the next level. ▲ Lindsay is a CMC member and a competitive ice climber. She picked up the sport recently after heading to Ouray with some old gear and getting hooked. Lindsay immediately proved her prowess on the ice, earning her a spot to compete at the 2019 Ice Climbing World Championships in Denver, February 23–24.
tools—with the light aluminum shaft and the heavier steel head—is such that they are just as easy to swing hard into tough ice as they are to place gently onto a delicate dry tool hold. You can also add additional weights to the head of the X-Dreams, which adds just the right amount of weight to make every swing stick. An interchangeable finger trigger ledge can easily be added so that you can dial in the perfect fit for your hand on the grip. There is also a sliding “rest” piece on the shaft that allows for an extended reach in the second position, or can be moved further up the shaft to create a third hand position so that it is secure to hold regardless of what the tools are hanging on. Best of all, the grip can be pivoted up to 12 degrees to adjust for steeper dry-tool routes or lower-angle ice routes. But aside from all the flashy tech specs, these tools are a simply a pleasure to use. The handle of the X-Dreams has a comfortable handle design with the grip firm where
The Cassin X-Dream in all its glory. Photo by Lindsay Hastings
Putting the X-Dreams to use as intended—stuck deep into the ice. Photo by Aaron Lovato
Trail & Timberline 43
End of the Trail
Carolyn Cohen ▶ 1933–2018 Carolyn Christy Campbell Cohen passed away September 1, 2018, in Boulder, Colorado. She was 84 years old. She was born in 1933 in Fuzhou, China, to Dr. Horace Emerson Campbell and Mary Katherine King Campbell. Carolyn left China in 1937 during the Sino-Japanese War and lived in Oberlin, Ohio, from 1939 to 1940 while her father remained in China moving hospital equipment to safety, later leaving China via the Burma Road and French Indochina. Her family settled in Carolyn Cohen Denver, where she attended Colorado public schools and graduated from East High School in 1951. She graduated with a degree in English and French from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, in 1955, a member of the Cardinal Key National Honor Society and a writer for the Doane Owl, Nebraska’s oldest college newspaper. She worked for the Colorado State Civil Service Commission at the Colorado State House from 1955 to 1956. She served at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, and in the US Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, from 1956 to 1958. She taught English and French at Fairview High School in Boulder from 1960 to 1963 and was the founder of the French department. She also worked as a summer counselor at Cheley Camp in Estes Park, leading 12-year-old campers up Long’s Peak. In 1963, she married Dr. Robert Cohen, a physicist and electrical engineer whose career accomplishments included research on the ionosphere in South America and pioneering work to launch federal renewable energy programs in the early 1970s at the National Science Foundation and subsequently the US Department of Energy. She moved with her husband to Lima, Peru, in 1963, returning to Boulder in 1965. She earned an M.A. in English from the UC-Boulder in 1965, completing a thesis on Willa Cather’s writings, in keeping with her family’s Nebraska roots. A son, Clark Emerson Cohen, was born in Peru 1964 and a daughter, Clara King Cohen, in Boulder in 1966. She lived with her family in Washington, DC, from 1973 to 1990. She continued her teaching career, substitute teaching high school English and French in the Maryland public schools and teaching elementary school French from 1976 to 1978. She then worked in data bank management for the National Institute of Mental Health and as managing editor of a published index to the 44
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Code of Federal Regulations. She and her husband retired in 1990 to their home in Sunshine Canyon, Boulder. She led an active civic life, much of it devoted to the development of young people. She taught Sunday school in the Congregational Church of Denver, was a discussion leader for the Junior Great Books program, sponsored YWCA Y-teens groups, and tutored children of immigrants at the Family Learning Center in Boulder. She also volunteered for the Boulder Chapter of the League of Women Voters, chairing the China study committee, leading discussion groups, and conducting research for national studies on the electoral college system and foreign aid. She greatly enjoyed literature and was a member of several Boulder book clubs. She especially enjoyed reading about Chinese history and had a lifelong passion for Chinese ceramics, inspired by the Sung dynasty rice bowls gathered by her father from ancient kilns around Fuzhou, now in the collections of Harvard University and the University of Denver. Denver potter Mark Zamantakis was among her friends. She returned to Fuzhou and the hill station of Kuliang in the early 1980s with other children of other missionary families. A lifelong hiker and climber, Carolyn summited many of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and was a member of the Colorado Mountain Club since 1950. She later hiked with the Boulder Tuesday Hikers. She edited, and contributed articles on mountaineering to Trail & Timberline from 1960 to 1962. She is survived by a son, Clark Emerson Cohen, and a daughter, Clara King Cohen, both of Washington, DC; two nephews, James Lamar Bowen and Benjamin Eubanks Bowen; and three grandchildren.
Sharon Hale ▶ 1961–2017 Sharon Hale passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 23, 2017. She was 56 years old. Sharon lived life to the fullest in her love of Colorado, wilderness, outdoor adventure, travel, and animals. As an Air Force nurse, she bracketed her twenty-one years of service with first and last assignments at the US Air Force Academy; and, after retiring from the military in 2004, she remained in Colorado Springs, working as a float
Sharon Hale
nurse and playing outdoors. She spent her free time day hiking with her beloved border collies, Sophie and Finn, backpacking and canyoneering with her son, Matt, and three brothers (Lost Creek Wilderness, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, Chicago Basin, Capitol Lake, Wyoming’s Wind Rivers, and Utah’s San Rafael Swell), and climbing more than forty Colorado fourteeners. She traveled to Alaska to visit Denali National Park, to Argentina for a trek to the 1972 Uruguayan plane crash site, to Mexico for climbs of the volcanoes La Malinche, Nevado de Toluca, and Iztaccihuatl, to Tanzania for an ascent of Kilimanjaro and for safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Wildlife Parks, and to Belize for hiking and eco-touring. Sharon was a passionate supporter of animal rescue, wildlife, and environmentalist causes. Sharon was an active member of the CMC (Pikes Peak Group) for nearly fifteen years. She participated in many Club trips and attended many social events and presentations. For Sharon, the most rewarding aspect of her CMC involvement was her instructor role in the Pikes Peak Group’s and Denver Group’s Wilderness First Aid Schools. As a medical professional and as an outdoorsperson, she enthusiastically embraced opportunities to enhance her students’ first aid skills and emotional preparedness for wilderness emergencies. The WFA organizers, co-instructors, and students lauded Sharon’s medical skills and effective teaching style, as well as her ability to bring out the best in the students when they were confronted with new and challenging situations. Sharon is greatly missed by her human and canine family, and by her CMC friends and colleagues. Her memory can be best honored by participating in CMC activities, recycling disposables, loving pets, and supporting conservation, environmental, and wildlife causes.
Miriam Elizabeth (Sally) Ross ▶ 1929–2017 Miriam Elizabeth Ross was born to Margaret Owen Ross and Stanley Graham Ross on April 15, 1929, in Rawlins, Wyoming, and succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 89. Although her given name was Miriam, most people knew her as Sally, a nickname given to her by her father. She was the eldest of three children. Her brother, Stanley Owen Ross, preceded her in death in 2017 and she is survived by her baby sister, Mary Jane Ross Daniels, and nieces and nephews whom she consid- Miriam Elizabeth (Sally) Ross ered to be her children. Sally completed her early education through high school in Rawlins,
Wyoming. While still in high school, Sally worked as a telephone operator to earn money for a college education. She graduated from Cornell College of Ames, Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree and pursued a career in journalism. She worked in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico at local and regional newspapers and publications. While living and working at the New Mexican in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the author Tony Hillerman was her editor and she met Georgia O’Keefe while sitting next to her at a cocktail party. She had a fine appreciation for the art community in Santa Fe and collected several pieces while she lived there. She aspired to return to Santa Fe at some point later in her life. Wanting to make a difference in the lives of children, Sally returned to college and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. She moved to Colorado and taught second and third grade in Arvada. After teaching elementary school for several years, Sally again returned to college at Loretto Heights College in Denver to get a middle school teaching certificate. She taught middle school students for two years and then retired from teaching. During Sally’s teaching years she found a lifelong friend in fellow teacher Billy Miller. A desire to keep busy and return to journalism sent Sally to the Colorado Mountain Club, where she had been a member since the early 1970s. She was hired as editor of Trail & Timberline, as event scheduler and coordinator and writer. She was an avid walker and hiker and particularly enjoyed outings on Mt. Evans. She worked for the CMC for about ten years before fully retiring from the workforce. Sally considered herself a “strong Democrat” and served as a volunteer for the Democratic Party during elections. She loved animals and adopted many dogs and cats over the years and also supported the Spay Neuter Feral Cat project in Arvada. Sally enjoyed Rockies baseball, reading, listening to jazz, growing flowers and vegetables, as well as photography and creative projects. She always had something to look forward to, whether it was a trip, joining a group, trying a new recipe, writing a story or poem, playing Pinochle or Bocce Ball, or visiting family. Although she had macular degeneration and low vision, she enjoyed life to the fullest. She was most proud of being a good listener and friend to everyone and Sally’s favorite career was writing and editing for small-town newspapers. Her latest writing assignments were articles for the Village Post for Covenant Village in Westminster, Colorado, where she resided until her death. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Arvada and was a twenty-year sponsor of her adopted family of Kim Diep and her son and Kim’s father Hoa Ngo, whom she considered family. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Angels With Paws (303-274-2264), American Cancer Society, or the Sally Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund (c/o Jan Withrow 408-892-0440) is something Sally would have appreciated. ▲ Trail & Timberline 45
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