We are the bond stronger than any rope. Everything we make is designed by climbers, for climbers. Each piece is crafted by peak and crag to give you absolute protection, comfort and mobility when you really need it.
NEXT ADVENTURE | PORTLAND W W W.RAB.EQUIPMENT
FEATURES Following Lynn Hill to The Summit, p. 8 Mazamas Carbon Footprint: How Are We Doing?, p. 10 A Brief History on Climate Change and Actions by Mazamas, p. 12 Portland Ice Comp: Through New Eyes, p. 15 Portland Alpine Fest: Photo of the Year Winners, p. 18 Snowshoe Season is Here, p. 22 MONTHLY CONTENT
Volunteer Opportunities, p. 4 Executive Director's Report, p. 4 Upcoming Activities, p. 6 Membership Report, p. 13 Successful Climbers, p. 13 Saying Goodbye, p. 13 Evening Travel Programs, p. 26
AYM, p. 27 Classics, p. 19 Mazama Outings, p. 14 Mazama Lodge, p. 14 Mazama Library, p. 26 Trail Trips, p. 28 Executive Council, p. 30
ADVERTISER INDEX Cascoly Travel, p. 4 Davis Financial, p. 25 Ever Wild, p. 25 Mountain Shop, p. 31 Next Adventure, p. 4 Oregon Nordic Club, p. 13 Rab, p. 2 Advertise now! tinyurl.com/ MazamaAdvertising
CONTACT US
MAZAMA STAFF
MAZAMA MOUNTAINEERING CENTER 527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97215 Phone: 503-227-2345 | adventure@mazamas.org
MITSU IWASAKI Executive Director mitsuiwasaki@mazamas.org
Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
SARAH BRADHAM Operations Director sarah@mazamas.org
MAZAMA LODGE 30500 West Leg Rd., Government Camp, OR, 97028; Phone: 503-272-9214 | Hours: Thu. Noon–Sun. Noon
PUBLICATIONS TEAM Editor: Sarah Bradham, Bulletin Editor, (mazama.bulletin@mazamas.org) Members: Jonathan Barrett, Lindsey Garner, Brian Goldman, Darrin Gunkel, Ali Gray, Katie Polanshek, Claire Tenscher (publications@mazamas.org)
MATHEW BROCK Library & Historical Collections Manager mathew@mazamas.org LAURA BURGER Development Coordinator lauraburger@mazamas.org
Left: A climber during a clinic on the indoor ice wall at the Mazama Mountaineering Center during PAF. Cover: Amy Pagacz during the finals at the Portland Ice Comp at Planet Granite on November 15. Photos: Jeremy Lubkin
CHARLES BARKER Mazama Lodge Manager mazama.lodge@mazamas.org
KELSEY SHAW Member Services Administrator kelseyshaw@mazamas.org
MOLLY MOSENTHAL Youth Program Coordinator RICK CRAYCRAFT mollymosenthal@mazamas.org Facilities Manager facillities@mazamas.org CLAIRE NELSON Youth & Outreach Manager clairenelson@mazamas.org TIM SCOTT Education & IT Support timscott@mazamas.org
For additional contact information, including committees and board email addresses, go to mazamas.org/ contactinformation.
MAZAMA (USPS 334-780):
Advertising: mazama.ads@mazamas.org. Subscription: $15 per year. Bulletin material must be emailed to mazama.bulletin@mazamas.org. All material is due by noon on the 14th of the preceding month. If the 14th falls on a weekend, the deadline is the preceding Friday. The Mazama Bulletin is published monthly by the Mazamas—527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, OR 97215. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MAZAMAS, 527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, OR 97215. The Executive Council meets at 4 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to members. The Mazamas is a 501(c)(3) Oregon nonprofit corporation organized on the summit of Mt. Hood in 1894. The Mazamas is an equal opportunity provider.
DECEMBER 2019 3
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WINDSWEPT WATERS NATURAL AREA PLANTING
Sat. Dec. 7, 8:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
Help Friends of Trees plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs near the confluence of the Rock Creek and Clackamas Rivers in Happy Valley. The trees you plant will clean the air and water, as well as provide better wildlife habitat. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. to sign-in and enjoy breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Friends of Trees also provides gloves, tools, and guidance. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes or boots and warm, rainproof clothes. To join our Mazama tree planting team or ask questions contact Kate Evans at kateevans97@gmail.com or Kirsten Jacobson kirstencjacobson@icloud.com of the Mazama Conservation Committee. We will be carpooling from the MMC at 8 a.m. or let us know if you wish to meet at the site.
MAZAMA OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Ongoing, weekdays
Are you looking for a fun and interactive way to get to know the Mazama community and programming better? Do you find yourself with free time during the week? Apply today to be a Mazama Office Volunteer! Office Volunteers support staff with everything from answering phones and emails to organizing supplies and helping to manage our database. At the Mazama Mountaineering Center, Office Volunteers are often the first face, and voice, that members and nonmembers interact with. So if you are friendly and looking to share your inspiration to love and protect the mountains, we want you! Apply at tinyurl.com/mmcofficevolunteer.
2020 light walking tours of Bulgaria, Cappadocia and Lycian trail in Turkey in May and June. View http:// cascolytravel.com or email steve@ cascoly.com for details
4 MAZAMAS
MOUNTAIN EDUCATION ALLIANCE: A NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP OF MOUNTAIN CLUBS
O MITSU IWASAKI MAZAMAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ver the past few years, volunteers and staff at the Mazamas, Mountaineers, Colorado Mountain Club, and the American Alpine Club have worked together to develop national climbing education standards for volunteer-led climbing education. Through this work, we have strengthened our relationships with the other iconic mountaineering organizations and quickly realized how much we have in common. Together, we have formed the Mountain Education Alliance (MEA)—a formalized partnership between our organizations. Through the formation of MEA, we will strengthen volunteer-led climbing education and communities across the country. For decades, volunteers and staff across our organizations have met informally and in formal settings to share trends, best practices, challenges, solutions, and new ideas. We have joined together to strengthen our impact on access, stewardship, and advocacy. In fact, all four organizations are members of Outdoor Alliance, a national alliance of human-powered recreation organizations that provide a professional, collective voice for stewardship and access. We sought to formalize our relationship for collective impact on volunteer-led climbing education. We began this work in 2016 to develop standards for volunteer-led climbing education that met the standards of the Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA), an International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. Over the course of the past three years, five cohorts of volunteers and staff from all four MEA member organizations (plus individuals from the Appalachian Mountain Club, NOLS, Outward Bound, and the American Mountain Guides Association) met to examine the UIAA standards and carefully adapt them to meet the needs of mountain organizations in the United States. The result is a set of certifications, known as Mountain LEAD (Leadership Education and Development). The certifications are designed to provide skills training, elevate instructional practice, and recognize highly-skilled volunteer educators in many disciplines of mountain sports, including rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, skiing, and more. These certificates and programs are vetted and approved through a rigorous UIAA audit process. With these standards in place, the United States will have a benchmark for volunteer-led trainings and education in mountain sports. The implementation of the MEA standards at the Mazamas will be optional. We believe climb leaders, instructors, and members should have agency over their decision to pursue or not pursue certification. We have already delivered two courses to small groups of Mazamas as pilot programs and are now working toward broader implementation for those who wish to pursue certifications in one of four disciplines: Top-Rope Climbing, Single Pitch Sport Climbing, Single Pitch Traditional Climbing, and Multi-Pitch Climbing. More certifications will be released in the future. We are grateful for the hard work of volunteers who helped craft the MEA standards and partnership from each of our partner organizations, and are looking forward to realizing all of the opportunities this opens up for our members and volunteers. Thank you, Mitsu Iwasaki Mazamas Executive Director DECEMBER 2019 5
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS REEL ROCK 14 Dec. 9 & 10 at Revolution Hall Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m. The REEL ROCK Film Tour, one of climbing's greatest celebrations, returns this fall with a new collection of world premiere films. In The High Road, the powerful and bold Nina Williams tests herself on some of the highest, most difficult boulder problems ever climbed. In United States of Joe's, climbers collide with a conservative coal mining community in rural Utah, to surprising results. And in The Nose Speed Record, legends Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold battle Yosemite dirtbags Jim Reynolds and Brad Gobright in a high stakes race for greatness. Get tickets: tinyurl.com/pdxreelrock14
BACKCOUNTRY FILM FEST Jan. 31 & Feb. 1 at the Mazama Mountaineering Center Calling all “go big or go home” winter enthusiasts! Get ready to get goosebumps while you “Ooh!” and “Ahh!” over our winter wildlands in this collection of short films. Produced each year as a celebratory backcountry community event by the Winter Wildlands Alliance, the 15th Annual Backcountry Film Festival film line-up is full of snowy, cinematic adventure sure to inspire both the local backcountry and general communities. Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving winter wildlands and a quality human-powered snow sports experience on public lands. Get details: mazamas.org/ backcountryfilmfest
MAZAMA RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM
Request for Proposals
The Mazama Research Committee is now accepting research grant proposals for funding in 2020. The Mazamas promotes mountaineering through education, climbing, hiking, fellowship, safety and the protection of mountain environments. We support scientific research, including the collection and dissemination of scientific information regarding mountain and wilderness environments. Research of geologic features, biological communities, and human endeavors pertaining to the understanding, enjoyment, and safety of outdoor recreation are some of the relevant research topics supported by the Mazamas. All information regarding Mazamas research grants, including the Request for Proposals and Application Instructions, can be found at mazamas.org/researchgrants. Funding will be awarded in the spring of 2020. Please address any inquiries to the Mazamas Research Committee (research@ mazamas.org). 6 MAZAMAS
ADVANCED ROCK (AR) Application period begins Dec. 3 Class Dates: Feb. 22–May 9, 2020 Application Opens: Dec. 3, 2019 at 9 a.m. Application Closes: Dec. 17, 2019 Skills Test: Jan. 10, 2020 Prerequisites: Leading outside within the last year, lead card at a local gym, and more. See website. Badges Earned: Traditional Rock Climbing, High-Angle Rock Rescue, Multi-Pitch Techniques, Course: AR The Mazama Advanced Rock (AR) course provides high quality instruction and training to enable graduates to be proficient at leading traditional climbs on vertical rock. We teach the technical and mental skills that will prepare you for a wide range of climbing, from single-pitch cragging to multipitch and alpine rock routes. The AR program is comprised of a series of lectures given by knowledgeable speakers with hands-on demos or exercises where appropriate. The lectures are supported by weekend field sessions, coordinated and taught by skilled, experienced climbers. The Advanced Rock program offers you the opportunity to meet new and experienced rock climbers, as you learn about climbing areas and destinations. Information & requirements, schedule, and application information are available at: mazamas.org/advancedrock
MOUNTAINEERING FIRST AID: WINTER 2020 Application period begins Dec. 3 Class Dates: Feb. 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 29 & March 1 Application Opens: Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. Application Closes: Dec. 17 Badges Earned: Course: MFA The Mountaineering First Aid course is designed to teach the first-aider how to apply first aid skills in the wilderness, perform advanced patient assessment, improvise equipment, and cope with wilderness-specific conditions. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Emphasis is placed on long-term patient care management and specific injury evaluation. ▶ 30-hour course ▶ Five 3-hour lectures at the Mazama Mountaineering Center ▶ One weekend (location TBD) Information & requirements, schedule, and application information are available at: mazamas.org/mfa
BASIC CLIMBING EDUCATION PROGRAM (BCEP) Info Night on Jan. 9 Class Dates: March 10–May 2, 2020 Application Opens Jan. 14, 2020 at 9 a.m. Application Closes: Jan. 21, 2020 Info Night: Jan. 9, 2020 Badges Earned: Course: BCEP, Basic Rock, Basic Snow Have you wanted to climb our nearby mountains but don’t know how to get started? Hood, St. Helens, Adams? Maybe others? The Mazama Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) is for you! BCEP teaches the skills needed to climb snow covered peaks and outdoor rock—and introduces you to other people who like to climb! The eight-week class includes weekly lectures and team breakout sessions, field sessions, and conditioning hikes. The field sessions provide practical exposure to basic rock climbing and snow travel. Field sessions may include overnight camping, a stay at the Mazama Lodge, or an “alpine” (nighttime) start. You will learn and practice the basic technical skills needed to climb a glaciated peak as a climb team member. BCEP includes 5 technical field sessions, 2–4 hikes, and 6 evening lectures over the course of 8 weeks. Additional sessions are commonly offered by individual team leaders. A mandatory skills assessment occurs at the end of the course. DECEMBER 2019 7
Following Lynn Hill to The Summit by Ali Gray
“It goes, boys.”
N
ot often are we privileged to sit in the same room as a climbing legend, listening to her story with open mouths or a smile on our face, but that’s exactly what the sold-out crowd at the Portland Alpine Festival’s leading event, The Summit: An Evening with Lynn Hill was all about.
Above: Lynn Hill presenting on stage at The Redd during The Summit. Photo: Scott Auble. Right: Campfire outside at The Redd. Photo: Teresa Dalsager
8 MAZAMAS
The event began as a low-key opportunity to mingle with fellow members of the local mountain community, delicious food and beverage in hand. The crowds flowed from space to space at The Redd on Salmon Street, a soaring building on the Central Eastside featuring a mix of modern technology and gritty industrial history. Inside, seats near the stage got snagged with coats early on, and people gathered around tables to swap stories and enjoy a healthy amount of heavy hors d'oeuvres. Silent auction prizes and raffle items ranging from outerwear to technical alpine equipment—and everything in between—ran down the outer edge of the room. Outside, friends could gather around fires under a rain-free sky, or weave through the event sponsors and nonprofit partners beneath a large tent, filling out their raffle bingo cards as they went. Each sponsor table featured the latest and greatest of mountain gear, trail food, and organizations that are hard at work to make the outdoors a safer and more inclusive space for everyone. Games included a climbing hold competition, helmet cornhole, rock stacking, and the (somewhat mysterious for the uninitiated) deceptively difficult game of standing from a sitting fetal position with a broom behind your bent knees. When 8 p.m. rolled around, it was time to head indoors and take our seats beneath strands of patio lights strung throughout the space. Mazamas Executive Director Mitsu Iwasaki took
the stage to thank everyone involved in making the Portland Alpine Festival a success for the seventh year running, before introducing Lynn Hill herself. For those who don’t know, Lynn is a pioneer in the male-dominated sport of climbing. She made a name for herself and women everywhere in Yosemite and around the world as the first woman to climb 5.14, and as the first person of any gender to free climb The Nose of El Capitan. To this day, twenty-six years after her iconic ascent of The Nose, Lynn can and still does climb better than most people in her audience. The next hour consisted of listening to tales of climbing as a woman in the 1980s and 90s. Lynn began by describing a childhood spent “climbing the monkey bars like a pro” and getting inspired to climb after seeing an article in National Geographic. Weaving humor and vintage videos into her talk, it was nonetheless depressing (if not surprising) to learn that although rock doesn’t discriminate, people do. Lynn repeatedly was confronted with acts of sexism in her climbing, from getting paid one third the amount of fellow male competitors on the televised Survival of the Fittest to having been told that “women can’t climb a man’s route” (she did). Throughout her talk were pieces of wisdom about climbing and life: to take responsibility for yourself, to appreciate luxuries (like horizontal beds), to not gloss over difficult or uncomfortable moments, and to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. She’s also an inspiration for women everywhere, having recently wrapped up a singlepush free attempt on The Nose with Nina Caprez. Pinky jams aside, Lynn described one of the major difficulties of that trip as having to retrain her abs post-C-section to climb such difficult moves. All in all, the night was fantastic. And this being 2019, we of course had to wrap up with a selfie with Lynn before heading off to Base Camp Brewing Co. for the after party. Above: Unknown, Anne Marie Santos, Lynny Brown. George Cummings and Lynn Hill. The band at The Summit with our own Robin Wilcox, Mazama Vice President, on upright bass. Mitsu Iwasaki, Lynn Hill, and Sarah Bradham. Aimee Filimoehala, Mazama President Traci Manning, and Kerry Loehr. Photos: Teresa Dalsager.
DECEMBER 2019 9
Mazamas Carbon Footprint: How Are We Doing? by Jeff Hawkins
SOLAR ARRAY The solar array has been operational for two years now and it is time for an update on how it is performing. It has met all expectations. We projected the array would provide 60 percent of the MMC’s usage and it does with no faults, no issues, no cleaning, and no fuss. And for six months out of the last 24 months, we had no energy charge meaning the array generated more power than was used by the MMC. Estimated cost saving so far is about $12,000. At this rate the Foundation’s investment will be paid off within two years.
CARBON FOOTPRINT As I write this article, it is mid November and unseasonably warm, and 11,000 world scientists just released a statement that climate change should now be considered a climate emergency. The very next day the United States began the process to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. The climate situation is clear and I believe the Mazamas have a responsibility to meet or exceed the increasingly comprehensive community level commitments that have been made by the City of Portland and Multnomah County beginning in 2007 and 11% going through 2017. The most recent Multnomah 56% 63% County commitment is to achieve 100 percent renewable power community wide by 2050. That said, we’ve made good progress, a 20 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions relative to 2014 and a projected 47 percent reduction by end of 2020. Our remaining emissions are dominated by the lodge. The fireplace is the main culprit. The draft pulls heated air from the main floor causing the furnace to cycle more often which increases the use of heating oil. Isolating the fireplace would reduce the consumption of both heating oil and firewood. 10 MAZAMAS
TRANSPORTATION Although not included in the Mazamas’ footprint because transportation is usually assigned to the vehicle owners, transportation is the Mazamas largest contributor. We have many outdoor events and they are generally a good distance away. A rough estimate for hikes, climbs, and field sessions is 10 times or more than the facilities' footprint. Needless to say, carpooling to these events is important. There are many events at the MMC too where carpooling and public transit are not convenient. Thanks to the I.T. improvements we now have video screens and remote conferencing capability, but this works for only a fraction of the MMC events. Can we encourage more cycling? Would improved bike parking—covered, well lighted and secure—make a difference? Could we provide incentives to class participants who cycle and carpool, perhaps priority treatment when signing up for a future class, or a discount on a future class? Or how about climate champion awards at the annual celebration? Other ideas? We want to hear your thoughts on this or any other ideas to reduce the transportation footprint.
Tree Planting Program Offsets Wood Fuel Usage
Pellet Stove Green Source Electricity
Lodge
Fireplace Isolation & Pellet Furnace
MMC
Solar Array Green Source Electricity
Increase in programs and staff
Electric Kitchen Grill plus more Green Source Electricity
1 tonne (metric ton) = 1.1 tons (2200 lbs)
FUTURE ACTION There is much to be proud of; we’ve made great progress. With the pellet stove at the lodge, the solar array, and the most recent action, purchasing Green Source energy from PGE for the MMC and the lodge, the Mazamas overall energy mix will be 54 percent renewable in 2020—if we consider wood fuel renewable (there is reasonable debate on this). And there is much more to do. Our goal, if consistent with the Multnomah County goal, is 100 percent renewable by 2050. I believe we should get there much sooner. Some suggestions for next actions are: ▶ Isolate the lodge fireplace with an aesthetically pleasing set of glass doors, a combustion air inlet from the outside and a heatilator. None of us like the idea of doors, but we don’t like climate change either. ▶ Install an energy efficient heating system for the lodge, perhaps a pellet furnace. ▶ Encourage and perhaps incentivize cycling and carpooling. There are costs of course so if you have interest in providing support, or know of grants, or have experience in grant writing we want to hear from you. We want to hear your ideas too. If you have ideas and/or expertise in any of these areas or others we are not considering, please let us know.
CONTACT: ▶ Jeff Hawkins (jeff.hawkins.pdx@gmail.com) ▶ Mazama Conservation Committee (conservation@mazamas.org) ▶ Rick Craycraft, our facilities manager ( facilities@Mazamas.org) Is wood fuel renewable? Complex issue. Depends on many factors. Perhaps renewable but not for many years as forest regrows, not sustainable if used on large scale, and CO2 content is similar to coal. sciencedaily.com/ releases/2018/03/180322140915.htm. 1
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A BRIEF HISTORY ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACTIONS BY MAZAMAS
1896—The concept of climate change due to CO₂ emissions from the burning of fossil fuels was first suggested by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius. 1970s—Research and data showed the effect to be highly likely. Some scientists forecast that by the year 2000 the changes would be apparent¹. 1975—Fossil fuel companies understood the problem3. 1988—The hottest year on record to date. An international meeting of scientists warned that the world should take active steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The response was vehement. Corporations and individuals who opposed all government regulation began to spend many millions of dollars on lobbying, advertising, and “reports” that mimicked scientific publications, in an effort to convince people that there was no problem at all². 2001—First report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report cautiously states that it was much more likely than not that our civilization faced severe global warming². 2001—Multnomah County and the City of Portland adopt goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent below 1990 levels4. These goals are later revised in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015 and 2017. 2007—The IPCC reported that scientists were more confident than ever that humans were changing the climate. Although only a small fraction of the predicted warming had happened so far, effects were already becoming visible in some regions—more deadly heat waves, stronger floods and droughts, heatrelated changes in the ranges and behavior of sensitive species². 2007—The Mazamas organize and host the Melting Mountains Conference to highlight the impact of climate change on the snowpack, the glaciers and on climbing. 2008—The Mazamas begin tree planting program to help offset emissions from Mountaineering Center’s energy usage. 2009—The Mazamas organize and host the Forever Forests Conference to examine the devastating impact of current forest management practices on carbon dioxide production. 2014—The Mazamas install hand dryer and cut paper towel use by 50 percent saving $1,000/year. 2015—Mazamas install pellet stove in basement of the lodge. Heating oil usage reduced by 30 percent. 2016—Paris Agreement5. The European Union commits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 compared to 19906. Other countries adopt similar goals as do Multnomah County and the City of Portland.
scientificamerican.com/article/discovery-ofglobal-warming/ 2
scientificamerican.com/article/exxon-knew-aboutclimate-change-almost-40-years-ago/ 3
multco.us/file/13386/download
4
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement
5
ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/ negotiations/paris_en 6
academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/ doi/10.1093/biosci/biz088/5610806 7
12 MAZAMAS
2017—Multnomah County commits to 100 percent renewable energy use community wide by 2050. 2018—The Mazamas install video screens in all conference rooms making remote meetings possible. 2019—11,000 world scientists warn of climate emergency7 and in the same week the US begins process to pull out of the Paris Agreement.
Welcome New MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS: 38
REINSTATEMENTS: 14
Chelsea Ayers—Mt. Baker Brady Baggett—South Sister Tim Baker—Mt. St Helens William Balleris—South Sister Weatherly Balleris—South Sister Jenny Bunce—Mt. Adams Suzanne Charles—Mt. Whitney Kevin Credo—Wheeler Peak (NV) Cecilia Dominguez—South Sister Christian Douglas—Urus (Peru) Linda Helen Duffy—Mt. Hood Ethan Flory—Mt. Rainier Susan Fronckowiak—Mt. Gordon (Canada) Eric Giacchino—Mt. Hood Spencer Giles—Mt. Hood Drew Glassroth—Old Snowy Mountain Robert Harrison—Mt. Hood David E Heid—Mt. St Helens Lance Hoover—Middle Sister
Wade Kinkade—Mt. Shasta Dawn Knopf—Mt. St Helens Henry Lilly—Mt. Rainier Kate Lipinski—South Sister Scott McClintic—Mt. Shasta Shane C McFarland—Mt. Baker Kayla Miller—Old Snowy Mountain Amy O'Connell—Mt. Whitney Dereesa Reid—Mt. Kilimanjaro Boomer Savanh—Mt. Hood Lillie Stewart—Mt. St. Helens Charles Sweeney—Mt. St Helens Randy Uhde—Mt. St Helens Mariah Williams—Mt. Adams William Withington—Mt. Washington Katherine Woodhouse—Mt. St Helens Michael Workman—Mt. St Helens David Wortman—Mt. Adams Zhen Yang—South Sister
Larry Beck (2006), Liza Burney (1992), Alice L. Chang (2014), Janna A Davydova (2011), Thomas J. Flaherty (2010), Brian W Gorman (2005), Jean A Hillebrand (2011), Mitsu Iwasaki (2014), Diane M. Lewis (2015), Ken J. Lytwyn (2009), Patti Magnuson (1997), Jeffery Swift (1996), Kristina Bonita Thurman (2018), & Eric Torgeson (2016)
DECEASED: 4
Franklin Burnes (1969), Rose Marie Gilbert (1977), Mary Lewis (1958), & Barbara Manghelli (1999)
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF OCT. 31: 2,514* (2019), 3,600 (2018) *In previous years the "drop" of lapsed members did not occur until December 31. For 2019 we followed our membership year and dropped lapsed members on October 31 which explains the year over year difference.
RENEW TODAY! All 2019 Mazama memberships expired on October 31. If you have not yet renewed for 2020, now is the time. Renewal is a simple process. Go to mazamas.org. Click on Login. Once logged in, go to your dashboard and click on Renew Your Membership. Follow the prompts. That's all there is to it! Your membership will be renewed for another year.
Oregon Nordic Club PORTLAND CHAPTER
Come cross-country ski with us! MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
Overnight Trips (local & international)
Weekend/Mid-Week Ski & Snowshoe Tours Bus Transportation to Mt. Hood (2020 January/February weekends)
Monthly Programs Summer Trail Tending Tilly Jane Cabin Weekends Merchant Discounts
Join today! onc-pdx.org
SUCCESSFUL CLIMBERS Oct. 6—South Sister, Green Lakes. Long Ong, Leader. Darren Ferris, Assistant. Clinton Carpenter, Erin Courtney, Asa Christiana, Jeremy McLain, Tiffany McClean. Nov. 2—Mount St. Helens, Monitor Ridge. Andrew Bodien, Leader. Harry Colas, Assistant. Ryan Abbott, Brian Boyd, Lacey Jones, Prachi Kshirsagar, Whitney Lindahl, Bryan Joseph Oates, Claire Tenscher. Nov. 3—Mount St. Helens, Monitor Ridge. Toby Creelan, Leader. Bill McLoughlin, Assistant. Angel Avila, Jenna Bruntz, Andrea Frank, Heather Johnson, Bill James Joyce, S. Trevor King, Alex Kunsevich. Nov. 9—Mount St. Helens, Monitor Ridge. Long Ong, Leader. Christine Troy, Assistant. Lindsey Addison, Seth Dietz, Michael Graham, Cheryl Goetzman. Nov. 10—Mount St. Helens, Monitor Ridge. Kerry Loehr, Leader. Adrianna Stanley, Assistant. Riley Arner, Jeremiah Biddle, Gavin Boggs, April Grisetti, Kirsten Jacobson, Anapuma Kurpad, Krista Lawrence, Erica Lee, Kyle Mangione, Richard Smith. DECEMBER 2019 13
Mazama OUTINGS
Mazama LODGE
National and International Adventures of three days or more.
Our home on the mountain.
DEATH VALLEY: HIKING & EXPLORATION
by Charles Barker, Mazama Lodge Manager
MARCH 8–15, 2020 LEADER: BOB BREIVOGEL Participants are responsible for their transportation ( flying to Las Vegas and car rental, or driving from Portland). We will try to organize carpools for the group, as well as gear sharing. An SUV type of car with adequate ground clearance is desirable but not absolutely necessary. It is expected that you have some prior car camping experience, as we will need tents and sleeping bags, and cook on camp stoves. We will camp seven nights at the Furnace Creek group campground, which has water and flush toilets but no on-site showers. There is a general store and restaurant nearby if needed, and showers can be taken at the nearby resort for a small fee. Days are generally pleasantly warm and nights cool; but be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, as it can be hot and cold the same day, as well as windy. We will have day hikes, mostly A- and B-level at a moderate pace. We may also climb (strenuous) Telescope Peak, if there is enough interest and if conditions permit. There are non-hiking activities—Scottie’s Castle (may reopen this year); old mines and ghost towns (which largely involve scenic drives); and wildlife viewing, including desert pupfish, bighorn sheep, reptiles, birds, and insects. March is also a good time for wildflowers if the conditions are right. The leader is an avid photographer with many years experience and several prior trips to Death Valley. Those interested in photography should bring their camera gear. We have the opportunity to view sunrise, sunset, and wildflowers in different areas of the park, such as Zabriskie Point, Artist Pallette, Badwater, and the sand dunes. This is a dark sky park, and we will have some moonless nights later in the trip for sky viewing. The cost of the trip, including Outing fees and campgrounds, is $115–$190, depending on group size (8 min–13 max, not including leaders). Signup deadline is February 15, 2020. Deposit is $80. Contact leader Bob Breivogel (503-292-2940) or breivog@ teleport.com if you have questions.
Go to mazamas.org/outings to view all outings. When you apply, you will be prompted to complete your profile, and you’ll enter credit card information. If accepted, your credit card will be charged for the trip deposit, and you will then be sent an invoice for the remainder of the outing cost. This invoice can be paid by credit card or check. 14 MAZAMAS
WINTER HOURS: Thu. Noon–Mon. Noon
Last month's work party was a great success, and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our lodge Chairperson Bob Stayton and the many volunteers who helped prepare the lodge for another winter. A special thanks to Richard Caldwell, Richard Bronder, and Ken Carlson who each donated a cord of wood to the Mazama Lodge.
HOLIDAY LODGE HOURS The lodge will be open every day for winter break, opening at noon on Thursday, December 19 through noon on Monday, January 6. We will be closing the lodge on December 24 at noon and reopening on December 25 at noon.
COOKIE DECORATING: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15. 11 A.M.–2 P.M. Join us at the lodge for holiday cookie decorating. Price per person for lunch and cookie decorating is $10. Make sure to bring a box to take cookies home! This a great event to bring the family and friends and if we get some snow maybe some sledding.
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MAZAMA LODGE At press time we still have spots available for New Year's Eve. We are open New Year's Day for brunch, serving from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
NEW YEAR'S BRUNCH $12 adults, $10 kids Fresh Fruit, Yogurt, Cereal Eggs Benedict with Spinach French Toast served with Bananas Foster Sauce
Chicken Apple Sausage Bagels and Lox Orange Juice and Hot Beverages
Portland Ice Comp: Through New Eyes by Claire Tenscher
W
hen it was suggested that I write an article about the Ice Climbing Competition during PAF I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would there be ice? Axes slammed into wooden climbing walls?
Above: SaRah Busse readies herself for the finals round. Photo: Grace Duggar.
I arrived slightly after the event kicked off, stepping into a very Portland scene. The competition was held at Planet Granite, a traditional climbing gym. A few hundred spectators sat on the soft floor beneath the huge walls and stood on the upper landing drinking beers and wine. Some walked outside barefoot to grab burritos from Poblano Pepper, a visiting food truck. Pumping music filled the room. In the small vendor area, a vegetarian no waste backpacking food company was set up next to a nut butter vendor. The brightly-colored holds looked like a shower of confetti behind the competitors. There was no ice, but there were curving, pointed ice tools, like strange birds all over the room. Climbers were scaling walls with absolutely precise tool placement. Anything else would lead to the tool sliding off its perch. Unless the climber had a hold with their other tool it also meant a fall and an end to their climb. I expected the climbers would use the holds as shelves for their ice tools and set the tip of the pick on the upper surface. In reality, they were just as often exerting horizontal pressure to create leverage or balance. Here’s a brief indoor ice climbing competition primer for other newbies like me. Depending on the venue there can be a few different features in an ice climbing competition. Pro competitions do feature ice walls, often used in a speed portion of the event where competitors essentially run up the ice using tools and crampons. In the main competition the ice section ends in a long wall with holds on which a climber carefully places their tools. There are often hanging features— boxes suspended on ropes that twist under the force of the climber attempting to find purchase. The athletes are fit, flexible, and not afraid of heights. In my research, I watched videos of women becoming human pretzels while hanging from a single tool and looking for purchase with a crampon clad foot. That upper body strength seems almost impossible, but then I also have not done an unassisted pull up, ever. At the Portland Ice Comp, climbers use ice tools and wear rock climbing shoes. Unlike crampons, climbing shoes can’t stick into the wall and provide stability, as a result there is an extra component of necessary balance and placement. Numbered holds show the route climbers must follow—the
continued on next page DECEMBER 2019 15
Clockwise, from top: The crowd taking in all the action at the Portland Ice Comp. Photo: Jeremy Lubkin. Raffle items at the Portland Ice Comp. Photo: Lacey Breton. Our friendly Grivel reps, Olivia Hicks and Robby Babbitt. Photo: Lacey Breton. The men's winner on the finals route. Photo: Grace Duggar.
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Ice Comp, continued from previous page winner is based on a distance climbed, and, if multiple people achieve the same distance, the time it took to reach the high point. The contestants who reach the highest point the fastest go on to the final round. Watching the competitors, I imagined a great temptation to let go of the tools and use the convenient rock climbing holds that surround you. But that’s not the sport, and the 16 female and 18 male climbers came out to test themselves and show us what they’re capable of. There were two climbing sections set up, a qualifying and finals area, each with a men’s and women’s route. The first wall was a simple vertical with a meandering pathway up four stories. I say simple only in comparison with the final course: a 25-foot wall that led to an under hang and either two hanging wooden blocks (men’s course) or a three foot wooden beam (women’s course). The wooden features have no bottom tether and swing wildly as the climber transitions onto them. Small holes in the wood allow the ice tool to nestle. After the transition from wall to under hang to log the route continues to the top of the hall, another three stories. Because of the intense pressure on the climber’s arms they must often hang one tool over a shoulder or place it in their mouths to switch grips and shake the tension out of the main arm. There is a certain amount of gymnastics as well—for the safety of the crowd below, climbers have their tools attached to their climbing harness with tethers, referred to as umbilicals. During one tense moment a female climber hung from the suspended
A male climber on the finals route at Planet Granite. Photo: Ralph Daub.
log with one tool as she attempted to untangle the other from her rope. Having successfully unwound it in one direction she then had to loop the tool around the rope that held the log feature. Earlier in the competition, on the same underhanging section, a climber got separated from his tool—it stayed embedded in the wooden block as he lost his hold and fell. As soon as he stopped swaying, he lowered his other tool, maneuvered over to the wall and very rapidly climbed up using the available holds. Watching him switch from using tools during the competition to his hands when he was in tool-recovery-mode demonstrated the skill level of these climbers. The tools add complexity and require delicacy with a heavy metal object. Imagine trying to hang your body weight off a spoon balanced on someone’s nose. The moment that stays with me isn’t the impressive performances of the winners or the successful top outs; it’s a simple moment of community and celebration. A female climber hangs from the wooden beam in the finals after very nearly losing her hold and slipping off the wall moments before. She pauses and rests one tool over her shoulder, releasing the tension in first one arm, then the other. Her arms are shaking and the room holds its breath, waiting for her to continue. The climber resets her main grip and before grabbing the left-hand tool she gestures with her arm. It’s a motion that blends “Come on, give me some noise,” with “I’ve got this,” and the crowd responds with a giant roar. She grabs the tool and sets it back on the wall. DECEMBER 2019 17
Portland Alpine Fest
Photo of the Year Our Portland Alpine Fest Photo of the Year Judges—Brooke Jackson, John Waller, and Nicole Wasko—reviewed hundreds of photos of beautiful mountain vistas, exciting outdoor adventures, inquisitive animals, and much more on their way to winnowing down the field to the 24 semifinalists that were installed at Base Camp Brewing Company on Nov. 2. The winners, pictured here, were announced at The Summit on Nov. 16. Thanks to everyone who submitted a photo for consideration and to our judges for lending their expertise to this contest.
Grand Prize Winner & Audience Favorite CALEB JACOBSON
The Scenic Outdoors Winner WHITNEE GOODE
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Action & Adventure Winner KEVIN MACHTELINCKX
People & Animals Winner RACHAEL PIKE
Mazama CLASSICS For members with 25 years of membership, or for those who prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace. We lead a wide variety of year-round activities including hikes, picnics, and cultural excursions. Share years of happy Mazama memories with our group. All ages are welcome to join the fun. CONTACTING THE CLASSICS
FRI. DEC. 6: HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
To contact the Classics: Chair Flora Huber at 503-658-5710 or flobell17@comcast.net, or classics@mazamas.org.
We will be welcoming new 25 year members and honoring members achieving 50, 60, and 70 years as members. Pins will be presented to those attending (or mailed to those unable to attend). A $5 donation is suggested. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the buffet lunch will start at noon. Our new executive director, Mitsu Iwasaki, will be our speaker. Please register by Dec. 3 to attend. RSVP at tinyurl.com/MazClassics2019 or call 503-227-2345. Space is limited to 80 place settings, so sign up soon! Location: Mazama Mountaineering Center.
SUPPORT THE CLASSICS Classics needs a volunteer to put more content in our column on a quarterly basis. We want to document past Classics events and make sure that our postings to the web are current and complete. More generally, there is always work to be done on the committee. Our meetings are the fourth Monday of every other month at 11 a.m. at the MMC. Email classics@mazamas.org and tell us how you can help.
LEADING EVENTS IN JANUARY If you want to lead an event please contact the Classics at classics@mazamas.org by the twelfth of each month so notice can be included in the upcoming Bulletin.
CLASSICS COMMITTEE MEETING Our next meeting is Jan. 27 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the MMC, in the library. Check the Bulletin or the website.
CLASSICS TRANSPORTATION PLAN Our east side transportation pick up point will be Gateway; our west side will be the Sunset Transit Center. If you are interested in providing or receiving rides to Classics events you can sign up on the Classics section of the Mazama website or contact our transportation coordinator Flora Huber at flobell17@comcast.net or 503-658-5710.
Saying GOODBYE
SUN. DECEMBER 10: CASCADE LOCKS TO EAGLE CREEK Join Flora Huber on a hike from Cascade Locks to Eagle Creek. Approx. 3 miles. Please plan to meet at the Mazama Mountaineering Center at 9 a.m. to carpool. Details and registration online. Leader: Flora Huber at flobell17@comcast.net or 503-658-5710.
TUES. DECEMBER 19: DRY CREEK FALLS Join Flora Huber for a hike to Dry Creek Falls. Approx. 4 miles, 725 feet of elevation gain. Dry Creek Falls plunges 74 feet over a basalt wall in a secluded amphitheater near Cascade Locks. Almost the entire area of this hike was affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. You'll see blackened tree trunks and a recovering understory, but most of the canopy is still intact. Meet at the MMC parking lot at 9 a.m. Details and registration online.Leader: Flora Huber at flobell17@comcast.net or 503-658-5710
RAY THYGESEN July 13, 1937–September 21, 2019 Raymond J. Thygesen died September 21, 2019, at his home in Trout Lake. He was born in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1937, the eldest of Hans and Marie Thysegen's seven children. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Portland and earned a degree in engineering at the University of Portland. Before retiring, Ray was a climb leader and Nordic ski instructor for the Mazamas, as well as a hike leader both for the Mazamas and the Intermountain Alpine Club of the TriCities. He received the Guardian Peaks Award from the Mazamas in 1994. In 2002 he and his wife Sandi moved to Trout Lake, where Ray became a member and president of the Mount Adams Nordic Ski Club, as well as a non-motorized member of the Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Snowmobile Advisory Committee. Ray worked to maintain local winter recreation, partly through promoting Trout Lake's Cabin Fever Festival. He was also a founding member of Friends of Mount Adams.
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Mazama
LIBRARY
Learn more about the Library & Historical Collection at mazamas. org/library.
Established in 1915, the Mazama Library is nationally recognized as holding one of the top mountaineering collections in the country. Located on the ground floor of the Mazama Mountaineering Center, the library is a fantastic resource for members and the general public to find information on hiking, climbing, camping, and exploring the rich history of regional and global mountaineering culture.
DID YOU KNOW? ▶ Charles Hutton invented contour lines on maps? The idea came to him in 1774 during a survey of Schiehallion in the Scottish Highlands. ▶ At midday, the shadow cast by an object in the northern hemisphere indicates north, and in the southern hemisphere, south. ▶ The constellation of Orion can help you determine direction at night in the northern hemisphere? It rises in the east and sets in the west. ▶ The bark of an Alder tree is lighter on the south side in the northern hemisphere, and vice versa in the southern hemisphere.
Treasures from the SPECIAL COLLECTION The Heart of a Continent: A narrative of travels in Manchuria, across the Gobi Desert, through the Himalayas, the Pamirs, and the Chitrals, 18841894, by Captain Francis E. Younghusband. A British soldier, Younghusband was also an explorer and mystic. He was an expert, for his time, on central Asia and was a member of the Mount Everest Committee, which was set up to coordinate the initial 1921 British Reconnaissance Expedition to Mount Everest. Younghusband actively encouraged the accomplished climber George Mallory to attempt the first ascent of Mount Everest. In his book, Younghusband recounts crossing the Gobi Desert to Yarkland as well as traversing the Nustagh Pass in the Karakoram, among other travels. Mazama Library Rare and Special Collection, #915.4.Y78
Books on TRAIL RUNNING ▶ Where the road ends: a guide to trail running, 796.51 H52 ▶ Run or die, 796.4.J75 ▶ Eat & run, 796.42.J97 ▶ Running your first ultra: customizable training plans for your first 50k to 100-mile race, 796.51 M72
The Mazama Library NEEDS SUPPORT—from you! Do you or someone you know have vintage mountaineering gear that is looking for a home? Don’t give it to Goodwill, donate it to the Mazama Library and Historical Collections! We are always on the lookout for wood handle ice axes, early climbing gear, vintage catalogs, turn of the century photographs, early mountaineering books, and more. Please contact library manager Mathew Brock at mathew@ mazamas.org to discuss potential donations. We apologize, but we cannot accept any Mazama Annuals published after 1925 or National Geographic magazines. Please consider a financial contribution to support the Mazama Library, a nationally recognized collection and one of the few remaining mountaineering libraries in the United States. Your financial donation will help support our full-time librarian, acquire rare mountaineering books and historic photographs, and maintain our valuable archives and historic objects collections. Thank you for your support. 20 MAZAMAS
New RELEASES & ADDITIONS The Winter Army: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division, America's Elite Alpine Warriors, by Maurice Isserman, 2019. The epic story of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, whose elite soldiers broke the last line of German defenses in Italy’s mountains in 1945, spearheading the Allied advance to the Alps and final victory. At the start of World War II, the US Army had two cavalry divisions—and no mountain troops. The German Wehrmacht, in contrast, had many well-trained and battle-hardened mountain divisions, some of whom by 1943 blocked the Allied advance in the Italian campaign. Starting from scratch, the US Army developed a unique military fighting force, the 10th Mountain Division, drawn from the ranks of civilian skiers, mountaineers, and others with outdoor experience. The resulting mix of Ivy League students, park rangers, Olympic skiers, and European refugees formed the first specialized alpine fighting force in US history. By the time it deployed to Italy at the beginning of 1945, this ragtag group had coalesced into a tight-knit unit. In the months that followed, at a terrible cost, they spearheaded the Allied drive in Italy to final victory. Mazama Library call # 940.54 I7
Adaptive Climbing: A manual for instructors and climbers, by Paradox Sports, 2019. With help from the entire adaptive climbing community, Paradox Sports has created the first-ever Adaptive Climbing Manual. Find information on systems, equipment, and methods for a variety of physical disabilities, suited for climbers, guides, schools, gyms, and beyond. Adaptive Climbing contains the knowledge and experience of more than 50 of the world's most accomplished adaptive, "disabled" climbers. They share the techniques, equipment, and advice that allow the sport of climbing to be inclusive for everyone. Pick up this book, be amazed at the gravity-defying accomplishments, and be inspired to defy your own gravity. Mazama Library call # 796.52 P21
The Climbing Dictionary: Mountaineering Slang, Terms, Neologisms & Lingo: An Illustrated Reference, by Matt Samet, 2011. In this hilarious yet authoritative illustrated lexicon of climbing terms and slang, former Climbing Editor-in-Chief Matt Samet has compiled a reference of more than 650 terms used by climbers and mountaineers around the world. The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more. Mazama Library call #796.52 S4
DECEMBER 2019 21
Snowshoe Season is Here! by Brian Goldman and Dave Nelson
I
t’s winter, and, depending on the weather, time to snowshoe. From 2010-2018, nearly 30 Mazamas led 90 snowshoe hikes to dozens of trails within an hour or two of the Portland metropolitan area. Snow transforms a familiar landscape during the winter. The world slows down and is muffled by snow. You might see tracks of elusive animals. For beginners, just how do you go about snowshoeing and where are some of the better-known trails? EQUIPMENT: Snowshoeing has changed from when the snowshoe was large and wooden and used rawhide or leather as the “decking” material. They are now made of newer, woven, rubberized decking that make them lighter and more rugged. There are many types and styles to choose from, even some made of very light-weight, durable foam. You may also need to decide whether to rent or purchase snowshoes with a “heel lift” or “climbing bar” in the back that you can lift into position when climbing a steeper ascent, to provide a stable base for your heel. This will help to lessen stress on your Achilles tendon and calves. You can also add a “flotation tail” which attaches to the back of your snowshoe and creates a larger surface area of support depending on your weight, if you’re carrying heavier equipment, or if the snow is deep or powdery. As you consider purchasing a pair, talk to staff to see what type and style would be best for your planned usage. You may want to try renting a pair first. At the Mountain Shop in Portland, they’ve noticed that a younger population is renting snowshoes more and more (sometimes 100+ pairs a week), and there are more families snowshoeing, but the purchase of snowshoes has more or less held steady. Of course, it’s all weather dependent from year to year. And, snowshoeing is less expensive than skiing, you need less equipment, and you have more control. If you are planning on winter camping, you may need a more robust snowshoe to handle the additional weight of a back pack. One area that varies greatly is how the snowshoes attach to one’s boots.
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Some bindings are very complicated to fasten so think of how that will work when your hands are cold and the snowshoe becomes laden with frozen snow. Also, it is a good idea to practice attaching them to your boots at home rather than at the trailhead. Ideally, it’s best to have waterproof winter boots to keep your feet warm and dry. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots can work well. Another essential accessory for snowshoeing are trekking poles with interchangeable baskets near the tips. Baskets that are smaller will tend to make the poles sink into softer snow when you push down on them (but are good for summer hiking). Therefore, use larger baskets for snowshoeing. Poles help with balance for going uphill or downhill as well as for getting up when one falls over or your snowshoes sink into the snow. It’s best to have collapsible poles since there will be times when the trail has compacted a foot lower than the surrounding trail and you’ll need to adjust your poles accordingly. CLOTHING: As a base, wear wicking long underwear, breathable pants with flexible fabric to move easily, and dress in non-cotton layers that you can peel off as you warm up. If possible, have an outer layer that has pit zips to provide air circulation. Other equipment to carry in your backpack for snowshoeing are extra warm layers, such as a down vest. You want enough extra layers such that if you had to spend the night out you could. Polarized sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen are a must to prevent snow blindness and sunburn. If you carry water in a hydration pack, be sure the drink tube is insulated. Nothing is worse than trying to suck down some water
and your line is frozen! Gaiters are nice to keep the snow out of your boots, plus they keep your legs warm. Gloves (several pairs of varying warmth), wool socks, stocking hat, balaclava, neck gaiter. Some like to use chemical pocket warmers as well as a thermos that contains a hot beverage (cocoa, tea, coffee, etc.) SAFETY: It's a good idea for someone in your group to carry a small, light snow shovel which can be used to help dig out a person’s snowshoe that has sunk into the snow or to dig out a nice lunch area. A shovel can also be used in the unfortunate event of being caught in an avalanche to help dig out anyone that is buried, though one should not be snowshoeing in an area if avalanches are possible. Check avalanche forecasts and snow conditions before you head out, and always avoid avalanche-prone slopes. If you encounter unstable snow, either reroute or turn back. Avoid tree wells, which are deep pockets of soft snow that form at the base of tree trunks and are one of the most dangerous aspects of snowshoeing and backcountry skiing, since they can trap snowshoers and leave them without fresh air to breathe, leading to suffocation. If you fall in, learn what to do next. Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. According to Snowshoe Magazine, hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold and is aggravated by wet, wind, exhaustion, dehydration and hunger. Warning signs of hypothermia include shivering as your body tries to generate more internal heat, numbness in fingers and toes (your body focusing
Photo: Dave Nelson
heat on internal organs to protect them), lethargy, and shallow, rapid breathing. Take steps to warm up before things reach critical levels. Frostbite can happen quickly, especially in windy conditions, and the person affected may not even realize it. Frostbite happens when tissue freezes. It happens most often in fingers and toes and in the face. Patches of skin may appear pale and then turn white and waxy as the frostbite progresses. If you suspect the onset of frostbite, don’t rub the affected area as this may damage the tissue further; find other ways to warm the area gently or get the person to a place they can warm up. A map and also GPS are important when snowshoeing in a new area, especially if the route/track has not been previously recorded. As in any backcountry travel, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. It’s best not to risk crossing a lake. It may look solid when covered with snow but the ice could be thin. As always, carry your 10 essentials.
ETIQUETTE: On some of the trails listed below, you may find yourself sharing a trail with cross-country skiers. Although tempting, do not trample the ski tracks of those groomed trails. Walking just outside those trails is best. Skiers also have the right-of-way on trail systems because it's easier for a snowshoer to step off the trail safely than it is for a skier to stop or go around. For beginners, REI offers an excellent website with short videos on how to choose snowshoes; how to dress; how to snowshoe on flat, uphill or downhill terrain; how to run (!) with snowshoes; how to use poles; how to get up after falling; safety tips. Here’s the webpage: rei. com/learn/expert-advice/snowshoeingfirst-steps.html MAZAMA DAVE NELSON RECOMMENDS THESE PLACES TO SNOWSHOE FOR BEGINNERS:
TWIN LAKES LOOP SNOWSHOE There are several options for snowshoeing to either the lower and/ or upper Twin Lakes. This is a great area
for those that are first-time snowshoeing. It begins at the Frog Lake Sno-Park. The path to the lower lake and upper lake is usually well-traveled and the distance and elevation are not huge. (The beginning portion is on part of the Pacific Crest Trail.) One can turn around at the lower lake or continue one more mile to the upper lake and then retrace the path back to the parking lot. The lower lake is just over four miles roundtrip and if you continue to the upper lake is it just under six miles roundtrip. Other options from the upper Twin Lake is to head down the south gully that will lead you to the north end of the Lower Twin Lake. It is a good option if there is plenty of snow and one likes off trail snowshoeing. Another option is to exit the Upper Twin Lakes via the North trail and head up over Bird Butte and work your way to the Pacific Crest Trail and then head south on the PCT back to the cars. Total distance is approximately seven miles. Twin Lakes is also a great place for those that would like to try some winter camping.
continued on next page DECEMBER 2019 23
Snowshoe, continued from previous page Photo: Brian Goldman
BENNETT PASS SNOWSHOE From the Bennet Pass Sno Park, head south on the Bennett Pass road. This is usually well traveled and you are just following a closed road. Along the way, you will pass several viewpoints that offers great views of Mt. Hood. One can continue down the road as far as one wants to venture. Many turn around when they reach what is called the Terrible Traverse. This is also a good trail for first-time snowshoers.
TRILLIUM LAKE SNOWSHOE
LOWER TWIN LAKES SNOWSHOE VIA FROG LAKE BUTTE This is a bit more challenging snowshoe. It requires some route finding in the snow as it is not well traveled. It begins at Frog Lake Sno Park and heads out on Road 2610 where you have to find the Frog Lake Butte Trail that crosses the road. Then proceed up to the summit of Frog Butte. Retrace your path down from Frog Butte to the intersection with the trail that heads toward the Lower Twin Lakes. Once at the Lower Twin Lake take the standard route back to cars via the PCT. Total distance is about six miles with 1,300 ft. of elevation gain.
BARLOW ROAD TO PALMATEER POINT This starts at the Barlow Pass Sno Park and goes south on the Pacific Crest Trail toward Twin Lakes. At about 1.3 miles the trail to Palmateer Point veers off to the left. If one is lucky others have made the path/cutoff visible. Otherwise it can be easily missed. Once on the trail to Palmateer Point, if not previously traveled, it may take some route finding to keep on the trail. There are some signs of the path via green and orange paint markings on trees as well as some colored flagging tape. Once you reach Palmateer Point, if there is clear weather you will have views of Mt. Hood, Barlow Butte and the Barlow Creek valley. From here, you can retrace your path back to the trailhead or take the trail junction that heads south toward Twin Lakes and take the summer cutoff back to the PCT and then go north on the PCT to the parking lot. This will also take some route finding if not previously traveled. If one goes this way the distance is just over five miles.
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Trillium Lake offers several options for snowshoeing. It is also highly used by both snowshoers and cross-country skiers. From the Sno Park, you follow the road down to the lake, eventually reaching the earthen dam at the south end of the lake. From here there are great views across the lake (which typically is snow covered) looking up at Mt. Hood. From the dam, you can either retrace your steps back to the SnoPark or continue across the dam and follow the road around Trillium Lake toward Summit Meadows. At Summit Meadows veer to the right and follow the road back to the intersection of the road from the Sno Park. The loop is approximately five miles. This is also a great snowshoe when there is a full moon.
WHITE RIVER CANYON SNOWSHOE This is a very popular place for snowshoeing and a great place for beginners. It looks directly at Mt. Hood. On the right side you have White River running and on the left side you have Boy Scout Ridge. Once you have your snowshoes on, you can follow one of the several paths ( from other showshoers) that head up the canyon. Many only go up the canyon a mile or so or turn around when they reach the overhead power lines (which provide power to Meadows ski resort). If you go a bit farther you will come to a more open area with a large hill on your left, where the Timberline Trail comes down and crosses the river. Here you have great views of Mt. Hood and White River Canyon. White River Canyon is spectacular when there is a full moon. White River Canyon is also a good place for those that would like to try some winter camping. Timberline Lodge offers a short, one-mile trail that is groomed daily. You can also rent showshoes from the Lodge. Later in the season, Mt. Hood Meadows offers two-hour guided tours, snowshoe rentals, and a chairlift on the Vista Express up to 6600
ft., with a three mile descent from Vista Ridge. Check their respective websites for current information. If you’ve exhausted all the snowshoe trails in this area, plenty more can be found near Crater Lake and Mt. Bachelor. Rangers at Crater Lake National Park offer free guided snowshoe walks during the winter. Snowshoes are provided free of charge. The only cost is the entrance fee of $15 per vehicle. For more information: nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/ranger-guidedsnowshoe-walks.htm Mt. Bachelor offers free 90 minute tours (snowshoes provided), in which US Forest Service naturalists talk about winter ecology, the geology of central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed, and plants and animals in the area. For current information: .mtbachelor.com/events-activities/ snowshoe-tours/
EVER �ILD A Lifetime on Mount Adams
AN OVERLOOKED MOUNTAIN. AT LAST, A MOUNT ADAMS BOOK!
MAZAMA LIBRARY SNOWSHOE RESOURCES: ▶ The Snowshoe Experience, by Claire Walter, 796.9.W16 ▶ Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master, by Gene Prater, 796.9.P89 ▶ The Essential Snowshoer, by Marianne Zwosta, 796.9.Zw9
Text and Photography by DARRYL
LLOYD
Lloyd has long been striding that “high ridge” where, Vladimir Nabokov said, “the mountainside of ‘scientific’ knowledge joins the opposite slope of ‘artistic’ imagination”— and in this Book of Wonders, he takes us there. Robert Michael Pyle, Author of Wintergreen, The Butterflies of Cascadia, Where Bigfoot Walks, and twenty other books
Order your copy of Ever Wild today, online at:
www.mtadamsbook.com
Ever Wild - High Country News.indd 1
10/12/19 3:24 PM
DECEMBER 2019 25
EVENING TRAVEL PROGRAMS The Mazamas offers a robust Evening Travel Program from mid-October through April every year on Wednesday Evenings at 7 p.m. at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (527 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland, Ore.). You’ll virtually travel to every corner of the globe as our dynamic speakers immerse you in their experience through photos, video, and great storytelling. Programs are free and open to the public. We appreciate voluntary contributions at the discretion of each attendee. Carpooling, public transportation, biking, and walking to the MMC are encouraged. View the entire season’s schedule at mazamas.org/eveningtravelprograms.
Exploring Peru and Bolivia, Amazon to the Andes, December 4 In May of 2019, Mazama members Sue Brickey and Rick Pope joined a small guided group to South America led by Active Adventures. In addition to visiting Cuzco and Machu Picchu, they trekked through the Lares Valley seeing only local people along the way. Mountain biking in the Sacred Valley led past ancient ruins and a wildlife refuge. Two days were spent in the Amazonian basin exploring the rich diversity of wildlife, then it was back to 12,000 feet and the shores of Lake Titicaca. Both the Peruvian and Bolivian sides were visited by motor boat, reed boat, kayak, and on foot. A short flight led to the Uyuni desert, the largest salt flat in the world where local salt production was observed and unique cactus islands awaited. A final stop in La Paz, plus a hike at 16,000 feet on nearby peak Huayna Potosí, rounded out the trip.
5 Months, 5 Continents, 2,500 Miles: As Viewed From a Bicycle Seat, December 11 From his earliest working days, Francis Halpin envisioned taking an extended around the world trip when he retired. As he approached retirement, he melded this dream with another: to bicycle the great rivers of Europe from source to confluence. Francis retired from the Bonneville Power Administration in January of 2018 (hence the river theme) and lived out his dream July through December of that year. Most of his bicycle miles were put on in Europe. In late September the weather turned for the worse and Francis headed south to the friendlier climes of Morocco, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Hawaii; he bicycled in most of these locales but also got in a little hiking. He returned home to Portland in time for Christmas, dream trip accomplished.
Scrambling High Peaks in the Wallowas, December 18 The Wallowas. Where else in Oregon can you scramble up eight mountains over 9,000 feet in eight days with minimal road travel? In August 2019, a Mazamas outing led by Bill Stein and Eugene Lewins brought five folks on an epic backpacking loop and a couple of day trips to visit a landscape replete with wildflowers, berries, and views of Oregon’s Alps. This presentation by Bill Stein and Emily Carpenter will share dramatic stories of the adventure along with images of rock formations, smoke clouds, wildlife, and more. Mountains climbed included Aneroid, Eagle Cap, and Matterhorn.
Bullet Trains, Baseball, and Buddhism, January 8 Join Thomas McCormack as he shares stories from his travels in the Chugoku and Kansai region of SW Japan. He will begin with a major league baseball game in Fukuoka and a bullet train ride along the Inland Sea to the Aioi Bridge (ground zero) in Hiroshima, followed by another dash past fields of green rice at 180 mph to famous temples and gardens in Kyoto—Higashi Honganji, Tofukuji, Kiyomizu-dera, Koetsuji, and Eikando. A 45-degree cogwheel train up Mt. Hiei to the historic Enryakuji complex, then south into the heart of Kansai and the towering Buddha at Todaiji in Nara, and a walk past men fishing the Uji River to Koshoji and Byodoin. Finally, a return to the north edge of Kyoto to sit in the lotus posture all day long at Seitaian hermitage in Gentaku. 26 MAZAMAS
Adventurous Young MAZAMAS (AYM) Activities for those in their 20s & 30s or anyone young at heart.
An AYM team at Ape Caves in November.
WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE AYM INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT? TAG @AYMPDX IN YOUR PHOTOS OF MAZAMA ADVENTURES!
Check the website at mazamas.org/AYM and the AYM Meetup page frequently for the most up to date schedule. All trips are $2 for members/$4 for nonmembers unless otherwise noted.
LEADER SPOTLIGHT: BEN
GOFF
Hometown
What is one surprising thing about you that people don't usually know about you? I’ve written five novels.
Washington, DC Years with the Mazamas? 1 year as a formal member, but I've been hiking with Mazamas for four years. What trips are you most excited to lead? Would love to do some backpacking trips in Eastern Oregon. What is one thing that you always bring on a hike that is not one of the 10 essentials? Peanut butter M&Ms.
People should sign up for a trip with you if ... They have tons of outdoor and climbing experience. I want to learn from you. If you do not you are still welcome! What's your 5-year plan? Climb every mountain. Would love to learn how to moonwalk too, I’m a great dancer. Just ask me.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why? I wanted to be a movie director. I thought film was an amazing art form and I thought I had stories to tell. DECEMBER 2019 27
TRAIL TRIPS
JOIN US! MAZAMA TRAIL TRIPS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE tact Trail Trips trailtrips@mazamas.org with any questions.
The Mazamas offers our Trail Trips (hiking) program to serve just about every ability level. We have leaders who like to take their time meandering along flat trails for a short duration, while other want to hike at a fast clip up the side of a mountain. You get to choose what is best for you! All Mazamas hikes are open to members and nonmembers. We welcome nonmembers or those with limited experience on our hikes. Our leaders are some of the most experienced hikers in the Northwest, and they can show you some spots that you might never get to on your own! Hikes are $2 for members/$4 for nonmembers. Sign up online. All hikes listed below are available for sign up on our website! Head on over to mazamas.org/hiking to get more details. Find the hike you want to go on, click on the link, and follow the sign up prompts. HK C2 Dec. 1. Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls. Bill Stein, billstein. rpcv@gmail.com, 503-830-0817. A Gorge classictransformed by the Eagle Creek fire. The ascent to the top of Multnomah Falls is amazingly open, and the forest is partiallycharred. We will walk Multnomah Creekas far as Wiesendanger Falls, and we may get volcano views from Sherrard Point. We will likely reach snow. Also, cold, wind, and precipitation are possible, so please apply only if you plan to bring everything on the long gear list. 13.8 mi., 4,100 ft., Drive: 48. Meet at Gateway Park & Ride at 7 a.m. HK A1 Dec. 3. Mt. Talbert Nature Park Loop. Flora Huber, flobell17@comcast.net, 503-658-5710. Join Flora on one of her Little Old Lady hikes. This time up Mt. Talbert. 2.9 mi., 613 ft. Meet at Mt. Talbert Nature Park at 9 a.m. HK B2 Dec. 4. Nick Eaton-Gorton Creek Loop. Bruce Giordano, brucegiord32@ gmail.com, 503-477-6013. We will head out on steeper Nick Eaton Trail and return on the more gradual Gorton Creek trail. If the weather cooperates, we will head out to Indian Point for lunch. Be prepared for adverse weather conditions. 8 mi., 2,600 ft., Drive: 80. Meet at MMC Parking Lot at 8 a.m.
Class A: Easy to moderate; less than 8 miles and under 1,500 ft. elevation gain Class B: Moderate to difficult; less than 15 miles with 1,500–3,000 ft. elevation gain OR 8–15 miles with less than 1,500 feet of elevation gain Class C and Cw: Difficult to strenuous: 15+ miles in distance or 3,000+ ft. elevation gain. Class D: Very difficult, strenuous trips in challenging conditions. No specific distance or elevation gain. Special equipment, conditioning, and experience may be required. Contacting leader for details before the day of the trip is mandatory. “Wilderness—Limit 12” indicates the hike enters a Forest Service-designated Wilderness Area; group size limited to 12. Numeral after class indicates pace. All pace
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HK A1.5 Dec. 7. Ft. Vancouver & Vancouver Waterfront. James Selby, selbyjb@comcast. net, 828-508-5094. We meet at Pearson Field to leave and return. Pace and distance dependent upon the leader and very weather dependent, at least three miles and not more than six, very level hiking. 5 mi., 100 ft., Drive: 32. Meet at Ft. Vancouver National Historic Site at 9:30 a.m. HK Cw1.5 Dec. 7. Elk/Kings Loop (with car shuttle). Rick Craycraft, leftfield5@juno. com, 503-679-2113. If hikes in the Gorge are elevators, then this is a roller coaster. Can be pretty exciting in inclement conditions or with snow. I will not hesitate to cancel this hike if I deem it too potentially exciting. Due to short days we'll do it as a car shuttle. Up Elk and then over to Kings and down. May need microspikes and in one section there is a rope provided. A true "C" hike. Please call me if you have any questions/doubts. I'll monitor conditions and weather right down to the day before we go. 8.5 mi., 2,950 ft., Drive: 60. Meetat Target & SW 185th at 7:30 a.m. HK A1.5 SUN, Dec. 8. AYM Hike: Hart's Cove. Matt Reeder, mareede@gmail.com, 503314-3266. Hart's Cove is a dramatic point on a rugged stretch of coastline north of Lincoln City. The spectacular trail to this spot is only open from July through December, so it's time to go explore the area before it closes again at the end of the month. Join AYM for a fun hike to this neat corner of the Oregon Coast. We'll hike down to the cove, where we'll stop for a picnic if the weather permits. From there it's back uphill to the trailhead. Time and
information is uphill speed range; e.g. 1.5 = 1.5–2 mph: a slow to moderate pace; 2 = 2.0–2.5 mph: a moderate speed common on weekend hikes; 2.5 = 2.5–3.0 mph: a moderate to fast pace and is a conditioner. Hike fees/Snowshoe/Nordic Costs: $2 for members, $4 nonmembers; Backpack Costs: Vary depending on trip. Meeting Places: Clackamas Towne Center Park & Ride (9225 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas): Gateway–SE corner of P and R Garage near 99th and Pacific (I-84 Exit 7); L and C–Lewis and Clark State Park (1-84 Exit 18); Oswego TC–Boones Ferry Rd at Monroe Parkway; Salmon Creek P and R–Vancouver P and R at 134 St (1-5 Exit 7 or 1-205 Exit 36); Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center–Sandy Blvd. and 98th Ave. (1-205 Exit 23A); Durham–P
weather permitting we'll either hike the short trail to the views at Cascade Head or stop at the beach in Neskowin for a short beach walk. Hike will be limited to 12 participants. No dogs. Plan on muddy trails and rainy weather, as is usually the case on the coast in winter. 5.8 mi., 900 ft., Drive: 160. Meet at Tigard Transit Center at 8 a.m. HK A2 Dec. 10. Marquam Nature Park Dog Friendly Hike. Don McCoy, donald1020@ aol.com, 503-246-7416. This amazing little hike starts at the Marquam Shelter off Sam Jackson Road below OHSU. We will meet at the parking lot. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but you don't need a dog to attend. We will walk up the Sunnyside Trail and then follow the Marquam Trail over to Marquam Hill Road. We will cross the road and then travel through a new set of trails that go below Fairmount and end up near Terwilliger. We will back track on the Marquam Trail back to the Marquam Shelter. 5 mi., 600 ft. Meet at Marquam Nature Park Trailhead at 9 a.m. HK A1 Dec. 10. Cascade Lock to EagleCreek. Flora Huber, flobell17@comcast. net, 503-658-5710. Join Flora Huber on a hike from Cascade Lock to Eagle Creek. Approx. 3 mi. Please plan to meet at the Mazama Mountaineering Center at 9 a.m. to carpool. HK B2 Dec. 11. Gales Creek. Rex Breunsbach, rbreunsbach@gmail.com, 971832-2556. 10.1 mi., 1,200 ft., Drive: 50. Meet atTarget & SW 185th at 8 a.m.
and R at Boones Ferry and Bridgeport (1-5 Exit 290); MMC–Mazama Mountaineering Center, 527 SE 43rd at Stark; Pendleton– Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal; REI–Pearl, NW 14th and Johnson; Target185– Target P/L Sunset Hwy at 185th. Dr.–round-trip driving mileage.–Hike elevation gain. TH Pass–USFS parking pass needed for trailhead; SnoPark–Snow park pass. FLTC–3510 SE 164th Ave. in Vancouver. 99th TC–9700 NE 7th Ave. in Vancouver. Trail Trips Hike Rules: Hikers are encouraged to carpool and share costs. The maximum suggested total rate each is a donation of ten cents per mile for up to three people per vehicle. Dogs are not allowed except for hikes designated as “dog-walks.” Alcohol and firearms are not allowed. Participants
should wear appropriate hiking shoes, and carry lunch, water, rain gear (umbrella, parka, or poncho), and the 10 essentials (whistle, extra food and clothing, sun protection, map, compass, flashlight, first aid kit, pocket knife, waterproof matches, fire starter). Participants should be in a physical condition appropriate for the difficulty of the hike. Leaders may decline anyone not properly equipped or judged incapable of completing the hike in a reasonable time frame. Hikers voluntarily leaving the group are considered nonparticipants. In case of accident, illness, or incapacity, hikers must pay their medical and/or evacuation expenses whether they authorize them or not. Hikes leave the meeting place at the time listed. Adverse conditions, weather, and combined circumstances can affect difficulty.
READY TO SIGN UP ONLINE? Many hikes have limited space. Sign up online to secure your spot. Are you a first time user? Go to mazamas.org/gettingstarted to learn how to create your account. It’s simple, and should take no more than 5 minutes to get up and running. Please review the information at mazamas.org/gettingstarted carefully before creating your account. If you still have questions after reading the information, email us at help@ mazamas.org. HK B1.5 Dec. 14. Devils Rest (via Wahkeena). Alexandra Marie Koch, bethechange40@gmail.com, 503-830-0619. 7.4 mi., 2,400 ft., Drive: 45. Meet at Gateway Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. HK A Dec. 14. Cape Falcon. Rex Breunsbach, rbreunsbach@gmail.com, 971-832-2556. We will meet-up at Manzanita News & Espresso at 8 a.m. and drive to thetrailhead. Combine with a weekend visit tothe coast. 7 mi., 1,000 ft., Drive: 116. HK B2 Dec. 14. Tom-Dick Mountain. David Rempel, crempel2@yahoo.com, 928587-0511. Watch the forecast going into the hiketo know what to expect and how to dress/prepare. This time of year is about my favorite for hiking Tom Dick and Harry, it is cool and Mt. Hood is gorgeous in its white mantle. Trekking poles & foot traction (e.g., Yaktrax,microspikes, etc.) are required; I do not expect to need snowshoes this time of year—if needed I will let you know. Drivers need an Oregon SnoPark and NW Forest Pass. Hike sign-up on Mazama website required. 7.2 mi.,1,715 ft., Drive: 94. Meet at 99th Street Transit Center Park & Ride at 7 a.m. (arrive 10–15 minutes early to arrange carpools). HK B2 Dec. 14. Ten Falls + Local Culture. Bill Stein, billstein.rpcv@gmail.com, 503-8300817. The Trail of Ten Falls, at Silver Falls State Park, is Oregon's most waterfall-rich trail. This hike, starting and ending at South Falls, will be sandwiched by two cultural activities: breakfast in Silverton in the morning and the Silver Falls Christmas Festival in the afternoon. If you're not interested in both cultural experiences, please do not register for this Trail Trip. It's important to your hike leader that our hikers inject a little $ into the communities where we hike from time to time. Icy conditions have been encountered on Christmas Festival weekend in the past, so please bring traction devices (micro-spikes or yak-trax). Every vehicle will need to pay $5 or display an Oregon State Park day use pass. 8.7mi., 1,300 ft., Drive: 110 RT. Meet at SE Fuller Road Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. HK A1.5 Dec. 15. Peaks of Happy Valley. Rick Craycraft, leftfield5@juno.com, 503679-2113. A pre-holiday swing through theprominent areas of Happy Valley. First we'll take nearly every trail on Mt. Talbert to the top and round and round. Then we'll swing
over to Scouter's Mountain and take a short trail maybe more than once. Views if it's a clear day, in town exercise if it's not. Perhaps top the day off with seasonal treats at New Seasons Happy Valley. Keep an eye on the weather and come prepared. 700 ft., Drive: 2. Meet at Clackamas Town Center MaxPark & Ride Garage at 9 a.m. HK A2 Dec. 18. Bunker Hill—Holiday Celebration. Rex Breunsbach, rbreunsbach@ gmail.com, 971-832-2556. Starting on thePCT we will climb the hill's 14 switchback sand celebrate with a little hot cider. Bring a holiday decoration or two along with you. Meet at the Mazama Center Parking Lot. 6mi., 1,500 ft., Drive: 65. Meet at at 8 a.m. HK A1 Dec. 19. Dry Creek Falls. Flora Huber, flobell17@comcast.net, 503-658-5710. 4.4 mi.,725 ft., Drive: 78. Meet at MMC Parking Lot at 9 a.m. HK A1.5 Dec. 20. Moulton Falls. James Selby, selbyjb@comcast.net, 828-508-5094. Distance on this hike is very weather dependent, could be as short as 3 miles or as long as five miles, mostly very level. Can behiked in the rain just fine, can even bring an umbrella as trail is quite wide. 6 mi., 200 ft., Drive: 60. Meet at Gateway Park & Ride at 8:30 a.m. Second meeting place is Lucia Falls at 9:15 a.m. HK A1.5 Dec. 21. Twin Lakes Snowshoe.Joe Whittington, joewhittington@gmail.com,503297-6344. We celebrate the winter solstice by starting at Frog Lake SnoPark and traveling to Lower Twin Lake and take a snack break. Then continue on the Twin Lake Loop Trail to Upper Twin Lake for lunch. Meeting location: Gateway Park & Ride. 6 mi., 500 ft., Drive: 120 RT. Meet at Gateway Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. HK B2 Dec. 31. Forest Park—Rollercoaster. Rex Breunsbach, rbreunsbach@gmail. com, 971-832-2556. New Year's Eve morning warm-up in Forest Park. Hike down from Newton Road off Skyline to Highway 30 and then back up. Start early, done by noon, in plenty of time to ring in the new year. 8 mi., 1,200 ft. Meet at MMC Parking Lot at 8 a.m. to carpool, or at 8:30 a.m. at Newton Rd. trailhead. HK B1.5 Jan. 1. Mazama Ridge on First Day of the Decade. Bill Stein, billstein.rpcv@ gmail.com, 503-830-0817. Start your 2020s with a snowshoe in Mt. Rainier National Park.
STREET RAMBLES Tuesday & Thursday at REI in the Pearl DECEMBER 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 26 (No Ramble on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve) Every Tuesday & Thursday you can join a team of Mazamas at the REI in the Pearl District. Going on a Street Ramble is one of the best ways to get an introduction to the Mazama hiking program. Meet other hikers and maybe plan a weekend trip, maintain your fitness after work, and see some hidden parts of Portland you might never get to see otherwise. Interested in joining us? All you need to do is show up, check in, pay, and be ready to go at 6 p.m. We'll see you there! Note: If Portland Public Schools are closed for weather-related issues, Street Rambles will be cancelled. Meet in the parking garage at REI in the Pearl District at 1405 NW Johnson Street, Portland, 97209. This moderate-difficulty snowshoe trip is NOT for beginners. Please only sign up if you have previous snowshoe experience—and if you don't plan to stay up too late on New Year's Eve. 3.5 mi., 1,000 ft., Drive: 312 RT. Meet at Gateway Park & Ride at 6 a.m. HK B2 Jan. 1. First Dog of the Decade. Gary Riggs, gary.riggs@outlook.com, 503-236-1883. Start the decade with an exhilarating hike up Dog Mountain! We'll hike up the scenic trail past Puppy Dog to the summit. We'll take the Augspurger Trail back down. Be prepared for ice, snow, and wind. Bring microspikes or some kind of traction, at least. Snowshoes maybe required. Yes, and insulated hot drinks for break time!. 7.2 mi., 2,900 ft., Drive: 98. Meet atGateway Park & Ride at 8 a.m.
DECEMBER 2019 29
This Month in Executive council (Mazama BOARD OF DIRECTORS) The next month’s board meeting is on Tuesday, December 17. All meetings begin at 4 p.m. and are open to all members. There is a member comment period at 5:30 p.m.. This summary was written by Mitsu Iwasaki, Mazama Executive Director (ED) . Members can access full meeting minutes one month after the meeting by sending an email to adventure@mazamas.org and making a request. Executive Council (EC) president, Traci Manning, called the meeting to order at 4 p.m., noting a quorum was present. The EC approved the meeting minutes of October 9 and 16. The EC asked why the October membership report showed 1,000 less members than in 2018. Mitsu explained that this was an impact of our new policy to no longer “float” members from October to December (memberships expire on October 1), and that this reflects a more accurate figure of current members. We expect to catch up by year’s end. Treasurer Joe Eberhardt gave an overview of the October financials: ▶ Our Insurance has run over budget— a trend that will likely continue for the next few months. We will be reviewing our policies and costs in the marketplace. ▶ Class registration was down—ICS was not completely filled during last year’s session, and skill builders were canceled due to lack of staff capacity to coordinate during the transitions ▶ Ad and sponsorship revenue were down. ▶ A new EC Finance Committee, comprised of Joe Eberhardt, Rick Amodeo, Mitsu Iwasaki and, Preston Corless will begin monthly meetings soon. The EC reviewed a memo listing what skills, qualities, and or experience would be useful in nominees for the Executive Council. The revised memo will be sent to the Nominating Committee, reflecting the discussion. Nominating Committee Chair Walter Keutel was in attendance for the discussion. The skills listed for prior years are largely still accurate. An EC member reflected that it may not be beneficial to emphasize fundraising for every candidate, as it is a skill/requirement that may be challenging for some. Mitsu commented that we may want to look for people at leading community institutions/organizations to ask to be on our board or as advisors to help those corporations support the Mazamas. To facilitate board fundraising, the Executive Director will create a training/opportunity for all EC members to learn basics of fundraising. Lastly in nominations, the Nominating Committee was asked for feedback for recommendations for “non-white male” candidates—we need to identify people and also provide opportunities for them to be involved with the Mazamas through committees and other avenues. The goal is for the board to reflect the community. The board reflected that we need to prioritize diversity and create a pathway for members to get the experience/networking to be successful candidates for EC board. As a transition step, we can find advisors to the board to help us
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create that pathway, but ensure that we avoid tokenism. As part of the Executive Director’s Report, Mitsu reviewed the October dashboard, October report, grant calendar, and 10-year look back documents. He noted that the new dashboard is meant to provide information on the health of the Mazamas to the EC Board, Mazamas Foundation Board, Mazama staff, and interested Mazama members. The dashboard pointed out that: ▶ one third of our members pay the regular membership rate ▶ we need to develop capacity to report more detailed figures for participation in educational and recreational activities ▶ we will continue training committees to enter data into the website (which feeds into our database) ▶ our membership demographics indicate we are not growing in the same demographics that the Portland community is ▶ and it will help the ED see when expected and actual financial numbers are off on a monthly basis. Mitsu eported on the grant calendar. We have budgeted to pursue significant number of gifts/grants, but with the current board makeup, it will be challenging due to lack of diversity that most funders require. Mitsu then updated the Executive Committee on the status of the Central Oregon Permitting. The Forest Service is continuing on the path to fees and permits for entering certain areas of the Deschutes National Forest. The current proposal is a fee of $6 per person per day for permits administered through Recreation.gov, which will require acquiring permits months in advance. The Access Fund, the Mountaineers, and the Mazamas are working together to inform the Forest Service that this proposal does not reflect equitable access or support current recreation practices for climbers, skiers, backpackers, etc.. Lastly, we recognized Sarah Bradham, Mazamas Operations Director and Portland Alpine Fest (PAF) Director for another great PAF, great engagement through increased in participation throughout the week and at The Summit: An Evening with Lynn Hill. Some challenges included lost athletes to uncontrollable circumstances and illness. No members chose to speak during the member comment period. The Executive Council meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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