March 2019 Vol. 101 | No. 3
Bulletin
Olympic Coast: Toleak Insight on Patagonia Outdoor Mad Libs Views from the Summit
LET’S RUN!
MAZAMA MOUNTAIN RUNNING CAMP Friday, Aug. 2–Sunday, Aug. 4 at Mazama Lodge Located at the base of Mt. Hood, at beautiful Mazama Lodge, the Mountain Running Camp is geared towards road and trail runners interested in taking their running to the mountain environment as well as honing their mountain running skills. This 21/2-day, 2-night camp will include: ▷▷ group runs ▷▷ mountain running movies ▷▷ a bootcamp ▷▷ excellent instruction by top level runners ▷▷ hill running clinic ▷▷ great food ▷▷ mountain safety clinic ▷▷ all in a gorgeous setting! ▷▷ discussion of training plans and philosophies Led by Yassine Diboun, Joelle Vaught, Amy Sproston, and Jason Leman, this camp will get you ready to confidently run and explore the mountains on your own. Some of the sessions will be held as a large group, while others will be split into groups of 10. We will adhere to wilderness regulation party size of 12 whenever we are in a wilderness area. There will always be a 5:1 student/ instructor ratio. Transportation, meals (excellent quality, fresh foods, vegetarian and gluten-free available) are included, along with bunk-style lodging. Mazama Lodge is at appx. 1,500 ft. below historic Timberline Lodge. Runs will take place between 3,000– 6,500 ft. in elevation. Full Details: mazamas.org/mountainrunningcamp/
So You Want To Go To Patagonia? See page 19 for more info.
Photo by Ali Gray
FEATURES
MONTHLY CONTENT
CONTACT US
Upcoming Activities, p. 4 Volunteer Opportunities, p. 13 Mazama Lodge, p. 16 Membership Report, p. 18 Classics, p. 19 Saying Goodbye, p. 23 Successful Climbers, p. 25 Mazama Library Notes, p. 26 Travel Programs, p. 28 AYM, p. 29 Outings, p. 32 Trail Trips, p.36 Executive Council, p. 38
MAZAMA MOUNTAINEERING CENTER 527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97215 Phone: 503-227-2345 adventure@mazamas.org |
Strolling towards Toleak, p. 6 So you want to go Patagonia?, p. 8 Outdoor Mad Libs, p. 14 Views from the Summit, p. 20 Mountain March Madness, p. 24 Used Equipment Sale, p. 33 Conservation Corner, p. 34
Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
MAZAMA LODGE 30500 West Leg Rd., Government Camp, OR, 97028; Phone: 503-272-9214 Hours: Thu. Noon–Sun. Noon
SARAH BRADHAM Acting Executive Director sarah@mazamas.org
ADVERTISER INDEX
PUBLICATIONS TEAM
Peru Andes Discovery, p. 19 Next Adventure, p. 27 Davis Financial, p. 30 Embark Exploration, p. 32 OMC, p. 32 Green Trails Maps, p. 39
Editor: Sarah Bradham, Acting Executive Director (mazama.bulletin@mazamas.org)
Advertise now! tinyurl.com/ MazamaAdvertising
Cover: Tyler Bax on top of The Tooth back in July. Photo: Brian Clament
Members: Jonathan Barrett, Reymond Drew, Lindsey Garner, Brian Goldman, Darrin Gunkel, Kevin Machtelinckx, Ali Gray, Tyler MacBeth, and Katie Polanshek (publications@mazamas.org)
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.
ERICA STOCK Development Director ericastock@mazamas.org MATHEW BROCK Library & Historical Collections Manager mathew@mazamas.org LAURA BURGER Development Coordinator lauraburger@ mazamas.org CHARLES BARKER Mazama Lodge Manager mazama.lodge@ mazamas.org
RENEE FITZPATRICK Finance & Office Coordinator reneefitzpatrick@ mazamas.org MOLLY MOSENTHAL Youth Program Coordinator mollymosenthal@ mazamas.org CLAIRE NELSON Youth & Outreach Manager clairenelson@ mazamas.org JUSTIN ROTHERHAM Education & Activities Program Manager justinrotherham@ mazamas.org KELSEY SHAW Member Services Administrator kelseyshaw@mazamas.org
MARCH 2019 3
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR
MARCH 14 AT REVOLUTION HALL
Portland Mountain Rescue is hosting the Mountainfilm on Tour at Revolution Hall! Come out for an evening of epic outdoor documentary films, prizes, drinks, mingle with Portland’s outdoor culture, and meet the volunteer rescuers. All proceeds go to support PMR’s nonprofit mission. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $22 at the door. (tinyurl.com/PMRMountainFilm2019)
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FEST APRIL 5, 6, 7 AT CINEMA 21 APRIL 11, 12, 13 AT REVOLUTION HALL
There are three nights of unique lineups featuring the latest adrenaline inducing, cinematic adventure stories to date! Check out the lineup at Cinema 21 or Revolution Hall and get your tickets today. Cinema 21: Tickets on sale now on Cinema 21’s website and at REI locations. (cinema21.com) Revolution Hall: Tickets on sale now on Revolution Hall’s website. (revolutionhall.com)
MAZAMA CLIMB LEADERS The Climbing Committee has scheduled the following classes for climb leaders to update their qualifications. You can find all of the climb leader classes and register at mazamas.org/calendar/education/ ▶▶ Climb Leader Crevasse Rescue: Saturday, March 2 at Timberline ▶▶ Climb Leader High-Angle Rescue Recert: Saturday, May 4 at the MMC (HA) ▶▶ Climb Leader High-Angle Rescue Full Course: May 22, 29, June 1 and 2.
CANYONEERING CLASS
Registration Opens March 15
Canyoneering (or “canyoning”) is the sport of exploring canyons using a variety of techniques such as scrambling, climbing, rappelling, wading and swimming. The term usually refers to the descent of technical canyons requiring ropes, harnesses, and other specialized gear. Like mountain peaks, canyons vary widely in level of difficulty - ranging from the easy hike-through variety to the extremely technical. Dry canyons are generally easier in terms of rigging and preparation compared to those which contain flowing water. The more water that is present, the more difficult the canyon. Canyoneering is practiced all over the world, although is most well known in Europe and the United States. It’s a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity. In North America, most people associate canyoneering with the famous slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau, although it’s also being practiced in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierras, Arizona, British Columbia, Mexico, Hawaii, and here in the Cascades. With one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls in the world, canyoneering is a natural fit for the Pacific Northwest. Prerequisites: This is not a class for beginners. The ideal applicant will have Intermediate Climb School (ICS) or equivalent training / experience. Participants must be able to build an anchor and safely execute a basic rappel without supervision. The ideal participant will be familiar with the basic principles of anchor building, belaying, common knots, rope management, wilderness navigation, first aid, and be a competent swimmer. Some canyons require rugged off-trail approaches and bushwhacking. Schedule: Students will attend five lectures and two field sessions. Lectures will introduce participants to planning a canyon trip with a discussion of gear, water protection, ethics, hazards, and good practices. Students will be introduced to Single Rope Technique (SRT), the concept of setting the length, rope blocks, releasable rigging, and more. ▶▶ Lectures: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 27, and July 11. ▶▶ Field Sessions (there are two field sessions; students will pick one day from Session 1 and one day from Session 2): Session 1 options: June 15, 16, 22 or 23. Session 2 options: July 6, 7, 13 or 14. Location: Mazama Mountaineering Center and local creeks. Tuition: $225 members / $290 non-members. Full Details: mazamas.org/canyoneering 4 MAZAMAS
Mazama Programs: Creating Community Dear Mazamas This month, the Mazamas launches our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), and for 8-weeks a cadre of dedicated volunteer leaders and assistants will be working hard to teach this year’s cohort of enthusiastic students the fundamental skills of mountaineering. While students are both members and nonmembers, they come to us with a great diversity of skills, experiences, and interests. Hikers, backpackers and general outdoor enthusiasts, some have already summitted peaks or lead climbed on rock, while others will put on a harness for the very first time. But year after year we find a common theme amongst the many BCEP applications: prospective students are not only seeking out mountaineering skills but also a community of people with a shared interest and passion for the outdoors. The beauty of BCEP lies in its ability to prepare committed students to safely participate on an A- or B-level climb as part of a Mazama team and how it creates a sense of community that extends beyond the course. This is what makes the Mazamas and our education programs so special and unique. There are few other programs like across the country and across the globe. And after graduating from the program, many of our students go on to enjoy lifelong friendships and many years of climbing, alpine recreation, and mountain stewardship throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Mazamas was founded on July 19, 1894 on the summit of Mt. Hood, during a storm in which 193 men and women reached the summit. On that day, 105 charter members formed the Mazamas, and planted our roots in the mountains— mountaineering, exploration, research, and stewardship of our mountain areas. As the Mazamas have evolved over our 125 year history, we have always worked to stay true to our roots. Recently, we debuted a new mission statement— inspiring everyone to love and protect the mountains. This mission statement is the guiding principle of our organization,
and the foundation for Mazamas2020, our current strategic plan (mazamas.org/ mazamas2020). It is the mountains that have brought us all together—the snow-covered peaks that we scale, the wild trails that we hike, the rock walls that we climb, and the slopes that we ski—but it is our community that keeps us together. Everyone who comes through the Mazamas has their Mazama story to tell. It usually involves how they found their people through a class or a climb or a hike, and in many instances, it is a story about how their lives changed. My Mazama story, like many of yours, began with BCEP. In 2002 I was still relatively new to Portland, and I had been spending most of my weekends hiking solo. I had yet to find anyone who shared my love of the trails. My solo hiking made my coworkers nervous, so a Mazama member put a Basic School application on my desk and told me to apply. I thought long and hard about it, but finally mailed—yes, mailed!—my paper application to the old clubrooms on NW 19th, and hoped for the best. I was accepted into the program, and nervously showed up on the first night, not sure what to expect. One of my assistants told us eager students to clear our schedules for the next 8 weeks because we wouldn’t have time for anything outside of work and BCEP, not even to balance our checkbooks. I thought this was a bit dramatic, how much time could a few field sessions and hikes really take? I quickly learned how wrong I was, as BCEP completely took over my life. During the course I bonded with my fellow students as we learned to tie knots, use an ice axe, put on crampons, and rappel. We shared miles of trail together, through rain, sleet, snow, and sometimes even sunshine, and got to know each other. Before the course was over we were making summer hiking and climbing plans. It was my love of the mountains and desire to explore them, coupled with one simple decision to sign up for BCEP that
truly changed the course of my life. I went from solo hiking to finding a community of people who shared my love of the outdoors. I joined Mazama climbs and quickly built a network of friends who are some of my closest friends to this day. My story is not unique. I hear this same story from many other members. While BCEP creates the largest influx of people into the organization each year, others find their way to the Mazamas through our weeknight street rambles, our trail trips hikes, our Adventurous Young Mazamas activities, our climbs, our evening travel series, and other programs. It is today’s BCEP students and first time ramblers, who become tomorrow’s climb and hike leaders, or committee chairs, or even Executive Council leaders. The promise of community in a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected, is an important part of what we do as an organization. I hope you will join me in welcoming this year’s group of BCEP students, as well as all the people who are taking their first hike or ramble with the Mazamas. In our 125th year, let’s continue to work towards an inclusive environment that truly welcomes everyone who wants to love and protect the mountains.
Sarah Bradham Mazamas Acting Executive Director
MARCH 2019 5
Strolling Towards
Toleak Article by Darrin Gunkel. Photos by Darrin Gunkel.
L
a Push Road, between Forks, Washington and the coast, is pretty nondescript. Not much in the way of topography, settlements, scenery, or blessedly, traffic. Especially on a cloudy Thursday in the middle of January. I’m heading to the the Third Beach trailhead for the South Olympic Coast route, in Olympic National Park. The parking lot, a long pull out carved from a thick second growth forest, looks like countless others around the Pacific Northwest. But I when I stop and roll down a window, I immediately feel the presence of the Pacific Ocean, a mile and a half away. After listening to the rumble of my engine and squawk of the radio for the last five hours, the quiet here feels well earned. I’m entirely alone until a father and his two sons pull up, pull out their packs, fiddle around a few minutes, then mysteriously get back in their truck and take off. So I kick back and wait for my hiking crew to show up, enjoying the faint scent of sea in the air. Soon enough, we’re all assembled. There’s some brief discussion about whether we should consolidate some gear so we can leave one of our bear cans behind. Kind of big and heavy, the cans are required for backcountry trips on the coast in Olympic National Park. There are enough bears out here, and enough people on the trail that don’t know how to properly secure their food, that the National Park loans them out for free. They’re awkward and look like miniature depth charges or industrial barrels strapped atop our packs. But we decide that a little redundancy can’t hurt. It’s winter after all, and so hauling extra stoves, fuel, and bags of trail mix and salami might prove worthwhile if the weather turns. After all, where we’re planning on camping, Toleak Point, is just six and a half miles down a mainly flat, mostly beach, trail. Mainly flat. There are several rope assisted (and one with an actual ladder) climbs up the coastal bluff to avoid impassable headlands, each a few hundred feet of elevation. Since the weather’s been dry, the
6 MAZAMAS
climbs, including the notorious mountain of mud at Scotts Bluff shouldn’t be all that difficult with slightly heavier packs. A final check to make sure everyone has a tide chart. Timing’s everything hiking the Olympic coast, where a few hours can mean the difference between making it quickly around a point, or sitting and staring at it until the tide recedes enough to allow safe passage. Then we’re on our way along an easy path through the second growth forest thin enough to offer glimpses of the sky we hope will clear, and stay that way for the rest of our trip. I’ve hiked this trail half a dozen times in fine summer weather. The route has grown more and more popular over the years, and I’m hoping to recapture, with this winter visit, the same solitude I found on my first journey down this coast, a mid-week in June, 2002. Toleak was undiscovered back then – I saw only three other people the entire trip. In a mile and a half, the trail drops down the cleft of Newbert Creek and our party arrives at Third Beach. We continue south, a short half a mile down firm sand, to where a wall of forest and rock rise from the sea to block further progress at even the lowest tides. This is Taylor point, the first and most entertaining rope climb on the route, the one with the ladder. It was more entertaining before the ladder started falling apart. Several rungs are broken or missing, making the climb less fun than it once was. Another casualty
of Olympic’s $120 million maintenance backlog. At the top of this not-quite vertical pitch, the route turns back into a forest hike. We follow it through lovely old growth behind the lip of Taylor Point for less than a mile and then begin an unusually gentle grade ( for these parts) back down to sea level, at a cove a little over a mile from Third Beach, and three miles from the trailhead. On the way down, we stop to scout a path off the main trail. It leads to a forest camp, near the bluff but viewless, screened by dense trees. Still, you can hear the rush of the surf below. The site’s far-ish from a water source, but this would be an ideal camp to ride out a bad turn in the weather. It’s tempting to linger in these peaceful woods listening to the waves crash, but there are other sights ahead worth lingering over. The next leg of the trail becomes impassable when the tide rises over 4.5'. But we have plenty of time for this halfmile stretch of beach. At its far end we find the red and black target marking the rope up Scotts Bluff. Mud Mountain. Climb this bluff during or right after a heavy rain, and you can find yourself hip deep in clay. We’re in luck with this dry winter, though. No one loses a boot, and everyone in our party reaches the dense stand of Salal at the top relatively muck free. This is one of the most primal sections of the trail, wet and oozy nearly all the time, in a cleft between the bluff and a higher ridge inland. Someone points out that it’s very important we
remember we’re climbing over Scotts Bluff to get to Scott Creek. You have to wonder about the people who named these places, sometimes. I imagine a salty old surveyor, erasing the second S from the creek name on his map, chuckling at some obscure joke to himself. Scott Creek, just four miles from the trailhead, was once an ideal place to camp. The creek bottom here is a riot of exuberant temperate rainforest undergrowth and towering Sitka Spruce. The beach is a front row seat for Giants Graveyard, a collection of hulking sea stacks just offshore. The camp, under the forest eaves, lay behind the huge mound of beach logs, driftwood, and gigantic washed up root balls collected above the high tide line. It was a perfect spot, close to fresh water and sheltered from coastal winds, until a storm pushed a huge pile of drift wood right into the middle of it. Now it is a teeter-totter maze of logs you negotiate to gain the beach. Clearing it would be way too big a job for anyone but professional trail workers. Weirdly, we find dad and his kids who ditched the parking lot lollygagging on the beach. “We took the shortcut!” they tell us. My friend Pete, who used to hike this entire coast trail a couple times a year and knows pretty much every nook and cranny fills us in: you can cut a few miles off the route by following a logging road through state forest lands inland from the park. “It saves a few minutes,” Pete says, “which is fine as long as you don’t mind trading everything we’ve just hiked for views of a clear cut from your car, then walking through an old clear cut on a decommissioned logging road most of the way to the beach.” I wonder how many Toleak hikers know about this. The dad tells me, “Everybody! There’s a whole bunch of vehicles parked up there today.” So much for winter solitude. Except for the point at Giants Graveyard, which requires tides below four feet to negotiate, the rest of the hike to Toleak is straightforward. Just over halfway there, we scout Strawberry Point for camping. Great views up and down the coast, but it’s too exposed to weather, despite lying behind a massive, solitary haystack presiding over the northwest end of Toleak Bay. And anyway, I have my eye on a particular spot and am in a hurry to snag it before anyone else might. From Strawberry Point, we can see the whole mile-long curve of beach leading to Toleak Point, and make
out what feels like a horde—but really isn’t more than a dozen people—wandering the beach. So I hoof it, heading for a point halfway down the bay where a tall, pointy sea stack, with a profile straight out of Easter Island juts from the shore: Moai Rock. The campsite here is backed by a fantastic stand of Sitka Spruce. And unoccupied! As with all the camps along this shore, it’s grown over the years, as hikers who don’t know or don’t care about wilderness ethics trample more of the undergrowth to make room for ever more tents. Still, the firepit hasn’t grown overly large, the majority of undergrowth is still luxuriant, and the views, from distant Giants Graveyard all the way to the chain of stacks off Toleak Point, is pretty incredible. A bald eagle watches us from its perch on the very tip of Moai Rock. One past trip, my wife Karin and I sat here and watched a sea otter and her two pups body surfing the breaking waves. After setting up, I find Pete down on the beach, chatting with one of our neighbors. “This is crowded? Last 4th of July, there were 100 people on this beach. And the fireworks: all night!” “And no national park rangers to put a stop to it?” Pete asks. “When’s the last time you saw a ranger down here?” One reason Moai Rock camp is empty today, it’s far from the main Toleak water source, Jackson Creek, on the other side of the point. We find more folks on that side, camped daringly close to the high tide line. And, washed up in a tangle of seaweed, the body of a small shark that bears a striking resemblance to that most famous shark of all: Jaws. Washington is supposed to be beyond the range of Great Whites, but with climate change, I guess all bets are off. Strange and sad turns aside, the afternoon has grown lovely. High clouds ripple the
sky at sunset, echoing the patterns in the low-tide beach sand. The line of sea stacks at the point reach out toward the western horizon. As night falls, the final clouds dissipate, and we are treated the winter stars in full glory under calm skies on a beach where not one single electric light is visible. And as luck would have it, the forecast proves wrong and the weather stays heavenly for the next two days. We occupy our time wandering the tide pools, working on winter tans, and making the two and a half mile trip around the point, up the next bluff and down again to visit the old growth giants at Goodman Creek. Cedars and Sitka Spruce as spectacularly huge as any in the Hoh Rainforest. And some true solitude. The only other person venturing this far is a trail runner who pauses long enough to report a lot of blow down on the 300-foot-high bluffs above Hoh Head, four more miles away, and, alas, a goal that has to await another trip. Our final morning, we get fog cut with shafts of other-wordly sunlight for our hike out. Strawberry Point’s haystack looms ill-defined in the mist. Giants Graveyard fades in and out, a shifting constellation of geology. Tall trees on the shore look like paper cutouts. At Scott Creek, we break to savor the views and wilderness. A large group emerges from the woods. “Do you guys have a tide table? Do you think we’ll be able to get around the next point?” one of them asks. I point out that they’ve got about two hours to cover the half mile they need to, and then hand over my tide print out, good for the next four days. “Thanks! What’s up with the big canisters on your packs? Are you photographers or something?” No, just keeping our food away from bears. We hoist our packs. “Hey! Did you guys take the shortcut too?”
MARCH 2019 7
So You Want to Go to Patagonia? Article by Ali Gray. Photos by Ali Gray.
I
wanted to go to Patagonia—really badly, for a long time. This past January I finally made it, and what a place it is. Here’s some insight for those who wish to make the 7,500 mile journey south to see one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Patagonia is huge. Encompassing the entire southern region of Chile and Argentina (around 400,000 square miles), Patagonia is home to a sparse 2 million people. Arid deserts, windswept coastlines, vast pampas (plains), the largest ice sheet outside of Antarctica, and miles and miles of remote nothing make up the landscape. Spires of rock jut into the sky above bright turquoise lakes. Glaciers sprawl right in front of those lucky enough to be there. Sheep, guanacos (a llama relative), ñandúes (Darwin’s rheas), and horses roam the plains. Pumas and huemules (an endangered species of deer) hide in the forests. Flamingoes fill the lowland waterways, and giant Andean condors soar above the Andes.
THE FIRST STEP: GETTING THERE Flights cost around $1,000. So start saving now, and prepare for 24+ hours of travel. It’s relatively easy to overcome the 5-hour time difference in comparison to the abrupt 180° change of seasons and the gain (or loss) of daylight. Flights between 8 MAZAMAS
Chile and Argentina can get spendy, so plan on flying into one country then bussing or driving into the other. Santiago, Chile to Punta Arenas is a common route, as is Buenos Aires, Argentina to El Calafate or Bariloche. Punta Arenas is the starting point for Torres del Paine or Tierra del Fuego (it’s possible to fly into Ushuaia, but plan on jumping lots of small flights). El Calafate gets you to Perito Moreno Glacier and the area surrounding Fitz Roy. Bariloche, in northern Patagonia, is a Swiss-themed ski and trekking town known for chocolate.
COASTAL CHILE We flew into Punta Arenas, one of the larger Patagonian towns. While you’re there, check out the cemetery (odd, but it’s massive, and full of sculpted bushes, interesting old graves, and mausoleums). As the main port in southern Chile, Punta Arenas is right on the South Pacific. A visit to the beach is a good way to spend a few hours (and meet a few dogs). Eat some affordable seafood—I highly recommend
the seafood soup at Okusa—or head to Lomito’s to have a Chilean sandwich with the locals. Half-day trips to visit penguins were expensive but looked fun. Catching the 2-hour bus to Puerto Natales is easy. Buses are a great way to get around—they’re reliable, run frequently, and go to all the hard-hitting locations. Puerto Natales is a little touristy, with shops selling souvenirs and high-end wool products (sheep are the main industry in Patagonia). The waterfront makes for a great walk. Hit some of the cervezerías (most sell Cerveza Austral, the one and only beer you’ll see in Chilean Patagonia), and visit Last Hope Distillery (a must). I even brought home a bottle of their Calafate Gin (calafates are berries similar to huckleberries).
TORRES DEL PAINE Torres del Paine is a bit like Disneyland. Don’t miss it, but prepare for crowds and highly-regulated trails and campsites. If you want to hike the “O” or “W” trails, book your campsites at least 3 months
Monte Fitz Roy massif above Laguna de los Tres
in advance. We tried a month ahead, and didn’t even manage to hike the full W. We brought our own hiking and camping gear, but you can also rent everything down there. For food, stock up in Puerto Natales. You can’t bring anything fresh into Chile— they’re ridiculously strict about this—so I recommend not bringing food from home. There’s plenty down there to eat on the trail, and the refugios (huts) serve meals if you run out or don’t want to carry a full load. We started on the west side of the W, which means taking a bus followed by an expensive but beautiful ferry ride across bright-turquoise Lake Pehoé. Try to stay at Paine Grande or Grey to hit up the Glaciar Grey side of the W. Don’t bother with a glacier walk there—we heard stories of high costs and logistical nightmares. Stay at Italiano or Frances for the hike up Valle Frances. We camped at Refugio Cuernos. This place was great—beautiful views, chill vibes, and they even gave us free pisco sours because they gave our tent platform
to someone else and we had to sleep on the ground. The horror! If you have $200+ per person at your disposal, consider staying at the cabins that come with a wood-burning hot tub and a stunning view. The hike from Paine Grande to Cuernos is beautiful, but prepare for the insane wind. The forecast our first day was for 80 km/h (50 mph)! Incredible views of lakes, glaciers, and tricolor Los Cuernos make up for it. And the wind sculpts amazing cloud formations above the mountains. The hiking difficulty is moderate at most, so if you get blown over the consequences are small. As we headed east toward Campamento Central (near Hotel Torres on the east side of the park), it became more arid. The intense contrast between browned grasses, turquoise Lake Nordenskjold, and alpine mountains made for a landscape that felt other-worldly. You’ll see pack horses on the trails—horses and gaucho riders supply all the refugios in the park. Campamento Central is a bit of a letdown (it’s at the main entrance and super busy), and the extra mile you have to hike past the hotel
when you’re hot, tired, and thought your day was done was a small suffer-fest. The Cerveza Australs we’d carried since Puerto Natales made up for it. From Central, we headed up the canyon to Refugio Chileno. Here, we stayed in the refugio (all the campsites were full). It was worth the $80 per person to sleep in a warm cozy bed and listen to the storm raging outside all night. The hike up to Chileno is relatively short, relatively steep, and very pretty once you gain the ridge into the canyon. All afternoon, we watched day hikers slog by on their way back to Hotel Torres, people awkwardly smoked cigarettes in the tiny ring of stones designated for smoking, and shared giddy stories in the sunshine. A highlight of the trip. Everyone tells you to hike up to the Torres at sunrise for the alpenglow. When our bunkmates woke up at 3 a.m. and the wind and rain were howling outside, they left and we went back to sleep. Leaving at 9
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a.m. for the hike up the mountain through sparse forests and steep boulder fields in the wind and rain ended up working out perfectly for us. As soon as we crested the ridge and arrived at Mirador Base las Torres, the clouds parted and the sun came out. I don’t believe in miracles, but you could call it that. What a sight! There were the three Torres, soaring vertically above a turquoise glacial tarn. We beat most of the crowds, and enjoyed a serene hour or so taking in the view. Just as we were getting ready to leave, the clouds moved back in and it started to rain. We passed probably a hundred people on the way down, many of them without extra layers or raincoats. One guy was wearing flip-flops. I guess questionable hiking practices happen even in the hard-to-reach places of the world. After picking up our overnight packs at Refugio Chileno, we headed down to catch the bus back to Puerto Natales.
EL CALAFATE AND PERITO MORENO GLACIER Argentina: land of rugged alpine peaks and glaciers, vast open grasslands, wine, mate, and horses. The 6.5-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales to El Calafate takes you through miles and miles of desolate landscape. It’s beautiful in its own way. El Calafate is a touristy desert town on the shore of a large, turquoise lake. Yucca, lavender, and roses line the streets, and flamingos wade in the lake. I recommend staying at América del Sur hostel. It’s a bit expensive, but the panoramic views overlooking the city, beautiful shared space, and bar with live music make up for it. Perito Moreno Glacier is an hour and a half (yet again, expensive) bus ride from town. Pay the $40 park entrance fee, deal with the crowds, and go. There’s a reason this glacier is so famous. It’s stunning. At 121 square miles, it’s one of the few glaciers 10 MAZAMAS
in the world that is still growing. Bright blue and white ice comes almost right up to the boardwalks. You will definitely see ice calve off into the lake. We brought along a few beers (or you could bring wine) and just watched the ice. We opted against it, but you can also go on a guided glacier hike or boat ride.
EL CHALTÉN AND FITZ ROY My favorite place of the trip was definitely El Chaltén. I would move there. Argentina founded El Chaltén in 1985 in order to increase its sovereignty over the land after a border dispute with Chile. Since then, tourists, trekkers, climbers, and skiers have flocked there, making it Argentina’s premier backpacking destination. An assortment of hostels, hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, adventure agencies, and houses make up the small town. The vibe is chill, outdoorsy, and fun. The buildings are made of concrete to withstand the intense winds that come down the canyon. There is roped climbing and bouldering accessible right from town. We spent a week in El Chaltén to make sure we could catch some good weather. Most of the hikes leave directly from town and can be done in a day, or you can go backpacking. There are a few long treks, but they require harnesses and/or roped snow travel gear. Camping around El Chaltén in Los Glaciares National Park is free and first-come first-serve. You camp in designated campgrounds, and there are plenty of spots to go around. We spent three nights backpacking, our first at Agostini, a 10-minute walk from Laguna Torre. There was a huge wind storm that night, which blew a bunch of huge icebergs right up to the beach. They were beautiful, and made the most amazing popping, sloshing, and splashing sounds. Cerro Torre, infamous in the climbing world,
looms across the lake. The connector trail between Agostini and Poincenot (at the base of the final push up to Fitz Roy) takes you up a steep jungle-y trail full of large red-headed woodpeckers and caterpillars. It tops out in a huge valley with picturesque views of Lagunas Madre and Hija, and, on a clear day, the Fitz Roy massif. Poincenot is a busy campground, and the squat toilet outhouses can get a bit gross. But crack a beer or bottle of wine (yes, take them backpacking with you), and enjoy the view. We meant to hike up to Fitz Roy the next day, but it was really stormy and we spent pretty much the entire day in the tent. It cleared up enough in the afternoon for the 2 km hike to Glaciar Piedras Blancas, a worthy side trip. The next day was even windier and still raining, so we opted to head back to town and try Fitz Roy as a day hike when the weather cleared. The Fitz Roy hike is 20 km round trip, with moderate steepness except the last 1.5 km or so. Half the difficulty has to do with the sheer number of people hiking the trail. You think Dog Mountain and Angel’s Rest get busy? Think again. But as soon as you reach the mirador (viewpoint), you forget about the people. The place is incredibly beautiful—there’s a reason Yvon Chouinard chose to feature the Fitz Roy massif in the Patagonia logo. Find a rock on the beach and take in the view. Don’t forget to hike over to see the equally-stunning Laguna Sucia. Watching a team of 11 climbers descend the snow-covered glacier above Laguna de los Tres wrapped up our time in
Left: Perito Moreno Glacier Center: Torres del Paine Right: Mary Kate and Ali Gray at Mirador Base las Torres
this magical spot. Now that I’ve been there, I want to go back, rent a campervan, and visit the harder to reach locations off the beaten tourist trail. I want to visit the Marble Caves, travel the Carretera Austral, visit the Cave of Hands, walk on a glacier, hike less well-known trails, and climb a small peak. Your first time down there, put up with the crowds, get on a bus or rent a car, and see the famous places. It’s well worth it. But know that you’ll want to go back.
SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ▶▶ Book your Torres campsites, all your hostels, and your inter-country bus tickets in advance. They fill up fast. ▶▶ Travel with 2-3 people. It would be difficult to arrange travel and lodging for more. ▶▶ Plan to stay at least 2 weeks. We spent 3. There’s a ton to see, and travel between different locations can take multiple days. ▶▶ Bring warm clothes. It’s summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s warm. A good raincoat, rain pants, and a mid-weight insulation layer is perfect. I wore pants. ▶▶ I sleep cold, and my 15° bag was perfect. Make sure your tent has good tie-downs. ▶▶ Wear lots of sunscreen. The hole in the Ozone Layer is nearby, and that sun is intense. I burned and blistered on our first day hiking, which was fully cloudy. ▶▶ Most people speak at least basic English, but brushing up on your Spanish will help. Chileans are more difficult to understand than Argentinians. ▶▶ There are street dogs everywhere. Most seem healthy, and they were pretty much all up for a pet. ▶▶ Restaurant service is slow. You get used to it. Remember to ask for the bill. ▶▶ Patagonia is relatively expensive. Think Portland prices for food, $30 for bus trips, and $20 for hostels. ▶▶ Get used to instant coffee. Nescafé is better than the chunkier stuff a lot of the hostels in Chile have. ▶▶ You’ll miss fresh food. I read a sign in Torres del Paine that said every apple has to travel 3,000 miles to get there. Stock up on fruits and veggies in Puerto Natales and El Calafate for camping and hostel cooking. Buy black pepper and hot sauce—the food can be a little bland, and none of it is spicy. ▶▶ Eat the local cuisine. ▶▶ Chile: chorrillana (meat served over french fries and topped with fried eggs), lomitos (thin sirloin steak, sauerkraut, avocado, tomato, egg sandwiches), and completos (hot dogs served with salsa and avocado). You’ll drink pisco sours (or calafate sours) and Cerveza Austral. ▶▶ Argentina: beef (the steak and asado are famous), empanadas, dulce de leche (a caramel-like spread), milanesa ( fried meat served with fries), and chori or choripán (chorizo hot dogs with chimichurri sauce). You’ll drink mate and wine. ▶▶ Go sooner rather than later. The number of tourists is growing in leaps and bounds every year, so get it while the getting’s good. Chao y buenos viajes! MARCH 2019 11
Article by Sarah Bradham.
T
he 2019 Awards & Volunteer Recognition Evening: A Mazama Celebration returns on Wednesday, May 1. Join us at The Evergreen, 618 SE Alder Street, from 6–9 p.m. to enjoy an evening filled food, friends, and fun! Mazama Awards, including the Parker Cup, Hardesty Cup, 16 Peaks, Mazama Honorary Member, and many more will be awarded to their deserving recipients. There will be slideshows and stories celebrating Mazama volunteers, and postcards where you can write a note of thanks to a volunteer who has made a positive difference in your life. And of course, there will be plenty of time for you to socialize with your Mazama friends, and hopefully meet some new ones. Get your tickets today at mazamas.org/mazamacelebration/ so we can accurately plan food and commemorative glasses!
12 MAZAMAS
MAY 1 6-9 P.M. THE EVERGREEN (618 SE ALDER)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES MMC FACILITIES VOLUNTEER Looking for a different kind of volunteer opportunity with the Mazamas? Want to get a deeper look behind the scenes about how to keep the Mazama Mountaineering Center up and running? Want to learn all you’d ever want to know (and possibly more) about the current state of recycling? Well, we’ve got the volunteer niche for you. Our Building Manager, Rick Craycraft, needs help! The flexibility of this commitment is almost open-ended. We will provide training, possibly hand off certain responsibilities directly and work with you to find out how your interest level and skills can be put to use in the service of our organization. Please email leftfield5@juno.com.
BULLETIN DELIVERY DRIVER We are in need of a small team of volunteers to take on the task of delivering the monthly Bulletins to our local partners. Deliveries take place during the first week of the month and, if done alone, the route takes about 3 hours to complete. Volunteers must have their own means of transportation, but will be eligible for parking meter and mileage reimbursements. Please contact kelsey@mazamas.org if you are interested.
YOUTH OUTREACH VOLUNTEERS Do you enjoy working with youth? Do you enjoy climbing and sharing that passion with others? The Mazamas Youth Outreach Climbing program is in need of volunteer belayers and climbing instructors at Youth Outreach Climbing events. These events occur periodically, predominantly in winter and spring, all days of the week, and all hours of the day. Sign up for one, or for many! Contact molly@mazamas.org to learn more.
LIBRARY ARCHIVE ASSISTANTS Library assistants help move library books back into circulation, which includes sorting materials, verifying the order of books on shelves, and other tasks. Archive assistants help with processing, preservation, and reference requests. Volunteers should have an interest in mountaineering history, basic computer skills, and a willingness to do repetitive tasks, including putting items into alphabetical, numerical, and chronological order. Experience with standard library and archival practices help, but not required. Please contact Mathew Brock, Mazama Library and Historical Collections at mathew@mazamas.org to learn more.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS 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 a friendly person who’s looking to share your inspiration to love and protect the mountains, we want you! Apply at tinyurl.com/mmcofficevolunteer.
If you are interested in any of these roles, email volunteer@mazamas.org.
DONATE YOUR WARM CLOTHING Last year, through your generous contributions, the Mazamas donated almost 500 lbs. worth of warm clothing to Mainspring, a nonprofit in Portland that addresses economic hardship including food insecurity for families and seniors. Help our Portland neighbors again this winter! The Mazamas will be accepting donations through March. Drop off items in the box in the MMC lobby. What is needed? Usable clean, warm clothing Wearable shoes Clean blankets Sleeping bags Backpacks & bags Tents
Please drop off clean and usable items only.
MARCH 2019 13
outdoor Mad Libs Here to help you pass the time on your weekend trips out to Mt. Hood, the Gorge, Mt. Bachelor, and beyond, are a few outdoor-themed Mad Libs for you to enjoy with road trip partners. There are no right or wrong answers, only funny ones. Enjoy!
“POSSIBLE F.R.A” Hey, guys. Before anyone starts flaming me, I know that this is a route description for a possible first recorded ascent. If someone knows otherwise let me know. So here are the details for my route: meters. The line is difficult to find but starts between hook followed by a series of powerful behind the
TYPE OF TREE
CLIMBING MOVE
. Pitch two is long at
NUMBER
. I found that
NUMBER
, but don’t be fooled. It is
ADVERB
and
FAMOUS CLIMB
TYPE OF PROTECTION
ADJECTIVE
/
NAME
AI
NUMBER
/5.
NUMBER
/A
NUMBER
/
. The first pitch begins with a tricky
,
LETTER NUMBER BODY PART
are necessary to adequately protect the crux. Belay
meters, so make sure to save your
to link pitches three and four but the rope drag is 5.
FAMOUS CLIMB
NAME
tricam for as long as you can. It’s possible
COLOR
. We had to bivy here due to
WEATHER CONDITION
harder than the grade suggests. When I talked to
FAMOUS CLIMBER
. The final headwall goes at about it yesterday, he said
that he was always intimidated by the NOUN
. The last
follow the
NUMBER
feet is mostly
TYPE OF ANIMAL
GEOLOGIC FEATURE
ADJECTIVE
which you can do unroped if you are
trails until you reach the
as a way to
VERB
BODY OF WATER
the road. We were
NUMBER
ADJECTIVE
at the grade. The descent was
ADJECTIVE
; just
. Stay skier’s left and use the
hours car to car.
“MAN’S BEST WILDERNESS FRIEND” Hiking with my dog INFAMOUS CRIMINAL BUSINESS
INFAMOUS CRIMINAL
as a puppy, when my
WILD ANIMAL
OCCUPATION
/ malamute mix is always a
companion. I trained him to
,
INFAMOUS CRIMINAL
VERB VERB
, and
VERB
BODY PART
and knew instantly by his
experience. I adopted
CRIMINAL
, and will never
14 MAZAMAS
LIQUID
jumped in the water, grabbed me by the
VERB
in the local
as a boy, but he couldn’t leave such a
ADJECTIVE
in the wilderness without him!
ADJECTIVE
puppy
demeanor that he’d make the perfect trail
accompanies me on every hike, every season, rain or shine, and can even haul
INFAMOUS CRIMINAL ADVERB
ADJECTIVE
on my command when in the wilderness, and to never, ever
sled when we go skiing. One recent hike, I had a little too much out.
ADVERB
, Bob, found him wandering scared and
parking lot. Bob’s not a dog person, because he was bit on the
to fend for itself. I took one look at
ADVERB
,a
NUMBER
VERB
other hikers. He
times his own body weight on a pulk
to drink at my lunch break, and fell in the river on the hike
BODY PART
, and
PAST TENSE VERB
me to safety. I owe my life to
INFAMOUS
“SKIING” I stared down the PART
. My partner
PLURAL NOUN
ADJECTIVE
NAME 1
, stood a few feet up slope. Although I enjoy skis,
down the flanks of mountains. We had just summited Mt.
weather was
ADJECTIVE
, but
My first turns were a bit NOUN
. “This is
OF CLOTHING
slope below me, a pair of skis strapped to my
EXCLAMATION
, took a deep
NAME 1
kept us both entertained with
ADJECTIVE
NOUN
NAME 1
, ready to feel the
NOUN
flowing across my
BODY
prefers to ride
HE/SHE
PROPER NOUN
ADJECTIVE PLURAL NOUN
, but I tightened my grip on the two
!” I exclaimed. Above me,
PLURAL BODY PARTS
PLURAL NOUN
. It had been an arduous,
ADJECTIVE
climb. The
. Now it was time to reap the rewards of our climb.
to stabilize my balance before pausing on a small
was munching on some
.
NOUN HE/SHE
slipped the snack back into
HE/SHE PIECE
, and dropped in.
“HIKING” It was a cloudy, ADJECTIVE
ADJECTIVE
as usual. My
day but I still wanted to go hiking. I quickly got dressed in my hiking pants which made me look
ADJECTIVE
hiking boots in the corner of the closet were so
instead. Since we were hiking over Today’s lunch would consist of After
VERB (ENDING -ING)
NUMBER
miles with an elevation of
,
NOUN NOUN
, and
NOUN
NUMBER
feet, I filled up my
, I got in the car and drove to the meeting place where I met
the surrounding mountains because of
NOUN
that I thought twice about wearing just NOUN
with
NUMBER
NOUN
liters of water.
.
We drove to the trailhead and started hiking but were soon stopped by
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
NOUN
NUMBER
other Mazamas and arranged carpooling.
. Finally, we made it to the top but we couldn’t see
. We had to imagine the summits instead. As we hiked back, several of us spotted
so we had to proceed cautiously to our cars. “I wish we had known about the
PLURAL NOUN
” several hikers said as we got back to the trailhead.
“A TRAVERSE THROUGH GOD’S COUNTRY” NAME 1
and I
NAME 2
took
finish so as to avoid a GEOLOGIC FEATURE 1
the the
NUMBER
days to complete the
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
Trailhead, and then
VERB
miles back to the Pyramid
EMOTION
BRAND NAME
PRESIDENT
the car to
NUMBER
TYPE OF WEATHER
the scenery on this route to be ADJECTIVE
or
ADJECTIVE
ADJECTIVE
Traverse in
shuttle. I dropped NICKNAME
NAME 1
CARDINAL DIRECTION
Cascades National Park, with an alternate
off at Pyramid
Trailhead at
GEOLOGIC FEATURE 2
Campground. After hitching
Trailhead, we started up the trail around
days to get to a camp at the col between
Glacier. From here, we hiked to
Peak down to
travel was not very
EMOTION
GEOLOGIC FEATURE 1
Traverse route for the next
Towers on the over
NUMBER
NATIVE PLANT
FISH TYPE
TIME OF DAY
Needle and
Col and then north around the
Creek, which we followed back to our car at
, while the travel was 90%
ADJECTIVE
and
ADJECTIVE
, following
NICKNAME
ADJECTIVE
FOOD
Towers and
Trailhead. We found
. The remaining
PERCENTAGE
of
, but such is the price one pays for getting to see country such as this.
MARCH 2019 15
“TRAGEDY ON RAPPEL” It had been
NUMBER
were free to end in
ADVERB
PLURAL NOUN
years in the making.
and I were set to finally graduate from
BEVERAGE
ADJECTIVE
as we ate our
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
. On the
and
ADJECTIVE
ADJECTIVE
Wall on
FAMOUS MTN.
, we refused to
VERB
CHEAP FOOD
(-est)
NAME 1
the warnings of those who knew better. Therefore on NUMBER
NUMBER (TH)
of seams. We had
day, we were running low on
ADJECTIVE
, we started up
ADJECTIVE
ADULT
portaledge. Then, one of us would lead off,
NUMBER
PAST TENSE VERB
UTENSIL
and
NOUN
NOUN
, but the summit was
ADJECTIVE
. We knew that our only option
style. CLIFF FEATURE
. There was nothing to hook. No tiny feature. Not even the
our last bolts at the previous belay. We were
rappels, we stopped to
my partner licked the
VERB
clean, I began to
us heard it coming. With a horrible
ADVERB
the remainder of our rations which was a single can of
VERB
ONOMATOPOEIA
distraught, we wondered how anyone on
the ropes. Somehow this must have dislodged a
PET FOOD BRAND
ADJECTIVE
,
TYPE OF VEHICLE NAME 1
cat food. As
flake above us. Neither of
it landed inches from our feet, crushing the haul bag. “The camera!”
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM
and I unloaded our
PLURAL NOUN
NAME 1
cried.
. Utterly
would believe that we had been only one pitch from success.
PLURAL NOUN
climbing it was possible to make mistakes, but this was
ADJECTIVE
shut down. The decision was made to retreat.
It was true. When we dug into the bag, we discovered the photographic evidence had been smashed into
Back at the
HOLIDAY
pounds a piece. Each day the routine was the same. I brewed
while still snuggled into our sleeping bags on our
lead the final pitch, he came across a blank
After the first
No one had ever done it before, and most considered it a suicide
blank faces. The climbing was always
was to fail upwards in As
State University, which meant that we
.
the route with haul bags that weighed an astonishing
heading up
STATE
take the climbing trip of our dreams. Little did we know that it would
The goal was to finally free the mission. Being
NAME 1
and began to debrief the horrors of that morning. We knew that in
ADJECTIVE
. Yet, even as we pointed our car towards our hometown of
CITY
we knew that we would be back one day to try again.
Mazama Climb Awards Every year the Mazamas recognizes climbing accomplishments and gives out climbing awards in various categories. The Climbing Committee is now accepting applications for all climbing awards. All qualifying climbs for these awards must be successful official Mazama climbs. CLIMBING AWARDS
LEADER AWARDS
Guardian Peaks: Mount. St. Helens, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.
Terry Becker Award: Successful leads on the 16 Major Northwest Peaks 5, 10 and 15 Point Leadership Awards: Leading and assists on sixteen major Northwest peaks. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is March 1 for the Sixteen Peaks award, and March 15 for all of the other awards. Submit your application (including scanned copies of your summit certificates) online. Go to mazamas.org/awards
Seven Oregon Cascade Peaks: Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, ThreeFingered Jack, Mt. Washington, North Sister, Middle Sister and South Sister. Sixteen Major Northwest Peaks: Mt. Shasta, South Sister, Middle Sister and North Sister, Mt. Washington, ThreeFingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Stuart, Glacier Peak, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.
16 MAZAMAS
,
MAZAMA LODGE Lodge Musings & Happenings by Charles Barker, Mazama Lodge Manager With the recent heavy snowfall in the Cascades it looks like Mazama Lodge is going to have an epic spring ski season. We are continuing to have Mazama Hill groomed every weekend and the Westleg Road thanks to our friends at Summit Ski area. This year Mazama Lodge will be open during spring break from noon on Thursday, March 21 until noon on Monday, April 1. This has traditionally been some of the best skiing of the year without the crowds. We are sold out Saturday, March 23 and Saturday, March 30 but are still open for day use on both those days (until 3 p.m.). During the week of spring break we will be serving breakfast and dinner and offering sack lunches for $9.
Lurah Foley
WINTER FAMILY DAY
Please join us this year for our Winter Family Day on Saturday, March 9 from noon–8 p.m. This year Mark Seker will be hosting the event for the third year, thank you Mark! This is a great time to come up and enjoy the lodge with family and friends. This is a free event open to both Mazamas and the community. We do charge for meals but activities are free and there is no charge for day use fee ... and yes the root beer garden is free and no ID bracelet required.
WINTER FAMILY FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ▶▶ The outside grill open: Lunch served from noon–1:30 p.m. ▶▶ Enjoy a visit to the root beer garden ▶▶ Snow sculpture contest, sledding, Birkebeiner 3K nordic ski race/snowshoe. ▶▶ Bavarian banquet at awards (dinner $13.25 for adults; $8 for kids 12 and under) ▶▶ Fondue, sausages, pasta and flaming Mt. Hood cake. ▶▶ Folk dancing lessons with a live band at 6 p.m.
Jenn Brummett
A special thank you for our volunteers who continue to support the lodge is so many ways. A special thank you goes out this month to Mark Murray who replaced the ballast on the fixture over the pool table, to Jim Vanlente who continues to keep our 16 year old snow tractor operating, and to Bob Stayton who donated a table lamp to our corner reading area. Thank you!
Jenn Brummett
MARCH 2019 17
e m o c Wel
NEW MAZAMAS
NEW MEMBERS: 110 Riley Arner— Mt. Hood Aardra Athalye—Mt. St. Helens Cassie Baldwin— Mt. St Helens Steven Becker— Mt. St Helens Walt Benz— Mt. Hood Mary Berger—Mt. St. Helens Gregg Bieber— Mt. St Helens Sara Bindl— South Sister Matthew Bone— Mt. St Helens Kathryn Bonuck— Mt. St Helens Chris Breemer— Mt. Hood Beylan Brown— Mt. Stuart Robert Bryant— Mt. Washington Rachel Burns— Mt. St Helens Laura Campbell— Mt. St Helens Jake Cantrell— Mt. St Helens Michael Capecelatro— Mt. Adams Bernard Chamberlain— Middle Sister David Chis— Mt. St Helens Lauren Ciolli— Mt. St Helens Mark Curry— South Sister Chrystal Dietz— South Sister Chelsea Dover— Mt. St Helens Lauren Doyle— South Sister Tristan Dudik— Mt. Adams John Andrew Duvall— Mt. Adams Max Ekwall— South Sister Jennifer English Wallenberg— Mt. St Helens Dennis Fiore— Mt. Kilimanjaro Chung Fong— Mt. St Helens Michael Frank— Mt. St Helens Larry Furan— Mt. St Helens Willi Galloway— Mt. St Helens Alex Gilbert— Mt. Shuksan Kevin Green—Margherita Peak, Mt. Stanley Joshua Grimmer—Mt. St. Helens Marianne Haluska— Mt. St Helens
Clare Healy— Mt. Whitney Tish Hora— Mt. St Helens Steven Hurley— Breithorn Lucas Illing— Mt. Adams Max Kalchthaler— Mt. Hood Gwendolyn Kaplin— Mt. Shasta Evelyn Kennedy— Mt. St Helens Shawn Kenner— Mt. Adams Lorinda Kirkland— South Sister Thomas Knapp— Grand Teton Christian Kruse— Mt. Whitney Narasimha Kumar— South Sister Margaret LaBrecque— Mt. Hood Alexander Laing— South Sister Deb Landau— South Sister Kyle Lascurettes— Mt. St Helens Ellisha Lee— Mt. Hood Erica Lee— Mt. St Helens Jessica Lemons— South Sister Paul Leonard— Mt. Shasta David Level— Mt. St Helens Bo Lockhart— Mt. Hood John Manix— Mt. Rainier Melody Marcan— South Sister Isaac McConnell— Mt. St Helens Will McDonough— Mt. St Helens Bryony Melcher— Mt. St Helens Andrew Moreland—Mt. Ruapehu Lucas Morrison— South Sister Shailesh Mulgaonker— Mt. Hood Rachel Murphy— Mt. St Helens Gaelen Murray— Broken Top Kevin Nelson— Mt. St Helens Samantha Nelson— Mt. Rainier Paul Odders— Mt. St Helens Will Papenfuss— Mt. Hood Adrian Pearson— Mt. St Helens
Stephen Pearson— Mt. St Helens Joshua Pettigrew— Mt. Hood Heather Polonsky— South Sister Jordan Polzin— Mt. Adams Williams Pontel—Cotopaxi Joe Preston— Mt. St Helens Ross Quacchia— Mt. Shasta Mark Rainha— Mt. Adams John Raugust— Mt. St Helens Patricia Reilly— Mt. St Helens Dileep Revanasiddappa— Mt. St Helens Nadia Rivera— Mt. Adams Nathan Rix— Mt. Kilimanjaro Siddhesh Shirodker— South Sister Jessica Slim— Mt. Timpanogos Richard Smith— South Sister Ashley Smithers— Mt. St Helens Richard Somerville— Mt. Adams Samantha Southam— South Sister Chris Spyker— Mt. Adams Amanda Stelter— Mt. St Helens James Stiehl— Mt. Hood Jacy Stratton— Broken Top Amber Streifel— South Sister Nathan Strutt— Mt. St Helens Laura Supalla— South Sister Claire Tenscher—Mt. Whitney Neelesh Thakkar— Mt. Hood Ayama Tobin— Mt. St Helens Cheryl Truong— Mt. St Helens Michael Valentine— Mt. Shasta Marie Vaneaton— Mt. St Helens Courtney Wenneborg— Mt. Baker Max Western— Mt. St Helens Katie Zajicek— Downs Mountain Rick Zeeb—Mt. St. Helens
REINSTATEMENTS: 14
Richard Cremer (1993), Lori Delman (1984), Seth Dietz (2016), Carol Federiuk (1993), Kristen Frank (2015), Jeff Gamer (2001), Jane Gunn (2007), Erin Jaurigue (2012), Blake McCann (2000), Shweta Mokashi (2014), Matthew Morriss (2016), Rebecca Roberts (2012), Dylan Teichroeb (2016), Benjamin Zonana (2007)
DECEASED: 2
Edward McAninch (1966), Susan Nelson Jones (1976)
Total Membership as of: Jan. 31, 2018: 3,274 Jan. 31, 2017: 3,262 18 MAZAMAS
SUCCESSFUL CLIMBERS Jan. 27, Mt. St. Helens, Swift Creek. Leader: Michael Hortsch Asst: Julie Kentosh. Bret Ayrey, Sandor Lau, Derek Hamilton, Jen Travers
Our new members join a 124year legacy of mountaineering, exploration, stewardship, advocacy, and a love of the outdoors and outdoor recreation. Please give them a warm welcome if you encounter them in a class, activity, or an evening program. We welcome you to our ranks!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Whether you are a lifelong Mazama member, a recent BCEP graduate, reading this Bulletin at your local climbing shop, or somewhere in between, you should make sure you know all of the benefits of Mazama membership. JOIN THE MAZAMAS TODAY! Get all the details on how to become a member of one of the most active mountaineering organizations in the country: mazamas.org/join ▶▶ DISCOUNTED rates on all Mazama activities— climbs, hikes, classes, and outings. ▶▶ This MAGAZINE, filled with articles, photos, activities, and events delivered to your door monthly. ▶▶ DISCOUNTS at local retailers and gyms. ▶▶ Access to MAZAMA LODGE at the base of Mt. Hood. ▶▶ The Mazama Annual, a yearbook of the past year at the Mazamas, including articles, awards, and recognition of our volunteers. ▶▶ Free RESCUE INSURANCE anywhere in the world below 6,000 meters. ▶▶ Full access to the world-class MOUNTAINEERING LIBRARY.
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. (formerly known as Old Timers)
CONTACTING THE CLASSICS If you wish to contact the Classics, you can call or email Chair Flora Huber at 503-658-5710 or flobell17@ comcast.net, or classics@mazamas.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are looking for volunteers to step up and help run the committee. Positions we need to fill are secretary, activities coordinator, and database updater and help or backup for same. You don’t have to commit to three years but, of course, it would be so nice if you could. Our meetings are the fourth Monday of every other month at 11 a.m. at the MMC. Email classics@mazamas.org and state how you can help.
LEADING EVENTS IN APRIL Send details to classics@mazamas.org by the twelfth of each month for inclusion in the Bulletin.
CLASSICS COMMITTEE MEETING Next Classics Committee meeting is on Monday, March 25 at 11:15 a.m. in the MMC Library. Our meetings are the fourth Monday of every other month, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the MMC, in the library.
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.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON AND MEETING The Classics Luncheon will be at Buffet Palace, year12570 Center Street, April 25 at noon.
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Views from the Summit CAN YOU NAME THE PEAKS THAT PROVIDE THESE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS? With the grey days of winter upon us, it can be hard to recall bluebird days and the ability to see for miles and miles from the top of our beloved Cascades and Olympics. To help you get stoked for those spring and summer summits, here are some photos from the tops of some of Oregon and Washington’s iconic peaks. (Answers on the bottom of pg. 23)
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FM101 Mazamas
Article by Sophie Woodard. Photos by Kevin Machtelinckx.
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o you ever want to just get away from your stuffy, work-filled life at home, and go see the great outdoors? Do you have memories of doing this when you were younger, now longing to give it another chance, but you don’t want to leave your family behind? Well, FM101 Mazamas is perfect for you, and your family! Family Mountaineering 101 (FM101) is the perfect place, or should I say places, to go climbing, camping, and, of course, mountaineering. Beautiful sights, waiting for you, nature all around you, all while spending time with your family (and other families) and having lots and lots of fun! In FM101 you learn knots, navigation, first aid, rappelling, ascending, descending, safety, what to wear, essentials to bring, belaying, and so much more. My family and I did this course from August 2018 to January 2019. There are three main camping/sleep-aways. Twice, you go camping at Horsethief Butte for two nights to learn rock climbing skills. And the third time is staying at the Mazama Lodge for 1–2 nights, depending on how close you live and how early in the morning you want to wake up (5 a.m. for only one night), to learn snow skills and mountaineering. I especially liked Horsethief Butte. I had done lots of indoor climbing before and I
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loved it, but climbing on real rock outside was so much more realistic and exciting! I also liked the snow travel experience at the Mazama Lodge (where there was an awesome sledding hill!) because I learned so many useful skills so that I would be safe while having fun walking and climbing (and sliding) on snow! I thought this was a great experience for me and my family, it was great fun, and we enjoyed it very much. It really pushed us to go climbing more, and we are forever thankful for the great help of the leaders and assistants. If you do FM101 one year, you can come back as an assistant (I really want to come back as one), even if you’re a child. The youngest assistant that I saw there was a 7-year old, who was much more experienced than me, an 11-year old. So if being an assistant sounds interesting to you, if Mazamas sounds interesting to you, I highly encourage taking FM101. I loved it, and if you do the course, I hope you love it, too!
Saying Goodbye GERALDINE “JERRY” MAAS
Sept. 27, 1926–Jan. 30, 2019
Longtime Mazama Geraldine “Jerry” Maas passed away on Jan 30, 2019. She was 91. Jerry joined the Mazamas in 1948 after climbing Mount Hood. She was born in Portland, attended Girls Polytechnic High School and later worked in the family business, Beaver Appliance. Jerry earned her Guardian Peaks award in 1950, Seven Oregon Peaks in 1951, and her Sixteen Northwest Peaks award in 1952. She served on Executive Council in 1951 and 1952, Banquet Committee in 1954, and Membership Committee between 1950 and 1956. Geraldine took part in the many Annual Outings including the Tetons, 1949; Olympics, 1950; Wallowas, 1951; High Sierras, 1954; Lake O’Hara, 1955; Goat Rocks, 1956; and Rainier in 1959. In 1961 Geraldine married Mazama Al Maas and became a full-time homemaker. She was a life member of the Mazamas and deeply loved her family, friends, and the outdoors.
Geraldine “Jerry” Maas on the summit of Mt. Hood June 12, 1949.
RICHARD ROMAINE
March 11, 1934–Dec. 8, 2017 Word reached us this month of the passing of Lifetime member Richard Romaine in December of 2017 at the age of 83. Richard joined the Mazamas in 1954. He earned his Guardian Peaks award in 1954, his Seven Oregon Peaks in 1957, and his Sixteen Northwest Peaks award in 1975.
Answers Views from the Summit: A) Sahale B) Mt. St. Helens C) Mt. Washington D) Mt. Adams E) South Sister F) Mt. Rainier
G) Mt. Thielsen H) Mt. Hood I) Mt. Stuart J) Forbbiden Peak K) Eldorado Peak L) Broken Top
Photos by Kevin Machtelinckx, Samson Garner, and Darrin Gunkel
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Mazamas Mountain March means it’s time to cheer on our college hoops alma maters; hope our rivals get sent home early; and root for the underdog that busts brackets in the first round. It’s also a great time to start thinking about our favorite Pacific Northwest climbs and adventures to be had this climbing season. To help with brainstorming and goal-setting this spring, here is the Mazamas Mountain March Madness Bracket. Have fun choosing your favorites and comparing your upsets (do you think Rooster Rock beats Liberty Ridge?) and ultimate champion with your friends.
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March Madness
MOUNTAIN
CHAMPION
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MAZAMA 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.
Learn more about the Library & Historical Collection at mazamas.org/library ▶▶ Valley Girls, by Sarah Nicole Lemon, 2018. When 17-year-old Rilla is busted for partying 24 hours into arriving in Yosemite National Park to live with her park ranger sister, it’s a cometo-Jesus moment. Determined to make up for her screw-up and create a stable new home for herself, Rilla charms her way into a tight-knit group of climbers. But Rilla can’t help but be seduced by experiences she couldn’t have imagined back home. She sets her sights on climbing El Capitan, one of the most challenging routes in Yosemite, and her summer becomes one harrowing and ecstatic experience after another: first climb, first fall two thousand feet in the air, first love. But becoming the person Rilla feels she was meant to jeopardize the reasons why she came to Yosemite—a bright new future and a second chance at sisterhood. When her family and her future are at odds, what will Rilla choose? Call # 813 L54
TREASURES FROM THE SPECIAL COLLECTION
NEW RELEASES AND ADDITIONS
▶▶ Higher Education: A Big Wall Manual, by Carolyn Finney, 2014. Big wall climbing requires grit. The kind of courage that needs problem-solving skills and creativity to overcome obstacles and unforeseen snags, often those in the literal sense. What becomes clear from reading Andy’s entertaining advice and recollections based on his vertical experiences, is that Andy has got grit. Not only grit but he has a knack for sharing the working of his particular type of courage, sprinkled with a bit of good old British humor and a healthy splash of improvisation. Call # 796.52 K63 ▶▶ The Night Climbers of Cambridge, October 1937. Authored under the pseudonym Whipplesnaith it recounts the courageous (or foolhardy) nocturnal exploits of a group of students climbing the ancient university and town buildings of Cambridge. These daring stegophilic feats were recorded with old photographic paraphernalia carried aloft over battlements, up chimneys, and down drain-pipes. The climbers all this while trying, with mixed results, to avoid detection by the ‘Minions of Authority’: university proctors, Bulldogs and, of course, the local ‘Roberts’ (police). The result is a fascinating, humorous and, at times, adrenaline-inducing adventure providing a rare glimpse into a side of Cambridge that has always been concealed by darkness. The tradition, known now as urban climbing, buildering, structuring or stegophily is followed all over the world. This edition features the complete text and over seventy digitally re-mastered images, half of which have been reproduced from the original negatives. Call # 796.52 W57
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▶▶ An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul; being, The Substance of Observations made during a Mission to that Country in the Year 1793, by William Kirkpatrick, London, 1811. William Kirkpatrick (1754-1812) joined the Bengal Infantry in 1773. He was Lord Cornwallis’ interpreter during the Mysore War, 1791– 1792. Following the end of a diplomatic mission to mediate a military dispute between Nepal and China, Kirkpatrick spent seven weeks in Nepal. At the time, “No Englishman had hitherto passed beyond the range of lofty mountains which separates the secluded valley of Nepaul [sic.] from the northeastern parts of Bengal.” In this work, Kirkpatrick outlines his route to Katmandu, provides a historical sketch of the country, and details the boundary and divisions of Nepal. The appendices contain official papers and letters relating to his mission and the origin of the war between Nepal and Tibet.
DID YOU KNOW? ▶▶ That if the heights of the highest points in all fifty states were added together, their combined height would be 307,963 feet. ▶▶ That falls and slips on rocks are the leading cause of mountaineering accidents in the United States. ▶▶ Helen Lake and Wanda Lake, on the Sierra Nevada’s John Muir Trail, are named for Muir’s daughters. ▶▶ The Board of Geographic Names is the federal agency that acts as the arbiter for mountain name disputes.
BOOKS ON FITNESS ▶▶ Training for the New Alpinism: a manual for the climber as athlete, Steve House, 796.52.H81t ▶▶ The Rock Climber’s Training Manual: a guide to continuous improvement, Michael Anderson, 796.52 A2 ▶▶ Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness, David Musnick, 613.7.M97
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.
If you walked out of the Mazama Library with one of the two missing copies of Greg Barne’s Red Rocks climbing: SuperTopos please return it.
Are you ready to support the Mazama Library? Go to mazamas.org/donate and select Library & Historical Collections. MARCH 2019 27
EVENING TRAVEL PROGRAMS The Mazamas offers a robust Evening Travel Program from mid-October through April every year at the Mazamas Mountaineering Center. 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 general 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
Mazama Mountaineering Center 527 SE 43rd Ave, Portland, Ore. Programs Start at 7 p.m.
BACKPACKING THE BERG LAKE TRAIL, March 6 The world-renowned back-country trail is located in Mt. Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia just west of Jasper National Park. The trail provides some of the most stunning and varied scenery in the province. Highlights include old-growth cedar forests, glacial-blue rivers, the Valley of a Thousand Falls and crashing glaciers. Join Sarah Miller and friends as they follow the Robson River 23 km to Berg Lake at the base of Mt. Robson—the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Sarah will also provide helpful hints and ideas to those inspired to take this magical and life-affirming trek!
INQUISITION OF THE ARRIGETCH, March 13
RETURNING TO OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL, March 20
TREKKING IN FIJI... FIJI? ... YES, FIJI, March 27
In 2016 Katie Mills, Nick Pappas, and Todd Torres used their Bob Wilson Grant to travel to the far reaches of northern Alaska seeking the unclimbed rock of one of the last great climbing wildernesses, the Arrigetch Peaks. Please join Katie and her team as they discuss the spectacular highs and the crushing lows of this challenging once in a lifetime trip.
Author and Mazama hike leader, Matt Reeder, will return to his first book, Off the Beaten Trail, to detail the changes to some of his favorite obscure hikes. Plan on a fun night full of photos and talk of obscure hikes! Books will be available for purchase after the talk.
Join Carole Beauclerk for a unique journey into the interior highlands of Fiji, climbing the country’s highest peak, hiking through grasslands, cooling off at waterfalls and rivers, and staying in traditional villages, where certain protocols need to be followed, and each night ends with a kava ceremony.
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ADVENTUROUS YOUNG MAZAMAS (AYM) Activities for those in their 20s & 30s or anyone young at heart.
AYM WINTER WEEKEND EVENT by Silja Tobin Seventy Adventurous Young Mazamas spent February 8–10 at Mazama Lodge as part of the group’s flagship Winter Weekend Event. This year, we offered an intro to alpine touring/backcountry skiing/splitboarding, as well as multiple snowshoe and cross country ski excursions. Evening activities included a fantastic “glowga” class (yoga with body paint and black lights), a dance lesson, and myriad board games. Weather was better than expected, with some blue skies peeking out after getting 6 inches of snow overnight. We’re so grateful to Taylor Courier and Rachel Smith for planning an amazing Winter Weekend! 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.
MONTHLY EVENTS
Photos from AYM’s Annual Winter Weekend at Mazama Lodge. Photo: Reid Vandewiele, Silja Tobin, and Sandor Lau.
▶▶AYM Committee Meeting: Monday, March 25, 6:30 p.m., MMC ▶▶Pub Night: Date TBD, check Meetup for details! ▶▶Climb Night: Wed., March 13 at 6 p.m., Planet Granite
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NEW LEADER SPOTLIGHT
LIZ CRAIG ▶▶ Hometown? Pittsburgh, PA ▶▶ Years with the Mazamas? Coming up on my 1 year anniversary! ▶▶ Favorite trips that you’ve led with AYM? Angel’s Rest! My only one so far, but there will be more—I promise! ▶▶ What is one thing that you always bring on a hike that is not one of the 10 essentials? Summit props. I love to take home a funny picture from the top of a big hike or climb. ▶▶ Favorite Leader Treat? Ooh chocolate covered espresso beans are my go-to winter treat. Peanut butter filled pretzels are a close second. ▶▶ When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why? When I was a kid I wanted to be a full-time adventurer where I’d get to play outside in the woods all the time. I’m partially fulfilling that dream on weekends and from 5-9 (outside of work hours!). ▶▶ What is one surprising thing about yourself that people don’t usually know about you? I’m an only child! I grew up without siblings and learned how to make friends with anyone I meet, which for anyone who knows me isn’t surprising at all. ▶▶ People should sign up for a trip with you if ... they want a fun hike with lots of punny jokes, some mild route finding & exploring, and a lung pumping workout. I love to hit the hard, scrambly hikes around the Gorge and beyond! ▶▶ Favorite hike to do? One of my favorites is Saddle Mountain on a clear day when you can see all the way from the mountains to the coast.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
MAGGIE TOMBERLIN by Brian Goldman Where do you find the time to work as a volunteer for the Mazamas? I have a really flexible schedule and get to set my own hours plus I do freelance craft work on the side. Why are you interested in volunteering in the library/ historical collections? When I did the Basic Climbing Educaiton Program (BCEP) in 2011, I saw some of the old photos in the lodge and was really taken with them. At the time I was working for a large stock photography company so when Matthew Brock said he was looking for volunteers to help out with the archives I jumped at the chance to see more of the collection. Plus, I worked in the Tacoma Art Museum so I had a bit of archiving and curatorial experience. There’s an interesting overlap at the Mazama Library between history, photography, and mountaineering. We have one of the largest mountaineering collections in the country. Do you get calls from people regarding the collections? The office gets calls from family members of mountaineers who want information. We also get calls from the Oregon Historical Society and the High Desert Museum, which recently featured a large number of pieces from the Mazama Collections. I was able to meet descendants of the photographer Edward Curtis. I’m sure there are others—ask Mathew (Library and Collections Manager). What task are you working on now? I’m beginning to work on Bob Wilson’s slide collection. I just finished working on John Clark Rhodes’ scrapbooks. He was a Mazama president in the 1940s. I also enter information about the collections into the computer and organize them to make them searchable. Are there any books in the Mazama Library that you recommend? I really like Grandma Gatewood’s Walk, by Ben Montgomery, who was the first woman to walk the Appalachian Trail when she was 67 years old. I also really like Alone on the Ice, by David Roberts, which are stories about Douglas Mawson’s survival of the Australasian Antarctic expedition in 1913. Did you read a lot as a child? Yes, mostly fiction, such as the authors Jean Craighead George and Scott O’Dell. What peak did you climb to become a Mazama? I climbed Mt. Adams, the south side. It’s a fun glissade. We climbed it straight from Cold Springs campground all the way to the summit and back. It took 14 hours. If I had to do it again, I’d stop at Lunch Counter. I thought the altitude was hard to handle. I got pretty nauseous. I joined the Mazamas in 2011. Do you have any favorite hikes or climbs? One hike I’ve really enjoyed since I was a kid is Leadbetter Point near Long Beach. You get to walk through a lot of different ecosystems. One of my favorite climbs is Mt. Ellinor. Great view and glissade!
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MAZAMA OUTINGS
Apply online at mazamas.org/outings
You can now apply for Mazama Outings on our website. 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. HIKING IN THE SAWTOOTHS AND WHITE CLOUDS: JULY 8–15 Just the names Sawtooth and White Clouds should be enough to entice any serious hiker. So join us for six “B” and “C” level hikes and enjoy spectacular mountain lakes, wildflowers, and the possibility of black bear, moose or mountain goats. Hikers should be experienced and comfortable at altitudes approaching 10,000 feet. Please include relevant hiking experience and activity history in your website profile for leaders to review. We will spend seven nights in fully furnished cabins located along the Salmon River approximately 20 miles east of Stanley, Idaho. Each cabin, which will be shared by only two people, includes a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, Dish TV and WiFi; some also include a stove. Outing costs for Mazama members range from $768 to $722 for a group of 8 minimum to 12 maximum participants (including leaders); non-member costs range from $838 to $792. Participants are responsible for their own travel and food. Full payment for those accepted is due May 15, 2019. Leaders: Larry Solomon and Sherry Bourdin. Apply online at mazamas.org/outings.
EXPLORING UTAH’S NATIONAL PARKS: SEPT. 29–OCT. 13 Join us on a camping and hiking adventure in Utah’s Red Rock country! We will travel to Arches, Canyonlands, and, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument. Participants should be able to carry a light pack, on slickrock terrain involving occasional exposed traversing and easy scrambling. Hiking mostly at Mazama A to B level (less than 10 miles and 2000 feet elevation gain). Costs: $374 to $634 for group size of 7 to 15 (including leaders). Camping and Mazama fees included. Participants responsible for transportation, food, park entry costs. We will arrange carpools and gear sharing. $100 deposit will be charged upon acceptance to the Outing. You will be invoiced for the remaining balance of the trip. Contact leader Bob Breivogel 503-292-2940 / breivog@teleport. com. Apply online at mazamas.org/outings.
OREGON MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY
PORTLAND, OR
ESTABLISHED 1971
OMCGEAR.COM 2975 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR Hours M-F 10-7 SAT 10-6 SUN 12-5 503-227-1038
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MAZAMA USED EQUIPMENT SALE Each year the Mazama Used Equipment Sale provides the perfect opportunity for folks with lots of gear to clear out the old, and for folks who are looking for used gear to find some great gems to add to their collection! You could sell your used equipment on eBay or Craigslist, but then you would have to deal with the entire sales process, including mailing your item to the buyer. This way, you simply drop off your gear, retain 70 percent of the sale price, and 30 percent helps fund Mazama programming! Buyers can find some great deals on field-tested equipment, as well as some new equipment at discounted prices from local retailers. You’ll find nordic and telemark ski gear, snowshoes, all kinds of outdoor clothing, assorted (very assorted!) camping and backpacking gear, shoes and boots, books and technical climbing gear, and more!
Sell some gear. Buy some gear. Help make the world go round!
sale March 29, 2019 5–6 p.m. for members & students in climb class 6–8 p.m. for the general public
Sellers: ▶▶ Look in your gear closet for sale-able equipment or clothing you aren’t using or have upgraded. ▶▶ Price it reasonably and it will sell; you’ll keep 70 percent of the proceeds. ▶▶ Pick up price tags and tally sheets at the MMC starting Feb. 24. ▶▶ Mark your calendars for March 28 from 4–8 p.m. to drop off items for the sale. ▶▶ Pickup of leftover items is Saturday, March 30. If leftover items are not picked up on Saturday, they will be donated to charity. Once again, we’ll be collecting warm clothing for Mainspring formerly FISH Emergency Services) to distribute to those in need. For questions, email ues@mazamas.org or visit our website at mazamas.org/UES
at the Mazama Mountaineering Center
dropoff March 28, 2019 4–8 p.m. at the Mazama Mountaineering Center
CONSERVATION CORNER For a number of years, the Mazama Conservation Committee has awarded grants to local and regional conservation organizations to support work protecting the alpine environment—those areas where we climb and hike and challenge ourselves and seek respite from a busy world. As part of our ongoing effort to increase awareness of conservation issues, and to share the work our conservation partners, we would like to share an article written by Ralph Bloemers of Crag Law Center. Crag Law Center has been a grant recipient and partner in many efforts with the Mazamas—from long-time work to support wilderness on Mt. Hood to current efforts in response to the Eagle Creek Fire. For nearly two decades, Ralph has advised community-based conservation groups, recreation clubs, and citizens throughout the Pacific Northwest on the conservation of our forests, including sensitive burned landscapes. Over the past two years he has led educational forums in communities directly affected by large wildfires, volunteered his time to rebuild trails in fire burned areas, and spent time in these forests with firefighters, expert scientists, and ecologists. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share his writing with you.
CHALLENGING OUR BELIEFS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF WILDFIRE by Ralph Bloemers, Crag Law Center The forests of Oregon provide a place of renewal, peace, and tranquility. I love the verdant green of Pacific Northwest forests and the diversity of habitats found here. I share this love with my family and my friends, and I bet you do too. I have spent countless hours in these forests with scientists, firefighters, and wildlife biologists. I have also spent countless hours in the courtroom and in Congress advocating for the protection of these public lands. We recently experienced intense fires in the West, including one in our own backyard. The Eagle Creek fire burned through a large area of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in September of 2017. The news reports told us that 50,000 acres were destroyed by fire. After rains came and put the fire out, I took to the air and to the ground, and spent hundreds of hours in the forests and communities affected by it. I listened to people’s stories, spent time with people who were evacuated from their homes, and brought in experts to help the community heal and tell their stories through film. I also took time off work to join with other volunteers to rebuild popular hiking trails in the Gorge. This work is really hard but also very rewarding. I have seen firsthand how the landscape is rapidly rebounding and know that I contributed to the recovery. Last year fires in California resulted in the loss of many lives and homes and shook us to our cores. These events have forced me to question my own beliefs about forests and fire: why we got here, how our views are shaped, and how we might learn to better co-exist with fire. Fire is powerful. Fire is elemental. Fire can and does destroy homes. Our safety is paramount. I have friends who have been evacuated and lost their homes. For decades, forest managers, the timber industry, and politicians have promised us that they can reduce the extent of fire across the landscape, but they have had difficulty delivering on this promise. The good news is that both nature and our elders possess great wisdom and knowledge. We simply need to listen and heed the solutions they offer.
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Let’s start by exploring the natural, beneficial role of fire. Thick-bark Douglas firs and Ponderosa pine are adapted to fire. These trees survive intense wildfires. Whitebark pine trees only release seeds when fire moves through, germinating thousands of young seedlings per acre after fire. Old growth forests offer animals wonderful homes, yet for birds like black-backed woodpeckers, Clark’s nutcrackers, and owls, a burned forest is a vast supermarket of tasty treats. Abundant light to the forest floor provides a free-for-all, generating new life. Of the 50,000 acres that burned in the Gorge, only 17 percent, about 8,000 acres, burned intensely and even those forests are emerging gorgeous. Fire is to forests what floods are to rivers—a force of renewal. For millennia native peoples co-existed with fire. They used fire to create berry fields for food and grasslands for basket making, and to maintain open areas for game. They worked with not against fire. And when settlers came west, that wisdom was nearly extinguished. For the past century we have engaged in a never ending and escalating war on fire. We believe we can control fire—just bring in the bulldozers and the super tankers. We continue to think we can manage forests and alter fire behavior over vast landscapes—just bring in the logging equipment. These actions come at significant cost to natural systems, and they are not working. Learning to co-exist with fire forces us to examine our dominant cultural norms about fire. We have to accept that forests will burn and no amount of effort to alter vegetation across large landscapes is going to change this fact. Because fire is an emotional issue with deeply rooted cultural beliefs, it is going to test our ability to challenge conventional wisdom and chart a rational course. Yet we have no choice but to rethink our approach to wildfire. While fires are good for wild forests we still need to protect human structures from the flames and wind-driven embers. The good news is that forest scientists and fire experts like Jack Cohen have worked with the insurance industry to test the best methods for fireproofing homes and removing flammable materials immediately around them to create defensible space. Los Angeles is a leader in encouraging fire-safe principles for homes. As a result, the La Tuna fire burned only 5 of the nearly 1,400 homes in its path. The five that burned either escaped annual monitoring for defensible space or had not been updated with ember-proof vents—that is, they could have been saved. Study after study has shown that protected forests are more likely to withstand fire, and that clear cut areas are more likely to increase the occurrence of large, hot fires. Top scientists tell us that older forests are the best buffers against climate change as they continue to add biomass (carbon) as they age. Fire and other natural disturbances do not cause a major loss in carbon from sites, if not followed by postfire logging. Logging remains the major source of carbon loss in the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the West. By requiring longer rotations for those areas designated for If, after you read this article, you want to learn more, please harvesting trees and retaining larger areas in older forests, join Ralph for a multimedia presentation called, “The Best we can store more carbon in our forests. Kept Secret of Wildfire.” Witness Thinning forests to reduce the chance of big fires on exclusive time lapse footage from the westside of the Cascades is not likely to be successful. our burned forests and enjoy the Climatic warming is likely to favor increased outbreaks of beauty and thriving young life fire, and it is impossible to thin and clear fuels away fast in charcoal forests. Confront the enough and broadly enough to have a major effect. dominant cultural beliefs about fire We can, however, focus our attention and resources on and the paradoxes that mark our our homes and in the immediate areas around homes. relationship with it. This provocative Retrofitting homes is highly effective at protecting those presentation will help re-imagine homes from fire. We can also limit actions that degrade our relationship with fire and how forests and water supplies, and increase fire risk across the we can co-exist with wildfire while landscape, namely logging. We also need to re-align the keeping our communities safe. Smokey Bear PR campaign with our latest forest fire science. His message would be: Only YOU can protect your homes March 19, 2019 and communities from burning. And he would tell us more Patagonia about how we can use careful thinning in priority areas and 1106 W. Burnside St. prescribed fire for its benefits. Portland, OR 97206 Doors at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7pm. Food and drink provided.
WHAT CAN A MAZAMA DO?
TRAIL TRIPS JOIN US! MAZAMA TRAIL TRIPS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE Contact Trail Trips trailtrips@mazamas.org with any questions. Hike leaders, to schedule a hike next month, go to: mazamas.org, login, and schedule. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL HIKES LISTED BELOW ARE AVAILABLE FOR SIGNUP 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 SIGNUP PROMPTS.
If you prefer to sign up in person, contact the leader and let them know you plan to attend. They can give you any additional details that you will need about the hike.
HK B 1.5 March 2 Palmateer Point Snowshoe/Hike David Zeps davidz24130@ gmail.com. Snowshoe hike. We will snowshoe to Palmateer Point, then descend off trail to the Barlow Road and loop back to the cars. Participants should have experience with offtrail snowshoeing and be capable of handling deep snow and irregular terrain. Approximately 4 miles and 800 ft. of elevation gain. Meet at Gateway at 7:30 a.m.
HK A2 March 9 Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike Brett Nair brett.nair@gmail.com. This littleknown gem of a hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular views of the Columbia River, amazing spring wildflowers and an old garry oak forest of gnarled old trees. This stunning preserve is owned by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and tops out in an old cherry orchard with a few surviving trees. 6.5 miles, 1,400 ft. Meet at Gateway at 8 a.m. (gorgefriends.org/hike-thegorge/lyle-cherry-orchard.html) (oregonhikers. org/field_guide/Lyle_Cherry_Orchard_Hike)
HK B2 March 2 Silver Falls Trail of Ten Falls Casual Hike David Rempel cremple2@yahoo. com. Silver Falls State Park is the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system, being both Oregon’s largest State Park (9,000 acres) and boasting one of America’s most impressive waterfall day-hikes. s. 8.7 miles, 1,300 ft. Meet at Clackamas Town Center Park & Ride Garage at 8 a.m. HK A2 March 3 Round Lake from Lacamas Creek entrance James Selby selbyjb@ comcast.net. This could be a muddy trail but the waterfalls will be spectacular, hike can be modified to handle weather. Mileage and elevation TBD. Meet at Gateway at 11:30 a.m. HK A1.5 March 4 Winter Upper Salmon River Hike David Christopher david.r.christopher@ gmail.com. We will have lunch at and return from the rock outcrop overlooking the Salmon River valley & waterfall. I will have a stove, so bring your cup, extra water and coffee, tea or soup for a warm lunch drink. I recommend bringing traction spikes. If it is heavy rain, the hike will be cancelled, so please check your email or send me an email which will be answered before 8 a.m. the hike day. Our pace is steady and gentle. My whole point in being out is to share the experience with others and enjoy the sounds and sights that nature provides. Class A: Easy to moderate; less than 8 miles and under 1,500 feet elevation gain Class B: Moderate to difficult; less than 15 miles with 1,500–3,000 feet 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+ feet 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
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Two books you might want to read before hiking on this beautiful trail: The Hidden Life of Trees Peter Wohlleben, and The Tree - John Fowles. 7.2 miles. 950 ft. of elevation gain. Meet at the Upper Salmon River trailhead parking at 9:15 a.m. and depart at 9:30 a.m. HK A1 March 5 Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks and Back Flora Huber flobell17@comcast.net. Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks and back. Have lunch at the Bridge in Cascade Locks. 5 miles, 300 ft. elevation gain, Drive 60. Meet MMC, 9 a.m. HK B2 Saddle Mountain Hike. Bruce Giordano, brucegiord32@gmail.com. Lovely view from summit of the coast and the mountains if we have a clear day. Fun hike with unique rock formations regardless. As we’re still in winter, be prepared for cold and possibly wet conditions. Meet in Target parking lot off SW 185th. Plan to leave at 8 a.m. so please arrive by at least 7:50 a.m. to allow time to arrange carpools. 7.2 miles, 1,900 ft. HK A1 March 7 Mt Talbert Hike Flora Huber flobell17@comcast.net. 3 miles, 300' elevation gain. Meet at trailhead on Mather Rd after #14 exit on I 205 at 9:30 a.m. HK A1.5 March 9 Snowshoe: Trillium Lake– Off Trail. David Nelson dkbmnelson@gmail. com. Plan is to head down off trail down a small gully towards Summit Meadows. Once we reach the meadows, head south crossing the former air strip as we continue our trek to the lake. At the lake have lunch and then traverse around the lake and retrace our route back to the cars. 5 miles, 600 ft. elevation gain/loss. Dr. 100 Gateway P&R 7:30 a.m. Contact leader if any questions.
Area; group size limited to 12. Numeral after class indicates pace. All pace 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: 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
HK B2 March 9 AYM: Hamilton Mountain Loop Ashley R. Wood ashryanwood@gmail. com. This challenging 7.6 loop trail has a lot going for it: waterfalls, cliffs, deep forests and stunning views of the Gorge. Meet at MMC at 7:50 a.m. to arrange carpools, and be ready to depart promptly at 8 a.m. HK C1.5 March 9 Larch Mountain Rick Craycraft leftfield5@juno.com. A return to an old favorite in the Gorge! Early Spring may promise a good snowpack which could turn this into a snowshoe. Stay tuned. From Multnomah Falls it’s 13.8 miles and 4100'. A day’s work. Hey, climbing season is just around the corner. HK A1.5 March 10 Frog Lake Buttes Summit Snowshoe Joe Whittington joewhittington@ gmail.com. Starting from Frog Lake SnoPark (2,900'), we’ll take NF 260 Road to the Frog Lakes Butte Trail #530, and make our way to the south Butte (5,294'). From there we descend to a saddle and climb through the trees to the higher north Butte (5,320'). Return the way we came. Appx. 5 miles and 1,400'. Meet at Gateway at 7 a.m.
Exit 23A); Durham–P 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. ft.–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.
HK B1 March 14 Multnomah Falls to Wahkeena Loop Flora Huber flobell17@comcast.net. 5.5 miles, 600 ft., Drive 60 miles, Meet MMC 9 a.m. HK B2 March 14 AYM: Indian Point (via Gorton Creek Trail) Ashley R. Wood ashryanwood@gmail. com. This will be a fun day out! Let’s show up on time! Come prepared with the 10 essentials, proper hiking boots and dress for the weather! This is a 7.8 mile hike with an elevation gain of 2,730 feet offering beautiful views of the Gorge. Plan to meet at the MMC parking lot by 7:50 to arrange carpools and be on the road by 8:00 a.m. HK B2 March 15 Angel’s Rest Via Coopey Creek Rex L Breunsbach breunsba@teleport.com. This is a loop hike. We will hike up the Stair-step trail to a point above Angel’s Rest and return by the standard path. This is a B2 hike of 8 miles and an elevation gain of 2000 ft., Drive is 50 miles round trip. HK B2 March 16 Gooseneck Loop at Cottonwood Canyon Bill Stein billstein.rpcv@gmail.com. Not for novice hikers! This dramatic loop hike at Cottonwood Canyon State Park starts out gentle, but it’s mostly offtrail scrambling, with two steep descents. Be tick-safe, rattlesnake-aware, and wind-ready. For our efforts, we may see bighorn sheep, and we’ll definitely see wind turbines and lots of John Day River geology. 9 miles, 1,500 ft. Meet at Gateway at 6:20 a.m. Online signup required. HK A1 March 20 Catherine Creek Flora Huber flobell17@comcast.net. 5 miles 800 ft. elevation gain, Drive 100 miles. Many flowers. Meet at the MMC at 9 a.m. HK C2 March 20 Warren Lake Rex L Breunsbach breunsba@teleport.com. This area didn’t get too hard hit from the fire in late 2017. Be prepared for snow and rain. 8.6 miles, 3,600 ft. Sign up online to get meeting location. HK B2 March 22 Catherine Creek (Coyote Wall Loop). Bob Breivogel, breivog@teleport.com. Hike the trails on a loop starting at Catherine Creek (on the Washington side of Columbia river east of Hood River). We will climb up about 1200 feet past a rock arch, then traverse west to the Coyote Wall scarp. Descend along this, then back up through the Labyrinth canyon with its waterfalls. Then we traverse back east and down to the starting point. Many wildflowers this time of year. Leader stops for photos at interesting spots. Overall a moderate pace with hourly breaks and lunch at a high point. 8 miles and 2,200 ft. elevation gain, Meet at MMC at 8: 30 a.m. to carpool Around 140 miles driving total. HK B1.5 March 23 Wahkeena- Multnomah Creeks Loop Susan E Koch skoch55@gmail.com. Despite the recent fire damage this is still a great hike. We will plan to ascent the Wahkeena trial and loop down the Multnomah trail. Poles are recommended as some areas of the trail can be slippery. 5.4 miles. 1,700 ft. We will meet at Gateway Transit Center at 8:30 a.m. HK B2 March 23 Cape Horn Short Version James E Selbyselbyjb@comcast.net. Shorter version to Russell Overlook and back, possibly down to first overlook beyond Hwy 14 weather permitting. Bring hiking sticks and waterproof boots. Meet at Gateway at 8 a.m. HK B2 March 24 Smith Rock: Misery Ridge to Summit Loop Bill Stein billstein.rpcv@gmail.com. Smith Rock is the most visible remaining element of the Crooked River Caldera, a Yellowstone-sized volcano that erupted 30 million years ago. Today it’s known as Oregon’s rock climbing mecca, but it also offers some of the state’s most iconic hiking. We will ascend to a great view of Monkey Face, then we
will take the longer Summit loop clockwise around Smith Rock. Along the way, we’ll stop to admire rock climbers. And if we’re lucky, we’ll also see a line of Cascade volcanoes. 6.7 miles, 1,750 ft.. Drive. 270 miles RT. Meet at Clackamas Town Center MAX Park & Ride Garage at 6:30 a.m. HK A1.5 March 26 Moulton Falls Dog Hike Don McCoy, donald1020@aol.com. A converted rails to trails grade runs for about 21/2 miles along the south bank of the East Fork Lewis River from Hantwick Road, near Lucia Falls to the East Fork High Bridge. This wide trail is used by walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Dogs must be on a leash. 6 miles. 200 ft. Meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m. and prepare for cold rainy weather. HK B2 March 27 Multnomah Basin Loop Rex Breunsbach, breunsba@teleport.com. Visit Nesika Lodgevia high water trail and return by the track. HK B2 March 29 Sedum Ridge–Mowich Butte Rex L Breunsbach, breunsba@teleport.com. This trail can be difficult to follow in places. 12.4 miles, 3,500 ft. Meet at the MMC at 8 a.m. HK B2 March 30 Swale Canyon Larry I Solomon B muensterhump@hotmail.com. Hike through a pastoral setting of farmlands into a canyon with tall walls and basalt rock formations. Enjoy the spring flowers and an excellent chance of spotting marmots and deer. Appx. 13 miles, 980 ft. Drive: 90 miles. Meet at the MMC at 8 a.m. HK B2 Saddle Mountain Casual Hike. David Rempel cremple2@yahoo.com. Lovely view from summit of the coast and the mountains if we have a clear day. Fun hike with unique rock formations regardless. Spring weather in the PNW can be challenging to forecast. We will be hiking between 1580 ft. and 3360 ft. in the coast range. Dress for weather contingencies and if there may be an icy trail, trekking poles and foot traction (e.g., yaktrax, micro-spikes, etc.) are recommended. . Depart Sunset Transit Mall at 7 a.m. 7.2 miles, 1,900 ft. HK B2 March 31 Civilized Trail of Ten Falls Bill Stein B billstein.rpcv@gmail.com. Silver Falls’ iconic ten falls, punctuated by a bit of civilization. We will first share breakfast in Silverton (gather.cafe), and we’ll eat lunch inside South Falls Lodge. In between we’ll visit ten spectacular waterfalls on a loop hike that starts and ends at North Falls. 8.7 miles, 1,300 ft. Meet at Clackamas Town Center Park & Ride Garage at 7 a.m.
READY TO SIGNUP ONLINE? Head on over to mazamas.org/hiking to see our new website and a new way of viewing our upcoming hikes. 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. Once you start signing up for hikes online, you’ll be able to track your hike history directly on our website, along with your history of participation in other Mazama activities. Security note: Your saved credit card is not hosted on a Mazama server. We use a third party processor to manage all payments. This ensures proper encryption and protection of your payment information.
WESTSIDE STREET RAMBLES: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Multiple teams hike at different paces with various leaders. Bring a headlamp. 4–8 miles, 500–1,500'. Meet at REI–Pearl, NW 14th and Johnson. Group leaves promptly at 6 p.m. Ramble information available at mazamas.org/streetrambles
MORE HIKING
See all of our hikes by going to mazamas.org/calendar and applying the hike filter. MARCH 2019 37
THIS MONTH IN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (MAZAMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS) The next board meeting date is on Tuesday, March 19. 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 has been approved by the Mazama President or Vice President for publication. Members can access full meeting minutes one month after the meeting by sending an email to adventure@mazamas.org and making a request.
by Mathew Brock, Library & Historical Collections Manager President Laura Pigion called the Executive Council (EC) meeting to order at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19. Laura began by welcoming Amad Doratotaj, recently selected to fulfill the term vacated by Stephen Couch. Following approval of the agenda, Secretary Laura Guderyahn received approval for the January minutes as amended. Laura also noted that membership, as of the end of January, stands at 3,274. Treasurer Traci Manning gave an overview of both the November and December financials. For November the total operating revenue was $285,095 with operating expenses of $382,857. Assets were $674,297. Total operating income for December was $364,879, and expenses were $519,897. Assets at the end of December were $636,439. In her Acting Executive Director Report, Sarah Bradham gave a brief update on staffing and upcoming events. The Annual Celebration & Volunteer Recognition Event will be Wednesday, May 1. To celebrate the Mazamas’ 125th Anniversary a weekend of activities are planned for July 19–21, and a 125th Anniversary Block Party at the MMC on July 28. In internal reporting, the 2019 Portland Alpine Fest (PAF) has a venue and keynote speaker, a full four months ahead of schedule. Several updates to the IT system rolled out recently that will add functionality to events and make wait lists more effective. In external reporting, Sarah recently attended a meeting in Sisters, Oregon on the Central Cascades Permit proposal. In attendance were representatives from the American Alpine Club, Access Fund, and local residents. All present voiced opposition to the plan that would institute permits between Memorial Day and the end of September. Sarah and Erica Stock, Development Director, attended the recent Joint Lobby Day in Salem to help establish relationships with legislators and introduce the Oregon Outdoor Coalition. Sarah ended her report with brief department updates noting delays, due to staffing changes, in several Education initiatives. The Membership team is ahead of internal goals and membership is already up for this month compared to February 2018. Erica Stock, Mazama Development Director, gave an update on fundraising and membership. January was a good month for scholarship fundraising and Estate gifts. Thus far $156,888 has been raised in donations.. Membership continues to track up, and new member rates are rising. Grant season is beginning, and Reena Clements is helping out while Laura Burger is on maternity leave. A fundraising focus in the coming months will be the 125th Anniversary and to Mazama Lodge renovation. Vice President Marty Scott gave an update on the Executive Director transition planning. The transition team thanked the staff for input on the draft job description. They have completed interviews with other outdoor organizations that have recently hired a new director. The group recommends that the Mazamas employ an executive search firm to assist with recruitment and selection. To that end, they have submitted requests for proposals to four firms and received replies from two. They asked for and received, approval to hire a firm following a final round of interviews. 38 MAZAMAS
Treasurer Traci Manning gave an update on the Smith Rock project. Traci noted that the Mazamas Foundation is looking to make a decision on the property soon and asked the board to make a final recommendation. Following a lengthy discussion, the council passed a motion recommending that the Foundation decide how to proceed with either use of or disposal of the Smith Rock property in light of the uncertainty of the project going forward. Molly Mosenthal, Youth Program Coordinator, led the board through sexual harassment training. The same training has been given to staff and climb leaders. The training focuses on identifying harassing behavior and implementing the 4Ds of bystander intervention (direct, distract, delegate, and delay). The public part of the meeting ended with Sarah providing a brief update on the need to rebalance and reforecast the FY 2018–19 budget. Noting that the current budget is very aspirational, both expenses and revenue need to fall in line with 2018 actuals. Other budget considerations include calculating the real world costs of programs and activities. Two members chose to speak during the member comment period. Both longtime Mazamas and former board members Ray Sheldon and Billie Goodwin urged the board to consider recruiting from within the Mazamas for the next executive director. They noted that the needed skills, organizational knowledge, and love of the mountains could be found within the existing staff and membership. The next Executive Council meeting is Tuesday, March 19 at 4 p.m.
TRANSITION TEAM UPDATE by Marty Scott, Mazama Vice President It’s been a busy few weeks for the transition team. Last month we reported that the members of the transition team had interviewed several other mountain focused organizations about the process they successfully used to recruit and select their new executive directors. In line with the recommendations the members of the transition team received from these organizations, the transition team recommended to the Executive Council that the transition team proceed to develop a request for proposals (RFPs) and request proposals from outdoor oriented executive search firms to assist with our search. With the concurrence of the Executive Council, the transition committee sent the RFP to four firms and received proposals from two of the four. By the time members receive the Mazamas Bulletin the transition team will have interviewed the two firms by phone and have selected the successful firm. Both firms have multiphase processes that they will use to assist the transition team as we work with stakeholders to define the Mazamas organizational culture and the personal characteristics and leadership style we are looking for in the Mazamas next executive director. If you have comments or questions regarding the transition, you can email the transition committee at transition@mazamas.org.
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