S K I   T R A C K S
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club
Box 431 • Corvallis, Montana 59828
D E C E M B E R,   2 0 0 9

ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK
Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 6:00 P.M.
Presbyterian Church
1220 W Main Street, Hamilton
Bring Your Favorite Dish
Plus your own plate and utensils. Drinks provided.

Donations for Haven House encouraged

THE PROGRAM WILL FEATURE VENDORS
FROM VALLEY BIKE, PIPESTONE,
MOUNTAINEERING AND THE TRAILHEAD
They will show us some of their latest outdoor equipment.

President’s Message —
      Ullr has smiled and the season is upon us with snow at the Pass. The weekend of Nov. 14th and 15th saw many skiers at Chief Joe. All the upper trails were skied and one intrepid soul skied Banshee. I can’t speak for the lower trails but the upper trails, although thin, were quite skiable.

      With the end of hunting season on November 29th, we can officially start tracking. However, that
depends on the snow and right now there is not enough for the machines. But, skied in tracks worked great for years, so get out and ski. Just be careful, ski in control, stay on a logging road and don’t get carried away.
      Thanks to the volunteers who signed up for duties at the last meeting.
      See you on the trails.
                                                                                                                                /s/ George

                                                     TRAIL REPORT
      By the time you read this we will have been over some of the trails, removed some of the obstacles and maybe even put down some tracks.. It seems we have a better chance than last year with somewhat of a base to start with. There was earlier snow that was rained on and froze prior to later snow accumulation. Last year the snow wouldn’t pack and just got out of the way! So, we’re looking forward to good skiing conditions this year although less snow is predicted. We’ll do the best we can with what we have. And don’t forget to let me know if you encounter a foot or more of fresh snow so we can get up and knock it down before it becomes an overwhelming amount. I can’t promise we’ll set tracks every time we do that, but we’ll have fresh tracks for Friday and the weekends.
      Have a great skiing season.
                                                                                                                        /s/ Mel Mooers

                                     Ski Instructors Needed!
The Club will be conducting its annual ski lessons on January 16 and we will need to put a platoon of instructors in the field! Instructors of all levels of experience are needed. Mel Holloway has the lead and a sign-up sheet will be circulated at the December meeting. Instructing is rewarding and fun. Join!
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                                                  Ski Races
Erik Vernon, Wasatch Area Race Productions, contacted us with information on two race events they are sponsoring at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah on 16 January 2010. One is a winter triathlon (Run, Mtn. Bike, Ski) and the other is a Nordic 2.5 km Sprint. They advertise a $3,000 prize purse for the winners of the triathlon. More information can be obtained at WWW.bashwintertri.com.

                                  NOVEMBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
                                        November 12, 2009                 by Kay Fulton

President George Corn called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., after giving members some time to view the Silent Auction items. There were approximately 75 people in attendance.

Sign-up sheets were passed out for “Meeting Set Up and Clean Up” volunteers and for “Ski Lesson Day” instructors.

Membership: Barb Losensky had sent a report that last year’s ending membership numbered 346. We are currently at 222.

Treasurer’s Report from Jeane Lippert: Donations last year: Trailhead $1,668.40, Cabin $570,
Individuals $285
October’s Income $1,785; Expenses $2,089; Net $304.35; Total in Checking Account $7,648.31

Upcoming Events:
         Holiday Potluck & Vendors, December 10

         Ski Lessons, January 16
         Extravaganza Drawing, February 11

         Extravaganza, February 27

The Silent Auction featured over 32 donated items including a fishing/float trip on the Bitterroot with Howard Whitford, Linda Stoudt’s “Cheesecake”, catered Beef Bourguignon dinner for 4 by PaulSharp, plus other wonderful items. We made $768. Thanks donators, purchasers and Pat & Ed Hastings for cashiering!

Program: Mike Hoyt, “Photo Hiker” thrilled us with his amazing DVD of the photos he had taken this last summer on his 600 mile, 55 summit treks. His feats were amazing and his photos absolutely beautiful. Mike plans another 70 summits for next year so be sure to get on his mailing list to join him!!