S KI T R A C KS
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club Box 431 • Corvallis, Montana 59828
MARCH 2010
The next meeting of the Ski Club
will be at 7:00 p.m.
Thu, March 11,2010
First Presbyterian Church
1220 West Main Hamilton
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FEATURED PROGRAM
The March meeting program will feature photographs of good touring and adventure skiing in the Bitterroot back country mountains and canyons. There will also be a short description of the amenities available at the Downing Lodge by manager John Lehrman.===============================================================================
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Just before typing this I read the trail report that Mel Mooers posts every Friday. It was my weekly reminder of how many thanks we owe the trail crew. The crew is out there week after week making sure the tracks are in great shape for us and the public. No matter what the weather or snow conditions, the crew is out there working hard so we can enjoy ourselves. It’s quite a commitment in time and effort. Let’s all make sure they know how much we appreciate it.
I know I have said this before but it bears repeating that this has been a banner year for us and given the condition of the tracks, we still have at least another good month of skiing even in this drought year. Gordon Reese had the foresight to locate the trails at Chief Joseph Pass because of its unique location which gets good snow early and keeps it late, even in a year like this where the Bitter Roots have the lowest snowpack in the State at 51% of normal as of last week. Despite that dearth of snow, Mel’s report of today 2/26/10 reads; “2 new, 36 total, cooler, great snow everything groomed and tracks set.”
While I am speaking of Gordon, he confirmed this past week that this is the Club’s 20th year of tracking at Chief Joseph. It’s quite an achievement for a local voluntary nonprofit to exist for 20 years, let alone continue to grow and expand its services to the public like the Club has done. We’ve come a long way from dragging bed springs around to building the cabin and using the latest Yellowstone grooming equipment. But while our equipment and facilities have changed, the Club’s commitment to make Nordic skiing available to all has remained steady and constant and of that we should be proud.
On that note I hope everyone has been enjoying the winter Olympics. While both the US Alpine and Nordic team came of age, the Nordic team seemed to jump from its infancy to adulthood in this one Olympics. For anyone who has been an occasional citizen racer, watching Billy Demong and Johnny Spillane take the gold and silver in the Nordic Combined, was a very special moment.
Finally, this weekend some lucky person and their friends will be enjoying the Extravaganza dinner and night at the hut. Thanks to Paul and the ticket selling crew who made this such a success.
See you on the trails.
/s/George Corn
Trail Report
The light dustings of good snow and the cool temperatures have given us one of the longest periods of excellent skiing conditions in some time. It also made it easy for the grooming crew after a somewhat difficult beginning, just like most years.
We have the best and, in some cases, the only snow conditions in western Montana and the word is out as evidenced by the flood of happy skiers using the Chief Joe trails. We have observed on a number of occasions that a third of the users actually sign in. This year Robin Boyd from the Forest Service in Dillon has made four counts that I have the records of. Comparing them to the registration sheets indicate that only 7.2% of the users have signed. I don’t have an answer to the reason for the variation. I believe he has two more counts scheduled and I’ll be interested in the final comparison. Right now it looks like we are having a record year.
Mike Hoyt will be putting a group together to help clear the small trees, etc. from the trails this summer. Get your loppers ready and give Mike your support. Thanks, Mike. Wood cutting is also on the list of summer projects.
/s/ Mel Mooers, Grooming Team Leader
Extravaganza
A Gourmet Dining Experience
The Extravaganza drawing took place at the February meeting of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club. Carol Batcher, who chaired the Extravaganza Committee, Paul Sharp who is our head chef, Linda Stoudt who is our dessert chef, committee member Nancy Gresham and many other members who helped sell tickets should be proud of the fact that the Extravaganza earned the Club $1,827.59 for trail grooming at Chief Joseph.
This year Valley Bike and Ski supported our Club by donating a pair of Rossignol cross-country skis and bindings for a second place prize, and a cross country ski rental package for two as a third place prize. The continued support of Valley Bike is greatly appreciated.
The Extravaganza Dinner was won by Barbara Hall in Dillon. She, and her guests, had a special evening at the Gordon Reese Cross Country Ski Hut. Paul prepared a wonderful dinner which was paired with some quality wines and Linda’s unbelievable chocolate cheese cake paired with a special dessert wine.
The cross-country skis and bindings were won by Karen Griffing in Hamilton. Karen had tried snowshoes and was planning to rent cross country skis. Instead, she recently skied for the first time and actually did Middle Fork on her new skis!
The cross-country ski rental package for two was won by Scott Pankratz in Missoula.
The Blacksmith Brewery in Stevensville sold tickets for the first time this year and managed to sell more tickets than any other business. The Trail Head in Missoula came in a close second.
We want to thank all the businesses that supported us by agreeing to sell Extravaganza tickets. We encourage our members to express their gratitude when they visit these stores which are listed below:
The Naughty Moose Restaurant in Conner
Caffe Firenze in Florence
Chapter 1 Bookstore in Hamilton
Valley Bike and Ski in Hamilton
Bob Ward & Sons in Hamilton
Trail Head in Missoula
Pipestone in Missoula
Last Chance Pizza in Salmon, Idaho.
/s/ EarlPhilips
FEBRUARY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
February 11, 2010 by Kay Fulton
The meeting was called to order by President George Corn at 7:10 P.M. There were approximately 58 in attendance. Tickets for the Extravaganza were being sold during the beginning of the meeting!
Treasurer’sReport: EdHastings is still covering for Jeane Lippert. He reported that we currently have $10,110 in the checking account and that we continue to have donations weekly at Chief Joe.
Upcoming Events and Items of Interest: The Extravaganza drawing was for the grand prize of a Gourmet Dinner and evening at the Hut plus a Second Place prize of XC Skis and Bindings from Valley Bike, as well as two additional prizes of XC ski rentals also from Valley Bike.
Trails Report: Mel Mooers reported that there are great snow conditions. The depth is still about three feet but tracks are holding up well. He asked for help with doing a report for last year’s grant that required the data to be put into Excel spreadsheets. Linda and Mike Hoyt volunteered. Additionally, Mel reported that a very small percentage of skiers sign the “Sign In” sheets which have been used to calculate the number of “User Days.”
Cancellation Program: Earl Philips reported that there have been only six cancellations this year so far and he was able to fill all but the first one of the season. Additionally, Earl raised a concern about the use of candles in the cabin and encouraged members to throw away any they might find there since we do not want any fire to occur as a result of carelessness.
Also, Joe and Barbara Navarra found the camera lost by a little girl, Kelsey Meis, at the cabin and it was returned to her. She was so appreciative that she made cookies and brought them to the meeting tonight as a “thank you.”
Parnelli Sharp shared observations she has had at the Hut. She has visited with many people who are just in awe of how great it is and how well maintained it is. Thanks to everyone.
Old Business: Mel Holloway reported that the “Learn to Ski” Day, January 16, was a great success with 70 participants and 10 more instructors. Mel thanked everyone who helped.
New Business: The Second Annual XC Big Hole Valley Ski Race will be February 20th. There will be teams of four (4) people skiing about 3.5 miles each.
Upcoming Programs: Ginny Deck reported the March program will be about the Downey Mountain Ski facilities and the April program will be on Ice Coring in Antarctica.
Program: Michael McEachern wowed us once again with another 3D program on caving in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. This one focused on the return to Grizzly Gulch and Scapegoat Mountain. He started by educating us about 3D technology and his new digital 3D projections. The pictures just jumped out into the room; especially impressive were the wild flowers and features in the caves. Michael had great photos of the geology of the area as well as where they hiked and packed in. He left us with a “To Be Continued” since they are still trying to unlock all the secrets underground!!
Thanks again, Michael.
Membership Renewals / Dues
Annual Memberships EXPIRE November 1!
Renew your membership now!
INDIVIDUAL $15 • FAMILY $25
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL $30
SUPPORTING FAMILY $40
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Nov. 1, 2009 - Oct. 31, 2010
MAIL TO: Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club PO Box 431, Corvallis, MT 59828
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BITTERROOT XC SKI CLUB
President George Corn 363-1163 gcorn@bresnan.net
Vice-President Earl Philips 961-0101 philips@montana.com
Treasurer Jeane Lippert 642-3379 jeaneenaej@cybernet1.com
Secretary Kay Fulton 642-3794 kayinmt@cybernet1.com
Membership Jack Losensky 961-3757 losensky@wildblue.net
Newsletter
Editorial Pat Leonard 961-4959 toddypat@bitterroot.com
Production Shermans 961-3355
Mailing Barb Losensky 961-3757
E-mail Reine Hilton 375-1952 hilton@mcn.net
Programs Ginny Deck 961-4829 gindeck@cybernet1.com
Trails Mel Mooers 961-3163 m.mooersmt@juno.com
Trail Map Michele Thompson 375-9524 micthom@copper.net
Webmaster Toddy Perryman 961-4959 toddypat@bitterroot.com
Website http://www.bitterrootxcskiclub.net
Warming Hut Reservations 689-3371 (USFS Wisdom)