Mazama Magazine March 2016

MARCH 2016 • VOL. 98 | NO. 3

Thank You (Insert Name Here) Trekking Around Mt. Hood: RTM 2016 Peeps & Peeks at Early Flowers GAIA App: Viable GPS Replacement?

Features

Contact Us

Mazama Staff

GAIA App: Viable GPS Replacement?, p. 6 Thank You (Insert Name Here), p. 8 No Picnic on Mt. Kenya, p. 11 In the Backcountry with Dogs, p. 14 6,000 Miles in the Company of Canines, p. 16 Peeps & Peeks at Early Flowers, p. 24 Trekking Around Mt. Hood, p. 26 Volunteer Spotlight: Natalie Lozano, p. 31

Mazama Mountaineering Center 527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97215 • 503-227-2345 • adventure@mazamas.org Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Lee Davis • Executive Director • lee@mazamas.org Jamie Anderson •Member Services Manager jamie@mazamas.org Adam Baylor • Stewardship & Advocacy Manager • adam@mazamas.org Sarah Bradham • Marketing & Publications Manager • sarah@mazamas.org Mathew Brock • Library & Historical Collections Manager • mathew@mazamas.org Laura Burger • Membership & Development Assistant • laura@mazamas.org Kati Mayfield • Volunteer Manager • kati@mazamas.org Charles Barker • Mazama Lodge Manager • mazama.lodge@mazamas.org

Monthly Columns Upcoming Events & Classes, p. 4 Volunteer Opportunities, p. 5 Evening Travel Programs, p. 9 Mazama Lodge, p. 13 Adventurous Young Mazamas (AYM), p. 20 Classic Mazamas, p. 21 Membership Report, p. 22 Outings, p. 27 Trail Trips, p. 28 Executive Council, p. 30 Mazama Membership Benefits, p. 31

Publications Committee Committee Chair: Kristie Perry, publications@mazamas.org

Committee Members: Catherine Diaz, Ken DuBois, Joe Fox, Sue Griffith, Lacy Turner

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Mazama Lodge 30500 West Leg Rd. •Government Camp, Oregon, 97028 503-272-9214 • mazama.lodge@mazamas.org Hours: Thu. Noon–Mon. Noon

Cover: Photo: Cameron Brown. Above: ​ Carmen Brown in the Monkey’s mouth (Smith Rock State Park). Photo: Cameron Brown.

MAZAMA (USPS 334-780) Editor: Sarah Bradham (mazama.bulletin@ mazamas.org). Advertising: mazama.ads@mazamas. org. Subscription: $15 per year. Bulletin material must be emailed to the editor. 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 6:30 p.m. on the second 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.

ADVERTISER INDEX

Active Adventures, p. 32 Base Camp Brewing Company, p. 31 CAMP. p. 15 Centered in Motion, p. 30 Classifieds, p. 21 Climb Max Mountaineering, p. 10 Embark Adventures, p. 5 Green Trails Maps, p. 7 Montbell, p. 23 Mountain Hardwear, p. 26 Mountain Shop, p. 19 Next Adventure, p. 13 Off the Beaten Path, p. 4 Oregon Mountain Community, p. 29 Sunny Freeman Real Estate, p. 13 Yatvin Computer Consultants, p. 22 Advertise with us! tinyurl.com/ MazamaAdvertising

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

MORE THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS:

Seeing the Mazamas as a Community Nonprofit Sometimes when we’re talking with our members about the state of the Mazamas and the projects we’re working on we hear an interesting question. “Shouldn’t we invest our resources internally? Shouldn’t we focus all of our resources on taking care of our members, we are a club, right?”

While the top two priorities of Executive Council’s strategic plan are in fact internal infrastructure projects (reinventing Leader Development and our IT systems), many of the other projects are definitely focused on serving the needs of our community at large.

Initiatives like the Mazama Mountain Science School, designed to get 5th graders outside and up to the mountains, are very clearly externally focused. As are programs like Stewardship and Advocacy that engage the Mazamas voice at the regional and even national level in protecting the natural environment and in protecting our public lands and outdoor recreation.

So why are we investing in these programs that aren’t primarily about the “club” or our members? The primary reasons behind the plan are that we believe the Mazamas needs to grow and change its program service model to become modern, relevant, and scalable in order to serve our community better. If we don’t do this we will fall back and the Mazamas will slowly become less and less important and engaged in our community.

Okay, so then why do we care about the community? The answer to that question is actually pretty easy.

For more than seventy (70!) years the Mazamas has been structured as a 501(c)3 public benefit nonprofit corporation with members. That’s complicated to type, and even more complicated to understand. So I want to take some time this month to try to explain what it means for the Mazamas to be a nonprofit.

First, what is a nonprofit corporation?

Generally, nonprofit corporations exist to serve the public good, and any profits or return on investments are used for

the benefit of the public (as opposed to benefiting a smaller group of owners or investors).

In 1946 the Mazamas applied to be structured as a nonprofit public benefit corporation. Mazamas Articles of Incorporation and bylaws both state that “The Mazamas is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”

Being classified as a 501(c)3 public benefit corporation means that the Mazamas are tax exempt and also that any contributions made to the Mazamas for our programs by individuals, partners, or foundations are also tax exempt. This makes it easier for us to gather financial and volunteer support and easier for us to have an impact in the community.

It’s important to note that there are 29 different IRS classifications of nonprofits and not all of them are tax exempt. 501(c)7, for example, is a classification setup for social and recreational clubs and is NOT tax exempt. Tax exemption isn’t just important to the Mazamas because it helps us support our youth, conservation, research, advocacy, stewardship, and historical collections programs, it is also important because it helps to broaden the overall support base for our entire organization.

If we were to choose to invest only internally, only in the “club,” we would likely lose hundreds of our members that value our work in the community and even joined because of it. Next, we would lose philanthropic support from our individuals and partners which would result in huge increases in class and activity fees, dues would go up dramatically for members, and member services, like this publication, would have to be cut.

For thousands of our members, the Mazamas is their club; a close knit group of longtime friends bonded by shared values, interests, and experiences. When most

members consider who is in “the club” that they know, they can think and name of only a few hundred people.

At our peak in the last few years the Mazamas has had more than 3,500 members. So one thing to consider is that the Mazamas isn’t just one club, the Mazamas is a broad organization that brings together and organizes many different groups’ (clubs’) interests, and partners to pursue our mission.

In addition to teaching technical skills, and sharing our values and experiences in the mountains, a primary purpose of many of our programs is to build and organize a community of people who share our interests in outdoor education, recreation, and protection of the natural environment.

We are more than the sum of our parts, we serve our members and we serve the community. We educate the community and provide monetary and administrative support for community partners and individuals around research, expeditions, conservation, outdoor education. We support efforts to not only protect access to public lands but protect the very integrity of our federal public lands systems.

For more than 120 years, the Mazamas have been a leader in our community, promoting the values and interests that spurred the formation of the Mazamas back in 1894. We need all of our members and friends to join together under the banner of the Mazamas to help us succeed in reaching our goals. Together we will do great things!

Lee Davis, Executive Director

MARCH 2016 3

TELLURIDE MOUNTAIN FILM FEST SUPPORT PORTLAND MOUNTAIN RESCUE!

Showcasing the very best of independent videos about outdoor adventure, Portland Mountain Rescue will host the Telluride MountainFilm Festival. This special event is a screening of leading independent documentary films from around the world focused on outdoor adventure.

The films presented will be selected to be particularly interesting for a Portland audience. Join us for a night of truly inspirational movies about the outdoors while supporting a great organization— Portland Mountain Rescue.

Dates: March 10 Time: 5:30–9 p.m.

Where: Revolution Hall Cost: $17 advanced/$22 dayof-show ▶▶ Tickets: revolutionhallpdx. com/event/1013709-telluridemountainfilm-portland/ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶

BASIC ROCK SKILLS

BRUSH UP ON YOUR BASIC ROCK CLIMBING SKILLS

This is your opportunity to refresh knot tying, tying in, climbing commands, belaying, rappelling, prusiking, passing protection on a fixed line, and cleaning a top-rope anchor. Join us on the instructional climbing walls at the Mazama Mountaineering Center.

You do not need to be a Mazama member to register for these climbing clinics. If needed, you can rent rock shoes and other gear at The Mountain Shop (1510 NE 37th Ave.). ▶▶ Dates: March 12, April 15, May 26, June 15 ▶▶ Time: 6–9 p.m. ▶▶ Where: Mazama Mountaineering Center ▶▶ Cost: $15 per evening clinic. ▶▶ Register: mazamas.org/ education-classes/basic-rockskills/ ▶▶ Required Gear: Climbing harness, 3 locking and 2 nonlocking carabiners, belay device, climbing helmet, personal protection (sometimes called a personal leash), prusik cord, and rock shoes or climbing boots.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Very high remote scenic trekking and scrambling in the Carabaya area of the Vilcanota range in SE Perú. From Corani past the Quelccaya Icecap via Lake Sabinacocha and around 6,384m Ausungate to Pacchanta. Much above 5,000m.

Vicuña country. No technical climbing. October 2016. For more information contact climb leader Ellen Gradison ellengradison@gmail.

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TREE PLANTING

ENSURE A HEALTHY WATERSHED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The forests around Mt. Hood not only offer spectacular recreational opportunities and critical habitat for wildlife, they also store carbon, stabilize soils, and provide clean drinking water to metropolitan Portland. To help ensure the future of our well-used forests, the Conservation Committee has partnered with the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council for restoration-style planting events. This is a great way to meet other Mazamas, go for a walk in the woods, and help ensure a healthy watershed for future generations of hikers, climbers, and water-drinkers everywhere.

Can’t join us March 12, but love the idea of being an active steward? Keep an eye on the Bulletin for upcoming trail tending events or stop in for a Conservation Committee meeting.

We meet the third Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m., at the MMC. ▶▶ Date: Saturday, March 12 ▶▶ Time: 8 a.m. ▶▶ Location: Meet at MMC, carpool to Sandy River Basin/Zigzag area ▶▶ SIGN UP: http://goo.gl/ forms/6js8UpAzr0 ▶▶ Questions? Email Lea Wilson, lea.ione.w@gmail.com

RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE MAZAMA LIBRARY: ▶▶ The Crack Climber’s Technique Manual, by Kent Pease ▶▶ Wild Yosemite: 25 Tales of Adventure, Nature, and Exploration, Edited by Susan Neider ▶▶ Alone on the Wall, by Alex Honnold ▶▶ Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest, by Gregory Plumb ▶▶ Plan & Go: The John Muir Trail, by Gerret Kalkoffen ▶▶ Deep Powder & Steep Rock: The Life of Mountain Guide Hans Gmoser, by Chic Scott ▶▶ Rediscovering National Parks in the Spirit of John Muir, by Michael Frome ▶▶ The Rock Climber’s Training Manual: A Guide to Continuous Improvement, by Michael Anderson PhD

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES STORYTELLERS, WRITERS, AND EDITORS WANTED! MARCH 1 Are you a published writer or working editor looking for the perfect Mazama volunteer gig?

Would you like to polish up your proofreading, work on your word craft, or bring your collegeera editing skills out of mothballs? Or would you simply like to learn about any or all of the above in a supportive group? The Publications Committee is a group of Mazamas who love linking climbing, hiking, and wilderness adventures to the written word (online and off)! We meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the MMC. For more information, please contact Marketing & Publications Manager Sarah Bradham (sarah@mazamas. org) or Publications Chair Kristie Perry (publications@mazamas.org).

YOUTH SPORTS CLIMBING BASICS CLASS: MARCH 4 & 12 We have a number of partners coming to climb with us in March, and we are looking for additional volunteer assistants to help out!

Volunteers should have Mazamas BCEP or equivalent rock skills, and experience working with youth. Email Kati Mayfield, kati@mazamas. org, for more information or to sign up.

SPRING TREE PLANTING: MARCH 12 Join us for Conservation Committee’s spring tree planting event with the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council. See page 4 of this Bulletin for more information.

TRAIL TRIPS COMMITTEE: MARCH 14 Be part of the effort to support the largest hiking program at the Mazamas. Your Trail Trips Committee orchestrates multiple hikes each week, including the weekday Rambles, and we are looking for several volunteers to serve on the committee. This is an opportunity for you to help steer the direction for Trail Trips, and support our great community of hike leaders.

KATI MAYFIELD VOLUNTEER MANAGER KATI@MAZAMAS.ORG

Curious about volunteering but don’t see an opportunity that interests you? Fill out the Mazama Volunteer Survey, tinyurl. com/MazVolSurvey, to let us know more about your skills and interests, and we’ll be in touch to brainstorm with you.

You should be a current Hike Leader and you must be able to commit to attending the monthly meetings as well as additional time for various committee projects. Contact Regis Krug, regis_krug@mentor.com, if you’re interested.

TRAIL TENDING AT ROOSTER ROCK: MARCH 19 Join us on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. for a trail tending project at our beloved Rooster Rock. We’ll be helping to stabilize tread on the Rooster Rock State Park climber trail. We need about 10 trail crew volunteers, and experience is helpful but not necessary.

Mazamas will provide tools. Email Adam@ Mazamas.org to register.

UES VOLUNTEERS: MARCH 25 The annual Used Equipment Sale is around the corner, and we need your help! Volunteers will be needed on Thursday, March 24 to do gear intake and sorting, and on Friday, March 25 to manage the sales floor. We need both team leaders and support volunteers. Check out the event website (https://sites.google.com/site/ uesmazama/) where you can learn more about the volunteer jobs and sign up to help.

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) A Mazama committee providing support services including debrief sessions after traumatic experiences and near misses; as well as referrals to mental health services if you are experiencing adverse emotions. All correspondence and conversations with CISM are confidential. Info can be found on the Mazama website, (mazamas.org/resources/critical-incident-stress-managementcism/) or by contacting the Mazama office (503-227-2345).

MARCH 2016 5

GAIA APP: VIABLE GPS REPLACEMENT?

by John Godino

I

’ll always remember my first introduction to the navigation potentials of a smart phone.

A few years ago on a North Sister climb, we ended up taking an unexpected route back to camp.

On our cross-country bushwhack, we experienced a little of what you might call “positional uncertainty.”

I called a halt for our team, got out my map and clunky old GPS receiver, waited for it to get fired up, and then started plotting our UTM coordinate on the map to find out where we were. One of the younger members of our climb team strolled over and said “Hey, can I show you something? Here’s exactly where we are.” And he showed me his iPhone screen, with a reassuring little blue dot directly over a high resolution map. That was when the lightbulb really went on for me: the holy Grail of navigation (a good map with a “you are here” mark) had arrived.

GPS smartphone apps can now go head-to-head with dedicated handheld GPS receivers. Along with increasing chip speed, screen size, and battery power, smart phones actually have several advantages: more intuitive user interface, much better screen resolution, a much wider range of (and better quality) base maps, and a vastly lower price.

The two main potential problems with GPS smart phones, fragility and running out of batteries, are easily solved with a sturdy case and an auxiliary battery pack and extra cable. GPS works on your phone without cell phone coverage, and you can download free, high quality maps ahead of time for use when you are in the backcountry.

Most climbers already carry their phone.

Why not add one more navigation tool that only costs $20, doesn’t weigh anything, 6 MAZAMAS

takes maybe 30 minutes to learn, and might just really save the day sometime?

One of the leading wilderness GPS apps is called Gaia GPS. Gaia has a few key features that put it at the head of the pack.

It’s really focused on backcountry use, and not recording every arcane statistic of your hike and letting you post it to social media. They have terrific technical support, a wide variety of base maps, including satellite imagery and open source map layers, and the interface is easy enough to get you up to speed in a few minutes. And, it’s only $20, compared with a standalone GPS receiver that starts around $200 and goes up to $600—ouch! Gaia GPS has a version for both iPhone and Android users.

The Mazamas is partnering with Gaia GPS to introduce more of our members to this powerful tool. This is being done in two steps. One, all Mazamas climb and hike leaders are eligible to get a free copy of the app. This will be rolled out over approximately the next year, and will be coordinated within the climbing and trail trips committees.

Two, Gaia has generously offered the Pro version of their app to all of the Mazamas membership.

To access this offer, you first need to purchase the app for $20, but then you will get an upgrade to the Gaia Pro, which normally cost $40 a year. This opens up lots of new map layers, lets you plan trips and print maps from the Gaia website, and more.

There are some good resources to learn to use this app. If you go to mazamas.org and navigate to Resources then Maps for Hiking and Climbing, you’ll see a video link for a tutorial on how to use the app.

Watching this video for 10 minutes will give you the foundation that you need to go start practicing. If you’d like more

That was when the lightbulb really went on for me: the holy Grail of navigation (a good map with a “you are here” mark) had arrived.

in-depth training, the Mazamas have a skill builder class in smart phone GPS coming up in June that still has some openings.

But you really don’t need a class. Watch the instructional video, go for a walk around your neighborhood for an hour or so, mark some waypoints, record a track, practice downloading maps for use outside of cell range, use the Guide Me function to get distance and bearing to an existing waypoint, and you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

And now, next time you experience a bit of “positional uncertainty,” you’ll have a solid tool to get yourself unlost.

Author’s Note: Electronic mapping tools do not replace paper maps. We recommend always carrying a paper map with you on your backcountry adventures.

u o Y k n a Th

) E R E H E M A N T (INSER

by Preston Corless

T

his May during the long, slow, cathartic, soulcleansing slog up one of our local volcanoes, I began reflecting on some of the experiences I’ve had in the past 15 years of climbing. My thoughts moved to the people who have expanded my horizons, pushed me to overcome bigger challenges, and taught me the craft of climbing. I thought about people like Rick Posekany. Within a month, I was shocked and saddened to learn that Rick had passed away.

In 2003 I was a young, headstrong climber at the start of my career. I signed up for Posey’s climb of Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. I was in over my head, even more than I realized at the time.

Soon after arriving at Plaza de Argentina base camp (just under 14,000 feet), I started feeling lousy. Really lousy. Rick took me to see the camp doctor, who confirmed what Rick suspected–I had acute mountain sickness. They put this little contraption on my finger, which recorded the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin in my blood.

While at sea level this would read around 99 percent, but at that time it was in the low 80s, which somewhat explained why I felt about half as good as normal. Imagine a bad hangover with a dose of heavy lethargy.

I was physically, mentally, and emotionally wrecked. I was 20 years younger than the other guys, and yet I was the one who wasn’t going to make it anywhere near the summit.

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I had a deep, sinking feeling about all the time and effort that I had committed to this trip–for naught.

They started me on Diamox and told me to rest. In his gruff, terse, gentle way, Rick kept tabs on me and told me not to give up hope. The next day Rick, Mark Luscher, and John Peters carried loads to camp 1 while I rested. The following day the pulse oximeter read 88 percent. I was feeling better and cleared to keep ascending. We moved on to camp 1, then camp 2. I moved a little slower, humbled by my own frailty. We got pinned down by a bad storm at camp 2 for six days, testing our patience, supplies and determination. We had carried a load to another camp called Piedras Blancas, at about the same elevation but closer to the ascent route. Nearing the end of our allotment of time and supplies, the weather began to clear. We scrapped our plan to move; instead Rick and Mark retrieved our

cache of gear from Piedras Blancas. It was a short, flat traverse, but the wind was such that they had to break trail through the snow both ways.

The skies opened and camp 2 turned into a bustle of activity as nearly everyone mobilized for the summit. After so much bad weather and luck, I could hardly believe we were actually headed out. It was an incredible day—dark, blue, cloudless skies and no wind—and hard to believe after the weeks we’d spent there. On Aconcagua the wind is a nearly constant challenge. It blows tents away.

You can hear gusts coming, like an airplane. It is visible in the form of lenticular clouds–the viento blanco. I was getting used to the cold, the wind, not

In 2003 I was a young, headstrong climber at the start of my career. I signed up for Posey’s climb of Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.

I was in over my head, even more than I realized at the time. eating enough, and hanging out in those stinking tents reading Atlas Shrugged.

Rick was exhausted from breaking trail to get our boots and supplies from Piedras Blancas. The trail out of camp 2 was deep with snow. The day seemed long as the sun cut through the high, thin air. The final approach is a dusty slog. We labored slowly up the slope, fighting the thin air. Rick was unselfishly carrying a lot of group gear–first aid, extra food, extra gloves and so on. He was falling off the pace. I waited for him; we fell behind the pack. After many, many rest stops I finally convinced him to switch backpacks with me.

There was no way I was going to the summit without Rick. After all the extra work he had done for the team, I would not have made it without him; I would not have earned it.

Our pace picked up a bit with the weight redistributed. As we climbed higher, the views opened to the northwest, west, and southwest. We reached the summit around 7 p.m. and spent all of 15 or 20 minutes on top, after two weeks of hard effort.

Coming down the sunset was pretty amazing. Rick and I didn’t make it back to camp until after midnight. It took us 19 hours to climb 4,000 feet.

I had never felt so physically and emotionally exhausted. I can’t say I was elated that I summited, although I know I would have been disappointed to come all that way, put forth all that effort and expenditure, and never make it past

Piedras Blancas. More than anything I felt a great sense of relief about not going home empty handed.

Together we made it to the summit. That climb taught me a powerful lesson–that climbing is a team sport. Life is a team sport.

The things I learned on that climb helped form the foundation of my climbing experience. We talk about climbing in terms of mountains, cliffs, routes, grades, ratings, buttresses, glaciers, faces and couloirs. New climbers quickly accumulate the latest, mostimproved gear, mileage, summits, and routes. With maturity we begin to appreciate more and more the importance of partners and community to the climbing experience. To quote Gaston Rebuffat: “The choice of companion is as important as the choice of the climb.” As specific climbs fade in memory and significance, the bonds forged between partners only become more meaningful–and transcend the climbing experience.

Very soon two of my other mentors will be heading out on an epic adventure. They have motivated and inspired me to be a better climber and a better person.

Our mentors are not always older or more experienced.

Wherever you are in your journey of life, stop and take a moment to reflect on who your mentors have been, and how they’ve influenced your life. Thank them, and pass it on.

Clockwise, from left: Mark Luscher and Rick Posekany. Photo: Preston Corless.

(Willy’s wagon) is on the approach along the Rio Vacas. Photo: Preston Corless.

Rick and Preston on the summit. Photo: Rick Posekany.

MARCH 2016 9

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10 MAZAMAS

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BOOK REVIEW

NO PICNIC ON MOUNT KENYA

BY FELICE BENUZZI

by Barry Maletzky

O

f what interest could a book by an unknown Italian amateur mountaineer about a failed attempt on Mt. Kenya, already climbed dozens of times, be to Mazamas? Mountaineers are anxious to learn of the miseries and conquests of celebrated expeditions in the Himalayas or compelling attempts amidst the horrendous storms on the surreal towers of Patagonia. Yet this bizarre tale, comprising history, war, escape from a POW camp, hacking through impenetrable brush, climbing and adventure, should be fascinating to all interested in such matters—in short, all Mazamas.

One imagines a Hollywood producer reading this script and rejecting it outright: “Who could believe such an improbable story? Too unreal even for the movies.”

But what a tale it is. Benuzzi, an Italian commander with little mountaineering experience in the Alps, is captured by the British and interred in a POW camp in Kenya. Day after dull day, clouds obscure the horizon until, one morning, the organpipe pillars of Mt. Kenya appear. There are even glaciers—here near the equator!

A bold plan forms in the Italian’s mind: to escape the prison, climb Mt. Kenya, then break back into the camp!

I will not spoil the story here but you might have guessed that crampons, ice axes, climbing boots, sleeping bags, a tent, and rope were not supplied by the British commanders of the camp. But Benuzzi was not to be denied his dream merely due to the absence of materials. Barbed wire fastened to camp shoes simulated

crampons (well, sort of), candlelight stitching of warm jackets, hammers forged into ice axes, materials scrounged from the camp’s laundry and kitchen, and the crucial assistance of other prisoners, a tailor, a bootmaker, a kitchen aide, a machinist, and purloined blankets would have to do. Most audacious of all: the sole map these would-be climbers had came from the cover of a corned beef tin!

Benuzzi recruited a doctor and another prisoner keen for adventure. Their lack of climbing experience only heightened their desire to escape, at least for a few days, the vacuous drudgery of camp life. Sneaking out of the camp at night was relatively easy; the real adventure came navigating the sword-like grasses, the thorns of trees in the forest, and the tortuous walk in the river, with its many climber falls, so as to avoid leaving a trail. The third man fell ill soon, leavinag Benuzzi and his physician friend to forge the way. They were correct that the river flowed from one of the glaciers, though they knew not which one nor even the rough topography of the mountain itself.

Nonetheless, these would-be, yet courageous, adventurers, managed to set up several camps and tackle fourth- and easy fifth-class andesite castles, belaying each other with a sisal rope which would lose a strand or two with each fall. From their description, their attempt was on the northwest side of the main peak, Batian, and on one of its most technical lines; they were only stopped by harder fifthclass rock coated with ice. Their mittens, fashioned from socks, were no challenge to the roughly 16,000 ft. elevation which they probably obtained before turning back.

Following a rest day, as if this arduous and exhausting attempt were not enough, they successfully climbed a subsidiary point, Peak Lenana, a trekker’s ascent to be sure, but with threadbare clothing, and

constantly wet socks and boots. It must have come with a mixture of chagrin and disappointment that, from its summit, they could see the climbers’ metal hut on the voie normale, the easier south side, leading to Batian. Even this sight did not dampen (pun intended) their enthusiasm for this adventure. Their return to camp was uneventful; escaping, with hostile natives, lions, rhinos and leopards all about, was not an option. They received light punishment, which all three believed was more than compensated by their outlandish adventure and the hero’s welcome they so rightly received.

The author writes in an almost matterof-fact style, belying the charm he conveys in being amongst astonishing nature. His descriptions of the tall-as-a-tree senecios (ours rise at most to 3 feet) and other weird but wonderful flora, convey an almost child-like appreciation of this otherworldly landscape and adds a charming note to an unbelievable tale. Benuzzi and his doughty companions may not have conquered the summit of Mt. Kenya, but they accomplished far more: the triumph of the human spirit against incredible adversity.

A newly-translated edition of this work is available for about $22 from Maclehose Press. This new edition contains many of Benuzzi’s sketches and watercolors. Our library contains the first edition of the initial translation into English, published in 1953. Hopefully, we will have the newer edition of this classic soon. Even better, some Hollywood types may read it and decide it’s worth a movie. They could do far worse, and have, judging from what passes as cinema these days.

Benuzzi, F. (1953). No Picnic on Mount Kenya. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, Inc. Mazama Library number 916.7.B44

MARCH 2016 11

IT’S HERE! The Mazama Used Equipment Sale • Date: Friday, March 25, 2016 • Time: 5–6 p.m. sale opens for Mazama members and students in climb classes • 6–9 p.m. open to the general public • Location: Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC)— 527 SE 43 Avenue What do we sell and what might you find? Everything in hiking, camping, mountaineering and XC skiing from A to Z! Axes. Backpacks, Books, Boots and Belay Devices. Carabiners and Crampons. Daisy Chains. Essentials – All 10 of ‘Em. Fleece and Friends, Gortex®, Gloves and Gaiters.

Hats. Ice Tools. Jackets. Knives. Lockers and Liners. Mittens. Nalgene® Bottles.

Overmitts. Polypro, Pads and Parkas. Quick Draws. Rain Gear. Snowshoes and Stoves.

Sleeping Bags. Shovels. Trekking Poles and Tents. Underwear. Vests. Wands and Water Filters, XC (no Downhill) Skis, Poles and Boots. Yaktrax®. Zipper pulls… and more!

What should you do if you’d like to sell some gear?

• Set reasonable (low) prices for saleable equipment or clothing you aren’t using or have upgraded reasonably and it will sell; you’ll keep 70 percent of all proceeds.

• Please make sure your items for sale are clean and have some usable life left in them.

• Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 24 from 4 to 8 pm. That is when you can drop off items for the sale (tags, tally sheets and seller info sheets are available in the MMC lobby).

• Pick up your unsold items Saturday, March 26 between 8 a.m.–noon. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

We are collecting warm clothing for Fish Emergency Services to distribute to Portland’s needy. To donate items, please drop them off at the MMC on Wednesday, March 23.

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What should you do if you’d like to buy some gear?

• Mark your calendars for Friday, March 25 • Plan to come early for best selection.

• Mazamas accepts cash, checks or Visa®/MasterCard®.

Volunteers: We still need volunteers for the event. See page 5 for more details.

MAZAMA LODGE

YOUR HOME ON THE MOUNTAIN The Mazama Lodge Winter Festival begins at noon, Saturday, March 12, with the tapping of our rootbeer keg in our nonalcoholic beer garden. This free event continues until 8 p.m. when we finish the evening with Caroline Oakley, Portland Original Square Dance Caller and her musical trio. ▶▶ Noon: Event Registration Begins. ▶▶ Noon–1:30 : Grill Open (burgers and Gardenburgers (gluten free options) $9 adults/$6 kids. ▶▶ 2 p.m.: Snow events begin ▶▶ 4:30 p.m.: Birkebeiner ▶▶ 5 p.m.: Snow sculpture judging ▶▶ 5 p.m.: Bavarian banquet ($13.25 for Adults and $7 for Kids) ▶▶ 7 p.m.: Flaming Mt. Hood cake ▶▶ 6–8 p.m.: Square dancing (all ages) Questions? Winter Festival Director: Mark Seker, email: markseker@gmail.com SPRING BREAK Mazama Lodge will be open every day during spring break from Thursday, March 18 through Monday, March 29, at noon.

CARETAKER NEWS April and Adam are starting their Pacific Crest Trail Adventure in early April and Renee Moore will be coming back to the lodge for the summer rotation.

VOLUNTEER THANK YOU Special thank you to Jim Van Lente, Ed Rae, and Richard Sandefur who have collectively spent hundreds of hours working on everything from plumbing to electrical to chimney leaks. When we reach middle age like Mazama Lodge it takes a little extra care, especially with the busy winter.

Sunny Freeman sunnyfreeman@windermere.com SunnyFreemanHomes.com twitter.com/sfreemanhomes

Your Mazama Realtor MARCH 2016 13

IN THE BACKCOUNTRY WITH DOGS

by Kristie Perry Everybody has a favorite hiking buddy—that go-to pal who is low maintenance and indefatigable. My go-to pal never turns down an invitation: rain or shine, warm or cold, two inches of snow or two feet—it’s all the same to him. He doesn’t care if he gets dirty. He’s happy to go boonie crashing.

He greets everyone on the trail with a smile.

Sometimes I wish I could be more like him.

He has four legs, a swishy tail, and 200 million scent receptors in his nose. He’s been known to pluck discarded comestibles out of two feet of snow. His name is Duncan and he likes to roll in dead things.

Over the past 30 years, I have hiked, camped, and cragged with numerous others like him. They have all brought great joy—and great challenges—my way.

Duncan’s greatest assets can also be his greatest liabilities.

He is highly food motivated, which has made him very easy to train. It also means he has no qualms about stealing your lunch.

Recreating with dogs in the backcountry requires more than just carrying a Ziploc of kibble and a little extra water. It requires that both human and dog conduct themselves in a manner that allows all users to have fun and remain safe. And that requires thoughtful planning on the part of the human—planning that begins long before you fill up that Ziploc and extra water bottle.

Official Mazama policy regarding dogs is generally neutral.

Mazama hike rules state: “Keep dogs at home except when a hike is labeled dog friendly.” Peruse the Mazama hike schedule for any given month, and you’ll find very few hikes labeled “dog friendly.”

Perhaps with good reason. Leading six to 12 humans who may or may not know each other up a mountain who have varying degrees of fitness and experience is challenging enough. Throw a dog or two in the mix and things can turn sour fast unless the chemistry of the group is just right. And that’s true whether you’re on an official Mazama hike or not.

Nonetheless, we know there are a lot of dog lovers out there in Mazamalandia. That’s why over the next several months, the Mazama Bulletin will be running a series of articles that explore the many issues to consider when recreating with your dog in the backcountry. We’ll cover etiquette, safety, and first aid. We’ll

delve into the arguments around freerange versus leashed travel. You’ll hear from veterinarians, pet gear It may appear that Kristie Perry’s dog, Duncan, manufacturers, appreciates the view from Palmateer Point as much as she does, but he’s really just wondering and other if any kibble lurks among the trees. Photo: Richard experts.

Ramirez. Duncan, takes a break on the way to And I hope the top of Strawberry Mountain, and not for the first time worries that lunch may not be imminently we’ll hear from forthcoming. Photo: Kristie Perry. you. Please send your feedback, questions, stories, and photos to publications@mazamas.org. To get the storytelling started, this issue includes a profile of Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa, who’s logged thousands of trail miles and a few snow-covered summits with man’s best friend. Whitney was brought to my attention by Mazama member and Trail Trips Committee member Marilyn Zigler.

Mazama Dog Policy As we launch this series, we thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone of official Mazama policy regarding dogs.

For events where dogs are permitted, owners are expected to keep their dogs on leash and under control at all times.

Owners must follow any instructions given to them by the event leader regarding their pets. Hostile or aggressive dogs are not welcome on Mazama events.

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▶▶ All dogs must be properly vaccinated, collared, and have personal ID/vaccination tags. ▶▶ Dogs are not permitted off-leash at any point during Mazama events.

Dog owners must be aware and respectful of the rest of the group and of other trail users.

Some individuals are not comfortable around dogs or may be intimidated by them. Other trail users have the right of way and should be given plenty of space to get by.

▶▶ Owners will maintain control of enthusiastic and/or barking dogs. ▶▶ Dog owners should bring extra water for their pup —and must clean up after their pets and pack out any waste. ▶▶ Students are not allowed to bring pets to any Mazama class or field session. This includes leashing pets outside. Any student bringing pets to class or field session will be asked to leave until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility.

MARCH 2016 15

e h t n i s le i 6,000 M s e n i n a C f o Company

Meet Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa

by Kristie Perry

O

ver the past 20 years, Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa has logged more than 6,000 trail miles in the company of canines.

LaRuffa’s journey to becoming an expert on backpacking with dogs started with a chance encounter while thru-hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1996.

He and a buddy had been on the trail for about a month when in mid-March they reached the Bald Mountains, an 841-square-mile sub-range of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

They made camp atop 5,516foot Big Bald Mountain, which offered them a 360-degree panorama of the North Carolina–Tennessee border and a fierce wind.

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“We’d been getting beat down by the wind all night long,” LaRuffa recounts. “Our tents were hitting us in the face. We hadn’t gotten any sleep. It was cold. There was snow on the trail.”

By 3 a.m., LaRuffa and his hiking buddy had had enough.

They packed up their gear and headed down the mountain, collecting three more friends who perhaps more wisely had opted to stay in a lowerelevation shelter.

They all trudged into the sprawling little town of Erwin, Tennessee. At that time, Erwin was a one-motel burg notorious for being the site of an elephant hanging in 1916.

“When I finally got to my motel, I was greeted at the front porch by this little mutt,” LaRuffa says. “I just sat down and played with him.”

SAVED FROM THE POUND For many weeks that little mutt had been following thruhikers in and out of the Smokey Mountains. When LaRuffa and his friends were ready to hit the trail again, they decided to take the mutt with them.

“The motel owner was threatening to take him to the pound,” LaRuffa says. We went to the store across the street and bought him a two-dollar collar and a bag of Gravy Train.

We didn’t want to leave him in a town famous for hanging an elephant. We figured we’d keep him if he stuck with us.”

Officially dubbed Erwin, the dog stuck with LaRuffa and his friends all the way to the Maine border.

Along the way, he was repeatedly skunked; hailed by hikers who’d encountered him elsewhere on the trail; and equipped with a pack and ID tag by Damascus Dave of Mt.

Rogers Outfitters in Damascus, Virginia. He faked an injury in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, to get out of wearing his pack. He was examined by a veterinarian in Troutville, Virginia, who pronounced Erwin bulletproof.

THROWING UP LIVERWURST LaRuffa’s parents collected Erwin when the pair arrived at the New Hampshire-Maine border so LaRuffa could continue on to Mount Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which prohibits dogs.

“After spending the better part of three and a half months with Erwin, parting with him was one of the toughest parts of my AT thru-hike,” LaRuffa says. He and his hiking buddies ... cried. “There were many days when we wished Erwin was with us as it was the first sustained stretch of

good weather on the entire trip and I could envision him enjoying the romp through the Bigelow Mountains.”

After LaRuffa and his friends returned to the trail, LaRuffa’s parents discovered Erwin wasn’t so bullet proof, afterall.

“My parents like to tell the story of bringing my ‘feral dog’ home,” LaRuffa says. He speculates that Erwin had been tossed from a car and abandoned at some point in his life, causing him to tend toward carsickness. “I told my father to give Erwin Dramamine and showed him how to pry open

Climbing or backpacking with your dog is a lot of work, LaRuffa acknowledges. “If you’re going to do those things, you need to understand that it really becomes your dog’s outing.”

Erwin’s jaw and shove a pill down his throat. My father was too nervous to do that so he bought some liverwurst and put the pills in it. To quote my father, ‘there’s nothing like going down I-95 and having a dog throw up liverwurst in the back of the car on a 95 degree day’.”

Above, from left: LaRuffa and his current canine companion, Karluk, summited Mt. Adams in July 2012. Karluk ran alongside LaRuffa’s glissade path on the way down. Photo: Jeremiah “Sasquatch” Wright. One of the highlights of the Appalachian Trail is hiking through the Grayson Highlands of Mt. Rodgers State Park in Virginia. Wild shetland ponies are year-round residents in the park and are very accustomed to the numerous hikers. Photo: Kelley “Marmot” Douglas.

LaRuffa pounded out the miles, finishing up his AT adventure about three weeks later. When he returned home to New York, Erwin, naturally, was overjoyed, and greeted LaRuffa in a quintessentially canine way: “I remember lying on the floor of my parents’ kitchen with my pack still on my back, just loving on him.”

DISARMING HIKERS LaRuffa and Erwin spent the following two summers patrolling a 75-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania as Ridgerunners.

Ridgerunners provide an important service on the Appalachian Trail, acting as ambassadors, educating people about Leave No Trace Principles, doing light trail maintenance, administering first aid, and discouraging bad

continued on page. 19

MARCH 2016 17

EVENING TRAVEL PROGRAMS

EXCITING TRAVEL ADVENTURES!

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Our evening travel programs get underway at 7 p.m. at the Mazama Mountaineering Center. The programs are free and open to the Mazamas and general public. We appreciate voluntary contributions at the discretion of each attendee. Carpooling, public transportation, biking, and walking to the MMC are encouraged. Thank you for supporting our successful series by your regular attendance. Program Committee: John Leary (Chair); Nancy Bentley, Dyanne Foster, Ben Jones, and Sharon Leary.

The Italian Dolomites: March 2 Have you hiked the Dolomites in Italy? Described as “some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere.” With 18 peaks over 9,800 feet, featuring sheer cliffs, and long, narrow, deep valleys. Amy Boyce Osaki, who has more than 20 years of experience hiking the Dolomites, will show photos from the trail and provide an overview of five valleys, villages, mountain huts (rifugios), and two short “assisted routes.”

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A Selection of National Park Hiking Destinations: March 9 Please join Richard Getgen in a photo-review of the outings he has led during the past decade. The locations include North Cascades, Rainier, Olympics, Crater Lake, Redwoods, Lassen, and Glacier. In total, Richard has led nearly 1,100 hikes and 26 outings for Mazamas. The images seen on this night will include the rugged scenery of these national parks as well as the flora and fauna.

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Camino de Santiago: March 16 Test your mettle with this adventure: Linda Prinsen and Nicole Peltz will present different routes to Santiago de Compostella in Spain; a physical adventure and spiritual journey—depending on who you are and what you want. There will be practical tips on planning, packing, and training, as well as routes and perspectives on traveling to Santiago, Spain, and, perhaps, inspiration.

Portugal’s Rota Vicentina: March 23 Two hundred and fifty miles of ocean views, rolling fields, and delicious food and wine: welcome to Portugal’s Rota Vicentina! The Rota Vicentina is not a back-country hiking experience, but instead a town-to-town trail where you leave your tent and sleeping bag at home and stay in hostels and B&Bs each night. Kate Harbour, Membership Coordinator at Friends of the Columbia Gorge, will share her experience hiking the southern section of this new trail and discuss a similar trail network that’s emerging in the Columbia Gorge.

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River of Disappointment: March 30 In the ultimate off-road experience, two cyclists take on Canada’s largest river, the Mackenzie. Adventurers Tim Bailey and John Greengo built a oneof-a-kind craft that is part bicycle and part canoe. They loaded it with 360 pounds of supplies and pedaled it more than a thousand miles to the Arctic Ocean. Along the way, they battled harsh weather, bloodthirsty insects, and a string of mechanical challenges that threatened to leave them stranded in one of the most remote regions on the continent. They shot 50 rolls of film, using a monopod on the boat, an underwater camera and, most creatively, cameras propped on tripods along shore. In this 70-minute multi-media presentation, Tim tells the story of their unusual 34-day trek.

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LaRuffa, continued from page 17 behavior. “The program is designed to keep a pulse on what’s going on out there in the woods,” LaRuffa says. “It was a great gig in the summer for a college guy who liked hiking.”

And it was a great opportunity for LaRuffa to hone his backpacking-withdog skills. Erwin almost always wore a pack on the trail. “And that was back in the day before doggie backpacks were popular,” LaRuffa says. “That always disarmed people and encouraged them to ask questions. It also raised a lot of spirits.

It can be really lonely out there for thruhikers.”

THE DOG COMES FIRST LaRuffa and Erwin went on to log many more trail miles throughout the United States, including within the South Dakota Badlands and the Cascade Range. Erwin accompanied LaRuffa on his first trip to the top of Mount St. Helens.

For that outing, Erwin got a special

jacket—fleece with a waterproof shell.

LaRuffa had no nervousness about that climb because he had already walked 5,000 miles with Erwin. “Having a dog with me at times can help calm my nerves,” LaRuffa says.

Still, climbing or backpacking with your dog is a lot of work, LaRuffa acknowledges.

“If you’re going to do those things, you need to understand that it really becomes your dog’s outing.”

“You have to take care of your dog before you take care of you. If your dog is having a bad time, you’ve got to leave.”

For the Mount St. Helens climb, “The hardest thing was teaching Erwin to hike behind me so I wouldn’t step on him with a crampon. The main femoral artery in a dog is right through their leg. If they get cut there, they’ll bleed to death.”

ERWIN HAS ALSO BEEN UP THROUGH MT. HOOD’S PEARLY GATES. After 13 years of hiking together, LaRuffa

said goodbye to Erwin when he could no longer walk. “Thanks to Erwin, I developed a deep love for hiking with dogs that continues on.”

Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa is a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Over the last twenty years he has shared his tips with countless people who want to backpack with their dogs and has helped spread the gospel of how Leave No Trace principles can be applied to dogs in the backcountry. He shares his home in North Portland with Suzy, his wife of 12 years, and Karluk, a black lab mix adopted from the Oregon Humane Society in 2008. LaRuffa is a brand ambassador for Ruffwear Dog Gear, TurboPup, Barker Bags, Gossamer Gear, Montbell, Sawyer, Toaks, Purple Rain Adventure Skirts, Salazon Chocolate, UGO Bars, and Point 6 Socks. To learn more about Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa and his tips for traveling in the backcountry with dogs, visit his website at www. allgoodsk9adventures.com.

MARCH 2016 19

AYM: ADVENTUROUS YOUNG MAZAMAS We had a full house at Mazama Lodge and plenty of sunshine for Winter Weekend. Sixty Adventurous Young Mazamas spent their days snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, sledding, and lodge loafing. At night we enjoyed board games, yoga, salsa dancing, light writing, survival bracelet lessons, death pong, and a birthday celebration.

Event chair Elly Pedersen deserves a big thanks for bringing it all together.

Opportunities abound for more outdoor and indoor fun.

Join AYM on a hike this month, come to the pub night for a pint, and sign up soon if you are interested in the Nesika Weekend!

SATURDAY, FEB. 27–SUNDAY, FEB. 28: NESIKA LODGE WEEKEND Join AYM for our annual backpack trip to Nesika Lodge in collaboration with the Trail Clubs of Oregon (TCO).

Every winter, AYM and TCO join forces to offer an exciting weekend of hiking, snowshoeing (weather permitting), and an evening at the Nesika Lodge filled with fun, games, and hanging out with friends. We will hike up to Nesika Lodge from Multnomah Falls on Saturday morning (8:30 meet time; routes to be determined). After unpacking at the lodge, we’ll explore the trails in the area and return for a potluck dinner. On Sunday, we will have a pancake breakfast, do some more hiking and exploring of the area, and return to trailhead by Sunday afternoon. We are at a 20 person maximum for this trip. $15 Mazama and TCO members/$20 nonmembers (includes lodging and pancake breakfast). This trip sells out every year so advance sign up is required. 5–10 miles, 2-3,000 feet depending on route. Drive 40 miles. Email leader directly to sign up: Leader: Paul Kallmann, paul.kallman@gmail.com.

MONDAY, FEB. 29: COMMITTEE MEETING Would you like to help plan AYM events? We are looking for volunteers! We invite everyone to come join our monthly committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC). We will review the past month’s activities and plan the future month.

FRI-SUN, MARCH 11–13: NEWPORT YURT WEEKEND Visit beaches, rocky shorelines, and booming winter surf on a weekend trip to one of the best parts of the Oregon coast. No camping for us, we’ll instead be roughing it in yurts equipped with heat, lights and electricity at Beverly Beach State Park. This trip is full! Contact leaders to get on waitlist. Matt Reede, mareede@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 21–PUB NIGHT: ZOIGLHAUS Join AYM the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. for our roaming Pub Night! This month’s location is Zoiglhaus Brewing Company, 5716 SE 92nd Ave. Come join us for an evening of new friends, adventure planning, and malted beverages. This is also a great time to find out what we’re up to, plan your next adventure, and see what the Mazamas are all about in a more informal atmosphere. Bring your stories and photos from your recent adventures; extra points for pics from Mazama events. How will you find us? Look for the table signs.

Find more hikes and trips on our website at mazamas.org/activities-events/aym and on our MeetUp page.

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Photos: Sandor Lau

Ready to get more involved with AYM? Become a Hike Leader!

HIKE LEADERS Do you like leading hikes?

Maybe you’d like to plan a trip for caving, backpacking, skiing, orienteering, or trail running! Becoming an activity leader takes just few steps— become a Mazama member, lead a provisional activity, and get First Aid certified.

CLASSIC MAZAMAS FOR MEMBERS WITH 25 YEARS OR MORE OF MEMBERSHIP OR FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO TRAVEL AT A MORE LEISURELY PACE We lead a wide variety of year round activities including hikes, picnics, and cultural excursions.

Share years of happy Mazama memories with our group. All ages are welcome to join the fun.

CONTACTING THE CLASSICS If you wish to contact the Classics, you can call or email Chair Rose Marie Gilbert at 503-762-2357 or gilbertrosemarie@centurylink. net, or Executive Council liaison Kate Evans at 503-6356540, kateevans97@gmail.com, or classics@mazamas.org.

LEADING EVENTS IN APRIL If you are interested in leading an event next month, please contact Rose Marie Gilbert by March 12.

CLASSICS TRANSPORTATION PLAN Our east side transportation pick up point will be Gateway and on the west side it 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 new transportation coordinator Flora Huber at flobell17@ comcast.net or 503-658-5710.

MARCH 8: FORT VANCOUVER AND PEARSON AIR MUSEUM WALK Meet at the Visitor Center at the Fort Vancouver Historic Site at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd. at 10 a.m. We’ll visit the information and bookstore,

then proceed into Vancouver for lunch and back to the Fort via the land bridge and Pearson Air Museum for a talk by the manager of the museum.

Estimated 5 miles with little elevation gain. Leader: Kent Meyer, 360-574-0784 (call if you need help with directions).

MARCH 14: MULTNOMAH FALLS-WAHKEENA FALLS HIKE Meet in front of the Multnomah Falls Lodge at 9:30 a.m. The leader will bring his stove for hot drinks at lunch.

We will hike up the Multnomah Falls trail and return on the Wahkeena trail back to our cars. 4.9 miles, 1,600 ft. Anyone interested should contact the leader at David.R.Christopher@ gmail.com.

MARCH 22: OAKS BOTTOM HIKE We will start at the parking lot and walk down the paved path to the Bluff Trail at the bottom. We will circle clockwise around the lake and up into Sellwood Park and back down onto the Springwater Trail. We will continue back along this trail and return to the parking lot. 3 miles, 200 ft.

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a 170-acre floodplain bought by the City of Portland in 1969. At this time of year there should be abundant wildlife and lots of color in the trees and shrubs. When finished we can look for a nearby restaurant for lunch.

Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot at SE Milwaukie and Mitchell. Leader: Buzz Lindahl, erlindahl@gmail.com, cell 503781-8956.

MARCH 24: WELCOME-TOSPRING LUNCH Join us for a Welcome-toSpring lunch on March 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the Buffet Palace.

This is a Chinese-cuisine, allyou-can-eat buffet at a great senior price of $7.25. A surprise speaker you haven’t heard before will give a 30-minute program (including question time). Please RSVP to Dick and Jane Miller at 503-590-3598 by March 22. Leave a message if Dick and Jane are away from the phone.

The Buffet Palace is at 12570 SW Center St. at the southeasterly corner of Center St. and Hall St. From the MAX Beaverton Central Station (not the Beaverton Transit Center Station), go a half-block east to Hall St., then two blocks north (left) to Center St., turn right onto Center St. and into the restaurant.

MARCH 25: MAZAMA USED EQUIPMENT SALE Are you interested in donating still usable hiking, skiing, climbing or backpacking clothing or equipment to benefit the Classics? If so, open http://sites.google.com/ site/uesmazama and click on Sellers Information on the top left of the screen. Download Instructions to Sellers and Tally UES Sheet. Follow the instructions and deliver items to the MMC on March 24.

MAR. 31 GABRIEL PARK— MULTNOMAH VILLAGE WALK & LUNCH This leisurely walk around Gabriel Park to Multnomah Village and back is approx. 2.75 milies with 400 ft. of elevation gain. We’ll stop for lunch at one of the Village’s many restaurants before returning via Little Gabriel Park. Meet at the Gabriel Park tennis courts parking lot off of SW 45th Ave. at SW Nevada St. at 10 a.m.

The lot is between SW Vermont St. and SW Multnomah Blvd. just south of the Southwest Community Center. Leader: Hal Howard, 503-293-1528, or commerce@thehowards3.net JULY 2: DICK AND JANE MILLER’S “FOURTH” OF JULY PICNIC POTLUCK AUG. 27-SEPT. 2 CLASSIC HIKERS GETAWAY LONG BEACH PENINSULA For details see p. 23 in the January Bulletin or contact leader Ray Sheldon at rbshldn@ pacifier.com.

Classified Advertising THESE LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. THE MAZAMAS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONTENT. HOUSE AND PET SITTING BY BILLIE GOODWIN—Mazama member since 1986. Call 503-254-6121 or email oriongood@aol.com.

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Lauren Adams—South Sister Suzanne Armstrong—Mt. Hood Chad Atwood—Mt. St. Helens Hillary Beard—Old Snowy Bhoomi Bhanvadia—Mt. St. Helens Anna Buckley—Mt. Adams Brad Carlile—Mt. Hood Cole Carr—Mt. St. Helens Aaron Carrier—Mt. St. Helens Johathan Casanova—South Sister Kathy Chaya—Mt. Adams Joelle Cheek—Mt. St. Helens Michael Church—South Sister Cailynn Clark—Mt. St. Helens Kylie Coleman—South Sister Abby Coles—South Sister Toby Contreras—Middle Sister Angela Cosby—South Sister Lauren Daniel—Middle Teton Reymond Drew—South Sister Damon Eliuk—Mt. St. Helens Melanie Finnipot—Mt. Adams Susan Fodell—Mt. Hood Madison Ford—Mt. St. Helens Rachel Foxhoven—South Sister Bonnie Gardner—Mt. Shasta Stephen Gass—Villarrica Britton Gentry—Mt. Adams Josh Gesler—Mt. Adams

Gautam Ghare—South Sister Kimberly Goslin—Mt. Kilimanjaro Blair Grimmer—Mt. St. Helens Christine Hadekel—Stok Kangri Kenn Hallquist—Mt. Adams Dinah Harmon—Mt. St. Helens Kevin Haugen—Mt. St. Helens Shannon Heim—Mt. Shasta Nicholas Heller—Mt. St. Helens Lindsay Higa—South Sister Lauren Hoffman-Goins—South Sister Tim Holiday—Mt. Rainier Jonathan Huster—Middle Sister Alex Ivkin—Mt. Rainier Michael Jeletic—Mt. St. Helens Jared Kaliher—Mt. Rainier Amanda Katz—South Sister Savyasaachi Keshava Murth—Mt. St. Helens Guru Khalsa—Mt. St. Helens Andrew Knight—Mt. Adams James Knope—South Sister Pradheepa Krishnasamy—Mt. St. Helens Maile Krumpschmidt—Mt. St. Helens Jack Kuo—South Sister Michael Lambert—Mt. Adams Ting Lin—Kilimanjaro Aaron Liss—Mt. St. Helens

Etta Lockey—South Sister Luke Loeffler—Mt. Thielsen Sean Luke—Mt. St. Helens Margaret Lydecker—Gannett Peak Amanda Marcus—Kilimanjaro Roger Marcus—Kilimanjaro Lauren Mason—South Sister Jessica Minifie—South Sister Matthew Morriss—Mt. Athabasca Josh Murphy - Denali Timothy Niedermeyer—Mt. Hood Troy Norman—Tocllaraju Dale Novotny—Vallanaraju Nathan Nowinowski—South Sister Nicholas Ostini—South Sister Timothy Ozerkov—South Sister Cynthia Page—Mt. St. Helens Nicole Peirce—Mt. Adams Nitish Paliwal—South Sister Laetitia Pascal—Mt. St. Helens Grace Peters—Broken Top Randall Rees—Mt. Adams Kristi Riedel—Middle Sister Eric Risner—Mt. St. Helens Laura Robinson—South Sister Alexandra Ross—Mt. St. Helens Amanda Ryan-Fear—Mt. St. Helens Anshu Sarje—South Sister Simone Savaiano—Mt. Adams

Jan. 31 STATS

WELCOME NEW MAZAMAS!

103 New 42 Reinstated 5 Deceased Dropped (non-

123 payment of dues) 3,363 2016 3,240 2015

Marie Scheffers—South Sister Michael Shaw—Mt. Rainier Jessica Shuell—Mt. Adams Adam Stone—South Sister John Sullivan—Mt. Rainier Ryan Tarter—Mt. Adams Luis Valdes—Mt. Adams Jon Van Der Zee—Mt. Adams Johannes Van Es—Mt. Adams Jaclyn VanSloten—Mt. Rainier Jesse Varnet—Middle Sister Jeffrey Walls—Mt. St. Helens Cooper Whittington—South Sister Stephen Whittington—South Sister Andrew Winterman—Mt. Adams Karen Wright—South Sister Marshall Yanzick—Mt. St. Helens Ben Zoon—South Sister

Deceased: Robert Dormaier (2015), Barbara Jordshaugen (1969), James A. Miller (1965), Carl A. Neuburger (1950), Linda Shockey (1964)

2016 LEADERSHIP COHORT Nominations & Applications Are Now Being Accepted!

Mazama members and volunteers, nominate someone you know, or apply yourself, for the 2016 Mazama Leadership Cohort.

What: The Leadership Cohort is a 5-session leadership training program designed to help participants identify their innate leadership skills and inspire them to put those skills into action in an outdoor or Mazama leadership role.

Who: Nominate anyone you have met through the Mazamas who demonstrates superior leadership qualities. This program is open to all Mazama members, but keep in mind that we want to focus the program on people who are new to leadership at the Mazamas. If you are new to the Mazamas and interested in leadership here, you are also encouraged to apply!

When: This 5-session course will take place in May–June. ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶

Potluck: Monday, May 16 Session 1: Wednesday, May 18 (MMC) Session 2: Monday, May 23 (MMC) Session 3: Wednesday, May 25 (MMC) Session 4: Wednesday, June 1 (MMC) Session 5: Saturday–Sunday, June 4-5 (Mazama Lodge)

How: Applications and nominations are due May 1, 2016.

Follow this link to the Leadership Cohort Nomination Form: http://goo.gl/forms/DJgrybS0YK Questions? Contact Kati Mayfield, kati@mazamas.org 22 MAZAMAS

Experience

“Light & Fast ” TM

Thru Hiking Photo: Justin "Trauma" Lichter

1.9oz.

Tachyon Anorak

Montbell's multipurpose wind shell loved by thru hikers all over.

Compressed: 4.5 x 3.3 x 1.6 in

Down Multi Blanket Montbell’s down quilt is the solution to your ultralight sleeping needs.

Compressed: Φ 4.3 x 8.7 in

$189.00

Versalite Pack 30 Lightweight materials and a minimalist design, the perfect pack for ultralight hikers.

$99.95

PORTLAND STORE

Convertible Rain Jacket

This versatile jacket gives you options to stay comfortable on the trail.

Compressed: 3 x 3 x 5.8 in

$179.00

UPCOMING EVENT at Portland Store BACKPACKING LIGHT vs. BACKPACKING ULTRA-LIGHT

902 SW Yamhill Street, Portland

March 24th, 2016 7pm Presented by Montbell Employees

Sun : 11am-6pm

Talk about how to choose between Ultra-Light and traditional Backpacking Gear!

Located in the downtown area, just 2 minutes walk from Portland's historic Pioneer Square.

FREE MONTBELL CLUB MEMBERSHIP

9oz.

21.3oz.

12oz.

Mon-Sat : 10am-7pm

$99.00

Earn

back in Montbell Club Points to be used for future purchases.

at Early Flowers

by Lacy Turner

B

efore I joined the Mazamas in 2002, my hiking in the Columbia Gorge was limited by season (April through November) and by driving distance (Hood River was my cut off point for a day hike). I would emerge in April to follow the trillium and toothwort into another wildflower season.

My idea of a flower hike in March was flying to a southern California desert park. But the Mazamas offered local wildflower hikes in March, at locales I had never heard of that piqued my interest: a big escarpment named Coyote Wall, a labyrinth, an old cherry orchard, and a playground for wildflower nuts called Catherine Creek. Finally, on a clear Easter morning in March, I made it to Gateway at an ungodly hour to expand my hiking horizons.

I drove east of Hood River (on the Washington side) to Coyote Wall.

Leader Tom Davidson made his way 24 MAZAMAS

through a maze of mostly bike trails on the west side of the big bare cliff. We lunched on a grassy dome with glorious Gorge views and munched on an incredible spread of Easter candy. I will never forget that there were marshmallow Peeps in purple, green, pink, and yellow, and that we saw flowers in all those same colors: grass widows, desert parsley, prairie stars, and buttercup.

Coyote Wall, Catherine Creek, and Lyle Cherry Orchard, unlike the Oregon trails across the river, are open year round. The Nature Conservancy closes the wildflower meadows at Tom McCall Preserve November through April to prevent erosion; on the Washington side, we are trusted not to corrode the landscape with stupid moves in mud. Tom’s meander along the western base of Coyote Wall is closed now and a new route is planned further west on public land. We won’t see the new trail this season but there are still plenty of engaging Coyote Wall hikes. To access them, take Interstate 84 to exit 64, pay your dollar to cross the Hood River Bridge, and turn right on Highway 14 through Bingen.

After 4.6 miles, turn left on Courtney Road and park at the Coyote Wall Trailhead.

The Coyote Wall-Labyrinth Loop can be made into a six-, seven- or eight-mile loop.

I like to head to the western edge of the

Labyrinth first, to an amazing fold in the landscape called the “syncline,” then up the syncline wall into lovely stands of oak.

The loop back down hugs the ridge line of Coyote Wall for views of the Gorge that never end.

For a very short hike, take the quirky Labyrinth Loop alone for three miles. The trail takes you through a lovely set of little plateaus, each with its own garden, to a waterfall with cascades past more tiny gardens (think shooting stars, yellow bells and some of the earliest glacier lilies you will see). The Labyrinth was so named by local folks who hiked it first, and they (or Druids from Hood River?) used to leave odd totemic displays along the trail. I remember one that featured the skull of a small animal hung with oak moss and cloth ribbon. Now that the Labyrinth is in the trail books, this is classed as littering but I thought it was good, spooky fun. (Far more dangerous is the Labyrinth’s bumper crop of poison oak.)

The Catherine Creek trailheads are only a mile or so east of the parking area for Coyote Wall. Three short hikes are offered

and it’s easy to link them all into one fivemile hike. One of them is a wheelchairaccessible loop that takes in viewpoints to the west (Mt. Hood and the Hood River cherry orchards) and east (the Columbia River to The Dalles). My favorite follows an old road up to a big arch sculpted onto the canyon wall.

There are a myriad of ways to loop Coyote Wall and Catherine Creek together (eight- to ten-mile hikes with approximately 1,700 to 1,800 feet of elevation gain), all of which include upper meadow “trails” that are really old fourwheel drive roads popular with mountain

bikers. Catherine and Coyote are both open to bicycles so (1) stay attuned to whom might be behind you and (2) keep an eagle eye out for the plants in front of you so (3) you won’t have to leap into shoulder-high poison oak to avoid a Type-A pedal pusher.

The first time I did a Coyote/ Catherine loop was in early April and the group included two Mazama wildflower gurus.

Susan Saul and Judith Davidson identified 98 wildflowers while hiking along at a good clip. I could barely get a bead on one flower before they were on to the next. You can find good descriptions of all the hikes on the Oregon Hikers, Washington Trails Association, and Friends of the Columbia Gorge websites, and a good summary in Bill Sullivan’s 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington.

Speaking of flower gurus, Mazama hike leader Richard Getgen is a master and most springs he leads the Lyle Cherry Orchard hike. The Orchard offers an awful lot for five miles round trip, not to mention encounters with a few friendly strangers who simply have to identify that wildflower for you. (My Mazama friend Gary Riggs

and I were corralled one March to see not just any old buttercup, the nice lady said, but the Dalles Mountain Buttercup.)

Compared to all the zigging and zagging and choices at Coyote and Catherine, the Cherry Orchard is a straight shot. Drive 12 miles east of the Hood River toll bridge past the town of Lyle, through two tunnels, and look for a big gravel parking area on the left. Long switchbacks climb to a plateau lush with early grass widows and yellow fiddleheads, and later, the spiny, invasive yellow star thistle. The narrowing trail leads through the small stands of oak that live in this drier Gorge environ, to ever more eye-popping views. A few of the ancient cherry trees still bloom in the old orchard. It was planted in the early 1900s.

I like to imagine a farmer with his scythe, leaving The Tuft of Flowers for someone else to enjoy, like in the famous Robert Frost poem.

Author’s note: I want to thank Bob Breivogel for giving us access to his stunning photographs. Bob has been known to lead the next wildflower-heaven hike to the east: Dalles Mountain. Watch for it.

Clockwise, from top left: Early shooting stars at Coyote Wall. An oak copse, on a Coyote Wall hike.

Mazamas at an area toward the top of Coyote Wall.

Photos: Bob Breivogel MARCH 2016 25

Trekking Around Mt. Hood

Hike all day and relax in lodge comfort at night!

by Shane Harlson and Nicole Fink, 2016 RTM Coordinators

J

oin the Mazamas 10th annual Round the Mountain (RTM) hike of Mt. Hood’s Timberline Trail over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3–5. You will experience hiking over 40 majestic miles on the Timberline Trail with spectacular views of Mt. Hood and the beginning of autumn colors.

with your fellow hikers before turning in for the night.

You will be pleased to know that this event caters to a variety of hiking styles and paces. You will experience this journey with trained hike leaders who will oversee the safety of the group and cater the pace of the hike to your team’s preference. Do you like to meander and take lots of photos? Or do you like to move steadily and briskly?

What if you wish to get your friends or family involved (age appropriate of course), even if they have limited experience hiking?

We likely have a group for you! Contact us and we can help answer your questions. If you decide to join us with your family or with a group of friends, we will ensure that you are in a group together.

Simply choose the pace of your group that can be maintained going uphill, downhill, and on flats consistently for 14 miles per day, for three days in a row. This way everyone can have an enjoyable hiking experience without feeling winded all weekend.

Registration is $390 members/$450 nonmembers and covers the van transportation to and from the trailheads (and a shuttle to and from the MMC if desired), catered meals (including sack lunches), and lodging for three evenings

We slept well, ate well, and had a cozy place to relax ... What more could anyone want?

Each morning, a van shuttle will drop you off at your trailhead and you’ll hike approximately 14 miles with only a daypack, allowing you to enjoy the hike without the burden of a heavy overnight pack. In the evenings, the vans return you to the beautiful Mazama Lodge, where you’ll enjoy excellent meals prepared by experienced gourmet cooks, hot showers, and a comfortable bunkbed to sleep in—along with good stories in front of the fireplace

with hot showers. Comparable outings with other outdoor organizations, such as Sierra Club, Mountaineers, and CMC, can cost more than $1,000, so this is a great value for the money. So bring your luxurious car camping sleeping bag, large pillows, earplugs, shower accoutrements, adult beverages if you’re of age, and your comfy pants and bunny slippers because hey, you deserve to enjoy your evenings after a long day.

Finally, RTM is an important event in support of the lodge. Program fees help keep the lodge a viable and well-maintained facility.

Wowzas! This sounds enticing, but is it worth it? Don’t take our word for it, listen to what last year’s RTM hikers had to say: “The atmosphere was relaxed with good vibes. Camaraderie was encouraged between group members. We all did our best without feeling pushed. Very rewarding experience.” “[We] had a great time. For two novice hikers this was a wonderful experience!”

“Slept well, ate well, cozy place to relax...

What more could anyone want?”

Don’t miss out on this memorable event! For more information visit the Round the Mountain page at: tinyurl.com/ mazamaRTM. Questions? Email us at: rtm@mazamas.org. Online registration opens April 1. We hope to see you on the mountain!

Left: Nicole Fine and Shane Harlson during RTM 2015, just after agreeing to coordinate RTM 2016! Photo: Nicole Fink. Right: Hikers enjoying the trail during RTM 2015 with M Hood in the bakcground. Photo: Rex Breunsbach 26 MAZAMAS

OUTINGS

ADVENTURE TRAVEL—FOREIGN & DOMESTIC

CHAMONIX—MT. BLANC ALPINE CLIMBING JULY 9–24 Intermediate Climbing School graduates, Advanced School graduates, or equivalent experience required. Most climbs involve following pitches of 5th class terrain and/or WI2+.

Outing cost will be $2,250 per person, airfare to Geneva not included. Costs include round trip transportation from Geneva to/from Chamonix and all lodging and transportation within the Chamonix-Mt. Blanc area for 15 days (nearly all lifts, gondolas, trains, and cable cars are included). Food cost, hut fees and the Midi-Hellbronner gondola not included. For full details go to the website. Contact leader Lee Davis, lee@mazamas. org for more information.

OREGON COAST HIKING AUGUST 8-14 Based out of William M. Tugman State Park, we will hike approximately 60 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail south from Florence to Bandon, using car shuttles to connect segments of the trail. Most of the hiking will be on the beach with traverses through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This is an interesting area with spectacular scenery.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, lodging/camping arrangements, and meals (you may attend for less than 7 days if desired).

Outing cost will range from $95–$190 depending on the number of participants. A $150 deposit is required, with sign-up

by July 15. Participants should make reservations ASAP if they are planning to stay at William M. Tugman SP. Outing leader is Joe Whittington, joewhittington@ gmail.com, 503-297-6344.

CLIMBING 14ER’S IN THE COLORADO SAN JUANS AUGUST 20–28, 2016 Travel to the San Juan range of southern Colorado to attempt five 14,000+ foot peaks (Handies, Redcloud/Sunshine, Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn), climbing level class 1 to class 3. Participants responsible for making their own transportation and car rental arrangements.

Lodging is not included (we will tent camp at campgrounds/RV parks). Outing cost $290–210 for 6–10 participants. A $100 deposit is required, with sign-up by June 15. Contact outing leader Bob Breivogel (breivog@teleport.com) or assistant leader Tom Davidson (tedclimbs@gmail.com) for more information or to apply.

LOST COAST TRAIL TREK SEP. 15–22 Hike 60 miles along a wild and scenic portion of the northern California coast between Eureka and Ft. Bragg, utilizing a shuttle service to make this a one-way journey. Travel light and fast, around 10 miles per day with elevation gain varying from near level to 2,000 ft. Cost is $347– $432 ( for six–eight participants), covering all fees, shuttle, and lodging costs. Signup deadline June 30. $100 deposit is required upon acceptance. Contact leader Gary Bishop, gbish90@ hotmail.com, or assistant Darin Richardson, darin@delineate.net, for more information.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS—HIKES & CULTURE SEP. 25–OCT. 1 Explore spectacular Appalachian scenery and experience culture in western North Carolina. There will be B-level hikes, 7–8 miles with elevation gain up to 2,000 ft., with options for harder ones. Typical pace will be leisurely.

Cost is $495–$565, depending on number of participants, includes lodging, one meal, and all fees. Participants are responsible for their meals, airline cost (estimated $550), and car rental.

Maximum 26 participants. $200 deposit due June 30. For information and approval to participate, contact leader Bill Dewsnap, billdewsnap@ gmail.com, 503-260-6712. For information only, contact assistant leader: Tony Spiering aespiering@gmail.com, 503-6808112.

Want to go on an outing? Contact the leader for more information.

Forms you will need: application, liability release, and a medical information form. Send those forms to the leader and then, upon acceptance for the trip, send payments directly to the Mazama office with the name of the outing written on the check. As a service to our members, we are providing links to the following organizations that may also offer trips of interest: Seattle Mountaineers—seattlemountaineers.org, Colorado Mountain Club—cmc. org, Appalachian Mountain Club—outdoors.org, and the American Alpine Club—americanalpineclub.org. “As an incentive for leaders to put in the time and effort to arrange and lead outings, the leader and assistant leader costs may be paid by the participants.”

MARCH 2016 27

TRAIL TRIPS SCHEDULE

JOIN US! MAZAMA TRAIL TRIPS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. Contact Trail Trips Committee chair Regis Krug at 503-704-6642 with any questions. To lead a hike next month, go to: mazamas2.org.

WEBSITE UPDATES

Leaders may schedule a hike after the Bulletin is published, or occasionally a hike location will change. Visit mazamas. org/activities-events/hikeschedule/ for updates!

HK B2 Mar 02 (Wed) Forest Park –Maple Trail. Rex Breunsbach 971832-2556 or rbreunsbach@gmail. com. Covers the entire Maple Trail.

Along the Wildwood Trail between mile markers 13.5 to 12.75 are impressive old growth trees. Some within a few feet of the trail are up to six feet in diameter. 8.5 miles 980 ft., Drive 25, MMC 8 a.m. MU BP Mar 05 (Sat) Winter Camping in the Clouds. Regis Krug 503704-6442/regis_krug@mentor. com. Wilderness—Limit 12. Winter camping at Cloud Cap on the NE flank of Mt. Hood. We’ll hike up on Saturday and set up camp. Sunday morning, if the weather is good, we’ll snowshoe up to the stone shelter on the Timberline Trail. 11 miles, 2,900 ft., Drive 145, SnoPark Pass, Gateway 8:30 a.m.

HK A2 Mar 05 (Sat) Swan Island Loop Hike. William O’Brien 503679-5194 or wobobr123@yahoo.com.

Nice urban hike that mixes Lewis & Clark history with industrial and 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 Cw indicates winter conditions Class D and Dw: Very difficult, strenuous trips in challenging conditions. No specific distance or elevation gain. Special equipment, conditioning, and experience may be required. Contact leader for details before the day of the trip is mandatory. Dw indicates winter conditions.

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 28 MAZAMAS

WILDERNESS DESIGNATION

Wilderness—Limit 12 indicates that the hike enters a Forest Servicedesignated Wilderness Area and the group size is limited to 12.

Portland’s working harbor scenery.

We start from the University Of Portland Waud Bluffs overlooking Swan Island hiking down to Swan Island and then hike to the lagoon then to McCarthy Park beach and a good look at Portland’s harbor environs and then up to and passing

by Swan Island Bluff then back to Columbia Annex Park. Should be fun! 6 miles, 350 ft., Drive 5, Columbia Annex Park-N Willamette Blvd & N Woolsey 9 a.m.

ADVENTUROUS YOUNG MAZAMAS HIKING Everyone is welcome.

See the separate list at mazamas.org/activitiesevents/aym/

then traverse and descend through the Labyrinth past waterfalls. We will look for early spring wildflowers.

Bring trekking poles and solid footwear. Be prepared for possible cool wet weather. 8.2 miles, 1,950 ft., Drive 126, TH, Gateway 8:30 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 05 (Sat) Hardy Ridge.

James Stevenson/Tom Dodson. jstevenson7121@gmail.com. From the Kueffler Road trailhead we’ll do the forest road loop plus the challenging spur up to the ridge summit (weather permitting).

Come prepared for any conditions!

8.5 miles, 2,200 ft., Drive 88, WA Discover Pass, Gateway 8:30 a.m.

HK A2 Mar 06 (Sun) Wildwood/ White Pine Trail Loop Hike. Joe Whittington Joewhittington@gmail. com. We’ll meet at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial entrance and hike up the Wildwood Trail to the Pittock Mansion, descend to Cornell, then back up and return to the Zoo via the White Pine Trail. Great hike in the city. You can take the MAX to the Washington Park/Zoo Station or park in the Zoo lot (charges apply).

Please email leader if you plan to attend or if you have questions. 8 miles, 500 ft., Drive 0, TH Pass, Zoo 8 a.m. MU

HK B2 Mar 05 (Sat) Coyote Wall Loop. Bob Breivogel breivog@ teleport.com. Loop hike up along Coyote Wall to Gorge viewpoints,

HK B2 Mar 06 (Sun) Cedar Mountain Loop. Sheri Alice Smith 503-807-9373 Hike up past Cedar Falls, and over the creek by log

= 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.

at Monroe Parkway; Salmon Creek P and R–Vancouver P and R at 134 St (1-5 Exit 7 or 1-205 Exit 36); Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center–Sandy Blvd. and 98th Ave. (1-205 Exit 23A); Durham–P 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; SnoPass–Snow park pass.

“Wilderness—Limit 12” indicates the hike enters a Forest Service-designated Wilderness Area; group size limited to 12.

MU: Hike is posted on Meetup.

Hike fees: $2 for members, each family participant, and those belonging to clubs in FWOC; $4 for non-members. No person will be turned away if they are unable to pay. Street Ramble fees: $2 per person; $1 per person if over 55 or 14 and under. Both members and nonmembers are welcome at all trail trips. Trail Tending events are free.

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

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

STREET RAMBLES

Multiple teams hike at different paces every Tuesday and Thursday with various leaders. Bring a headlamp. 4–8 miles, 500–1,500 feet. Meet at REI-Pearl, NW 14th and Johnson. Group leaves promptly at 6 p.m. bridge. Nice mossy ridge above with views over to Papoose and Sacajawea Peak. Loop back via the West Ridge/PCT junction kiosk, old roads and trails. 7 miles, 2,700 ft., Drive 85, Gateway 8 a.m.

HK A1.5 Mar 12 (Sat) Dry Creek Falls. Jim Selby 828-508-5094. Nice late winter hike that can be muddy but views of the falls are worth it.

Leisurely pace but steady. OK hike in the rain, just bring an umbrella. 5.4 miles, 710 ft., Drive 78, TH, Gateway 8:30 a.m. MU HK B2 Mar 12 (Sat) Eagle’s Rest.

Jess Beauchemin 503-446-0803 or beauchemin.jess@gmail.com. Note: Mileage calculated from downtown Portland. Hike leaves from Lower Hardesty. Hike up the well-graded Goodman Creek trail to a high point with a view at 3,000 ft. Be prepared for any kind of trail conditions at this time of year: snow, ice, mud.

We’ll see how far we can get on this hike located between Eugene and Oakridge. Contact leader for and firearms are not allowed. Participants should wear appropriate hiking shoes; 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.

updated trail conditions. 13.4 miles, 2,100 ft., Drive 270, TH, Public parking lot at 2nd and B St., Corvallis 8 a.m.

HK C2 Mar 12 (Sat) Horsetail to Wahkeena Traverse (W).

Rick Craycraft 503-679-2113 or leftfield5@juno.com. Wilderness— Limit 12. Come join us for the umpteenth year on my favorite Gorge hike. Up the Oneonta drainage, across Franklin Ridge, down Multnomah Creek, then cut up and over into the Wahkeena drainage. Expect any conditions from sunny to soggy. Car shuttle.

12.2 miles, 3,300 ft., Drive 63, Gateway 7:30 a.m.

HK A1 Mar 13 (Sun) Catherine Creek 1.0. Richard Getgen teambears@frontier.com.

Wildflower hike with views of the Columbia Gorge. Route to be determined on day of hike.

7.0 miles, 1200 ft., Drive 126, TH, Gateway 8 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 13 (Sun) Hair of the Dog. Regis Krug 503-704-6442/ regis_krug@mentor.com. A fine late winter day to check out the hair of the Dog. Up the Augspurger Trail, across the ridge, down the back side of Dog, and return via the east trail. 7.5 miles, 2,900 ft., Drive 98, TH, Gateway 7:30 a.m.

MU HK B2 Mar 16 (Wed) Indian Point –Loop. Rex Breunsbach 971832-2556 or rbreunsbach@gmail. com. Unique Gorge viewpoint.

Everything from Stevenson east, to Maryhill and its windmills.

Wind and Dog mountain are right near us. We will hike parts of the Herman Creek, Nick Eaton and Gorton Creek trails and then a steep, short access path to the point. 8.9 miles, 2,800 ft., Drive 80, TH, MMC 8 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 18 (Fri) Pup Creek Falls (Fish Creek) (W).

Rex Breunsbach 971-832-2556 or rbreunsbach@gmail.com.

Wilderness—Limit 12. A moderate out-and-back hike, undulating up and down along the roaring Clackamas River above Estacada.

It features interesting rock formations and the many streams and waterfalls that feed it. 8.5 miles, 1,300 ft., Drive 80, TH, MMC 8 a.m. MU HK A1.5 Mar 19 (Sat) Dog River Hike. Kelly Marlin Mazamamama@frontier.com.

Located south of Hood River, this pleasant out-and back hike moves through an ever-changing forest to great views of Mt. Hood’s

(hopefully, drier) east side. Vehicles must display a Northwest Forest Pass. 6.5 miles, 1,430 ft., Drive 140, TH, Lewis & Clark –near toilets 9 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 19 (Sat) WahkeenaDevils Rest Loop. Dan Smith 503-408-8923. Great hike up past several waterfalls and along the top of the ridge. You may see Mt. Adams and Mount St. Helens on clear day! Short drive and back early. 9.5 miles, 2,800 ft., Drive 45, Gateway 8 a.m.

HK A2 Mar 20 (Sun) Trail of Ten Falls. Bill Stein billstein.rpcv@ gmail.com. After this rainy winter, let’s check out Oregon’s greatest collection of waterfalls on the first day of spring. RSVP required

by March 18 for our brisk walk through Silver Falls State Park. 7.8 miles, 870 ft., Drive 100, State Park Day Pass, Clackamas MAX garage, 2nd level south side 8 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 20 (Sun) Deschutes River Trail. Sherry Bourdin 503-314-2911. Dry, desert terrain maybe a welcome change to the wet western Oregon hikes we do most of the time. Trailhead begins at the mouth of the Deschutes River and follows the river on an old road and bushy trails up a beautiful and almost treeless canyon. Wildflowers probably blooming at this time with a good chance for dry weather and maybe sunshine. 11.2 miles, 800 ft., Drive 184, Gateway 7:30 a.m.

conditioning pace on an early spring day. Email RSVP required by March 24. 7.6 miles, 2,100 ft., Drive 88, MMC 9:30 a.m.

HK A1 Mar 27 (Sun) Lincoln City Beachcomber & Treasure Hunt.

Angelika Schaefer auschaefer219@ yahoo.com or 608-575-7142. We walk from Siletz Bay Lodge north along the coast to D River Beach in search of glass floats on the beach. Each year between Thanksgiving and Memorial Day, “float fairies” hide beautiful glass blown bulbs in grasses above the tide line. Let’s see if someone in our group is lucky enough to go home with treasure! We’ll regroup for lunch before returning at a quicker pace along the hard-packed sands near the water. Be prepared for wind and rain.

8 miles, 0 ft., Drive 165, Target/185th 7:30 a.m.

HK B2 Mar 27 (Sun) Upper Salmonberry River. Rex Breunsbach 971-832-2556 or rbreunsbach@ gmail.com. Beautiful hike along an abandoned rail line in the Coast Range with trestles, tunnels, rivers, and creeks. 9 miles, 600 ft., Drive 80, Target/185th 8 a.m. MU HK B2 Mar 30 (Wed) Franklin Ridge Loop (W). Rex Breunsbach 971-832-2556 or rbreunsbach@gmail. com. Wilderness—Limit 12. We will travel up Oneonta Creek past Triple Falls to the top of Franklin Ridge. Down the ridge with a brief stop at Waespe Point and end up at Multnomah Falls. Car shuttle. 10.1 miles, 2,800 ft., Drive 60, MMC 8 a.m.

SPRING INTO ACTION

Did you make a New Yea’rs resolution to get in shape this year?

Have you slacked off on your outdoor activities this winter? Then you should participate in Spring into Action! The focus is on getting healthy, having fun, and having the opportuinty to win a prize! Track your mileage and elevation gain from Feb. 1–May 31 using the log you’ll find here: mazamas.org/hike (you’ll need your hike leader ot sign your log at the end of each hike).

Portland’s premier shop on the East Side.

HK C2 Mar 23 (Wed) Rock of Ages Loop (W). Rex Breunsbach 971-832-2556 or rbreunsbach@ gmail.com. Wilderness—Limit 12. Up and up we go, where it ends we will be sure to know.

Great workout with a catwalk and Horsetail to boot. Down the Oneonta Gorge and back to the cars. 10.6 miles, 3,500 ft., Drive 60, MMC 8 a.m.

HK A1 Mar 26 (Sat) Catherine Creek 2.0. Richard Getgen teambears@frontier.com.

Wildflower hike with views of the Columbia Gorge. Different route than hike on March 13. 7 miles, 1,200 ft., Drive 126, TH, Gateway 8 a.m.

HK B2.5 Mar 26 (Sat) Hamilton Mountain Loop. Bill Stein billstein.rpcv@gmail.com.

Washington State Parks free day; no Discover Pass required. After picking up unsold Used Equipment Sale items, we’ll depart from the MMC for Beacon Rock State Park.

There we’ll take in waterfalls, gorge, and mountain views at a

Oregon Mountain Community 2975 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR Hours: M-F 10-7 SAT 10-6 SUN 12-5 503-227-1038

MARCH 2016 29

THIS MONTH IN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Executive Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to members.

by Jamie Anderson, Mazamas Member Services Manager The February meeting focused on operations, with most committees reporting and issues of policy and finance occupying the majority of the rest of the agenda.

Two members spoke during the member open comment period, one regarding their interactions with a committee and the other regarding interactions with a climb leader as well as recommendations for use of the disciplinary policy.

Committee reports show that the past two months have been busy for many programs. The education season is in fullswing, with the Intermediate Climbing School and Families Mountaineering 101 in-session, and the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Advanced Rock, and a full slate of spring skillbuilders coming up soon. Along with running the schools, the Education Committee is working with the American Alpine Club to pilot a nationally standardized belay training program. Education is also working with Climbing Committee and Executive Council member Amy Mendenhall to draft a memo of understanding to clarify the working relationship of the two programs to best coordinate and manage standards and qualifications.

Along with this work and continued work on the Leader Development project, Climbing Committee recently held Leader Update and Avalanche recertification, along with the second Climb Leader Appreciation Dinner, which was well attended by climb leaders, leadership development candidates, and emeriti.

Other activity programs have been just as busy. Trail Trips is moving forward with

several new initiatives, including a feedback system for hike participants and Spring Into Action, a competition to get hikers out on the trails and training for summer.

Other highlights include Evening Programs, which at halfway through their season are averaging almost 100 attendees per evening, five new Outings for the upcoming summer, and a new chair for Nominating Committee, Ally Imbody.

The separation of an annual, organization-wide recognition event from Portland Alpine Fest was discussed.

Chris Kruell will work with the Outreach Committee to propose both a short- and a long-term solution by May. The Criticial Incident Stress Management Committee chair, Marina Wynton, provided an in-depth report to the council. Marina described current projects the committee is undertaking, including preparing a presentation for inclusion in BCEP to increase awareness, two psychological first aid classes in development, and continued involvement providing aid in Nepal in coalition with the Juniper Fund.

In finance and policy, the First Quarter Reforecast was presented. The process was significantly streamlined this year, as there is very little data by the end of the first quarter. Overall, programs and operations are on track, and outside of the IT project, which remains a large unknown, the organization should come close to budget if more focus can be applied to fundraising, which the development projects are dependent on.

Two policies were approved during the meeting. The first was a revision of the Disciplinary Policy, which included small changes to streamline process and add

clarity. The second was the re-adoption, as recommended by our CPA, of the Finance Policy and Procedure Manual. The adoption won’t change the current operating procedures, but will ratify practice and clarify accountability. A memo will be sent to all committees, with a review beginning in fourth quarter.

The meeting concluded with an update on the IT project, which is entering into negotiations for a contractor for the buildout phase. Next month the focus is on two Development Projects: Leader Development and Youth Outreach Programs, including review the status of the Grey Family capital improvement grant for the Lodge.

To accommodate BCEP team leaders, the next council meeting has been rescheduled to March 17, 2016, at 6:30 p.m.

Would you like to receive full council minutes and other council communications in your inbox?

If you are a Mazama Member you can subscribe to the Mazama Council Public Listserv. ▶▶ Send an email to councilpublicsubscribe@lists.mazamas.org from the email address that is on file with the Mazamas. ▶▶ Confirm your email address by replying to the email you receive. ▶▶ Subscription requests will be processed every couple of days. ▶▶ Once your request is approved, you will begin receiving council email messages. The subject line will contain [councilpublic]. ▶▶ Subscribers may only view, not respond to, email messages.

Mazama members all have access to full Executive Council minutes. Go to: mazamas. org/members/executive-council-reports/.

You will need to be logged in to the site as a Mazama member.

503.684.9698

30 MAZAMAS

MAZAMA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Volunteer Spotlight: MMC Grounds Coordinator

THE LEAVES DON’T RAKE THEMSELVES

by Natalie Lozano Even before I got heavily into gardening as a past time, I knew the plantings around the MMC were special and had been selected and landscaped with thought. So when my friend and neighbor Rick Craycraft consulted with me about tree selection for the northern parking strip at the MMC, I couldn’t help but mention my secret desire to develop the property as a native-planted “habitat.” What a great way to support the environmental stewardship mission of the organization, literally in our own backyard.

That’s when he told me about the open volunteer opportunity to coordinate the grounds maintenance at the MMC. Wow, yes please.

Since earning my badge as an Oregon State University Master Gardener Volunteer, I’ve learned a lot about sustainable landscapes, responsible weed and pest management, how to welcome local birds, and watersaving irrigation practices. I even had the honor of being selected by the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District to host my yard as part of their annual “Naturescaped Yard Tour.” This program enables the public to visit properties and meet gardeners like me who have created low-maintenance landscapes that attract wildlife, conserve water, and have no need for synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. I hope to apply some of these practices to the MMC. In the meantime there is a lot of work to do, and it takes a community to rake leaves (see those massive ash trees out front?) and lay mulch. Stay tuned for a late winter call out for volunteer help. I hope all of you Mazamas who are aspiring gardeners, nature lovers, and friends of all ages and abilities will come out and pitch in, while learning at the same time.

Whether you are a lifelong Mazama member, currently enrolled in the Basic Climbing Education Program, 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 oldest 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, activites, and events delivered to your door monthly.

• DISCOUNTS at local retailers and gyms.

Icebreaker, Mountain Hardwear, The Mountain Shop, Mountaineers Books, Next Adventure, Oregon Mountain Community, Portland Rock Gym, Patagonia, Prana Portland, Redpoint Climber’s Supply, Rock & Ice Magazine, Sharp End Books, Trail Butter, US Outdoor Store

• Access to Mazama Lodge at the base of Mt. Hood, along with great member rates.

• Access to SPECIAL MEMBER PAGES on the Mazama website with climbing route information and much more.

• Free RESCUE INSURANCE anyqhere in the world below 6,000 meters.

• Full access to the world-class MOUNTAINEERING LIBRARY.

MARCH 2016 31

Laura Bax climbing Crakoukass on the Aiguilles Rouges le Brevent, Chamonix, France. Photo: Tyler Bax

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