2022-2023 Annual Report - Sawtooth Avalanche Center

2022-23 Annual Report

2

Acknowledgements

3

From the Forecasters

5

Staff

7

Operations

8

FS International Visitors Program

9

Season Review

13

Accomplishments

15

Social Media

17

Education

19

Funding & Partnerships

21

Next Season’s Goals

23

Business Sponsors

25

Professional/Agency Partners

26

Significant Additional Support

27

Supporters

28

Family Foundations

PO BOX 2356 – 206 Sun Valley Rd Ketchum, ID 83340 (208) 622-0095 info@sawtoothavalanche.com www.sawtoothavalanche.com

Acknowledgments The Sawtooth Avalanche Center (SAC) could not operate in its current capacity without the generous support of our community. Thanks to all the kind folks who accompanied us in the field and/or provided us with critical information about what they were seeing during their rides and tours. The following individuals were regular contributors and/or field partners: Ed Binnie, Amy David, Annie DeAngelo, Josh Johnson, Jeremy Lato, Brian Mayfield, Mark Nagle, Victoria Rossin, Jamie Shaw, Hannes Thum, and Desireè Wickwar.

Join us in thanking our 2021-2022 Observers of the Year: Jamie Shaw (motorized) and Victoria Rossin (nonmotorized). Jamie and Toria submitted numerous timely, high-quality observations. Their contributions greatly enhanced the quality of our forecasts—thank you!

A huge “thanks!” goes to Ski-Doo, who, in conjunction with Action Cycles ‘N Sleds in Twin Falls, once again loaned us a top-of-the-line Summit SP snowmobile. We were thrilled to have a Ski-Doo in our sled fleet for a third season.

We’d like to thank Kurt Nelson, Zach Poff, Susan James, and Steve Frost. These USFS staff went above and beyond the call of duty to support the Avalanche Center.

Local ski guides and snow safety workers contributed 325 observations to our professional observations database. These reports are vital in ensuring the most accurate daily Backcountry Forecast possible. We owe a huge thank you to the guides at Sawtooth Mountain Guides, Soldier Mountain Cat Skiing, Sun Valley Guides, Sun Valley Heli Ski, and Sun Valley Trekking, as well as the ski patrols at Sun Valley and Soldier Mountain.

Last but far from least: we receive a significant portion of our operating revenue from the Friends of the SAC. This group of amazing, dedicated volunteers raises money through sponsorships, donations, and events in addition to producing dozens of free or low-cost basic avalanche education events. The Avalanche Center would not exist in its current state without the Friends! Learn how you can get involved.

2 X

From the Forecasters Once again, we find ourselves saying “what a year” as the 202223 winter winds down. With three separate EXTREME avalanche cycles, this season’s avalanche onslaught had us burning the candle at both ends—even Ben was overheard saying he’s ready for a break from the unrelenting snowfall, a first.

We extend a huge thank you to the Friends of the SAC’s staff and board, to the professional operations we rely on so heavily for their observations, to the public volunteers and observers

who improve our forecast products by submitting observations, to Manuel Genswein (our Swiss visitor) for sharing his expertise with us and the entire community, to Everett Coba (our 2022-23 Intern), and to the entire Sawtooth NF team. Winters like this truly drive home how much our team relies on our amazing community.

We wish you happy spring and summer adventures on snow, water, dirt, sand, and rock.

Sincerely,

Ben, Chris, Ethan, JP, and Scott The Sawtooth Avalanche Center Forecasting Team

4

Staff Scott Savage—Avalanche Center Director Scott began poking around the mountains in the late 1980s while earning degrees in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He headed to Big Sky, Montana to ski-bum for a winter before enrolling in medical school… or so he thought. Scott ended up spending the better part of two decades as a Ski Patroller, Avalanche Forecaster, and Snow Safety Director at Big Sky Resort before joining the SAC program in 2012. He has presented at many international avalanche conferences and regional professional seminars and is a regular contributor to The Avalanche Review. Scott is a National Avalanche School instructor, President of the American Avalanche Association, and President of Avalanche Worker Safety. He likes to spend his free time playing on snow, dirt, rivers, and rocks and listening to geeky podcasts. Scott considers each day that he learns more than he forgets to be a success.

Jon “JP” Preuss—Forecaster After completing degrees in Biology and Outdoor Education at Northern Vermont University, JP moved to the Wood River Valley to pursue a career in mountain guiding. Over his career, he has worked as an operations manager, SAR member, educator, and AMGA-certified ski and rock guide.

JP has a true passion for snow and avalanches, an impressive work ethic, and a great attitude. He spends his free time hunting avalanches and hopes to one day find the missing key to forecasting Deep Persistent Slabs.

When not in the mountains, you can find JP enjoying the Wood River Valley with his wife Michele and young son Owen.

Everett Coba—Intern Forecaster Everett was raised in Seattle and introduced to skiing at a young age. He discovered ski touring during his early years of high school and became infinitely fascinated and terrified of avalanches. His career began in central Idaho as a hut keeper & tail guide, and he started ski guiding shortly thereafter. After a few years of guiding, Everett went back to school and graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Geography. Everett is an AMGA Assistant Ski Guide. In his free time you can find him exploring snowy peaks, riding bikes, or paddling a river.

The Sawtooth Avalanche Center employed four full-time, seasonal employees and one intermittent • • •

Avalanche Center Director: Permanent Seasonal Position Lead Forecaster – Avalanche Specialist: Permanent Seasonal Position Lead Forecaster – Avalanche Specialist: Permanent Seasonal Position (intermittent)

Ben VandenBos—Forecaster After a youthful dalliance with the world of riding lifts at Bridger Bowl, Ben opened his eyes and embraced the rest of the mountains that surrounded his hometown of Bozeman, Montana. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he also developed the masochism required for long approaches to questionable skiing and climbing while exploring the Bitterroot Range. In the following years, supported by off-season work as a geologist, Ben focused on the study of mountains and snow. When he’s not searching out first descents, he reads, picks up rocks, skis, climbs, and drinks a whole lot of coffee. If you see him, be prepared to discuss anything from stellar dendrites to the Paleogene trans-Challis dike swarm.

Chris Lundy—Lead Forecaster Chris worked at the Sawtooth Avalanche Center from 2004-2012, including two years as the Director. He left to pursue other interests in the snow and avalanche field but gravitated back to the SAC in 2018. He earned his Master’s degree from Montana State University-Bozeman with a focus in snow and avalanche science and presented his research at three International Snow Science Workshops. Over the years, his interests have shifted from pure snow science to the far more complex field of human psychology and decision-making. He has worked in many aspects of the avalanche industry over the past 20 years, including stints as a researcher, ski patroller, educator, ski guide, web developer, and forecaster. Chris recently transitioned into his new position as a National Avalanche Specialist for the National Avalanche Center. Chris lives in Stanley and enjoys mountain travel in all of its forms.

Ethan Davis—Lead Forecaster Ethan began work with the Sawtooth Avalanche Center in 2015. He attended the University of Idaho, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Geography and a minor in Mathematics. Following an interest in winter storms he earned his Master’s degree in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University. After three years in a dark lab growing ice crystals, Ethan returned to the light as an avalanche forecaster in Alaska and Colorado before making his way home to Idaho. When not in the snow, you can find him exploring rivers, trails, and mountains with his wife and two young boys.

t employee during the winter season: • •

Forecaster – Avalanche Specialist: Seasonal Position Forecaster – Avalanche Specialist: Seasonal Position 6

Operations The season brought significant change to the SAC roster. Jon “JP” Pruess joined as a freshman forecaster while veteran Chris Lundy transitioned into his new position as a National Avalanche Specialist with the National Avalanche Center. World renown avalanche rescue researcher Manuel Genswein joined the team as a part of the FS International Visitor program, and local ski guide Everett Coba was selected for the highly sought-after intern position. Scott Savage, Ethan Davis, and Ben VandenBos returned to complete a deep, well-rounded forecasting team.

We spent the fall wrapping up website projects, maintaining weather stations, attending and presenting at regional snow and avalanche workshops, preparing education materials, dialing in the snowmobiles, and installing the beacon park.

Our first General Avalanche Information product was issued on October 21st. Daily Backcountry Avalanche Forecasts started on November 30th and continued through April 16th. We issued our final General Avalanche Information product of the season on May 12th. In total, we produced 138 Backcountry Avalanche Forecasts and 17 General Avalanche Information updates.

Once the winter gets rolling, we aim to have at least one forecaster in the field every day of the week. This season, we logged 289 field days for an average of two forecasters per day. Of these field days, 88% involved time on skis, and 21% included snowmobiles. We received a record 364 observations from the public, an increase of nearly 40% over the previous 3-year average! Local ski guides, snow safety workers, and USFS staff contributed 325 observations to our professional observations database. These reports are vital in ensuring the most accurate daily Backcountry Forecast possible. All told, we logged nearly 1000 observations this season.

In addition to field and office time related to producing the daily Backcountry Avalanche Forecasts, SAC staff produced a variety of print and social media content, taught avalanche education programs, maintained and repaired weather stations, and plugged away on local and national-level projects with over 60 partner organizations.

The mission of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center is to provide avalanche safety information for people recreating, working, or traveling in the Sawtooth, Boise, & Salmon-Challis National Forests and surrounding areas.

FS International Visitor Program Manuel Genswein joined the SAC as a part of the FS International Visitor program. Manuel is a native of the Swiss Alps who lives in Lenzerheide. His snow safety resume includes work in 29 countries. He’s developed rescue products and rescue techniques that are applied around the world. Manuel has presented his work at several International Snow Science Workshops, and his rescue research is published in both scientific and popular publications.

Manuel’s Contributions Manuel taught a series of Professional Avalanche Rescue and “Train the Trainer” courses, consulted with local avalanche rescue and civic organizations, consistently made the SAC forecasters evaluate all facets of avalanche center operations, and graciously hosted monthly fondue nights throughout his stay. His unique skills and perspectives made a lasting impact on both the avalanche center and our community - thank you Manuel!

8

Season Review •

Central Idaho was a frequent stop for the storm train in early and late winter. December brought 71.5” of snow to Bald Mountain (more than 2’ above average), and March storms brought 91”, narrowly ousting the winter of 1994-1995 as the snowiest since record-keeping began in 1967.

•

We issued only four days with LOW danger (our last four of the season) compared to 41 days last winter. We issued eight AVALANCHE WARNINGS (compared to two the previous season).

•

Avalanches impacted houses and structures in the valley bottom on at least 17 occasions.

•

Avalanches struck vehicles on at least four occasions. One massive slide crossed Warm Springs Rd, barreled down a driveway, and upended a parked SUV, pushing it into Warm Springs Ck.

•

Avalanches blocked and closed Warm Springs Rd and Highway 75 near Ketchum and Galena Summit on numerous occasions. One 3,000’ wide D2.5 slab avalanche buried hundreds of feet of roadway near Galena Summit in up to 20’ of snow. On March 10th, avalanches and/or blowing and drifting snow forced the closure of three of the four routes into Hailey.

•

Avalanches reached, crossed, and blocked the Big Wood River in dozens of locations, diverting its flow into portions of Hailey on multiple occasions.

•

61 significant human-triggered avalanches were recorded this season.

33 were large enough to bury, injure or kill a person.

•

Several highly visible skier-triggered avalanches occurred on slopes near Hailey, including multiple slides on Della Mtn, one above Woodside, and one that impacted a nordic trail in Quigley Canyon.

•

A roof avalanche completely buried a dog in Stanley. Miraculously the owner, trained in avalanche rescue, quickly located his dog with a probe and dug out the frightened pup within minutes.

Avalanches blocking the Big Wood River in Hailey Photo: T. Burke

10

•

We cataloged and hand-entered 881 significant avalanches!

Hundreds or thousands more went unrecorded due to limited visibility, inaccessibility, and/or staff workload.

•

Staff performed four avalanche incident investigations, the most in SAC history, including two fatal avalanche accidents.

Three of the incidents occurred during a 16-day span in late March. A fifth incident involved a solo snowmobiler riding just outside the SAC forecast area near Lowman, ID; he was riding during elevated danger in March and is still missing as of June 12th. The drainages where he typically rides were littered with debris from D2-D3 avalanches.

EXTREME DANGER We issued EXTREME danger on four days—December 11th, March 9th, March 10th, and March 14th—the highest single-season total in SAC history.

December 11th, 2022: Avalanches struck three homes and two cars. Slides dammed the Big Wood River causing flooding in Hailey. Avalanches crossed and blocked Warm Springs Rd and Highway 75. The next day (HIGH danger), a skier was injured in an out-of-bounds avalanche on Baldy.

March 9th and 10th, 2023: Avalanches off Carbonate Mountain in Hailey struck two homes and one vehicle, and blocked 300 yds of the Big Wood River. In the Della View neighborhood of Hailey, slides blocked the Big Wood River and struck two homes, and a truck. Seven other structures were hit between Bellevue, Lake Creek, and Ketchum. The Draper Preserve closed and all roads out of Hailey except Highway 75 south to Shoshone were closed due to heavy snow or avalanches.

March 14th, 2023: A roof avalanche buried a dog in Stanley; thankfully she was unharmed. Avalanches again blocked the Big Wood River reducing the flow in Bellevue to a trickle. Three homes were struck, two in Sun Valley and one in Deer Creek. A massive slide blocked Highway 75 at Galena Summit and numerous others crossed roads near Galena Lodge, Warm Springs Rd, and in the Little Wood.

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0 13-14

14-15

15-16

16-17

17-18

18-19

19-20

Year Over Year Forecast Views

20-21

21-22

22-23 Email Hotline Web

12

Accomplishments •

E. Idaho Avalanche Working Group The SAC, in conjunction with the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, the Utah Avalanche Center, and the FS National Avalanche Center formed a working group with the aim of reducing backcountry avalanche accidents in Eastern Idaho. Since 2010, 11 people have died in avalanches in Eastern Idaho’s backcountry. Ninety-one percent of those who died were riding snowmobiles or snowbikes. Eighty-six percent of recent accident victims had insufficient or missing rescue gear. The working group hopes to improve the quality, spatial coverage, and accessibility of avalanche information, expand free and low-cost avalanche education, and foster vital partnerships with public and private entities across Eastern Idaho.

•

Our Forecasts received over 521,000 views via the web and email subscriptions, nearly a 20% increase over the previous season.

•

We received a record 364 observations from the public, an increase of nearly 40% over the previous 3-year average! Thank you for this massive community effort!

•

SAC forecasters gave 15 interviews to local, regional, and national media outlets.

•

We produced 65 videos that were watched over 380,000 times this year!

•

The Digging Deeper series reached a live audience of nearly 160 people, and many more watched the recordings on YouTube.

•

We recorded 19 Weekend Updates this year, one every Friday from December 2nd through April 7th. These live recordings reviewed the week’s happenings and offered insight on what weather and avalanche conditions to expect heading into a weekend.

•

SAC and the Friends of the SAC gave 59 educational presentations to recreational and professional audiences. Our educational programs reached nearly 2,700 individuals this season, including over 800 motorized users.

•

Scott and Ethan assisted three graduating Community School students on their senior projects, including a motorized avalanche awareness project.

•

Thunder Dragon Film Project A huge thank you to Gerry and Pia Saengswarn Moffat for funding and creating a powerful short film depicting how avalanche centers are intertwined in the fabric of mountain communities like ours. The Friends of the SAC and other Friends groups plan to use the film for outreach and fundraising efforts going forward.

•

Volunteers worked over 500 hours on Friends of the SAC fundraising events and over 5,000 hours in the field.

•

The sixth annual Homegrown Film Festival was held LIVE on December 3rd. This year, Homegrown raised $15,000 to support the Friends of the SAC!

14

Social Media Social media plays a crucial role in communicating avalanche conditions and social event information: •

Amy David, Media Coordinator for the Friends of the SAC, continued to up the SAC and Friends of the SAC’s digital media presence. Amy’s skills in public relations, photography, videography, and social media are huge assets. Much of the success shared below is directly attributed to her efforts. Thanks, Amy!

•

We posted 65 videos this season. This frequent, concise content received nearly 380,000 views!

•

We posted the daily Danger rating to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, along with basic snow, avalanche, and weather updates.

•

The SAC’s Instagram audience increased from 9,284 to 10,804 followers in the past year.

•

We now have 1,072 followers on Twitter, a 10% increase from last season.

•

Thanks to the generous support of KECH 95.3 FM, we aired 94 weekday morning Backcountry Avalanche Forecasts. Broadcast during the morning commute, these radio spots featured avalanche and weather information and were used to convey safety messaging during periods of elevated avalanche danger.

10,804

8,057

1,072

656 followers

16

Education Avalanche education is a vital component of the SAC’s mission to provide avalanche safety information for people recreating, working, or traveling in the Sawtooth National Forest and surrounding areas.

In her first season Annie DeAngelo, the Education Coordinator for the Friends of the SAC, absolutely knocked it out of the park! Annie orchestrated general Avalanche Awareness outreach for schools and recreational groups. SAC forecasters handled professional -level training and specialty talks like the Digging Deeper series. During the 2022-2023 winter season, this twopronged approach delivered 59 presentations to nearly 2,700 people.

The SAC and Friends of the SAC continued their emphasis on motorized user outreach and education by providing avalanche education opportunities to motorized users throughout southern Idaho. Motorized-specific classes were held in Baker Creek north of Ketchum and in Hailey, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls. SAC forecasters and Friends of the SAC instructors reached over 800 riders this season.

The Digging Deeper discussion series returned for its fifth season and shifted to a monthly rather than a bi-weekly schedule. This eased the workload on staff while allowing more time to plan and prepare an in-depth presentation.

The series featured 5 talks and reached nearly 160 people.

4,000

# Students

SAC staff presented for professional groups on 23 occasions. Scott trained new FS forecasters, presented at the SW Montana Ski Patrol Snow and Avalanche Workshop, the Idaho State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) general meeting, and provided continuing education for Idaho Power employees. Ethan presented his East Idaho avalanche statistics report at ISSA, and in meetings with Idaho Parks and Recreation, KLIM, and the CaribouTarghee NF supervisors office in Idaho Falls. Chris and Scott teamed up to provide staff training for Sun Valley Heli Ski, and Chris presented to an AIARE Pro 2 course in Stanley.

5,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

13-14

14-15

15-16

16-17

17-18

Year Over Y

8

Live presentations were recorded and are available on our website. These talks targeted intermediate to advanced backcountry users looking to add tricks and knowledge to their playbooks. We discussed topics including the science of snowflakes, risk perception, the role of luck in the backcountry, and recaps of December and March’s historic avalanche cycles.

Digging Deeper |Storms, Weak Layers, and Extreme Avalanche Danger

Motorized Outreach

40

# Classes

60

In Idaho, 26 of the last 28 backcountry avalanche fatalities were snowmobilers or snowbikers. Facilitating motorized avalanche education remains a top SAC priority. SAC forecasters and Friends of the SAC instructors reached over 800 motorized users this season through Motorized Avalanche Awareness talks, snowmobile club meetings, and the Avy Savvy event in Idaho Falls. SAC staff instructed at an AIARE Pro 2 class that included a motorized group of professional students for the 2nd year in a row.

20

18-19

19-20

20-21

21-22

0 22-23

Year Education 18

Funding & Partnerships The SAC relies on a variety of partnerships and collaborative relationships. Most of the Center’s budget comes from the Forest Service and BLM. The Sawtooth NF and BLM-Shoshone Field District’s continued support shows their commitment to public safety. The Ketchum Ranger District also provides extensive office and administrative support and maintenance facilities.

The Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center (501c3) are the critical private partner in our mission; the center would not exist without their efforts and support. The Friends are the conduit for both local and out-of-area individuals and businesses to support the SAC and Friends’ common mission of providing actionable avalanche information and education to people working, playing, and traveling in the mountains of south-central Idaho. The Friends’ contribution covers salaries for approximately 2 of the 4 forecasting positions. In addition, they provide snowmobiles, funds for website and IT operations and improvements, safety and field equipment, weather stations, educational supplies, forecaster training, etc..

The Friends revamped their sponsorship and donation programs this year and launched a new, modern website. Visit https://friends.sawtoothavalanche.com/ to learn more about the organization and how you can support their mission.

Local guiding operations Sun Valley Heli-Ski, Sawtooth Mountain Guides, Sun Valley Guides and the National Weather Service’s Pocatello office are also major avalanche center partners; their “in-kind” support is key to our success.

In total, the avalanche center has over 70 active partnerships with international, national, state, county, city, and local organizations and entities.

Possible block text somewhere: The US Forest Service maintained funding levels for the SAC despite a difficult federal budget environment. The Avalanche Center is fortunate that the USFS, the Sawtooth NF, and USFS Region 4 continue to demonstrate a commitment to providing quality avalanche information and education.

The Sawtooth Avalanche Center is a glowing example of a successful publicprivate partnership. The Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center raise funds through sponsorship, private donations, grants, and fundraising events. The Friends’ success is indicative of incredible community buy-in and support of the Avalanche Center’s mission.

SAC BUDGET - INCOME: $310,700.00

Friends of SAC: $118,600 (38.17%)

Sawtooth NF: $146,400 (47.12%) Forest Service - Other: $27,600 (8.88%) Sawtooth NF Admin + Vehicles: $12,000 (3.86%) Bureau of Land Management: $6,100 (1.96%)

SAC BUDGET - EXPENSES: $310,700.00

Labor: $274,200 (88.25%) USFS Office & Admin Support: $7,000 (2.25%) Weather Station Ops: $3,400 (1.09%) Trucks: $5,000 (1.61%) Snowmobile Ops: $4,900 (1.58%) IT & Office: $5,600 (1.8%)

Uniforms, Tools, & Safety Gear: $7,800 (2.51%) Training: $2,600 (0.84%) Misc: $200 (0.06%)

20

Next Season’s Goals •

Continue work on motorized avalanche education and outreach. The last backcountry skier fatality in Idaho was in 2009; 24 backcountry motorized users have died in avalanches since then.

•

Continue working with FS National Avalanche Center staff on multiple national and regional level projects, including website and IT tools, avalanche information and education in E. Idaho, a new forecaster training program, and Avalanche Watch and Avalanche Warning products.

•

Develop the scientific program for, and host, the 2023 International Snow Science Workshop in Bend, Oregon.

•

Refine current web products and develop new interfaces to provide easily understandable avalanche, snow, and weather information for novice through advanced users.

•

Facilitate a “forecaster exchange” with the ski patrol and snow safety departments at Big Sky Resort to foster our team’s professional development.

•

Working with the NWAC in Washington state, implement a new Avy app allowing users to record and submit observations from the field as well as view avalanche forecast and weather information.

•

Work with the Friends of the SAC to increase local Avalanche Awareness offerings for the Spanish-speaking community.

•

Continue work on ongoing technology transfer and research projects to benefit both avalanche professionals and recreational users.

•

Work on our riding skills—we’re improving, but no one wonders if we are pro riders!

22

Business Sponsors

$6,000+

$4,000 - $5,999

$2,500 - $3,999

$1,000 - $2,499

$500 - $999 24

Professional/Agency Sponsors

Significant Additional Support

Tina Cole

26

Supporters Summit | $999+ Michael Boge Amy and Peter Carse Carolyn and Woody Cullen Peter Curran Wendy and James Drasdo Amy and Tim Drumm Jackie and Chris Flanigan Abbi and Frank Gould Rebecca Jacoby Ronald Kase Alex Langerman

Mimi and Jay Levine Kim Taylor and John Milner Chaz Mitchell Kimberly Young and John Moragne Andrea Nasi Hollbrook Newman Christian Nickum Patsy and Mark Nickum Sally and Marc Onetto Michelle and Thomas Praggastis Katherine and Buffalo Rixon

Susan and Clayton Simmers Diana Kapp and David Singer Richard Smooke Nancy Starr Megan and Justin Stevenson Louise and Trent Stumph Hannah and Nick Thomson Julie and Doug Webb Robin and Tim Wolff Paul Zuckerman

Lisa Jones Debra Hummel and Ezra Thomas Jones Jean and Nicholas Latham M Lloyd Kelly McCloskey Julie and John Meyer

Diane Nini Chelan Pauly Oldemeyer Suzan and Alex Orb Rebecca and Mark Reitinger Bruce Smith

Pam and Kirk Ebertz Allegra Gordon James E. Gray Steve Greenberg Mark Hodges Susan Giannettino and James Keller Trey Knox Jack Kueneman Catherine Langston Jeff Oak Elizabeth Pederson

Kimberly Marcelis Mica Mayo Katrina and J.R. McNeal Patricia Klahr and Lee Melly Julie Melville Jody Moss Nate Scales Teri and Sandor Szombathy Stephen Wasilewski

Alpine | $500-$999 Adam Angel Mark Baumgardner Robert Blessler Danielle and Kenton Carruth Holley and Chris duPont Jackie and David Hennessy

Treeline | $100-$499 5 Ryan Foundation Sue Conner and Sam Adicoff Leslie Benz Carl Bontrager Boswell Family Foundation Theresa Williams Lorraine Wilcox Barbara Boswell Matt Brackman Alexander Douglas Becky Klassen and Buck Drew

Family Foundations Beverly and Michael De Chevrieux Julie and Steve Rendle Nancy Eccles & Homer M Hayward Family Foundation

Nicholas Martin Jr. & Ferris and Minor Families Wattis Dumke Foundation

28