The Newsletter of the Southern Oregon Nordic Club

November 2013

http://www.onc.org/

Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/groups/southernonc/

Welcome to the 2013-2014 ski season! For those that are new to us, we are a great and growing club. Ending last season we had the most memberships in our history at 128 (family units). We do have a lot of activities with all that membership. We are planning to repeat the popular get together at Hyatt Lake. I also have the great news that a Klamath Falls club is in the works to be a part of the Oregon Nordic Club. The benefits of the club are dependent on you as members and in that light I ask you each to plan on coordinating an outing this season. Start out as a coleader if you believe you need the help. We need coordinators for beginner or intermediate outings as well. Please remember to get a date down and we understand if you need to change later. Thanks to everyone for their prior service and please don't hesitate to volunteer!

Kevin Wood SONC Club President

Red Cross Blood Drive The local chapter of the Red Cross recently sponsored a blood drive for all the outdoor clubs in the area. This was done during September because of the much lower donation levels during that month. Clubs participating, besides are own were Rogue Snowmobilers, Slopes & Trails, and Jackson County Horseman's Association. The winner was determined by the percentage participation of members. Winning out this year with a 5.38% participation was the Slopes & Trails club. Congratulations to them and look out for us next year! Put this on your calendar for next year. Don't delay your blood donation if you're able to right now. The Red Cross need is constant. Thanks to all that participated.

Kevin Wood

[email protected]

Next SONC Meeting: 7:00 PM Thursday, 7 November 2013 at D&S Harley Davidson - Highway 99, Phoenix 1.0 mile south from South Stage Road on Hwy 99 (right side) 0.3 mile north from Fern Valley Road on Hwy 99 (left side)

Don’t miss the first meeting of the season, and your chance to meet or reconnect with ski trail partners! We’ll gather upstairs at D&S Harley, 3846 South Pacific Hwy, Medford, at 7 PM. You’ll meet this year’s board and hear all about upcoming events; after refreshments, we’ll begin our first program of the year, brought to you by veteran club skiers and board members Edgar Hee, Michael Dawkins, Marian Crumme, and Bob and Bobbie Plummer. They’ll cover ski equipment so you’ll be ready to gear up, the 2013-2014 SONC ski school, and groomed and marked trails, and outings, including how to lead and participate. Super raffle prize, one size fits all, good for the whole family: a 2013-14 Snow Park pass. See you there!

Ginny Blankenship There’s a New Club in Town Well not exactly in town but just over the Cascades in Klamath Falls. The Klamath Basin Ski Club had an organizational meeting on 24 October. More information on page 2.

SONC Fall Potluck Another great time was enjoyed by about 35 club members at the Nordic potluck on Saturday, October 5th. The clubhouse at John and Bonny Fertig’s townhouse complex has proven to be a great location to kickoff our season. We did get an update on some activities, so be sure and check out the calendar for future club activites. Thank you all for the many dishes provided. It was, as always, difficult to hold back from sampling since there was such abundance in salads, sides and desserts. Thanks go out to John & Bonny for providing the venue and the Board Members numerous little steps to make it run smoothly. You are greatly appreciated!

By sending the link only, the newsletter e-mail should not clog your inbox. You will need Adobe Reader which is included on almost all home computers (unless you still use a Kaypro or Atari 64). If you do not have a computer I will print and mail you a hard copy (probably minus the pictures). The biggest hassle about the newsletter is getting it & the labels printed, then folding, taping closed, putting on the labels and stamp and taking them to the Post Office (I’d much rather go skiing). So if at all possible please elect to receive your Newsletter via the website. Thanks.

John Fertig Klamath Basin Ski Club

Kevin Wood

Newsletter Changes John Fertig is the Newsletter Editor for the 2013-2014 ski season. John was previously the Newsletter Editor from 1996-2000. To make my task easier, please send me articles and pictures. Otherwise, you will either get a very short newsletter or the newsletter will be filled with John’s manifesto and/or pictures. The deadline will be 11 days (2nd Sunday) before the next club meeting (24 Nov for the December Newsletter). The plan is to post the newsletter on the ONC website (www.onc.org) and e-mail the link to SONC members.

A few Klamath Fall skiers have dreams of skiing on groomed ski trails near and around the Klamath Falls area. Bring up the question, “How can this goal be achieved?” The only obvious conclusion was to build a like-minded coalition of outdoor enthusiasts. On October 24, 2013, the Klamath Basin Ski Club hosted its first meeting to see if there was any interest in creating a new Ski Club. The goal of the meeting was to link fellow skiers together and network with local action groups in the area. Thirty-four members of the community showed up. During the meeting seven folks stepped up to become new board members. The community response was more than expected. Attending were representatives from several community groups: The Friends of Moore Park, the City of Klamath Falls Parks Department, Collier State Park, and The Klamath Trails Alliance. The Klamath Chapter of the ONC wants to invite folks from the SONC to its clubs sponsored events. The club has scheduled its first board meeting on the first Tuesday of November to talk over bylaws and to put together a list of club events. The club is currently working on a new website and is looking forward to working with other chapters of the ONC to promote Cross Country Skiing.

Do You Like Firewood at the Shelters? Warming shelters exist at several locations where we often ski:  South Brown Mt Shelter - Pederson Sno-Park  Summit Shelter - Summit & 4 Mile Sno-Parks  4 Mile Lake Shelter - Summit & 4 Mile Sno-Parks  Grouse Gap Shelter - Mt Ashland Sno-Park  Lake West Shelter - Claude Lewis & 3 Lakes Sno-Parks The Grouse Gap Shelter does not currently get enclosed or stocked with firewood. This was a task that SONC performed for many years but the enclosure materials (and workers) wore out and no one from the club wanted to take over the task. The Summit Shelter is accessible only by skiers (and a few snowmobilers who believe that rules don’t apply to them).

South Brown Mountain Shelter

The local snowmobile clubs are organizing firewood cutting work parties for 9 November to cut, split and stack the firewood for several shelters in the High lakes area including South Brown Mountain, Four Mile Lake and Summit (if skiers participate). If you would like to help meet at the Great Meadow Sno-Park at 0830 on Saturday, 9 November. Stefanie Ferrara (541-890-2979) is the contact for SONC if you have questions. More information should be available at the Club Meeting. You will need gloves and good boots. If you have a splitting maul, please bring it. If you do not have a Forest Service/BLM chain saw certification then do NOT bring your chain saw.

Summit Shelter

Backcountry Navigation Class John will teach a Backcountry Navigation Class on November 17th (Sunday) for Nordic Club members and the Crater Lake Ski Patrol. The class will be indoor only. The curriculum will include: navigation aids, navigation clues, compasses (how to use them & their accuracy), topographic maps, contour lines, magnetic declination, dead reckoning navigation, map coordinate systems, map scales and a few other topics. I will cover some GPS issues (but this is NOT a GPS class).

South Brown Mountain Shelter

The class will be in Medford and start at 0900 and last 4-5 hours depending on questions. There will be a few map exercises. If you have a compass, bring it but don’t buy one for the class. Email me at [email protected] if you have questions, or would like to attend and I will send you directions. Class size is limited to 12 people.

John Fertig

SONC Event Schedule (Updated 4 November 2013) Date

Day

Trip / Event

Location

Rating

Distance

Coordinator

Phone

Nov. 7

Thursday Club Meeting

D&S Harley

Ginny Blankinship

535-1736

Nov. 9

Saturday Firewood Cutting / work party

Great Meadow

Stefainie Ferrara

890-2979

John Fertig

601-5687

Nov. 17

Sunday Backcountry Navigation / training Club Members Only (see newsletter article)

Nov. 21 Thursday Board Meeting

Call for directions

John Fertig

601-5687

Dec. 5

D&S Harley

Ginny Blankinship

535-1736

Thursday Club Meeting

Dec.14 Saturday Lesson

Hyatt Lake at

Dec.14 Saturday Buck Divide Road / ski tour

Buck Prairie

Intermediate 8-10 miles

Dec. 15

Sunday Hyatt Lake / ski tour

11:00 am

(none)

1 to 1.5 HOURS Michael Dawkins

Hyatt Lake area

Novice

Dec. 21 Saturday Holiday Party & Ski Tours Dec. 25 Wed. Summit area / ski tour Dec. 28 Saturday Lesson

Lake of the Woods Marina at 10 am Summit Sno-Park Hyatt Lake at 11 am

Dec. 29 Sunday Dutton Ridge / ski tour

Crater Lake

Dec. 29 Sunday Buck Prairie / ski tour

Buck Prairie

All Various Intermediate 7+ miles (none) 1 to 1.5 HOURS 13 mi and 1700' Advanced climb Intermediate 8-10 miles

482-2703

2-5 miles Stephanie Ferrara Stephanie Ferrara Michael Dawkins

890-2979 890-2979 482-2703

John Fertig

601-5687

Bob Plummer

488-5003

Note: SONC Members receive weekly emails on non-scheduled outings.

Shared Transportation Costs: It is SONC policy that members who provide rides to trailhead locations for other members shall receive a donation to cover their vehicle costs. The amount of the donation is based on the distance traveled. The suggested donation amount per person is: • Short trips, such as Buck Prairie and Mt. Ashland – $5 • Medium trips, such as Summit Snow Park and Pederson – $10 • Long trips, such as Crater Lake, Diamond Lake and Mt. Shasta– $15 • Overnight destinations such as Bend – arrange with driver. Since the outing destination is usually known in advance, riders can plan ahead, and bring the suggested amount with them. Donations are usually given to the driver at the beginning of the outing,

Important Notice about Nordic Skiing: Nordic skiing includes risks and hazards which can never be eliminated because of the inherent nature of the activity. Anyone choosing to participate in Oregon Nordic Club activities should be aware of prevalent risks and hazards. By making the decision to participate, each person must accept individual responsibility for their safety, realizing that accidents can result in personal injury or even death. The Southern Oregon Chapter's ski tour ratings are based on a combination of factors including tour distance, elevation change, steepness, and navigation. While ratings primarily reflect required technical skills (climbing, descending, turning etc.), difficulty ratings are adjusted upward as increased stamina is required. All ratings assume average snow conditions (packed power). Low snow cover, re-frozen snow/ice, deep new snow will increase the actual difficulty of the trip. If in doubt, check with the trip coordinator.

Ski Tour Ratings: Beginner • Cross-country skiers with little or no previous experience • Bring water, food, extra clothing, personal first aid items, etc. • Trip Length: 2-3 hours of skiing

Novice • Reasonable skill in the basic techniques: diagonal stride, sidestep, kick turn, step turn, snowplow, and snowplow turn. • Control speed on gradual downhills and/or sidestep steeper pitches • Able to ski 2-5 miles on rolling terrain • Able to follow marked ski trails • Trip Length: 2-4 hours of skiing

Intermediate • Proficiency in all the basic techniques plus the traverse and herringbone on moderately steep terrain. Typically a full season or more of progressive experience • Climb and descend long, moderately steep and short, steep sections of terrain • Good stamina, ability to ski 8-10 miles or make long climbs • Trip Length: 3-5 hours of skiing

Advanced • Excellent proficiency in all ski touring techniques and wide range of snow conditions • Negotiate long, steep sections of terrain including densely wooded areas • Strong skier able to ski 10+ miles with long uphill sections in widely varying snow conditions • Navigate poorly marked trails • Trip Length: 4-7 hours of skiing

Expert • Excellent all around ski tourer and mountain person • Negotiate very steep terrain in nearly all conditions • Exceptional endurance - ability to ski 15-20 miles with long climbs • Navigate using a topographic map and compass • Trip Length: 6-8 hours of skiing

Trip Responsibilities¨ Trip Coordinator Responsibilities: 1. Identify yourself as the Trip Coordinator at the meeting point and/or at the trail head. 2. Have participants complete "Trip Register" including emergency contact with telephone number. Communicate trip liability waver information. 3. The Trip Coordinator should remind participants of trail etiquette (ski to right, downhill skier has right-of-way). 4. Trip Coordinator should use a map of ski area to orient people to the route. 5. Trip Coordinator should inform participants when a lunch break can be expected and the ETA back to the vehicles. 6. Coordinator should identify a lead skier and the last skier. If enough people are on the outing, have a trouble shooter to roam back and forth among the group. 7. The Coordinator should remain until all skiers return. 8. Return "Trip Register" to Outing Chair (Bobbie Plummer for 2013-2014).

Officers and Board 2013-2014: President:

Kevin Wood [email protected]

541-261-3547

Vice-president:

Dave Broadway [email protected]

541-646-8837

Secretary:

Marian Crumme [email protected]

541-531-3010

Membership:

Bobbie Plummer [email protected]

541-488-5003

State Rep/ John Day Race:

Reider Peterson [email protected]

541-488-8830

Trails Liaison/ Grooming Coord:

Bob Plummer [email protected]

541-488-5003

Treasurer/Website: Edgar Hee [email protected]

541-734-4872

Newsletter:

John Fertig [email protected]

541-601-5687

Meetings:

Ginny Blankinship [email protected]

541-535-1736

Ski School Director:

Michael Dawkins

541-482-2703

Outings:

Jim Schellentrager [email protected]

425-256-1889

At large:

Dan Bulkley [email protected]

541-535-5979

State Rep:

Stefanie Ferrara [email protected]

541-890-2979

Trip Participant Responsibilities: 1. Contact trip coordinator before participating in any outing so they know who to expect at the meeting point and understand the expected difficulty and duration of the trip. 2. Please participate in those outings that match your abilities. Understand that trip difficulty and duration will be dependent on weather and snow conditions and on the abilities of the group. 3. Dress properly for the activity (Moisture wicking non-absorbing base layers and avoiding cotton base and insulation layers that retain moisture. Dress in “layers” to avoid over heating.) 4. Share ride expenses. 5. Cooperate with the Trip Coordinator and participate in making and abiding with decisions affecting the safety and well being of the group. 6. Participants should leave an item at the side of the trail (or tell someone) if you must leave the route for any reason. 7. Carry safety and first aid equipment appropriate for the outing and expected weather conditions.

Friends of the SONC: *Ashland Mountain Supply, *Ashland Outdoor Store, Black Bird, Medford, Diamond Lake Resort *Get ‘n Gear, Ashland *Kokopelli, Ashland *Lake of the Woods Resort Mt Shasta Nordic *Northwest Outdoor Store, *Rogue Ski Shop, Medford, *Thimbleberry Cabin * Tognar Toolworks

541-488-5402 541-488-1202 541-779-5431 800-733-7593 541-482-5181 541-201-7694 866-201-4194 www.mtshastanordic.org 541-245-4000 541-772-8047 [email protected] www.tognar.com

*Offers discounts to members. Ask at the store

Perks available to SONC Members SONC has two cargo sleds (they are not suitable for hauling children) that are available to members. Contact John Fertig at [email protected] SONC owns two hard shell ski bags that members can use for trips. They are perfect for taking on the airlines. Contact Stefanie Ferrarer at [email protected] The club has available group first aid kits for outings. Medford area contact Kevin at 541-261-3547. Ashland area contact Michael at 541-482-2703. The club owns equipment for hot waxing your skis. John Fertig will hold several workshops on hot waxing throughout the ski season. They will be announced in the newsletter. See the above list of local businesses that give discounts to Paid SONC Members.

Checks should be made payable to SONC. Please mail to Bobbie Plummer, 3368 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520 Household Membership: $ 20.00 check #________ date __________ Groomer Donation Fund: $_________ (for grooming the road from Hyatt to Buck Prairie) TOTAL $________ Name(s)_______________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________ City______________________State____________Zip__________ Phone:________________________Email____________________________________________ SONC will not share your personal information with anyone outside of the club. Name only will be furnished to outdoor stores giving member discounts unless you decline by checking here [ ]. SONC publishes a contact list for members only with name, phone number and email. Check here if you do not want to be included on this list [ ].

Number in Family Participating (All must sign below) Adults___________Children____________ Ski Interests: [ ] Family Tours, [ ] Snowshoe, [ ] Back Country Tours, [ ] Back Country Telemark,[ ] Lift Assisted Telemark, [ ] Racing, [ ] Groomed Trails, [ ] Winter Camping, [ ] Skate Skiing Would you: [ ] Lead an outing, [ ] Co-lead an outing, [ ] Organize work party, [ ] Participate in work party?

Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Outdoor adventures by their very nature are inherently dangerous and involve some degree of risk. I am aware that participating in the Oregon Nordic Club’s activities may expose me to certain risks and dangers including, but not limited to the hazards of mountainous, aquatic, or wilderness terrain, accident, illness, the forces of nature, and travel to and from the activity location or point of departure. I am aware that it is not possible to foresee all of the potential hazards of outdoor activities. Each participant in a Nordic activity is responsible for his or her decisions. To the best of my knowledge, I feel physically and mentally able to assume full participation in the activities in which I will participate. I understand that the Oregon Nordic Club is a volunteer organization and that trip leaders do not have medical or rescue training. In consideration of voluntarily participating in this outing, trip, or activity, I have and do hereby assume all the risks inherent in these activities and agree to hold harmless, from and against any and all liability, claims, and demands of any nature, including but not limited to liability for negligence, the Oregon Nordic Club, and any of their agents, tour leaders, officers, assistant leaders, instructors, and other participants. I acknowledge that ORS § 30.975 provides that an individual who engages in the sport of skiing, alpine or Nordic, accepts and assumes the inherent risks of skiing insofar as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary. Inherent risks of skiing include, but are not limited to, those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport, such as changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, lift towers and other structures and their components, collisions with other skiers, and a skier’s failure to ski within the skier’s own ability. I have read and understand the statements on this page concerning the Oregon Nordic Club’s Outing Program.

_______________________________________________________________________________ PRINT YOUR NAME

SIGN YOUR NAME

___________________________________________________________________________________ PRINT YOUR NAME SIGN YOUR NAME __________________________________________________________________________________ PRINT YOUR NAME Signature (if participant is a minor, participant’s Guardian must sign.)