Newsletter of the Southern Oregon Nordic Club

December 2013

http://www.onc.org/SONC-ONC

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

Hello Nordic Club Members, Though it may sometimes be tough to think of information to put in a President's message, this is sure not one of those times. First I'd like to take note of the great attendance at the November meeting. I think we must be doing something right. That goes as well for our state level activity. Congratulations to Stefanie Ferrara who is the new State Secretary. I'm sure your energy will have a positive effect. On the state level there is also the news that we may have two new chapters. Klamath Falls is re-emerging after a long hiatus. There is also a Pine Valley chapter being formed in the Northeast part of the state. On the reminder front, please send in your annual dues before we do our clearing out at the end of the year. This could be your last newsletter if you don't get to that. Secondly, please remember to bring an unwrapped gift to the December meeting to donate to Toys for Tots. We have continued to be great contributors and hope everyone continues that. Lastly, if you do have the skiing bug there's no reason to sulk about the lack of snow. Members of the club have already been to Crater Lake and got their fix in. Thanks to all,

Kevin Wood

SONC Club President

Community Toy Drive Dear Friends, The holidays are fast approaching and we only have our December 5th club meeting before we end out this year. To support our less fortunate children in our community we ask for your help with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts. Working in conjunction with D&S Harley we will have a collection box in the room where we have our monthly Nordic club meetings. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to be placed in the box. Some suggestions are sports balls and board games. Your kindness and compassion will help bring smiles of hope and joy to less fortunate children on Christmas Day.

Santa Claus

[email protected]

General Meeting: 7:00 PM Thursday, 5 December 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)

This meeting will feature a favorite annual highlight, four local vendors with all the gear we need: Tognar Toolworks Northwest Outdoor Store Ashland Outdoor Store Rogue Ski Shop These folks are long-time friends of the club, and will share with us all that is new, necessary, and innovative … and something WILL be a must-have for you, or solve the gift-giving question for someone on your list. They will each spend a few minutes sharing with us, and then we’ll have time to look over the wares they’ve brought along. You’ll want to think back to last month’s presentation on equipment as you browse, and in addition, we’ll have available a member-generated list of must-haves for back country skiing. After club announcements and business, we’ll break for refreshments, including hot cider in honor of the holidays, and a chance to chat with old friends and to give a welcome to new members, so that when we meet at the trailhead or for lessons, everyone sees a familiar face. Before the vendors take over the meeting, it’s raffle time, with an encore prize: just like last month there will be an annual Sno-Park pass for a lucky winner. As we approach the holidays, SONC shares in the giving by assisting in the Toys for Tots campaign. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the meeting, and it will make it into the hands of a happy child. Those who bring a toy will be rewarded with an extra raffle ticket – hello, Sno-Park pass!

Ginny Blankenship

Newsletter Please send articles and pictures to [email protected] for the January newsletter by 22 December. The newsletter will be posted on the State ONC website (http://www.onc.org/SONC-ONC) with the link e-mailed to SONC members. Last month I didn’t have the correct access to post the newsletter, but that has been resolved and the links work (at least with Windows Explorer and Safari).

The other 17 went to the Fourmile Lake Shelter. There were lots of repairs done like moving the beam in front of the door that everyone hit their head on, installing a drying rack near the wood stove, and repairing the door jamb that had been pulled off. Next we took down some dead trees near the lake, cut it up and split it, loaded it up in George's truck. We enjoyed lunch at the day use area of Fourmile Lake in the beautiful Southern Oregon sun.

After this newsletter, those members that have not renewed their membership will be dropped from the e-mail list. If you do not have a computer I will print and mail you a hard copy (minus the pictures) but it is a hassle and you will receive it later than the electronic version. So if at all possible please elect to receive your Newsletter via the website/email link. Thanks.

John Fertig Klamath Basin Ski Club Update Its’ Official! Only a short few weeks ago, the Klamath Basin Ski Club was approved by the State ONC to become a local chapter. The Klamath Chapter is very excited to become ONC’s newest member. On December 5th, the club will host its first membership drive. Currently, the club has generated a list of around fifty possible members. In the works, the club plans to host its own website, create a set of social networking pages that lists current activities, calendar of events, local ski trails, and news and announcements. Learn more about the clubs public outreach in the next newsletter. On January, 25 & 26 the club will host a set of specialized ski clinics for all levels of interests. Snow conditions will dictate the venue. The club has recruited Dan Miller to put on this specialized event. Over the years, Dan has created an innovative program that will help to hone your classic ski skills. If you are interested in joining the fun, contact Niel Barrett, at [email protected] .

Next, Bruce towed the splitter to the South Brown Mountain Shelter with half of our crew, the other half went up to the Summit Shelter and dropped off the split firewood. Then the rest of us all went to Brown Mountain Shelter to split and stack the small logs USFS dropped off for us.

Editor’s note: I’ve had ski instruction from Dan Miller several times and he is very good.

Firewood Work Party Saturday, November 9th, started out cool and clear as the group met at the Great Meadow Snow Park at 0830. Eight members of the Klamath Basin Snow Drifters (KBSD) Snowmobile Club, and 15 skiers from Southern Oregon, Grants Pass, and the newly formed Basin Nordic Club were ready to work, but we started off with coffee, donuts, and introductions. Six of the KBSD guys went straight up the Cold Springs road to the Big Meadow shelter with one of the firewood splitters. So we had a pretty awesome day, stocking four shelters in our area! Skiers and Snowmobilers rock!

Stefanie Ferrara

Groomer Update

Backcountry Navigation Class

Now that we have groomed trails at Buck Prairie and Hyatt Lake you might be asking yourself “Who cares” or thinking “I like back country”. Well I like back country and until last year that is about all I skied. Last season I decided that as long as we are grooming, I might as well find out how I like it. I guess I really liked it because about 90% of my skiing last season was on groomed trails and I think you will like it too.

SONC hosted a Backcountry Navigation Class on 17 November in Medford. We had eleven people attend from SONC and the Crater Lake and Mt Ashland Ski Patrols. The material was a review for most people but everybody learned something new (including the instructor). Check out the Cal Topo website for a map resource. Do you have the correct o magnetic declination set on your compass? Use 15 E for our area. I’ll try to have another class in January.

Groomed does not replace back country, it gives you an alternative. Think hiking boots verses running shoes or mountain biking verses road biking. Groomed trails allow you to ski much faster, with much less chance of falling. The surface is smooth and compacted so you don’t find yourself striding along and hitting a soft spot or gliding downhill and having your ski grabbed by a big glob of snow. Either of these can really challenge your balance. Since there is no trail breaking needed and you can ski at a steady pace, it is much easier to stay warm. I have found that groomed trail skiing is much more aerobic than back country. I know I am skiing much faster and holding the speed for most of the trip. With back country I find myself working hard when breaking trail or climbing a hill, but then I tend to slow down because I am pushing a lot of snow. Before long I am “walking on my skis” instead of really skiing.

Do you really need different equipment for groomed trails? I hate to tell you this, but yes you really do. Would you run in those hiking boots or try to keep up on a road ride with your mountain bike? You might try and you might succeed, but you won’t have much fun. That said, if you have light to mid weight back country gear you can certainly try out the groomed trails and you will probably like it. Just don’t get discouraged when someone on light track skis passes you like you are standing still. The bigger skis work best if you do not get in the groomed tracks, but ski on the “skate” surface instead. Groomed surfaces also are more fun if you have good technique. The Fischer Ultralites I bought really did require that I learn proper technique to be efficient. Take one of Michael’s classes (see outings schedule) and you will see very quick progress. Come on out and have fun!

Bob Plummer

John Fertig Building a Fire in a Shelter There are some nice winter-use shelters in Southern Oregon; Brown Mountain, Summit, Four Mile Lake, Grouse Gap, and Hemlock Butte, just to mention a few. Most have wood stoves. Even in the winter some adventurers stay overnight in shelters. Some have good doors, like Four Mile Lake, some have plastic strips as doors, like Summit and some have no doors at all, like Grouse Gap. Thanks to USFS, and volunteer skiers and snowmobilers, most of the shelters have good wood supplies for use during the winter. Most of the wood is stored inside but some is stored outside along the walls of the shelter under the snow so getting it into the shelter without having a shovel to dig it out with is difficult. One common problem is that there a little if any kindling or small logs in the shelters which is a serious problem when visitors attempt to build a fire. There is also no consistent set of tools, such as an axe or splitting maul, or hatchet or wedges, etc. at the shelters. Some shelters have no tools, some have a few. So if you plan to build a fire in a shelter you need to know what the conditions are in that shelter and be aware that today’s conditions may not be the same as when you want to go there. You will need a fire starter kit containing at least waterproof matches, or a high quality refuelable lighter, and Fire Paste and Fire Sticks. I would also suggest taking something to split the wood into kindling. If you are prepared, and there is wood available, you can have a fire and really enjoy the time in the shelter. Just don’t make assumptions about what is available in the shelter when you want to visit. Stopping by for lunch without a fire is certainly a possibility, much better than eating out in the snow, but you must also be open to the possibility of other skiers being there when you arrive or joining you for the same reasons you are there. There are NO outhouses in or near most shelters. Hemlock Butte Shelter, near Mt. Bailey, is the only one I know that requires reservations to stay the night. It also has an internal outhouse but you still have to bring your own toilet paper. As the boy scouts say BE PREPARED, and have a great time.

Seldom

SOU SKI SWAP Each year the Southern Oregon Nordic Club (“SONC”) has an information table at the SOU ski swap. Our goal is to provide information about club membership and about Nordic skiing in the area. The club is not involved in the actual ski swap itself. We need two or three persons for each two-hour shift at the table. The hours for our table are 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2013 only (not on Sunday). This year the Southern Oregon University (“SOU”) ski swap will be Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8, 2012. The ski swap is open to the public and takes place on the SOU campus in Ashland. It offers both used and new equipment for downhill, cross-country, and telemark skiing, as well as clothing and accessories. For information about the actual ski swap, go to http://www.sou.edu/outdoorprogram/skiswap.html. Please email Marian Crumme ([email protected] ) with your desired two-hour time slot to volunteer. Times are 9 to 11 am, 11 am to 1 pm, and 1 to 3 pm. You will work in pairs and talk to people who are interested in cross country skiing. It is a great way to talk about your sport and introduce people to our club.

ski out the East Rim Road at Crater Lake. The snow was very nice (blue wax day) until we reached the avalanche slope below Applegate Peak just before Sun Notch. The wind at this point was strong and had scoured the fresh snow from the surface of the hard-pack layer below about four inches of light fresh snow.

^Edgar, Sherman & Wayne

The skies were as blue as the Lake and the scenery at the Rim would have been spectacular but after seeing the windy conditions near Sun Notch we knew we had made the right decision on which trail to ski. Overall it was a great start to hopefully a long ski season.

Marian Crumme A BIG Welcome to Our New Club Members Janice Cantore Susan Haines & Fred Jenkins Barb Hansen & Rich Vanderwyst Stacey Romney & Phillip Lindesmith Gary Simms & Cynthia Peterson

Jeff Thompson Dan Bittick Janaki Kerr Marylill Elbe Sharon Monroe

Mt Shasta Weekend

^ John & Wayne

Time is quickly approaching for the weekend trip to Mt Shasta. January 4-5, 2014 are the dates you need to set aside to take full advantage of the time. Come down for the day if you’re not able to stay overnight. This is an outing for all ability levels, so beginners can take advantage of lessons as well. There is a trail use fee for the Mt Shasta Nordic Center. Lodging arrangements are your responsibility. There is a wine and cheese gathering and a dinner on Saturday night so check with Edgar & Karen Hee (541-734-4872 [email protected]) for further information and details.

First Ski Long time SONC members Edgar Hee, Sherman Lamb, Wayne Rolle and John Fertig took advantage of some fresh snow and blue skies on Thursday, 21 November to

SONC Skiers Modeling the Latest in Spring Ski Fashions

The New Ten Essentials The development of the “Ten Essentials” list is credited to The Mountaineers from the 1930s. The purpose of the list was to answer two questions: 1. Can you respond to an unplanned incident? 2. Can you survive one or more unplanned nights in the backcountry? The list was intended to cover any activity in the backcountry (skiing, hiking, climbing, etc.). The Classic (old) Ten Essentials List

•Map •Sunglasses and sunscreen •Headlamp/flashlight •Firestarter •Knife

•Compass •Extra clothing •First-aid supplies •Matches •Extra food

The Ten Essentials List has been updated to a Ten Essential Systems List. So if you do the math the items on the list will add up to more than ten. The new list is again credited to The Mountaineers from 2003. Carrying these items whenever you leave the Sno-Park (no matter how short the trip) is a good practice to develop. Hopefully, you will never need most of these items; however, if you do then you will be glad you have them. Remember that the most reliable person to save you in an emergency is yourself.

Ten Essential Systems (new list) •Navigation (map & compass) •Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen) •Insulation (extra clothing) •Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) •Medical (first-aid supplies) •Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle) •Repair kit and tools •Nutrition (extra food) •Hydration (extra water) •Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag) 1. Navigation The minimum for navigation is a map (topographic) and a compass. You also need to know the magnetic declination and how to use the compass and read the map. Other items to consider are a GPS receiver and an altimeter. 2. Sun Protection Carry and use sunglasses, sunscreen for the lips and skin, and clothing for sun protection. 3. Insulation (Clothing to keep you dry and warm) It doesn’t take much clothing to keep warm while you are skiing, but you need to be prepared for weather changes and long periods of inactivity (including overnight) due to injury to yourself or a member of your party. Carry extra gloves. If your hands get wet, cold and numb you may not be able to access or operate essential gear in your pack. 4. Illumination Daylight hours in the winter are short and unplanned events/conditions happen. If you don’t get back to the SnoPark by dark (which is not unheard of) a headlamp is

essential. Most modern headlamps use led lamps so the batteries last a long time. Most of them have a strobe feature if you want to be found. Note that if you want to be heard during a search then also carry a whistle. 5. Medical (first-aid supplies) Cuts and scrapes are rare in the winter but blisters, strains and sprains are common. Injuries that reduce mobility (twisted ankle or knee, dislocated shoulder) can be lifethreatening due to the potential for hypothermia. 6. Fire (or external heat source) If you plan to use fire in the winter then practice building a fire on the snow in adverse conditions. A highway road flare is probably the least difficult method to start a fire in winter. Other external heat sources are more reliable such as stoves (make sure you insulate the stove from the snow), heat tablets and Ready Heat blankets. Note that many people that have built fires in the winter during emergencies state that what kept them warm was walking around looking for and gathering firewood.

7. Repair Kit and Tools Parachute cord, wire and duct tape will fix most things that break while skiing. Carry a screwdriver that will fit your binding for loose screws. Steel wool and an extra binding screw can patch a stripped binding screw hole. A scrapper and paste wax (Swix F4, Maxiglide, etc.) will “repair” your ski bases when they “ice up”. Note that a little preventative maintenance can greatly reduce the need for repairs in the field.

8. Nutrition (Extra Food) Generally carry enough extra food for one day (2-3000 calories). The food should require no preparation in the field and be easily digestible. Jerky, nuts, candy, granola, Cliff bars and dried fruit work well. If you carry a stove, cocoa, dried soup, and tea work well, but this is in addition to the “no prep food”. Remember that the energy you get from nutrition is what keeps you warm and propels you forward. 9. Hydration (Extra Water) Carry enough water for the ski tour and for unplanned delays. A thermos of hot liquid can be diluted with snow to get more liquid without additional weight. There are many lightweight stoves that can be used to melt snow in an emergency. 10. Emergency Shelter If you have to spend a winter night in the backcountry then a tarp, bivy sack, heavy duty space blanket, large garbage bag or space blanket bivy is essential for survival. It needs to be able to keep out wind and water. The Test At lunchtime on an outing, put on all of your spare clothes and use any other gear you have to stay warm. Then sit still for one hour. After an hour determine how well you would cope for an additional 24 hours until help arrives. If you don’t go into the backcountry prepared then ask yourself this question “How lucky do I feel today?”

John Fertig

Dutton Ridge & Pumice Dessert Tours These tours are considered to be advanced trips. The Dutton Ridge route is 12+ miles long with 1750 feet of climbing and the Pumice Desert tour is 15 miles long with 600 feet of climbing. Both tours are limited to eight skiers. The Dutton Ridge route is primarily on road grades but expect a lot of wind-sculpted snow. The route descends about 500 feet through sparse forest from Grayback Ridge to the Grayback Road on a (usually) wind packed slope and passes under two

avalanche prone slopes (one we will cross under twice). Expect high winds. The Pumice Desert Tour is not technical but longer. It can have very high winds. I plan to leave Medford at 0700 and start skiing at 0900+ for both tours. The tours can take 7-8 hours depending on the snow conditions so don’t plan on getting back to Medford before 1800 and it may be closer to 1930. Contact John Fertig at [email protected] for more information and maps.

SONC Scheduled Events Date

Day

Trip / Event

Location

Dec. 5

Thur

Dec.14

Sat

Dec.14

Sat

Buck Divide Road

Dec. 15

Sun

Dec. 18

Club Meeting Lesson

(Dec 2013 – Jan 2014) Rating

Distance

D&S Harley

Ginny Blankinship

535-1736

Michael Dawkins

482-2703

Bobbie Plummer

488-5003

1 to 1.5 HOURS

Buck Prairie

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Hyatt Lake

Hyatt Lake area

Novice

2-5 miles

Wed

Hot Waxing Workshop

Call for directions

John Fertig

601-5687

Dec. 19

Thur

Board Meeting

Call for directions

John Fertig

601-5687

Dec 21

Sat

Holiday Party & tours

Lake of the Woods Marina-10 am

All

Various

Stephanie Ferrara

890-2979

Dec 25

Wed.

Summit area

Summit Sno-Park

Intermediate

7+ miles

Stephanie Ferrara

890-2979

Dec 28

Sat

(none)

1 to 1.5 HOURS

Michael Dawkins

482-2703

Dec 29

Sun

Dutton Ridge

Crater Lake

Advanced

13 mi-1700' climb

See article

Dec 29

Sun

Buck Prairie

Buck Prairie

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Bob Plummer

Jan 1

Wed

Pumice Desert

Crater Lake

Advanced

15 miles

See article

Jan 2

Thur

Jan 4/5

Sat/Sun

Ski weekend

Mt. Shasta

groomed trails

various

Jan 4

Sat

Moon Prairie Road

Deadwood Sno-park

novice

2-5 miles

Jan 5

Sun

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Jan 11

Sat

Lesson

Hyatt Lake at

(none)

1 to 1.5 HOURS

Jan 11

Sat

Brown Mtn shelter

Pederson Sno-Park

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Jan 12

Sun

South Pederson area

Pederson Sno-Park

Novice

2-5 miles

Jan 12

Sun

Grouse Gap Loop

Mt. Ashland Sno-park

Advanced

10+ miles

Jan 16

Thur

Jan 18

Sat

Lesson

Hyatt Lake at

(none)

1 to 1.5 HOURS

Jan 18

Sat

Hyatt Lake

Hyatt Lake

novice

2-5 miles

Jan 19

Sun

Table Mt. Loop

Buck Prairie

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Jan 25

Sat

Lesson

Hyatt Lake at

(none)

1 to 1.5 HOURS

Jan 25

Sat

Four Mile Lake

Four Mile Sno-Park

Intermediate

8-10 miles

Jan 26

Sun

Daley Creek

Deadwood Sno-park

novice

2-5 miles

Feb 6

Thur

Club Meeting

Board Meeting

Club Meeting

Hyatt Lake at

11 am

Phone

(none)

Lesson

Hyatt Lake at

Coordinator

11 am

D&S Harley

11 am

488-5003

Ginny Blankinship

535-1736

Edgar & Karen Hee

734-4872

Michael Dawkins

482-2703

Michael Dawkins

482-2703

Michael Dawkins

482-2703

Ginny Blankinship

535-1736

Call for directions 11 am

11 am

D&S Harley

Note: SONC Members receive weekly emails on non-scheduled outings. If you see a blank under coordinator, it is an opportunity to coordinate a trip.

Shared Transportation Costs: SONC policy is 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, (Crater Lake, Diamond Lake & 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 Jim Schellentrager for 2013-2014.

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 overheating.) 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.

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

Where is a Good Place to Ski Today? How do you decide where to ski? Try this method: 1. Decide what type of skiing you want to do (Tele, tour, groomed, skate, etc.) 2. Several days before the ski outing: Get a Weather Forecast. Check a Snotel Site. 3. Snow conditions and forecast should indicate what elevations and aspects will have the best snow and if openings or tree cover will be better. 4. The morning of the outing: Check the road conditions? See what it looks like “real-time” at: Crater Lake - Mt Ashland - Mt Shasta Check the Avalanche conditions at Mt Shasta. 5. Verify your plan and go ski.

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

Perks of SONC Membership

At large:

Dan Bulkley [email protected]

541-535-5979

SONC owns two cargo sleds (not suitable for hauling children) that are available to members. Contact John Fertig [email protected]

State Rep:

Stefanie Ferrara [email protected]

541-890-2979

John Fertig

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

800-299-9904 707-396-2829 541-772-8047 541-245-4000 530-605-9395 866-201-4194 541-201-7694 541-482-5181 800-733-7593 541-779-5431 541-488-1202 541-488-5402

*Offers discounts to members. Ask at the store

SONC owns two hard shell ski cases that members can use for trips. Contact Stefanie Ferrarer at [email protected] for the double case or Marian Crumme at [email protected] for the single case. The club has available group first aid kits for outings. Medford area contact is Kevin at 541-261-3547. Ashland area contact is 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.)