Newsletter of the
Southern Oregon Nordic Club
SOUTHERN TRAX December 2016
Website: http://new.onc.org/sonc/
Email:
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/groups/southernonc/
Remembering last year’s snow . . .
November’s snow peaked mountains --M.Mallette
December
This is your club . . . Trails are being cleared, activities are being planned, and hopefully the snow will be accumulating soon. The forecasts for this season have been inconsistent because we have been going from El Niño to a La Niña weather pattern; however the December through February Oregon Seasonal Climate Forecast found through the link on page 2 is promising! How many times last season were you out enjoying a day of skiing with like minded friends, quietly and efficiently* gliding along while getting in a healthy workout, and just be awestruck by the beauty of this amazing place we call home. Well ski enthusiasts . . . here we go again. Please read on to check out the latest plans on our club meetings, ski outings and lessons, and the holiday party next month. There are so many ways to get involved and enjoy being part of this club. Welcome new members! As of mid Nov., we have received dues for 60 household memberships, a good start, but returning members, please remember to renew. DON’T FORGET TOYS FOR TOTS . . . for more information see page 2 *See page 5, “Lesson Learned”.
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General Club Meeting 7:00pm at D&S Harley Davidson, (upstairs), 3846 North Pacific Hwy 99, Phoenix Toy Drive Donation Collection SONC Holiday Party at Lake of the Woods Resort
1 17
January General Club Meeting Mt. Shasta Ski Weekend
5
6-8
-Kevin Wood 2016
Newsletter December 2016 Please send articles and pictures for the newsletter to
[email protected] by the 21st of the previous month. Thank s for your help! Margar et Mal lette
The newsletter will be posted on the State ONC website http://new.onc.org/sonc with the link e-mailed to SONC members.
Snow Conditions In addition to checking the area forecast, webcams are one way to check out the snow conditions at or near your planned destination. See area webcam links at http://new.onc.org/weatherinformation/
For more links on grooming, area webcams & weather see page 3. Dec-Feb area weather predictions https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/ NaturalResources/Documents/Weather/d longrange.pdf link can also be copied from page 8
SONC Membership Perks SONC owns a cargo sled (not suitable for hauling children) that is available to members. Contact Bob Plummer at
[email protected] SONC owns two hard shell ski cases that members can use for trips. Contact Stefanie Ferrara at
[email protected] for the double case and Marian Crumme at
[email protected] for the single case.
Next General Meeting At our December meeting, Joe Kreuzman, the founder and Executive Director of Coyote Trails School of Nature will make a presentation on "Winter Tracking”. Deepen your outdoor winter experience by learning how to identify common wildlife tracks, and get to know the creatures with whom you share the trails! Joe has dedicated his career to teaching, training, and mentoring thousands of students in the arts of tracking, awareness, and backcountry wilderness ethics. He has held a "Tracker Level III" certification since 2012, through CyberTracker International. Joe has guided clients in the West, Central America and South Africa. Coyote Trails, with both a Nature Center and a Wilderness Campus in the Rogue Valley, is dedicated to sharing the art and science of primitive living skills with people of all ages so they can deepen their appreciation of the inter-relationship of all things. Come for the social with ski friends, snacks, the chance to win a raffle prize, and of course, this fun wildlife presentation.
November’s Vendor Night Thank you to our local vendors who joined us at our November club meeting to share their recommendations on new gear. Club members had ample time to check it out, converse and even make purchases at the meeting, all with a 10% discount. Check out our “Friends of the Ski Community” list on page 5, and support our local vendors.
Community Toy Drive Greetings, Yes, it is already that time of year when we get called upon to help those in need. One such organization that is asking for our help is Toys for Tots. Their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts. D&S Harley is very involved this year and will be providing us with a box to place our toys. They will then make sure the toys are picked up and delivered to their sorting location. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the December 1st Nordic Club meeting. Thank You! Your kindness and compassion is much appreciated. Bobbie 2
Annual Holiday Party & Ski Come join the Southern Oregon, Klamath Basin & Grants Pass Nordic Clubs for the annual joint club ski season kick off at Lake of the Woods Resort on Saturday, December 17th. We will have ski/snowshoe tours, and snow or no snow, we will still have a pizza party, and a white elephant gift exchange for those interested in its fun. Questions? Details are attached to this newsletter’s email, or contact Stephanie Ferrara,
[email protected] or 541-890-2979. Heated restrooms are located at the Rainbow Bay Sno-Park located at the Marina—Sno-Park Permits are required to park.
ë
For more information on the Lake of the Woods Resort follow this link. They will be offering a 10% discount on cabin/2 night stay for our Holiday Party. http://lakeofthewoodsresort.com
Mt. Shasta Ski Weekend Save the date(s), January 6, 7 & 8, 2017 for the club’s annual Mt. Shasta Nordic Ski weekend. Join Edgar & Karen Hee in Mt. Shasta for a weekend of skiing and festivities. Come down for one day or all three. We will offer an intermediate classic skiing clinic and an introduction to skate skiing on Saturday. After skiing on Saturday Edgar & Karen will host a “wine and cheese” afternoon gathering at the Mt. Shasta Inn & Suites followed by a no-host dinner. Looking for a one tank of gas opportunity for a great time in the snow, lots of skiing, and good company? For details see the attachment to http://mtshastanordic.org this newsletter email, or contact: Edgar Hee
[email protected]
Webcams: A Check on Current Conditions
W here are the trails? çççç Is there snow?
We have a variety of trails that cover everything from groomed tracks to back country. Most of the trail systems have multiple trails that you can string together to make loops up to about 12 miles long. The Nordic club has a description of many of the trails and maps in .pdf format and directions on how to get there on our website at http://new.onc.org/nordic-trails/southern-oregontrails/
For those interested in groomed trails we also post the grooming status on our website every time we groom. You will find the trails listed by name, when they were groomed and whether or not they have both skate and classic tracks. Take a look at http://new.onc.org/sonc/sonc-grooming-update/
If you would like to check the snow levels at various areas try the NRCS National Water and Climate Center. This link will take you to the page showing our area. Just click on the dot that you are interested in (you may need to expand the map to see every dot) and a description of that site will appear. Then, click on the 7 day or 30 day tab at the bottom of the site description and you can see the daily or hourly snow depth. Either report will give you a good idea of how much snow there is, how heavy (wet) it is and how fast it is melting. If you see the snow depth decreasing (melting) and the following nights temperature is below freezing, then the next morning is likely to be very icy. Try the site and see if it makes sense to you!
http://www.mtashland.com/webcam/ (Mt. Ashland) http://jacksoncountyor.org/roads/Roads/Road-Conditions-Cameras (Buck Prairie) https://www.tripcheck.com/TextPages/CAMreport.asp?curRegion=7 (ODOT SW OR)
Snotel
Bob Plummer
http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/medford/recreation/hyattlake-webcam.php (Hyatt Lake) http://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm (Crater Lake) http://visitmtshasta.com/live-cams/ (Mt. Shasta) http://www.mtbachelor.com/site/plan/info/winterconditions (Mt. Bachelor) http://www.nps.gov/lavo/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm (Mt. Lassen) http://www.onthesnow.com/california/webcams.html (California) https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=0 (ODOT webcam map) If a link does not work try copy/paste to your web browser search bar—see page 8 3
SONC Scheduled Events 2016-2017 Date
Day
JAN
DEC
1
Category
Thurs
Meeting
3,10
Sat
15
Thurs
17
Sat
Trip/Event
Location
Club Meeting
D&S Harley-Davidson
Tour/Lesson
Ski Tour
Call for Directions
Meeting
Board Meeting
Call for Directions
Holiday Party
Ski Tour
Lake of the Woods Resort
Rating
Dist/Time
Phone
7:00pm
Sandra Claypool
541-890-6854
11:00am
Michael Dawkins
541-482-2703
7:00pm
Marian Telerski
541-535-5166
10am-4pm
Stefanie Ferrara
541-890-2979
All
All
Coordinator
5
Thurs
Meeting
Club Meeting
D&S Harley-Davidson
7:00pm
Sandra Claypool
541-890-6854
6,7,8
Fri-Sun
Overnight
Ski Tour
Mt. Shasta Nordic Center
All
TBD
Edgar Hee
541-734-4872
7,14,21,28
Sat
Tour/Lesson
Ski Tour
Call for Directions
All
11:00am
Michael Dawkins
541-482-2703
19
Thurs
Meeting
Board Meeting
Call for Directions
7:00pm
Marian Crumme
541-531-3010
12pm Snack 1pm Ski Tours
Tom Dube
541-702-1746
8 miles
Kevin Wood
541-261-3547
7:00pm
Sandra Claypool
541-890-6854
11:00am
Michael Dawkins
541-482-2703
7:00pm
Sandra Claypool
541-890-6854
11:00am
Michael Dawkins
541-482-2703
Sandra Claypool
541-890-6854
541-282-4535
FEB
11am Lesson 21
Sat
Ski Outing
Ski Tour/Lesson/Social
Call for Directions
29
Sun
Tour
Ski Tour
Petunia Trail/High Lakes
2
Thur
Meeting
Club Meeting
D&S Harley-Davidson
4,11,18,25
Sat
Tour/Lesson
Ski Tour
Call for Directions
Meeting
Board Meeting
Call for Directions
APR
MAR
16
Intermediate
All
7:00pm
2
Thurs
Meeting
Club Meeting
D&S Harley-Davidson
4,11,18,25
Sat
Tour/Lesson
Ski Tour
Call for Directions
16
Thurs
Meeting
Board Meeting
Call for Directions
7:00pm
Thurs
Meeting
Club Meeting/Potluck
D&S Harley Davidson
7:00pm
6
All
These Nordic ski-related events are not associated with ONC but may be of interest DEC
3&4
Sat/Sun
Sale
Ski Swap
SOU Rogue River Room
9am-4pm
ashlandskiswap.com
FEB
6-9
M-Th
Overnight
Ski Program
Diamond Lake Resort
All Day
TBD
Hey, would you like to lead a ski tour on your own, any day of the week on your favorite ski trail; or maybe you would prefer to lead a group following a Saturday ski lesson with Michael Dawkins? Contact Tom Dube
[email protected] 541-702-1746, and he will be happy to answer any questions you may have, help you get started, and get it on the calendar.
***We need ski tour leaders at all ski levels.***
Notices Thank you to Suzanne Rotz for the homemade cookies at our November meeting—her pumpkin cookie recipe will be available at the December meeting. Think about volunteering to bring snacks to a meeting—maybe find a partner? We 6 dozen in total; we’ll reimburse you $20. Meetings Chairperson Sandra Claypool
SONC Membership Please give a warm welcome to the following new SONC members: Karen Grove & Jay Ach, Chris Cook & Vicky Purslow, Mary Gardiner, Barb Hansen & Richard Vanderwijst, Mary Beth Lee, Barb Settles, Jeff & Rosanne Wyatt and Marge Bernard. For returning members, please mail in the form on page 7 of this newsletter or see me at the general club meeting to submit your annual SONC membership fee, still only $20 per household. Your continued support is greatly appreciated! Membership Chairperson John Grimbergen 4
Trail Work Crews Great work by our trail volunteers. Esther Goldberg checked out the Grouse loop and the Crest loop trails at Mt. Ashland and then, with the help of Denny Debay cleared and added diamonds to the Crest loop. Marc Heller took Esther’s report on the Grouse loop trail and put together a team to remove the downed trees that included Ineke Warmerdam, June Mather, Barb Hansen, Richard Vanderwijst, and Margaret Mallette. Thanks to these volunteers the Mt. Ashland trails just need snow for skiing to start. --Bob Plummer
Ski Tips Ski Lesson Learned (simplified) By John Grimbergen ♦ Body: Take on an active posture. “Be prepared to catch one of those heavy medicine balls being thrown at you” You cannot do that by just standing straight up--be in a relaxed position. ♦ Legs: Should be slightly bent, with a focus on bending in the ankles, which forces your body weight forward. ♦ Uphill: When going uphill, increase the cadence and decrease the length of your strides. ♦ Eyes: Keep your head in a neutral position with the eyes focusing approximately 10ft in front of your skis.
Remember the BLUE ♦
♦ Grouse Gap Loop trail Nov 9th -- Marc Heller ♦
Trail work crews warming up with some hand saw action.
PAW
Poles: They may come in handy to maintain your balance, but are more useful to increase your forward thrust. Place the pole just in front of the opposite foot. In one fluent, rhythmic motion, push off while driving weight forward onto the front ski, creating a longer glide. Arms: Are not to be straight, but should also be bent. They should be used in a very active motion; “try to throw a cup of water to the person in front of you.” This motion helps your forward thrust. Weight transfer: Just as in running, transfer your entire weight from the kicking leg onto the front after the kick. This active transfer of weight will help with the forward motion. Practice without using your poles.
Officers and Board 2016 – 2017:
Friends of the Ski Community:
President:
Bobbie Plummer 541-488-5003
[email protected]
* Offers discount to club members who ask at store before sale is rung up.
Vice-president:
Marian Telerski
[email protected]
541-535-5166
*Tögnar Toolworks, Ashland 800-299-9904 (call in order for 10% discount—free local pick-up)
Secretary:
Marian Crumme
[email protected]
541-531-3010
*Rogue Ski Shop, Medford
Membership:
John Grimbergen 541- 488-1735
[email protected]
*Northwest Outdoor Store, Medford 541-245-4000 (snowshoe rental, Trading Post consignment in store)
Trails Liaison/ Grooming Coordinator:
Bob Plummer 541-488-5003
[email protected]
REI Medford
541-732-1938
Treasurer:
Edgar Hee
[email protected]
Mt. Shasta Nordic Center
530-605-9395
Newsletter:
Margaret Mallette 541-708-0433
[email protected]
Meetings:
Sandra Claypool 541-890-6854
[email protected]
Ski School:
Michael Dawkins
State Rep:
Bob Plummer 541-488-5003
[email protected]
Diamond Lake Resort
State Rep:
Kevin Wood 541-261-3547
[email protected]
Black Bird, Medford 541-779-5431 (snowshoe & ski rental, group discount for 4 or more)
Outings Schedule:
Tom Dube
[email protected]
Mountain Provisions, Ashland (backcountry xc ski rental)
541-734-4872
541-482-2703
541-702-1746
541-772-8047
*Lake of the Woods Resort 866-201-4194 (10% discount on cabin/2 night stay for Holiday Party) Ashland Outdoor Store (snowshoe & classic xc ski rental)
541-488-1202
*Get n Gear, Ashland (snowshoe & ski rental)
541-482-5181 800-733-7593
541-708-6350
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SONC Scheduled Events 2016 - 2017 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, plan ahead, and bring the suggested amount with you. 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 powder). 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 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 touring 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 troubleshooter to roam back and forth among the group. 7. The Coordinator should remain until all skiers return. 8. Return "Trip Register" to Bobbie Plummer.
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 nonabsorbing 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.
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MEMBERSHIP FORM / GROOMER DONATION / LIABILITY WAIVER Checks should be made payable to SONC. Please mail to John Grimbergen, 334 Starflower Lane, 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____________________________________________________________ (only one email address per household) 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 ____________ 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 skiers failure to ski within the skiers 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)
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If a link does not work try copy/paste into your web browser search bar. It appears to be a problem with the Mac/MSWord/Adobe pdf file conversion—I have tried unsuccessfully to figure out a work around. Let me know if you have suggestions. --Margaret Mallette Same as Joe Kreuzman from page 2
http://www.coyotetrails.org/leaders/54-joe-kreuzman-senior-instructor Same as Cyber Tracker International from page 2
http://trackercertification.com Same as Nature Center from page 2
http://www.coyotetrails.org/ct-nature-center Dec-Feb area weather predictions from page 2
https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/NaturalResources/Documents/Weather/dlongrange.pdf Same as Snotel link from page 3
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/webmap/index.html#elements=&networks=SNTL&states=!&counties=!&hucs=&minElevation=& maxElevation=&elementSelectType=all&activeOnly=true&hucLabels=false&stationLabels=&overlays=&hucOverlays=&mode= data&openSections=elements,location,networks&controlsOpen=true&popup=&base=esriNgwm&dataElement=WTEQ¶mete r=PCTMED&frequency=DAILY&duration=I&customDuration=&dayPart=E&year=2016&month=10&day=22&monthPart=E&l at=43.294&lon=-121.525&zoom=8
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