September 17 th Pikes Peak Group Program

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1 September 2013 No. 194 September 17 th Pikes Peak Group Program Dan McClure presents: A Climbing Journey Please join us for Colorado Springs climbing legend Dan McClure on September 17 th at 7:30 p.m. (location to be announced). Dan was born in St. Louis, MO and moved to Colorado Springs at the age of three. His first climb occurred when he was sixteen while attending Wasson High School with Doug Beels on the delicate 5.7 (5.8 consensus grade on Mountain Project) Finger Traverse at the Garden of the Gods. He climbed the Finger Traverse with the following equipment: Rope: Goldline rope was a laid or twisted rope, constructed with three strands of twisted filaments. A strong rope but stiff and hard to handle and it stretched like a rubber band. The rope lacked a sheath which limited its durability, unlike the Kernmantle ropes used today. Climbing Harness: 10 to 20 feet of stiff goldline rope loosely tied around your waist. Shoes: Kronhofer was the climbing shoe of the 60's (the shoes of today are like comparing a bike to a fighter jet). completed about twelve first ascents in three years on Pikes Peak, including classics like Arch N Jams, Free and Easy, and Around the Corner. Many of his ascents are seldom climbed today because of a lack of a guidebook for the Pikes Peak rock climbs, access issues, and a steep charge to drive up the highway. But if you want to avoid the crowds of Red Rocks and the Garden and desire a quaint alpine setting, these climbs are for you. Chalk Bag: Did not exist. Belay Device: Hip belay and rappel with carabiners. Climbing Protection: Pitons, slings and bolts. (Climbing nuts were the people that climbed, not a means of protection.) After gaining considerable climbing experience Dan moved on to his climbing passion: Alpine rock climbing. He Dan continued climbing for many years after mastering the Pikes Peak area, including Texas, Baffin Island, the Dolomites in Italy, the Gunks, and guiding for Fantasy Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park, to name a few. He even rode his 10-speed bike 1,200 miles from Colorado Springs to Yosemite with Billy Westbay and Mark Hesse to climb the classic big wall climbs. Please join us for an awesome slideshow as Dan McClure talks about his lifelong passion for climbing, the climbing community, and his journey from his teenage years to an experienced climber. Reminder! Each monthly program includes a raffle of two $25 gift cards (one from Mountain Chalet and one from REI) to CMC members. Be there! 1

2 Your PPG Council Chair Earl Jones , Past Chair Rick Keetch , BMS Director Collin Powers , Conservation Tom Mowle , Education & Training Eric Hunter , Equipment Manager Grant Wilson , Membership Tony Eichstadt , Newsletter Dave Anderson , Outings Doug Hatfield , Programs Roger Kilcoyne , Publicity Neil Butterfield , Christie Lee , Safety & Leadership Paul Schoell , SESI Rick Blount , Sergeant at Arms Frank Chimento , Treasurer Paul Schoell , At Large: Lucy Graff , Greg Long , Chris Mattingly , Mary Mourar , Tom Mulcahy , Daedra Pierce Interested in serving on the Pikes Peak Group Council? Please contact the Chair. Trip Leader Corner By Paul Schoell, Safety & Leadership Chair Please remember to put October 23, 2013 on your calendar for the fall Leaderfest Trip Leader Meeting (see page 4). Also note that the fall WFA and TLT classes are accepting registration online. GROUP INTEGRITY by Bill Houghton One of the most frequently expressed rules for CMC hikes is: Keep your Group Together. Unfortunately, sometimes this is difficult to do and in some cases it is impossible. The unfortunate accident on Capitol Peak recently highlights the results of not keeping together. A rather independent individual from Vail determined that it was better for him to try and descend the north face of Capitol rather than go back across the knife edge. Since this was on the return from the summit, we can only conclude that going across the knife edge was so unnerving the first time that he concluded there had to be a better way. By splitting off from his group and going his own way, he ended up in a terminal fall that was only discovered when he failed to return to Capitol Lake. We all like to think of ourselves as individuals who know what is best for us. Unfortunately, that knowledge is occasionally faulty and we would be better off listening to collective wisdom. Had this group been together, they could have reinforced the advantages of continuing back across the knife edge as the only sensible choice and assisted the individual across. The consequences were made worse by not having a rejoin point at K2 or the Capitol-Daly saddle. Make every effort to keep your group together and avoid these tragic consequences by knowing your route and using logic and persuasion to convince individuals to stick together. New Member Orientation A New Member Orientation hike will be held on Saturday, September 7, at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space at 9:00 am. We will go on a short hike and then go over the new member orientation materials and answer questions. We will be completed by lunch time. This event is open to all new members, all prospective members, and other members who have questions. If you would like to participate, you may register on line at cmc.org or contact the PPG Membership Chair, Tony Eichstadt, at or at teichstadt@grandecom.net. Council Openings Interested in giving back to the CMC? Consider serving on the Pikes Peak Group Council. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Some current openings are Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, and SESI, and we always welcome members to serve At Large. Please contact the Council Chair, Earl Jones (info at left). 2

3 Fall PPG Classes HAMS Starts in October! Introduction to Mountain Biking: Sep 10, 12, 14, 21, 28 Have you learned how mountain biking can increase your endurance for hiking and mountaineering? Have you wanted to get into mountain biking but don t understand all of the options? Have you been avoiding mountain biking due to the possibility of a breakdown and don t know what to do? This may be the class to help you get into this activity by knowing a bit more about all of these items. Learn the gear, maintenance, safety, and entry-level techniques for Basic Mountain Biking. There will be two classroom sessions and three field sessions. The cost is $40. There are rental costs if you don t own the gear. Classroom dates are 10 and 12 Sept, and the field dates are 14, 21, and 28 Sept. All field sessions are scheduled as CMC trips. For class details, please contact Eric Hunter at ehunter67@yahoo.com. Introduction to Desert Trekking and Canyoneering: Sep 25, 29, Oct 3-6 This course is designed to introduce students to the special requirements presented by hiking and driving in desert terrain. The course includes one classroom session followed by a local day field session, then a four-day trip to the San Rafael Swell to experience desert canyons. These will not be technical canyons, but some scrambling will be encountered (just for fun!). If you are interested in expanding your skills beyond the Colorado mountains, this course may be for you. The classroom date is 25 Sept. The one-day local field session is 29 Sept. The four-day desert field session is 3-6 Oct. All field sessions are scheduled as CMC trips. The cost for this class is $50. For details, please contact Eric Hunter at ehunter67@yahoo.com. Trip Leader Training Safety and Leadership: Oct 3, 8, 13 This is one of two required courses necessary for CMC trip leader certification. Completion of this course along with Wilderness First Aid (WFA) will allow you to lead trips through the CMC. It is suggested that if you are a current leader and it has been five or more years since you attended this course, that you take it to refresh your skills at no cost. There will be two evening classroom sessions and a field session. The cost is $35. For details, and if you are a current leader wishing to take this course as a refresher, please contact Paul Schoell at 4paul2@gmail.com. Register online at cmc.org. 20/30 Something The 20/30 Something group is oriented towards members in that age range. Most of our activities are organized through our list serve. For further information, please contact Roger Kilcoyne at rdk9689@hotmail.com Program Cancellation Policy If the weather becomes severe, our monthly program may be cancelled. We will cancel a program when the CSPD goes to Severe Weather Accident Reporting as announced on radio or television. Wilderness First Aid (WFA): Oct 10, 17, 19 To enhance your safety on all trips, the Pikes Peak Group offers a Wilderness First Aid course. This sixteen-hour course consists of instruction devoted to medical evaluation and treatment in the wilderness setting. Two evening presentations on the variety of situations you might encounter in the backcountry and wilderness areas followed by a full day of practical, hands-on training in the field make up this course. This course is a requirement for those desiring to lead CMC trips. Because of the everchanging methods of dealing with medical emergencies, trip leaders are required to repeat this course every three years. It is also highly recommended that all members take this course just to make sure they know what to do in a wilderness medical emergency situation. The cost of the course is $50. Register online at cmc.org. High Altitude Mountaineering School (HAMS): Starts October 23, 2013 This course is designed for those climbers who want to go beyond the 14ers to take on high altitude (15,000' plus) and glaciated mountains. Classroom sessions are on 10/23, 11/7, 11/25, 12/4, and 12/17, and include such topics as equipment, medical concerns, nutrition and menu planning, fitness and training, organizing an expedition, and group dynamics. Field sessions will be on 1/11, 1/26, 2/8-2/9, and 2/22-2/23, covering topics such as roped travel, crevasse rescue, climbing alpine ice, and winter camping. A graduation climb of Mt. Rainier will take place at the end of the course. Completion of Basic Mountaineering School (all modules) or equivalent, plus experience putting those skills into practice in the field are prerequisites for the course. Cost for the textbook and all lectures is $125. Field Sessions are scheduled CMC trips. For information contact Greg Long at (719) or at_90@yahoo.com. Register online at cmc.org. 3

4 Geneva Lake Trail CMC members Terre Topp, Carol Schmitz, and Bob and Marilyn McGee, along with leader Donna Gail Schneider, hiked from Lead King Basin near Marble, CO July 26th 28th, to Geneva Lake in the Snowmass Wilderness, enjoying numerous waterfalls and masses of wildflowers, some 3 to 4 feet tall, in full array of color along the Geneva Lake trail. Adding to the adventure was a very wet Saturday night and early Sunday morning pack out of the Basin. The adventure continued as morning road conditions deteriorated, turning dry, rocky roads into a slew of slick wet clay and mud. Everyone made it out of the basin safely and the weekend ended in a colorful, grand adventure. CMC Trip Leader Information PPG Trip Leader Meeting: October 23, PM The Gym at Ivywild School 1604 S Cascade Avenue On a semi-annual basis, the Pikes Peak group conducts a Trip Leader Appreciation meeting also known as Leaderfest. This meeting is to acknowledge and thank leaders for their efforts, pass along important safety and leader information, and provide leaders the opportunity to plan for trips that are desired by new members and the general membership. Therefore, it is imperative that all trip leaders attend and bring their calendars to this meeting. Other topics to be discussed include completing a trip on the new web site and maintaining trip leader currency. Light refreshments will be provided. Please register for this event, which appears as a special trip, on cmc.org. If you are a leader, but unable to sign up, come anyway to this very important meeting. Paul Schoell, Safety & Leadership Chair 4paul2@gmail.com Why become a CMC trip Leader? That s a good question and asked of students in the PPG Trip Leader Training course. As you can imagine the answers vary quite a bit but some of the common responses have been: You get to do what you want (well, within reason). That is, if you don t like to go on trips by yourself, create an interesting trip and people will join you. You get to pass on skills and experiences to members of your trip and possibly also learn some new ones. You receive an intrinsic satisfaction of introducing people to your activities. You get a bigger discount at the local gear shop. Whatever the reason or reasons, many have become CMC trip leaders and are enjoying it. If you re not a trip leader yet, you re invited now to register for the fall PPG Trip Leader Training course and tell us your reason for becoming a CMC trip leader. 4

5 September PPG Trips Spruce Mountain Hike Saturday, 9/7/2013 Moderate A Details: We will hike the 5-mile loop. Join us for a fun end of summer hike. PPG New Member Orientation Saturday, 9/7/2013 Easy A Leader: Tony Eichstadt, , teichstadt@grandecom.net Trail Mileage 3, Elevation Gain 500. Location: This outing will take place at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space (RRCOS) off of Highway 24 in Colorado Springs. Directions: We will meet at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space (RRCOS) in the back parking lot. Turn South on to the entrance road of RRCOS off of HWY 24 (Ridge Road just west of 31st Street) and then go through the little roundabout toward the parking lots. At the stop sign, do not take a right into the main parking lot, but go straight through (East) and head to the back parking lot. Details: We will go for a short hike in the Red Rock Canyon Open Space (3 miles) and then meet at the Gazebo to review the PPG New Member Orientation materials and answer questions. The PPG Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) Co-Director will review the BMS program. Guests are welcome. We will be completed by noon. Colorado Trail Segment 9 Friday, 9/13/2013 Difficult C Leader: Carol Schmitz, , cmarieschmitz@gmail.com Trail Mileage 14 miles. Location: Depart from Red Rocks Safeway on West Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs at 5:30am. We will make a coffee stop. Details: This is a beautiful hike much of it on the Continental Divide, Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Road. This is a car shuttle. Total hiking distance approximately 14 miles. Must sign up by Monday Sept. 9. Palmer Red Rock Trail Friday, 9/13/2013 Easy B Leader: Nancy Altmansberger, Trail Mileage 6, Elevation Gain Details: We will hike this beautiful trail that is just north of Cheyenne Canyon. It has been adopted and maintained by the Pike's Peak Group of the Colorado Mountain Club for many years. CMC members only. A limited number of well behaved, friendly dogs are welcome. Please contact leader by phone only; no . Ice Cave Creek Trail Project #4 Saturday, 9/14/2013 Moderate A Leader: Emily Orbanek, , emilyorbanek@cmc.org Organizer: Tom Mowle, , tommowle@yahoo.com Trail Mileage 3. Location: Palmer Lake. Directions: Palmer Lake Trailhead, Old Carriage Road on the south side of Palmer Lake. Details: This project is sponsored by the Rampart Range Wildlands Project of the Colorado Mountain Club. The project entails a 0.4 mile reroute of trail in the Ice Cave Creek drainage above Palmer Lake. Volunteers will have a short, but steep hike up to the work site. Volunteers must bring work clothes & gloves, water, snacks & lunch, sunscreen & hat. The existing trail up Ice Cave Creek is hazardous and eroding. It cannot be repaired in place, so we will be realigning the lower portion of the trail so it stays higher on the ridge and joins the Palmer Reservoir trail between the reservoirs. This is a rare chance to build new trail, and a rare trail opportunity in northern El Paso County. It is also a BIG project, so we need lots of volunteers and crew leaders. Mountain Bike Gold Camp Road Saturday, 9/14/2013 Mountain Bike Trail Mileage 17, Elevation Gain Details: This is the first of three field trips for those completing the two Pikes Peak Group classroom sessions only. Further details will be provided in the class. Saturday Night Dinner Saturday, 9/14/2013 Social Details: We will dine at Mirch Masala, 5047 N Academy. Come join us for some good Indian food and drink. Mountain Bike Fox Run Saturday, 9/21/2013 Mountain Bike Trail Mileage 12, Elevation Gain 250. Details: This is the second of three field trips for those completing the two Pikes Peak Group classroom sessions only. Further details will be provided in the class. 5

6 September PPG Trips (continued) Comanche/Venable Lakes Loop Saturday, 9/21/2013 Easy D Leader: Thomas Mourar, , mtmourar@yahoo.com Trail Mileage 13, Elevation Gain 3800, Driving Distance 190. Location: Sangre De Cristo wilderness. Meeting place: Safeway at 1920 South Nevada (& Cheyenne ) rear parking area. Directions: Take U.S Hwy 115 south to Florence then turn left onto Hwy 67. Continue to Westcliffe. Details: Hike the Comanche Lakes Trail to Comanche pass then contour just below the ridgeline for about 1 mile where we will descend using the Phantom Terrace and Venable Lakes trail. Enjoy fall color & wonderful views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains for several miles above timberline. Notes: Be prepared for extended exposure to weather above timberline. Option to stay Friday night in Westcliffe area for early start on Saturday. Full Moon Hike Saturday, 9/21/2013 Easy B Details: We will hike the Garden of the Gods, Palmer trail down to the Twins, and return on the Scottsman Trail. Hiking boots and flashlights required. Santa Fe Trail North of Ice Lake Friday, 9/27/2013 Easy A Leader: Nancy Altmansberger, Trail Mileage 8, Elevation Gain 300. Details: We will hike the section of the Santa Fe Trail on the Air Force Academy that is north of Ice Lake. This is a pretty trail that runs along Monument Creek. CMC members only. A limited number of well behaved, friendly dogs are welcome. Please contact leader by phone only; no . Mountain Bike The Chutes Saturday, 9/28/2013 Mountain Bike Trail Mileage 8, Elevation Gain 750. Details: This is the third of three field trips for those completing the two Pikes Peak Group classroom sessions only. Further details will be provided in the class. Fall Color Hike Saturday, 9/28/2013 Moderate A Details: We will hike Three Mile Creek, in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Join us for this great fall hike, 6 miles and 1,700 elevation gain. Hike Ute Park and RRCOS Sunday, 9/29/2013 Moderate C Trail Mileage 8, Elevation Gain 750. Details: This is the local field trip for those completing the Pikes Peak Group Desert Trekking and Canyoneering classroom session only. Further details will be provided in the class. Pancakes at Pancake Rocks Sunday, 9/29/2013 Easy B Leader: David Gibson, , coloradoclimber@comcast.net Trail Mileage 6.4, Elevation Gain 1340 ft, Driving Distance 60. Location: Hike to Pancake Rocks on the western slope of Pikes Peak. Directions: Meet at Old Colorado City Safeway (3275 West Colorado Avenue) parking lot at 6:30 am Sunday morning. Details: After meeting at Safeway and carpooling about 30 miles to the trailhead on CO 67, we will hike 3.2 miles to the Pancake Rocks area gaining 1340 feet in elevation. The moderately strenuous hike takes about 90 minutes at a moderate pace. Once at Pancake Rocks we will cook up a big mess o' pancakes and enjoy breakfast among the golden aspens and cool rock formations. We should be back at the Safeway by 1 pm. Notes: All participants must share in carrying breakfast items for the group. This is an amazing fall foliage viewing area and the trip is timed to catch the turning aspens. To register for any class or trip, go to 6

7 Volunteer Opportunities Ice Cave Creek Trail Project #4: Saturday, September 14, 2013 Sponsored by the Rampart Range Wildlands Project of the Colorado Mountain Club, this project entails a 0.4 mile reroute of trail in the Ice Cave Creek drainage above Palmer Lake. For further information see the August PPG Trips listing on page 5 or go to cmc.org and click on Conservation, Volunteer Stewardship. Pikes Pique September 2013 No. 194 Pikes Pique is the monthly newsletter of the Pikes Peak Group of the Colorado Mountain Club. It is a forum for enhancing skills for backcountry travel in the Colorado mountains and communicating information, news, and upcoming events to members and interested parties. The purpose of the CMC is to unite the energy, interest, and knowledge of the students and lovers of the mountains of Colorado; to collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains on behalf of science, literature, art, recreation; to stimulate public interest in our mountain areas; to encourage the preservation of flora, fauna, and natural scenery; and to render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region. PIKES PEAK GROUP CONTACT INFORMATION: Moving a step through Section 12 turn. Silver Cascade Trail Work Day: 8:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 In response to a rumored closing of the trail to the bottom of Silver Cascade, the CMC will conduct a Trail Work Day on Saturday, October 5, This trail has never been a recognized trail built to standards for North Cheyenne Canyon, yet numerous classes of the Pikes Peak Group have used it to practice their mountaineering skills. It is about time that we help bring this trail up to standards so that we can continue to use it and so that it becomes a valuable addition to the recreation inventory of the city park. Materials may have to be transported to the areas along the trail, so bring your work gloves and work clothes. Trail building tools and supervision will be supplied by the city, so we don t have to use the adzes of our mountain axes. Those with trail building experience are welcome to use those skills along the trail. Refreshments will be supplied but bringing water and a few energy bars of your own will not hurt. For more information contact Bill Houghton, at bill@anapraxis.com or Bring your enthusiasm, energy and willingness to help construct this valuable trail for the city and the Mountain Club. See you there!! CMC Pikes Peak Group P.O. Box 2435 Colorado Springs, CO ppg@cmc.org Web: CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Members: Text: $2 per line, $10 minimum Ads: ¼-page - $25, ½-page - $50 Non-members: Text: $3 per line, $15 minimum Ads: ¼-page - $30, ½-page - $60 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Have a fun story or trip you want to share? Please submit your articles, along with pictures, to be considered for publication in the next Pikes Pique newsletter. Please send to: David Anderson, editor danderso@uccs.edu Subject: Newsletter The deadline for submissions is the 14 th of each month. Use the above contact information for corrections and comments as well. 7