CTA Newsletter_V29-03_Spring 2013

Transcription

T h e L en g t h o f V ermont on S k is
CATAMOUNT TRAIL NEWS
VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 3
The 30th Anniversary Eve Edition
SPRING 2013
Community Collaboration Makes for a Successful SkiCubs Season
By Emily Licht
on skis, and more consistent snow.
2013 SkiCubs outside the Bolton Valley Nordic Center
Catamount Trail Association’s SkiCubs
were on a hunt for snow and wintery
weather this past winter. Following
winter 2012’s warm temperatures and
muddy ski trails, the CTA was in search
of a winter wonderland for its youth
learn-to-ski programs. Graciously and
enthusiastically, Bolton Valley Nordic
Center in Bolton, VT took the CTA’s
SkiCubs program under its wing and
a new SkiCubs format emerged. In the
first two seasons, the SkiCubs program
was held after school on weekdays.
This year SkiCubs outings took place
on Saturday mornings throughout
January and February on Bolton’s
freshly white and groomed trails,
providing participants with more time
Inside This Issue
Twenty-three youth came from
organizations within the Greater
Burlington area, including Hunt
Middle School, Northgate Apartments,
Community Friends Mentoring and
Rock Point High School. At least
one mentor/chaperone from each
organization and 14 volunteer
instructors donated their Saturday
mornings to help teach the basics of
Nordic skiing.
Equally important,
the
mentors
and
volunteers
were enthusiastic role models,
demonstrating how much fun one
can have outside during our Vermont
winters.
Most of the young people who joined
SkiCubs had never skied before, and
some of them were new to the Vermont
winter climate and were learning how
to enjoy snow and cold weather. The
first week brought challenges as
continued on page
23
Letter From Our Chairman................... 2
Hut to Hut in Northern Maine.............8
Pico Telemark Clinic............................ 18
CTA Honors Fred Hiltz..........................3
Bolton BC Saved...................................9
Get Out & BC Ski Festival................... 19
CTA Loses Friend - Al Coppock............3
Feeling The Heat................................ 10
Ladies Nordic Ski Expo.......................20
Tales From The Trail.............................4
8 Lessons From The Trail.....................12
Trail Chief Wanted.............................. 22
Love & The Catamount Trail................5
Donor Thank You................................ 14
The Telemarker’s Tale........................ 23
On The Trail...........................................6
Volunteer Work Weekends................ 16
Race To the Top Of Vermont..............26
Catamount Reflections........................ 7
Catamount BC Challenge....................17
Overheard........................................... 27
Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink
A Note From Our Chairmain
By Rich Larsen
The Catamount Trail News is published by the
Catamount Trail Association, a member-supported,
non-profit organization dedicated to developing,
maintaining, and protecting the 300-mile Catamount
Trail and promoting backcountry skiing in Vermont.
CTA Board of Directors
Tony Amenta, Waitsfiled
Moira Durnin Anderson, Stowe
Jill Aspinall, Montpelier
Paul Demers, South Burlington
Steve Fernandes, Rutland
Lynn Fisher, Bridgewater
Karen Heinzmann, Thetford Center
Trina Hosmer, Stowe
Bob Jordan, Saxtons River
Pete Lane, Marlboro, MA
Rich Larsen, Essex Junction
Bill Michels, Plymouth
Ed Miller, Stowe
Tyler Miller, Burlington
Michael O’Leary, Plainfield, NH
Amy Otten, Colchester
Jan Rozendaal, South Burlington
Dagny St. John, So. Londonderry
Jason Wyman, Burlington
CTA Staff
Amy Kelsey, Executive Director
Greg Maino, Communications Manager
Matt Larson, Admin. Coordinator
Emily Licht, AmeriCorps Member
CTA Office
1 Mill Street • Suite 350
Burlington, VT 05401
802-864-5794
[email protected]
www.catamounttrail.org
The Catamount Trail News is published as a
benefit for CTA members. The Catamount Trail
Association encourages interested parties to submit
manuscripts, photos, and illustrations for publication
in the Newsletter. The opinions expressed by
contributors are not necessarily those of the CTA
The CTA reserves the right to refuse materials and
advertising deemed inappropriate for publication.
Dear CTA Members – 2013 is partially
in the books now, and what a year it has
been so far. As was announced in the
last newsletter, Jim Fredericks retired
from his position as Executive Director/
Events Director of the CTA. At the
subsequent Board of Directors meeting,
Jan Rozendaal stepped down from the
position of Board Chair. Both of these
changes were expected, but they certainly
set in motion a number of other changes.
Jim and Jan guided the CTA for 6 years, a
period in which there was strong growth
in membership, and a significant increase Rich Larsen
in the number of major CTA events. They
kept the CTA vital, and guided the organization through the financial uncertainty of
the ‘Great Recession’. Membership grew during this period, and the Ladies Nordic
Ski Expo and the Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival became popular staples of
the CTA winter calendar. A major summer event was also added, the Race to the Top
of Vermont. Jan and Jim were successful in putting the CTA on solid financial footing
through increased membership, additional sponsorship and event contributions,
and through tight controls on spending. Jim and Jan’s leadership during this period
provided a strong foundation for the CTA going forward, and their efforts and results
are hugely appreciated.
Do not worry. Jim and Jan are not gone – at least not yet. Jim is still working parttime to run the North Face Race to the Top of Vermont, and Jan remains on the
Board of Directors as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair.
With Jim’s departure, we are extremely fortunate to have the previous CTA Trails
Director, Amy Kelsey, accepting the increased responsibility and becoming Executive
Director on top of her responsibilities as Trail Director. In case you’re unfamiliar
with Amy’s background, she is a graduate of Middlebury and UVM, and worked in
planning in Vermont before joining the CTA. Amy is dynamic and hard-working,
with a complete knowledge of the workings of the CTA. In her trail protection job,
she has been able to identify portions of the trail that can be protected and need to
be protected, and has acquired funding to protect a number of segments. In the first
few months of her new job, she has guided the organization seamlessly through the
transitions. Amy coordinated the search for a new hire to fulfill the role of Events
and Communications Manager. We had many fine candidates, and were extremely
fortunate to hire a transplant from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – Greg Maino
– for this position.
Greg grew up and attended college in Michigan, before relocating to Vermont a little
over a year ago to be closer to family. Greg handled communications and events for
an outdoor specialty shop – Down Wind Sports – in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,
and before joining the team here at the CTA, worked short stints at the Outdoor Gear
Exchange and Stowe Mountain Resort.
Rounding out the office staff, Matt Larson will continue handling the bookkeeping
continued on page
2
Catamount Trail News • Spring 2013
25
CTA Honors Fred
Hiltz
By Lenore Budd
Long before there was “Siri” there
was “Jeeves,” and CTA volunteer
extraordinaire, Fred Hiltz, took Jeeves,
his GPS receiver, wherever he went. An
M.I.T.- trained electrical engineer, Fred
was an early adopter of new technology.
He was skiing the Catamount Trail with
“Jeeves,” (the antenna clipped to his hat
for the best possible signal), well before
most of us knew what GPS was. Fred’s
willingness to share his expertise with
ever-changing technology, his cheerful
disposition, and incredible reliability
made him a dream volunteer for any
organization.
The CTA was the lucky beneficiary of
Fred and his wife Ann’s volunteerism
during the eight years I served as
Trail Manager. We could count on
Fred’s able assistance on tasks ranging
from assembling silent auction
items, clearing trails and supervising
volunteer crews, to restructuring the
CTA’s landowner database, trouble-
shooting the CTA’s computer server,
and GPS’ing existing and potential trail
segments. Alas, the CTA will no longer
benefit from Fred’s enthusiasm and
dedication as he passed away this past
February at the age of 76, after a battle
with cancer.
Fred Hiltz
At one time or another, Fred probably
worked on every section of the CT
from Jay south to Ripton, but he was
particularly attached to Section 25
between Route 100 in Morristown
and Route 15 in Wolcott. While never
“officially” a Trail Chief, he was largely
responsible for scouting and mapping
improvements to the trail where it
climbs over the southern end of Elmore
Mountain, and he supervised a UVM
freshmen crew early one fall as they
cut the re-route Fred had mapped.
Fred devoted many long days to
helping me figure out a route for the
CT between Hazen’s Notch and Jay
Pass, and then later an improved
route for the CT from Jay Pass to Jay
Village. One of my favorite memories
of working with Fred was posting
CT blazes by headlamp, in the falling
snow and gathering darkness, on the
several miles of trail just south of Jay
Pass. It was late November and we
knew if we didn’t keep with the task,
it likely wouldn’t get done until the
following summer. Trying to ensure
that each blaze would be visible from
the previous blaze we repeatedly (but
only momentarily) blinded each other
with our headlamps. Our progress was
slow but cheerful.
Thank you, Fred, for your friendship
and dedication. Working with you
epitomized the spirit of the Catamount
Trail. We will miss you dearly.
Catamount Trail Loses Friend and Race To The Top Timing Coordinator
By Jim Fredericks
Allan J. Coppock , the chief timing coordinator for the Race To The Top of VT and friend of the
Catamount Trail Association died suddenly on his sailboat in the British Virgin Islands, on Jan
30, 2013.
Allan was born in Calgary, Alberta Feb 26, 1948 where he spent his early years on a ranch
with his parents, Kenneth and Gertrude Coppock, and his sister Carolyn. Both he and his sister
attended the Indian reservation school located at the ranch.
When his family moved to California, Allan became a devoted sailor which continued for the
rest of his life. Whether it be racing or cruising, Allan’s love for sailing brought him to Hawaii,
the Virgin Islands, Lake Champlain, and many other waters in North America.
Allan attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he rowed on the Al Coppock
crew team. While in college he spent weekends in Stowe, VT and later settled there with wife
Kitty. Allan started Precision Sports Timing thirty years ago and was well known for his timing expertise at various events across
the U.S. Over the years in Stowe, Allan also volunteered his time with many local civic programs and organizations.
As Race Director of the Race To The Top Of Vermont, I worked closely with Al for the past four years and was always impressed by
his timing expertise and his take control attitude. It was always a pleasure not to worry about one of the most important aspects
of the race. Allan Coppock will be missed as a friend and colleague.
w w w. c a t a m o u n t t r a i l . o r g
3
Tales From The Trail
By Amy Kelsey
I arrived at the Honey Hollow parking area on Duxbury Road in
Bolton at 8:45 am. I was 15 minutes ahead of the published meeting
time, yet only a few parking spots remained. Despite questionable
conditions, 18 intrepid skiers were ready to go, anxious to begin the
ski from Camels Hump Road north to the Winooski River. We were
skiing Section 20 of the Catamount Trail. It was Valentine’s Day, Day 5
of the north central week-long tour, and temps were balmy, hovering
in the low to mid 30s. Aside from desperately needing snow, we had
all the other required ingredients for a great day on the trail. We
had friendly volunteer leaders who quickly orchestrated the shuttle
and introductions. We had a gracious landowner who allowed us to
park a few cars at the top of his driveway to begin our ski. We had
almost enough snow to cross the fields at the top of that driveway,
and improved coverage once we left the south facing meadows. We
had all manner of gear to keep us safe, warm, dry, fed, and watered.
Gaitors, backpacks, waxable, waxless, skins, NNN, BC-NNN, 3-pin,
wool, polypro, nylon, duct tape, foam pads. You name it, we probably
had it. We had individuals who have skied the entire length of the trail
twice, and some out for their first or second ski on the trail. We had
time to share stories as we picked our way through roots and rocks
on the uphill, and ample opportunity to laugh and test our agility as
we negotiated downhills that required nimble footwork. We skied the
groomed trails of the Camels Hump Nordic Ski Association, passing a
collection hat at the end of the day to support their continued work.
Someone pulled out chocolate treats mid-morning, another provided
brownies at lunch, and there was a tin of fresh cookies extended to me
when I reached the end of the trail.
It has been my job and a great pleasure to oversee maintenance,
improvement, and conservation of the Catamount Trail for the last
4+ years. Although I have skied and walked Section 20 numerous
times, and am intimately familiar with many trail details, from our
database of landowners to the sales rep who keeps us stocked with
Catamount Trail blazes, I felt like a well-cared-for guest on this tour.
I was welcomed into a group of skiers, many of whom have known
each other for years. I was welcomed onto the land of a host of private
individuals, as well as that of Camels Hump State Park. I was welcomed
with food, conversation, humor, fresh ideas for the trail, and support.
As CTA’s new Executive Director, I would like to welcome you to come
be our guest and experience all the Catamount Trail Association has to
offer. Although skiing will have to wait until next winter, you can enjoy
the welcoming manner of our staff, volunteers, and supporters in the
off–season, too. Join us as a volunteer in the office, on the trail or at an
event, or participate in The North Face Race to the Top of Vermont this
summer. And if you can’t be with us in person, you can always check in
on the latest news and events on Facebook or on our website at www.
catamounttrail.org.
4
Amy Kelsey and Debbie Page getting after it
Gretchen Cherington
A neophyte backcountry skier falls in love with the Catamount Trail
By Neal Fisher
It’s been a very good year; I retired
from work; I bicycled across the United
States; I met a special woman; and I fell
in love with the Catamount Trail.
Neal out enjoying the trail
The three life-altering events all
contributed (in some way) to my love
affair with The Trail. Unfettered from
my alarm clock, I suddenly found
myself with very few restrictions on
where I had to be and when I had to
be there (I highly recommend this
enviable predicament). The bicycle trip
increased my exuberance and was a
source for conversation with my future
girlfriend. She thrives in the woods and
inspired me to purchase new crosscountry skis.
I had time on my hands, a girlfriend that
was headed outdoors with –or-without
me, and a new set of boards designed
for the wilderness. Additionally, my
sister Lynn is a formidable backcountry
skier, lives in Vermont, and is an “endto-ender” (a person that has skied all
31 sections of the Catamount Trail).
I always knew about The Trail because
my sister skis it during the winter,
maintains a section in the summer,
and constantly talks about it. For years
Lynn has purchased me a membership
to the Catamount Trail Association,
which dutifully mails me a booklet
(replete with coupons), which I would
place in a drawer only to find it in July.
On New Year’s Day Vermont was
blanketed with snowfall and we visited
friends in Montpelier. Four days in
a row found us in the woods. One of
those was in my sister’s backyard
(note that a backyard in Vermont can
be several thousand acres) and Lynn
guided us up Old Baldy. We struggled
in the deep snow but simultaneously
reveled in it. Thus was I introduced to
the wonders of the woods, knee-deep
powder, silence, accomplishment, and
exhilaration. My eyes opened wide.
opened in amazement. Vermont is
vast, crisscrossed by dirt roads, snow
mobile trails, hiking trails, and paths
barely touched by humans. And on
this small 3-mile section, I began to
realize that a world lay at my feet, a
world in the wilderness, in the winter,
in the middle of the Green Mountains,
covered in deep, soft, silent snow.
A month later, Lynn guided my
girlfriend and myself on the same
section, but this time from the north.
A week later my sister and I joined
Paul and Andrew (they are of similar
ilk to my sister, which is to say nuts
about the backcountry) on section
10 of the Catamount Trail, headed
north from Buttermilk Falls to Tiny
Pond. As we trekked north my eyes
Breaking trail on Section 10
Susan & Lynn on Section 10
Donate
Today!
The spring and summer means
trail maintenance, so consider
making a donation in
honor of your favorite skier.
For details, visit our website at:
www.catamounttrail.org/
donate
The deep snow had returned and we
were breaking trail, slowly climbing
and silently descending. At the end of
the day my sister told me that I had
now “bagged” section 10.
Recently I watched a news feature
about the “5th Annual Get Out and
Backcountry Ski Festival”, sponsored
by the CTA and Bolton Valley. The
reporter was smiling during the entire
show. Every skier had a smile on his or
her face, without exception. And then I
realized that the Catamount Trail made
me feel the same way. Just like my
sister, but 30 sections to go.
5
On The Trail - Trail Projects
By Amy Kelsey
We want you to continue to have access to spectacular backcountry skiing, from
one end of Vermont to the other on the Catamount Trail. As winter slides into
spring, we are busy planning and scheduling summer trail improvements. Each
summer, we focus on large projects, such as new bridges and trail relocations.
In the fall, our energies shift towards cleaning up the debris Mother Nature has
left along the trail so we may ski through with ease (hopefully!) when the snow
returns. Throughout the year, we work to acquire trail easements to protect
the trail into the future. This work is accomplished through a wide array of
collaborations with contractors, landowners, land managers, VYCC, other partner
organizations, and an ever expanding team of volunteers. Again this summer we
will be hosting three Volunteer Work Weekends, details of which can be found on
page 16.
Major projects for the summer and fall of 2013:
»» Nearly 4 miles of new trail easements, protecting the trail in Albany,
Craftsbury, Eden, Lowell, and Westfield
»» Sections 3-9: 4 weeks of VYCC crew time, improving the trail on Green
Mountain National Forest Lands between Searsburg and Weston
»» Section 11: 2 mile relocation, protecting an additional mile of trail in
Coolidge State Forest near Plymouth
»» Section 15: 0.5 mile relocation, reducing road-walk on Route 73/Brandon
Gap
»» Section 16: 2 mile trail relocation near Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton
»» Section 17: Repairs on FR 202 south of Lincoln Gap, to help skiers negotiate
a culvert destroyed by Irene
»» Section 18: 0.5 mile relocation south of West Hill Road in Warren, moving
the CT to more skiable terrain
»» Section 19: Replacement bridge where the CT enters the Phen Basin in
Fayston
»» Sections 19/20: Ongoing work to create a high elevation route for the CT,
protecting additional miles within Camels Hump State Park in Huntington
»» Section 23: Bridge repairs between Topnotch and Edson Hill Ski Areas in
Stowe
»» Section 31: New bridges and continued improvements to the northern most
miles of the CT in Jay
»» Summer volunteer trail work weekends near Plymouth, Huntington, and Jay
»» A dozen new Trailhead signs will be posted at trail access points.
You can play an important role in our efforts to improve the trail by joining us for
a workday or work weekend this summer. You can also show your support for
our ongoing trail work by contributing to CTA’s Trail Fund – www.catamounttrail.
org/donate. Your contributions make it possible for us to complete routine
trail maintenance, implement improvements, and protect the CT for future
generations by acquiring trail easements. As an added incentive this year, anyone
who contributes $10 or more to our Trail Fund by Friday, May 31st will be entered
to win a gift certificate from our friends over at Maine Huts and Trails. They were
generous enough to donate two nights, for two people in one of their private
rooms... a $500 value!
6
WIN
a 2 Day
Ski Vacation
for 2
Donate to Catamount Trail
Association’s Trail Fund by May
31st to be entered to win a 2 night
stay for 2 in the Maine Huts and
Trails luxurious ski-in, ski-out huts
located near Kingfield, ME and
Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.
Spend the day skiing, hiking or
mountain biking on over 50 miles
of trails and spend your evenings
enjoying a private room and
delicious home cooked meals.
Visit their website for more details
about this unique experience.
A $10 minimum donation to
the Trail Fund by May 31st is
required for entry. To donate visit
www.catamounttrail.org/donate
Catamount Reflections
By Donna Dearborn
My dad’s red skis glided along, pointing the way on my last
sections of the Catamount Trail. Dad loved his metal-edged
backcountry skis and boots. They were a Christmas gift
from us that enabled him to carve expert turns and maintain
greater control on downhills. Sadly, those Karhu Pavos were
just getting broken in when he suffered a stroke less than a
year later. When the stark reality hit – that Dad would never
walk again – let alone ski, I dusted them off and brought my
favorite cross-country ski partner along in spirit. On all but
a few of the 31 sections of the Catamount Trail those red
Karhus journeyed with me, and all along the way, memories
emerged, flooding through and flowing to the surface.
As Dad’s red skis glided along one flat section of Catamount
Trail, I couldn’t help smile at the familiarity, even though I
had never traversed this particular piece. For many years I
delayed joining a Catamount Trail Association tour. Being
more used to outings with two or three, such big groups
seemed overwhelming and unappealing. When I did
experience a group of 31, I felt right at home chatting with
fellow skiers while striding along, recalling the late 60s when
two or three other families joined our family after church for
Sunday afternoon cross-country ski outings. Back then, we
too visited and laughed, snacked often and were just happy to
be outdoors on a beautiful day.
Just like CTA outings today, our family groups skied through
birch glades, in pinewoods, and past snow-laden balsam firs.
We crossed hayfields and orchards, whisking through narrow
passageways and wide swaths. Even though the lead person
warned of obstacles ahead, there were plenty of epic falls in
deep powder, with only a pole or head showing. We’d haul each
other out of deep snow pits, after first taking a picture, and
repair bent or broken poles. We occasionally roasted hotdogs
over a fire. Brownies and cookies appeared at opportune
moments. Dad would say it was a winning combination–
skiing, outdoors, woods, camaraderie, conversation, snacks,
exercise and fresh air – then and now.
The red skis are a sharp contrast to Dad’s first “cross-country”
skis he used in the fifth annual Washington’s Birthday CrossCountry Touring Race in 1967 when he set out with about
250 others in Westminster West to cover seven miles on skis
to Putney School. He had tested his heavy, old ski-jumping
skis once or twice and his heel swung freely so he figured
they’d suffice. Knowing little about cross-country skiing, Dad
wore way too many clothes and was soaking wet by the top
of the first hill. He slipped and spun, having no traction to be
able to push off, to kick and glide as he noticed others doing.
He knew nothing about waxing, his heavy skis a burden to
continued on page
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7
24
Hut to Hut in Northern Maine
By Debbie Page
March 18, finally the day had come for the Maine Huts and Trails trip organized and led by Mr. Pete Lane. The Maine Huts & Trails
(MH&T) system is the brainchild of the former CEO of Sugarloaf Ski Area and is a non-profit organization that manages over 50
miles of cross-country trails and four full-service, state-of-the-art, off-the-grid huts.
Photo By: Tom Bowker
waterfall itself, a scary torrent of tannin
brown water dropping 40 feet under
fangs of ice that was quite spectacular.
Eventually we arrived back at the
Flagstaff Hut to pick up our cars and
head home. It was hard leaving the
sun-drenched birch-studded beach
jutting out into Flagstaff Lake. It was
8
Over the next 3 days we were treated to
close to a foot of new snow, many more
amazing meals, wildlife, and beautiful
vistas all while being pampered by
the incredible MH&T staff. Highlights
of the trip included having our gear
shuttled from hut to hut and not having
to carry it, the 200ft Chappell bridge
that crosses the Dead River on the
trail between the Flagstaff and Grand
Falls Huts, and views of the Grand Falls
the 800 gallon tank that holds excess
hot water. The lodges feature radiant
floor heat, a wood-burning furnace
which provides hot water for your 6
minute shower, and clivus multrum
composting toilets that use a foam and
only 3 ounces of water take care of
duties when nature calls. Eventually,
everyone retreated to their wooden
bunks to get some sleep in preparation
for the rest of the trip.
a bluebird day and I just couldn’t stop
thinking about how glad I was that I
signed up for this trip.
On arrival we were welcomed by
delicious smells and three young men
who cooked up a fabulous meal of soup,
lasagna, salad, and chocolate coconut
cake. After dinner, we were treated to
a tour of the energy-saving workings
of the huts. We saw the batteries that
store power from the solar panels and
On the trip were 24 of us haling from all across the U.S. – VT, NH, ME, AZ & CO. We would be spending the next 3.5 days traveling
to and from three of the huts in the MH&T network. Our first stop was Poplar Hut on the southern end of the MH&T network just
2.5 miles from the Gauge Road/Poplar Trailhead.
Next year Pete is planning another trip
to Maine, and might even add a day.
For more information swing by the
Catamount Trail Association website
in the fall for more details.
In the meantime, don’t forget that the
MH&T system of trails is also open to
hiking and mountain biking during the
warmer months. For more information
please visit www.mainehuts.org.
On March 21, 2013 the Vermont Land Trust announced that
it has raised all the money needed to purchase and conserve
more than 1,100 acres of the Bolton Valley Nordic and
Backcountry land.
“The Bolton land, its trails, remote forest and wildlife certainly
captured the imagination of people from all walks of life,” said
Gil Livingston, President of the Vermont Land Trust. “This
success is a testament to our community: the people, the
recreation equipment businesses, the philanthropists and the
state leaders who know our collective health and the future of
Vermont are tied to the great outdoors.”
and the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation are
creating a fund for the future care of this land and the quality
of peoples’ outdoor experiences there,” said Elise Annes, V.P
for Community Relations of the Vermont Land Trust. “Any
further donations met will be added to this fund.”
Exploring the areas extensive network of backcountr y trails
The land management fund will be used for physical
maintenance and improvements to trails, roads, parking
areas, shelters, recreational facilities, and other recreational
infrastructure and management needs on the land.
When the Bolton land is transferred to the State, the State will
be issuing a license agreement to the Bolton Valley Resort to
continue management of the Nordic and backcountry trail
system, and the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
will take on ultimate management responsibility for the
property.
Taking advantage of the deep snow in the Bolton Backcountr y
The Vermont Land Trust received more than 1,200 gifts in
support of the project, ranging from $1 raffle tickets to three
anonymous donors’ $100,000 contributions. Many businesses
lent support with events, raffles, and in-kind and financial
contributions. A grant from the Conservation Alliance of
$50,000 closed the final fundraising gap with just a week and
a half to go to the fundraising deadline. The project would
not have been possible without an $800,000 grant from the
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
While the money to purchase and conserve the land has been
raised, there is still work to be done. The final purchase is
expected to happen this spring. After which, the land will be
added to the Mount Mansfield State Forest once transferred to
the State of Vermont.
The land trust is still accepting funds toward the project. “VLT
Photo By: Sheri Larsen
Thanks to the outpouring of generosity of so many people,
organizations, and business the 15-month, $1.85 million
campaign was a resounding success. The project will have an
official closing this spring and the land will be transferred to
the State of Vermont as an addition to Mount Mansfield State
Forest.
The Bolton Backcountry Is Saved!
“Every so often a conservation opportunity comes along that is
at the heart of what Vermonters want to hold onto,” said Elise.
“By helping to protect the Bolton Nordic and backcountry
land, hundreds of volunteers, donors and supporters have
made their wishes known – public recreation and natural
habitat are a part of what makes Vermont special.”
Taking a break at Br yant Camp in the Bolton Backcountr y
9
Feeling the Heat
By Dr. George Terwilliger
Writing this article on heat and its effects on our bodies was difficult to do
on a cold winter morning. However, by the time you read this spring issue,
the days will be much warmer with the hot, humid days of summer soon to
follow. In fact, average temperatures, especially in the summer, have been
getting warmer. This makes the risk of heat-related illness increasingly high.
Recent prodigious snowfalls raise questions about the existence of global
warming. However, insight into some of the generators of huge snowfalls
can explain the seeming paradox of increasing temperatures and bigger
snowstorms.
In winter, higher global temperatures increase the flow of moisture-laden
tropical air northward where it collides with frigid arctic air masses that
often overlie our region. This collision can spawn massive snowstorms that
have been in weather news so much recently.
While no single weather event can indicate climate change (climate is
the long-term composite of daily weather), there are some data that help
show overall trends. At the Burlington weather service, where climate data
has been recorded since the 1800’s, eight of the top 20 snowstorms have
occurred since 2000. Of the top ten warmest years, half have occurred since
2000. Of the top ten coldest years, none have occurred since 1969. So clearly,
Vermont’s climate has become snowier and warmer since the 1800’s.
So how do we cope with climate change? Surely, the readers of this column will not sweat the consequences of bigger snowstorms.
Cross-country skiers tend to have good coping skills when it comes to big snowfalls. What we may not be so good at is dealing
with increasing heat.
There are several ways in which heat
can make you sick, ranging from minor
muscle cramps to deadly heat stroke.
Heat Cramps
Heat Cramps seem to be brought
on by dehydration, electrolyte loss,
fatigue, and strenuous activities to
which an athlete is unaccustomed. The
cramps are intense muscle spasms
not associated with strain or injury.
No signs of more severe illness such
as heat exhaustion or heat stroke are
present.
Heat Syncope
Heat Syncope (passing out or fainting)
usually occurs immediately after
completing a workout or during
a break, such as when reaching a
summit. The cause of collapse is low
blood pressure resulting from blood
10
pooling in dilated skin circulation
where it has been shunted to cool
the body. There is also blood pooling
in veins that suddenly dilate when
muscles are relaxed. The blood flowing
to the pumping heart is suddenly
insufficient and blood pressure drops
precipitously. Lying down should
relieve symptoms immediately. If not
then more severe heat illness is likely
occurring.
Heat Exhaustion
Flu-like symptoms with nausea,
vomiting, headache, weakness and
malaise. Body temperature usually 101
to 104ºF. No confusion as is seen in
heat stroke. Still sweating. Rapid heart
rate. Dizziness with standing.
Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke is a multi-system illness
characterized by brain malfunction
(encephalopathy)
and
additional
organ damage (e.g. kidney, liver,
muscle) in association with high
body temperatures above 104ºF.
Brain effects may be disorientation,
headache, confusion, odd behavior,
irritability, coma, and seizure. Without
immediate,
aggressive
medical
treatment, death is common.
Treatment of mild heat related
illness:
»» Stop exercise immediately
»» Get out of the sun
»» Drink cool non-alcoholic, caffeinefree fluids
»» If available, get into airconditioning
»» Remove as much clothing as is
socially acceptable
»» Put cold packs on neck, armpits,
and groin
»» Spray yourself with water and sit
in front of a fan
Treatment of more severe illness with
confusion or coma indicates heat
stroke and requires immediate medical
care. The above measures, with the
exception of giving oral fluids, should
be started immediately while awaiting
medical care. The death rate from
heat stroke is high, especially if care is
delayed.
Factors that increase risk of heat
illness:
»» Drugs, especially cold and allergy
medications. Some supplements,
alcohol, diuretics, diet pills
»» High heat and humidity
»» Lack of acclimatization
»» Poor conditioning
»» Obesity
»» Being Female
Lodging Members
To find out more about becoming a lodging member and to have your businesses
information listed on our website please visit the Catamount Trail Association
website – www.catamounttrail.org – and click the Join/Renew Button.
Blueberry Hill Inn
www.blueberryhillinn.com
Bolton Valley Resort
www.boltonvalley.com
Brandon Motor Lodge
www.brandonmotorlodge.com
Brass Lantern Inn
www.brasslanterninn.com
Commodores Inn
www.commodoresinn.com
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
www.craftsbury.com
Edson Hill Manor
www.edsonhillmanor.com
Golden Eagle Resort
www.goldeneagleresort.com
Green Mountain Inn
www.greenmountaininn.com
Inn at the Mountain
www.stowe.com
Mountain Top Inn & Touring Center
www.mountaintopinn.com
Stowe Motel & Snowdrift
www.stowemotel.com
Stowe Meadows
www.stowemeadows.com
Top Notch Resort & Spa
www.topnotchresort.com
Trapp Family Lodge
www.trappfamily.com
West Hill House
www.westhillbb.com
»» Being Non-Hispanic Caucasian
»» Having been raised in a temperate
climate
»» Dehydration
Acclimatization requires about 2
weeks of training in the heat, and is lost
within about 3 weeks when away from
the heat.
Prevention of heat illness in hot,
humid weather:
A proud Gold Level Sponsor of
The North Face Race To The Top Of VT
»» Take frequent breaks
»» Exercise early in the day
»» Avoid sun by exercising on shaded
trails
»» Try to use trails that face the
north
»» Shed layers as you warm up
»» Replace fluid losses with water or
sports drinks
»» Avoid alcohol or caffeine
George Terwilliger is an ER physician who
lives in Brattleboro and is a lifelong Vermont
resident. He is an avid back-country skier and
has skied many sections of the Catamount
Trail.
11
Lessons From The Trail
By Gretchen Eberhart Cherington, E2E | February 9-17, 2013 | Sections 16 – 23
One week before the North-Central week-long tour, I looked out our window and saw no snow on Mt. Ascutney. Knitting our
brows, Michael and I sent a flurry of emails to Vermont. “Time for snow dancing!” Rich Larsen, our tour leader, wrote. We had
only 3.5 sections left to finish the Trail. Everyone was glum. We focused on loading packs and scouring snack foods (4 stars for
Margarita Shot Bloks, dried apricots, mango and candied ginger, chocolate covered espresso beans, licorice, Hershey bars and
Dots). We all danced for snow and by Friday had conjured a Nor’easter, only we missed our location by slamming it into Boston,
and only tossing a scant six inches at Vermont.
Lesson 1 - Saturday: Take What
you Get and Be Grateful.
Most out-of-staters couldn’t make it
Saturday, so Rich had only fifteen of his
carefully assessed thirty skiers. It was a
good shake-down cruise for what was
to come, and like all good papa bears,
he only got them “lost” once.
Lesson 2 - Sunday: Fashion
Statements Are Made In the
Back Country.
At Widow’s Clearing, women poured
from cars like Caribbean birds redirected in the storm – rose and
teal, lemon and sky, mustard and
persimmon. We clipped into our skis
and exchanged our findings at Ibex,
Isis and Skida. Just seeing these women
Papa Bear - Rich Larsen
each other safe. Varied skill, fitness
and preparation, along with the
vagaries of sections and weather, can
conspire to create challenges over a
long day. Climbing Lincoln Gap Road,
Donna Dearborn and I caught up about
our skis, our fathers, and our books.
Descending the long, tricky glades,
with good cover but little base, one
skier became lightheaded and dizzy,
slowing to a point of group concern. We
considered bailing and dug into packs
for electrolytes and hot chocolate. We
supported, and insisted on every-ten-
The Women Of Catamount
makes me smile; they are my mentors
and Meuses on the trail, no matter
what, we always have fun. Thirteen
miles to the top of Lincoln Gap were
a pleasure, especially watching Pat
Sabalis ski the entire day on one
pole, protecting an injured wrist. She
returned a few days later to ski with
a cast. “Better than sitting home,” she
said. Ahh, Catamount skiers!
Lesson 3 - Monday: It’s All
About the Group.
We stick together on tours and keep
12
minute hydration. Four skied ahead
to move a car, and eventually we all
got down to West Hill Road. Due to
the hour, half of us left there while half
bagged their section at Battleground
at dusk. While very doable, the winter
wild insists on preparation and ample
supplies.
Lesson 4 - Tuesday: Find Your
Own Rhythm.
Section 19 is tough with 2200 feet of
vertical climb. We found our methods
Loving The CAT
up to Huntington Gap by herringboning, skinning, hiking, and/or
arguing. After three hours, I was flagging and had the 500 foot vertical
ravine to go. Suddenly, I remembered a hundred-mile bike ride where
I’d perfectly matched lungs and legs, and dug down for a lower ski
gear; once found, I could have climbed forever. The Trail, like life, isn’t
a sprint; it’s just one steady ski in front of another.
Lesson 5 - Thursday: It’s Okay to Take a Break.
Executive Director, Amy Kelsey joined with 4 AM brownies made by
her wide-awake son. Pete Lane offered valet service between cars and
nineteen skiers made it over Camel’s Hump and down Honey Hollow
Road. Reports varied from “amazingly good” to “avoided brown rocks
in favor of moss-covered green ones” to “boney conditions with
grabber rocks.” Michael and I took a Valentine’s break from the group
to complete a half-section from Stowe to Edson Hill, enjoying groomed
snow and unbroken powder, chatting with walkers on the “urban” Rec
Path in Stowe, and calling for a cab to get us back to our car (imagine
that!).
Gretchen Cherington & Michael O’Lear y celebrating the end of their
four year quest to complete the entire Catamount Trail.
Lesson 6 - Friday: Finishing Is Its Best Reward.
Thirteen skiers had an easy day at Bolton showing Greg Maino (new Director of Communications and Events for the CTA) his first
section, but Debbie Page had only one left and dashed off to the Canadian border to touch the stone. Congrats Debbie! We raised
glasses with her and enjoyed our camaraderie at the Larsens’ potluck supper. Lesson 7 - Saturday: Things Usually Turn Out Better Than We Think.
Section 22 enjoys deserved hype for its breathtaking vistas to icy misery on narrow chutes. Michael and I just wanted to finish
our last section. That morning, we got sunshine, solid base and new powder! At Bryant Cabin, we were elated. At the top, we
downed Bill Herrington’s brownies, took pictures, and let loose on the back glades where the experts turned stylish curves in
the snow. Karen Heinzman skied out from Trapp to join our finish,
while Donna Dearborn completed her own final section at Edson
Hill. Congrats Donna! On the long slog up to Trapp, Michael and
I reflected on our four-year adventure on the Trail. We donned
tee-shirts from our daughters; cameras flashed; Rich lifted us in
the air. We’d touched Massachusetts and Canada and every mile
in between. More importantly, we’d improved our fitness and ski
skills and made friends for life.
Lesson 8 - Sunday: Feed Your Cat.
A big group joined us for a celebratory dinner in Richmond and we
headed home to NH. On Sunday, thirteen skiers had an easy day
from Trapp to Stowe and nine went on to finish at Edson. Despite
our poorly directed Nor’easter, there were few miscues over the
week and we christened four new End to Enders. Two weeks later,
there would be five more (Marie Bartlett, Pete Cottrell, Charlene
Gates, Bill Herrington, Margo Krasnoff). So, let’s feed our Cat –
send money, host skiers, make brownies, join a trail crew, give land
or easements, thank the tour leaders, sweeps, section chiefs and
bridge builders, staff and board. Where else can you ski the length
of an entire state and have so much fun?
Gretchen Eberhart Cherington is a writer and organizational development
consultant who lives in Meriden, NH and Harborside, ME. She considers
completing the Catamount Trail with her husband Michael O’Leary (CTA Board
member) as one of her greatest achievements.
13
Thank You For Your Gifts!
Each year, the CTA asks its members for support
above and beyond their membership dues. Gifts to our
year-end Annual Fund Appeal help cover our general
operating expenses, and gifts to our spring Trail Fund
Appeal are used to support the program costs of our
Up to $99
Bruce Acciavatti
Jim & Jennifer Adkisson
Anthony Amenta
Robert & Carol Anderson
Lynn Anner-Bolieu
Jonathan Avery
Barbara J. Baker
Stan Baker & Susan Gresser
Jane & Murray Banks
Gerald Barney
Robert Bast
Iris Berezin
Charles & Kristen Bieler
Faith Bieler
Tom Bolmer & Ellyn Montgomery
Michael Bosworth
Thomas Bowker
Wayne Boynton
Bill Branson
Michael Brigham
Jill Bubier & George Stone
Sara Burchard
Brian Burchell
G. Paul Burgess
Henry Busetti & Dee Reever
Marilyn & Bruce Butler
Virginia Callan
Marvie Campbell
Raymond & Catherine Canning
Sarah F Carter
Andrea and James Chandler
David Charles
Alice Chornesky
Fritz Coonradt
Katherine L. Coppock
Maria Corinthios
Anne Corley
Matthew Daly
Jean DeCell
Liz Dickson & Craig Richardson
John Dinklage
Danny Dover
Edee Edwards
Leila English
Mary English
Donna & Jim Ewald
Catherine Farnsworth & Lauren Farnsworth
Michael Fernandez
John Field
Sylvia Fjeld
Laurie Fleming
Rhonda Follrath
Dr. Robert Paul Forte
Mary Gade
Joyce Gallimore
Paul & Michelle Gass
Leslie Gauff & Bruce Bell
Carlie Geer
Sandi Geller
Kurt & Patricia Giavara
Jane Carol Glendinning
Barry & Catherine Glick
Nigel Godson
Richard & Elaine Goldsmith
14
Trail Maintenance & Conservation Programs. We are extremely
grateful for the following gifts received between January 1 and
December 31 of 2012. If we accidentally excluded anyone
from this list we sincerely apologize.
Edward Gomeau & Christine Clark
Wes & Judy Goodwin
Carol Green
Lelia & Gavin Greenewalt
Dieter Gump
Steve Hagenbuch
Robert & Donna Hamill
James Harris & Elizabeth Flemings
Joanne Hayes
Dorothy Helling
Paul A. Hemmerich
Donald Hill
Ann & Frederick Hiltz
Lisl Hofer
Mary Hoffman
Clem and Sylvia Holden
Sally Howe
Jeffrey Hurlburt
Marilynne Johnson
Anne Johnson-Cummings
Richard Judd
Justgive
TJ Kehoe
Amy & Anton Kelsey
Bob Kesner
Kick ’N Gliders
Hilary Kilcullen
John King
Sylvia Kinney
Deb Kirchwey & Suzy Fortier
Marvin Klikunas
Max & Lois Kraus
Gina Kurrle
Thomas & Agnes Kurtz
John Lane
Susan Latchem
Gertrude Lepine
Meredith and David Liben
Ed Linton
Margaret Lipscomb
Roger Lohr
Christine Lojko
Long Trail Brewing Company
Jonathan Lopatin
David E. Lynch
Perky & Don Maddocks
Nancy Manley
Map Adventures
Charles Marchant
Stephen & Linda Marcotte
Thomas Mattson
Lucinda & Jeffrey McKechnie
Jacqueline McMakin
Peter & Bunny Merrill
Robert and Louise Messner
Steven Minkwitz
R. John & Dorothy Mitchell
Linda I. Morris
Tucker Murphy
James & Maija Murray
Robert & Dorsey Naylor
Mary & Donald Newey
Jody Newton
Hubie & Sherry Norton
Jeff Nugent
Peter Oliver
Antonia Opitz
Wendy Ormond
Pamela Overstrom & David Palmer
Debbie & Steve Page
Karen, Kevin and Eileen Parks
Lonnie & Susan Parrish
Bob Pasco
Steve Patch
Bonnie & Brian Pease
Richard Pendleton & Sage Wheeler
Pepsico Foundation
Nicole Pfister
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Susan Polk & Glen Wehrwein
Walter Pomroy
David & Gail Poulin
Robert F. Provencher
Dyeanne Racette & Brian Smale
Heidi Racht
Margaret Ramsdell
Daniel & Elizabeth Reardon
Robert & Mary Roger Reiber
Katharine Reichert & Derek Teare
Kristin Reynolds
Peter & Alison Reynolds
Cammy Richelli & Emanuel Betz
Dale & Peg Rodgers and Family
Muriel Roeth
Andres Roomet
Ben Rose & Lori Fisher
Lewis & Claudia Rose
Wendy Rosenblum
Judy Rosovsky
Armand Roy
Elisabeth W. Russell
Wendy & David Savoie
Robert & Deborah Saylor
Paul G. Schaberg
John Schmidt
Dale Schneider
Jeff and Beth Schoellkopf
Anya Schwartz
Rosemary Shea-Cobb
Huntington Sheldon
Sarah Sherrill
Eugene Shlatz
Mary Simons
Richard Sirola
Sam Swanson & Joyce Gallimore
Prudie Taylor
Nancy Teachout
Gail Tedstone
W. Miller Templeton
Tim Thompson
Beth and Bernie Tolmie
Robert Tortolani
Inge & Heinz Trebitz
Frances Uptegrove
Eric Wales
Rob Wardwell
Bernard Webber
Louise Welch
Jerome Wolfert
Ann Wood
Donald Woodbridge
Peter & Rosemary Zamore
Janet Zinter
$100 to $499
Anonymous (2)
Roselle Abramowitz
Thomas Amidon
Ampersand Properties
Gar Anderson & Moira Durnin Anderson
Margaret Ashforth
Ken Austin
Mike & Theresa Barry
Sam & Marie Bartlett
Lynda & Jeff Baydin
Nancy & Malcolm Bell
Eric Bishop & Barbara Frankowski
Dean Bloch & Valerie Wilkins
Peter Blum
Gail & Steve Blumsack
David & Susan Boedy
Charles and Judy Bond
Douglas Bonoff
Michael Boyle
Dave Brautigam
Jacob Brown II & Elizabeth O’Brien
Don & Sally Brunjes
Lenore & Ralph Budd
David B. Caplan
Priscilla Carr & Jay Stewart
Dr. David Chipman & Helen Folweiler
Janis Comb
David Comeau
David & Carol Conard
Peter & Patricia Cottrell
Anne Cramer
Tim Crowell & Patricia Sabalis
Hamilton Davis
Judy Davis & Henry Hamilton
Donna Dearborn
Chase DeForest
Paul Demers
Wesley & Linda DeNering
John Dieckmann
Sue and Bob Emmons
Barry & Susan Feinberg
Sarah Fellows & Theresa Marron
Steve & Bernadette Fernandes
Sten Fersing
Lynn Fisher & Jeanne Briand
Mitchell R. & Kim Fleischer
Jim & Liz Foster
Mark Gabel
Mark and Natasha Gajewski
Charlene Gates
Ronald Gingerich
Ann Goering
Dr. Ronald & Lena Goldberg
Nat & Caren Goodhue
Daniel & Amanda Goossen
Reed Goossen
Bob Gray
Craig Hadden
Robert Hagen & Kathy Astrauckas
Kara & Matt Hankes
Susan Harrington
Peter & Louise Harris
Richard & Susan Hart
Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Nancie Heinemann
Bill Herrington
Heidi Hertel-Therrien
Mary Joan Hiltz
MaryAnn Hoisington
Dr. Edgar Holmes
David & Kathy Hooke
Trina & David Hosmer
Phil and Audrey Huffman
Jason Ingle
Woody & Ingrid Jackson
Sandy Jacobs
Paula Jones & Kevin Gough
Robert Jordan
Timothy Jursak
Robert & Sue Kancir
Tom Kennedy & Viola Chu
Mark Keydel
Peter Kinder
Phil & Barbara Kivlin
Margo Krasnoff
Mark Langan
Gregory Larkin
Rich and Sheri Larsen
Jason Longo
Ted Lyman & Virginia Clarke
Debra & James Lyneis
Denny Lyster
John MacVarish
Joanie & Leigh Mallory
Madeline Mann
Timothy Marr
Jake & Sue Martin
Ed & Lisa Matson
John & Patricia McAllister
Patricia McGivern
Andrew and Laura McIntosh
Tim & Betsy McKay
McKee, Giuliani & Cleveland
Bill McKibben
Ursula McVeigh
Laura Megivern
Barbara Meyer
Ragnar Meyer-Knutsen
William Michels
Laurie Morrison
The Mountain Goat North
Jeff & Leslie Mullen
Randall Murphy
Mary Muse
Sam & Elizabeth Nelson
Michael O’Leary & Gretchen Cherington
Amy Otten & Ralph Kilmoyer
Pam Pedersen & Ann Taylor
Perkins Charitable Foundation
Leigh Perkins, Jr.
Candis Perrault Kjelleren
John Peterson
Jack and Joyce Phillips
Aimee Picchi
William Pinchbeck
Merle Pomroy
Daniel Raleigh
Cathie Redpath
John & Ellen Riley
Robert & Denise Romeo
Ann & Stuart Schaffner
Suzannah Schroeder
John Seibert
Ms. Sandra Sharp
Sandra Shenk & Al Boright
Katharine Simonds
Nathaniel & Katherine Sims and Family
Dagny St. John
Robert Starbuck
James Stearns & Kim Hopper
Judy Stearns
Judith & William Stevens
James Sullivan
Robert Sutherland
Gerry and Paul Sweterlitsch
Peter Swift
Diana & Allen Terrell
George & Faith Terwilliger
Courtney Thompson
Scott Livingston, Thread Rolling Inc.
Gavin Thurston & Mary Prendergast
Charlie and Mima Tipper
Lee & Diana Todd
Ernie & Hazel Tracy
Sharonlee & Jonathan Trefry
Carol Tremble
Cornelius Ulman
Lori K. van Handel & Nancy Roseman
Ted Vogt & Susan Shea
Richard & Rachel Wagle
John Waldo
David Weinstein & Lauren Ockene
Wolfgang Weise & Kathleen Olwell
John Wesley & Julie Peterson
West Hill House
Marilyn & Bob Wilson
Ann S. Wittpenn
Dan & Mary Wyand
Ed Ziedins
$500 Plus
Paul Adams & Lee Dillard Adams
Jill Aspinall & Rick Molz
Jody & Rick Biddle
Alan Binnick
Champlain Investment Partners
Chartis/Stowe Mountain Resort
Charles F. Christ
Joseph Cook
Bob Cooper
Dick Corley
Richard Dreissigacker & Judy Geer
Edwards Charitable Foundation Ltd.
The Fairbanks Family Charitable Foundation
Jim Fredericks & JoAnn Hanowski
Andreas & Diane Halvorsen
Andrew P. Harper
Karen Heinzmann
Philip Howard
Robert K. Jones
Peter & Cynthia Kellogg
Paul Kendall & Sharon Rives
Barb Kennedy & Douglas Gentile
Bill & Kate Koch
Kroka Expeditions
Peter Lane
Nancy McClellan & Elliot Douglas
Christopher Mckown & Abigail Johnson
William C. Michels
Northfield Savings Bank
Paul Frank & Collins
Jeff Prescott & Andy Shuford
Patrick Robins & Lisa Schamberg
Jan & Mary Jane Rozendaal
Elizabeth Steele
Jim & Lyn Taylor
The Vermont Community Foundation
Jason Wyman & Sarah Gillett
Grants
Anonymous
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
Central Vermont Community Action Council
Davis Conservation Foundation
Norcross Wildlife Foundation
Larsen Fund
Oakland Foundation
USDA/Green Mountain National Forest
Vermont Community Foundation
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
15
CTA Volunteer Summer Work Weekends
Thank You
Business Supporters!
Here at the Catamount Trail Association
we pride ourselves on putting on some
of the best ski and outdoor related
events in the area. And, as much as we’d
like to say we did it on our own... we
didn’t. The businesses below all go out
of their way to support the CTA and our
events and they play a huge role in our
success. Please support our supporters
by purchasing their products and
shopping in their stores!
Absolute Wellness Spa
Black Diamond Equipment
Blueberry Hill Inn and Touring Center
Bolton Valley Resort
Boyden Valley Winery
Brandon Motor Lodge
Bryce Berggren
Burlington City Arts
Cabot Creamery
Chartis/Stowe Mountain Resort
Community Sailing Center
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Crystal Rock
Darn Tough Vermont
Eastern Mountain Sports
Eastern Mountain Sports Burlington
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Icebug
Jay Peak Resort
Killington Resort
Mad River Glen
Mountain Top Inn & Resort
Mountain Travelers
Nutty Steph’s
Old Cavendish Products
Onion River Sports
Otter Creek Brewing Company
Outdoor Gear Exchange
Pinnacle Outdoor Group
Red Hen Baking Company
Redwood Creek Winery
Seventh Generation
Shelburne Vineyards
SkiRack
Small Dog Electronics
Smugglers’ Notch
Sovernet
Stowe Reporter
Stowe Today.Com Sugarbush Resort
Trapp Family Lodge
Umiak Outfitters
US Sherpa International
Vermont Artisan Coffee and Tea
Vermont Climbing and Adventure School
Vermont Peanut Butter Company
Vermont Smoke & Cure
Vermont State Parks
Vermont Brownie Company
Womens Source For Sports
16
CTA will again host 3 volunteer work weekends during the summer to help
complete trail projects. Recruit your friends or bring your family to enjoy a
weekend in the Vermont woods. Join us for a day or for the whole weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday we will work on the trail. Saturday evening, we will
share a group camping area and a meal together. For those who prefer more
luxurious accommodations, we are happy to provide lodging suggestions.
July 20&21: Section 11 (Plymouth)
August 10&11: Section 19 (Huntington)
September 14&15: Section 31 (Jay)
Cost: There is no fee to participate.
Meals: Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and Sunday lunch will be provided,
unless the group chooses in advance to dine out.
Registration: For more information or to sign up for a Volunteer
Work Weekend contact Emily Licht at [email protected] or
802-864-5794.
Trail Chief Mark Schwabe at work on the trail with friends
New End-to-Ender’s
Congratulations to all of our new End-to-Enders! It’s quite a feat to ski all 300
miles and 31 sections of the trail. Great job and hopefully we will continue to
see you out on the trail!
Marie Bartlett
Gretchen Cherrington
Peter Cottrell
Spencer Crispe
Donna Dearborn
Charlene Gates
Bill Herrington
Paul Kendall (2nd time!)
Margo Krasnof
Michael O’Leary
Debbie Page
Records Crushed at Catamount Backcountry Challenge!
By Greg Maino
Perfect blue skies, warm temps, and fast but edgeable snow made for a perfect day on Section 22 of the Catamount Trail, the host
site for the Catamount Trail Association’s 5th Annual Backcountry Challenge.
On Sunday, March 10, 57 backcountry enthusiasts gathered in the early hours of the day to tackle the challenging, yet rewarding
ski, from Trapp Family Lodge up and over the spine of the Green Mountains eventually finishing at Bolton Valley Resort.
Participants left in two waves with the non-competitive skiers hitting the trail at 9am followed by the competitive backcountry
racers at 11am. Skiers were greeted with great conditions on the trail with good coverage, sunny skies, and temperatures in the
upper 40’s and low 50’s.
Competitors used a wide range of
equipment ranging from lightweight
waxless classic racing skis, to full-on
telemark and AT equipment. Most
competitors also brought and used
skins for the uphill portion.
The first person to cross the line
was Eli Enman, from Huntington, VT
defending his title and setting a new
course record of 1:17:58, which bested
his previous record of 1:30:30 by over
12 minutes. Hot on his heels was Chris
Rodgers of Stowe, VT coming in second
with a time of 1:38:58. In third place
was Sam Von Trapp of Stowe, VT with
a time of 1:44:16.
And They’re Off!
On the women’s side Kristina Von
Trapp of Stowe, VT took the top spot
with a time of 2:06:25, while Kate
Crawford of Essex Junction and Elisa
Von Trapp of Stowe took home second
and third with respective times of
2:13:00 and 2:30:46.
Keep in mind these competitors are
covering 17km, climbing 2200ft then
descending 1300ft all in the woods on
un-groomed snow. Most of us spend
more time during our rest breaks than
Lynn Fisher cruising into the finish
any of these incredible people did
completing the entire course.
The Outdoor Gear Exchange, Onion
River Sports, and the Bolton Valley
Patrol were all out on the course and
available to provide assistance to
participants in need. Bolton Valley
Patrol provided all of our on-course
emergency personnel including the
sweep. Onion River Sports setup
shop at the Nebraska Valley Road
intersection with extra water and tools,
ready to help any participant that might
be suffering from equipment maladies.
The Outdoor Gear Exchange skied all
the way to the high point of the course
and cooked up hot chocolate and
bacon for skiers needing a little extra
boost to get them across the finish. The
Catamount Backcountry Challenge is
the awesome event that it is because
of the incredible support we receive.
Thank you guys… you are amazing!
The
5th
Annual
Catamount
Backcountry Challenge was a huge
success thanks to the enthusiasm of
our participants and the incredible
efforts of our volunteers, Bolton Valley
Resort and Trapp Family Lodge. We
also need to provide a big thank you
to all of the sponsors and vendors who
donated raffle items and prizes, time
and more. Sponsors for the 5th Annual
Catamount Backcountry Challenge
included: Trapp Family Lodge, Bolton
Valley Resort, Onion River Sports, The
Outdoor Gear Exchange, Bolton Valley
Patrol, Vermont Smoke and Cure,
Seventh Generation, the VT Brownie
Company, Black Diamond Equipment,
US Sherpa International, the VT Peanut
Sandra Owens crossing Nebraska Valley Rd.
Butter Company, Killington Resort, Mad
River Glen, Jay Peak Resort, Mountain
Top Inn & Resort, The Brandon Motor
Lodge, Umiak Outfitters, Icebug Shoes,
The Pinnacle Outdoor Group, Mountain
Travelers and Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters.
17
The 2013 Telemark Clinic, or My Quest for Skiing’s Holy Grail
By Paul “Limey” Hemmerich
On February 3, 2013 21 eager telemarkers gathered at Pico Mountain for the third annual Telemark Clinic conducted by John
Tidd and Karen Delury, two of Pico’s professional ski instructors. Longtime Catamount member Bob Jordan had coordinated the
event, but could not participate due to a cracked rib. In his place, veteran backcountry skier and telemark enthusiast Lynn Fisher
greeted us in the Lodge and guided us out to the slopes. February had been kind enough to sprinkle the mountain with enough
snow to make up for the previous month’s typical thaw. We had a few bare spots and just a couple of icy patches to contend with,
but plenty of broad slopes with enough “New England Powder” to make our edges work. It was time to put them to the test.
We came there with varying degrees of
ability and self-confidence. Ironically,
those of us with the least experience
were probably better prepared for
today’s instruction than those of us
who considered ourselves marginally
competent. Even though some of us
could execute good-looking turns, we
quickly found out that what we had
been doing was all wrong! So John and
Karen patiently de-constructed our
moves and introduced us to the basics.
I encourage readers to dust off their
Spring 2012 issue of the Catamount
Trail News for the definitive description
of Active Rear Foot Technique in John
Tidd’s article.
Below is a short list of pointers
gleaned from today’s instruction.
»» Begin the turn with the downhill
ski. Let it slide and turn toward
the fall line. Loosen your downhill
knee and let it open up to the fall
line. From a traverse position
with edges firmly engaged, one
can practice downhill slip-andslides followed by uphill turns
back into the slope keeping the
lead ski always in the lead.
But it’s the downhill ski, not a
demonstrative outside ski thrust,
that is the proper initiation of the
turn.
»» As your body turns toward the fall
line guide the hip of the outside
ski forward with the ski. A feel
for this can be acquired on a very
gentle slope by easy linked turns
exaggerating the movement of the
outside hip.
»» Keep the outside shoulder in
alignment with the outside hip
to maximize body weight over
that turning ski. This becomes
important when negotiating heavy
crud.
»» Delay the forward thrust of the
downhill ski until you are upon
the fall line, as late as possible.
Most aspiring telemarkers push
that downhill ski out there way
too soon.
»» The “monomark” (see John’s
Spring 2012 article) is a great
exercise to give your body
confidence that it can survive
that initial engagement of the
turn, that commitment when the
downhill ski starts toward the fall
line. By keeping the same ski in
the lead, half of your traverses are
»» When you start a turn, commit to
the turn with that downhill ski.
This may be counterintuitive, and
may require an act of faith that the
rest of the turn is going to happen.
18
“wrong”, but this exercise helps
critical turn initiation. Practice
this on a gentle slope.
»» If conditions are such that you
need more oomph in turning,
practice “mini-stem” turn where
the downhill leg temporarily takes
almost all the body weight and
lets you push the uphill ski away
from you into a mini-stem which
assists turning the ski toward the
fall line.
And some of my own take-aways
from the day were:
»» Acquring this skill through
osmosis when sitting next to an
instructor on the chair lift is no
substitute for practice.
»» Intellectually understanding
the physics and mechanics of
the moves is no substitute for
practice. It’s the body, stupid! Not
the mind.
»» Going out and buying new
equipment rather than using
the perfectly good 12-year old
gear you have will not make you
any more competent. Invest in a
good tune up instead of blowing
hundreds of dollars. Your wife
will be proud of you.
5th Annual Get Out & Backcountry Ski Festival Recap
By Susan Brault
What exactly does “Backcountry Ski”
mean? Does it mean driving a VW
micro bus to the middle of nowhere,
dropping anchor at the sight of fresh
pow, grabbing your super-sized bag
of trail mix, the loyal pup and heading
out to find freshies? In the words of
the moderately known band Cake...
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.
As a 20+ year veteran of alpine, lift
serve skiing I wanted to find out.
And what better place to start than
Catamount Trail Association’s 5th
Annual Get Out and Backcountry Ski
Festival held on a Sunday towards the
end of January at Bolton Valley Resort.
Not knowing what to expect, the pup
sadly stayed home, but I did convince
a couple friends that it would be a fun
adventure. Fortunately, my prediction
of an excellent day did not fall short
and, so far, they appear to still be my
friends.
Honestly though, I had no expectations,
and was truly interested in what
backcountry skiing was all about. As
a newbie to the sport, I had so many
questions. How do I know what gear is
right? Where do I go? What do I need
to pack? Do I have to perfect my teleturn? Can I use what I already have or
do I have to buy all new equipment?
The latter being quite daunting as I had
hoped that backcountry skiing meant
I would be free from the financial
confines of resorts.
Cilla Kimberly leads waxing clinic
Lisa Lavoie, BC Ski Instructor
When we arrived what we found was
a day filled with various tours and
clinics taught by some of the most
knowledgeable and helpful people
you will ever meet. Everyone at the
event was very willing to share their
knowledge and passion and by the end
of the day many of my questions had
been answered.
Tyler Elko - Creator of the CTA iPhone App
Now, don’t get me wrong, for every
question that was answered a new
one popped up in its place. But, as a
newbie backcountry skier I would
highly recommend attending next
year’s fest and reaching out to the CTA
staff and volunteers who work hard to
ensure you have the best experience
imaginable. For me... I’m still asking
questions, watching for late season
deals, getting comfortable with my
heels unlocked and embracing March
for all it’s worth. In the end, the most
valuable piece of advice I learned
from the Get Out and Backcountry Ski
Festival and the Ladies Nordic Ski Expo
– another CTA event held at Trapp
Family Lodge in early January – is that
it doesn’t matter how you get from
point A to point B; embrace your inner
passion and love the journey of playing
in snow.
Visit the link below to view a video from the event
produced by Seven Days for their Stuck In Vermont
Series – http://www.7dvt.com/2013get-out-andbackcountry-ski-festival
19
Lessons and Tips at the 5th Annual Ladies Nordic Ski Expo
By Cassie Wilner
Sometimes it can be a little intimidating to fly solo at organized group events—especially for an introvert like me. And especially
when the event has anything to do with sports or athletic instruction.
But when the group is 100+ friendly women who are all jazzed about nordic skiing... Now we’re talking fun.
From the get-go, the 2013 Ladies’ Nordic Ski Expo at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont emphasized a supportive learning
environment for women who were interested in skate, classic, and backcountry skiing. I came to the event to try to break through
my slowpoke intermediate skate skiing plateau, and ended up not only improving my technique but also making a few friends
along the way. Add wine, great beer, cheese, and chocolate to a day of skiing at Trapp’s, and you’ve pretty much got the makings
of a perfect day, at least in my book.
During the day I noticed a high volume
of smiles, in huge part thanks to the
excellent preparation and planning by
the Catamount Trail Association (CTA).
Another reason for the happy smiles
was the outstanding snow conditions
and grooming at Trapp’s. Despite
temperatures warming up into the 40s,
the base held up extremely well. Firm
snow in the morning meant fast skiing,
while afternoon sunshine allowed us
to peel off the layers and work up a
sweat. The warm weather was nice for
this type of event, as standing around
listening to instruction and watching
drills would have quickly resulted in
frozen digits if the temperatures had
been cooler.
Skill Acquisition – sounds awfully
formal, doesn’t it? – took up a significant
amount of time, with three lesson
blocks running from 9am to 4pm.
Groups were divided among skate,
classic, and backcountry/touring and
then, within each of these categories
the participants divided up into total
20
“never-ever” novices, “been out a few
times” beginners, and intermediates.
Of course, between instructional
sessions we had to refuel. We enjoyed
an amazing lunch at the Trapp Lodge
followed by a presentation on Nepali
trekking from Ongyel Sherpa of U.S.
Sherpa International, and concluded
the day with après-ski nibbles, Vermont
cheese, chocolate, Trapp Lager beer –
brewed right there on the premises! –
and Boyden Valley wine from the next
valley north.
I spent both the morning and
afternoon session working on my skate
technique with Karen Westervelt,
a physical therapist in Stowe and
volunteer instructor for the local Bill
Koch League. We had only five people
in our group so we were really able to
maximize our time with Karen and the
benefits of individualized instruction.
Our morning session included video
analysis or our technique, which
immediately highlighted areas in need
of improvement.
Oh, technology... Thank you for totally
piercing my I’m-looking-pretty-goodon-skate-skis bubble. One short clip
on that little iPad mini and I realized,
wow, I am totally UNdynamic on skate
skis. While I felt powerfully fluid, I saw
a static upper body and wimpy pole
plants. Ouch! Reality hurts sometimes.
But, in fact, all of us had these micro
epiphanies from watching ourselves,
and, in turn, that helped us to focus our
attention during the afternoon session.
Reconciling the difference between the
reality shown on the video analysis
and the fantasy of how I thought
(wished) I looked was a good lesson
in getting over myself, too. We women
tend to be hyper self-critical, which is
why it was so helpful to bond together
in a supportive environment where
we could fall, flail, and laugh as we
attempted new skills. Judgment can
prevent progress; encouragement
helps to fuel improvement.
If you are looking to boost your skate
skiing performance, check out some of
these tips that I learned from Karen.
And despite the distinct lack of dudes
present, the following skills and tips
are indisputably gender neutral.
Drills
Work on your balance by skiing
without poles. This is a return-tothe-basics drill that works for any
discipline. Ski slowly so you can really
feel the weight transfer between the
skis and think about staying on each
ski for longer in order to get g-l-i-d-e.
Glide is a magical quality for a nordic
skier that can be difficult to achieve—
you know it when you see it and feel it
when you get it. Deliberate, focused,
and simple movements can really help
build balance on each ski and, in turn,
translate to “glide” over time.
One such movement that is really
helpful is the “boot touch” drill: start
skiing without poles and as you shift
onto a ski, bring your other foot up
and touch your boots ankle-to-ankle.
We also practiced carrying our poles
balanced on our hands “like a tray of
tea to be delivered to the Queen” while
skiing to practice keeping upper bodies
quiet and also carrying our poles
tucked behind our bums to keep upper
bodies pitched forward.
The final drill that I found really useful
for engaging my upper body was
double poling. This is such a simple
movement—you plant your poles
and then push yourself forward with
your skis in parallel—and yet it really
helped me to do it over and over again
so I could activate my core. Ultimately,
to get more power and glide from each
kick, compress your body, bending
forward and using your stomach
muscles while poling. Doing so
brought me in touch with my “center of
power” and I worked to feel that same
crunching sensation when pushing off
my poles while skate skiing.
New Skills
Learning to V2 on skate skis is fairly
challenging. This is a highly aerobic
technique when you double pole plant
with every leg stroke (the “V” refers
to the shape the skis make, and the “2
refers to planting the poles twice in the
V cycle, once for each leg kick, rather
than the more typical once). We’re
talking serious calorie burn here! After
watching Karen demo a few times, we
practiced going up a slightly gradual
hill and most of us couldn’t make it
more than a few minutes (all of us were
new to the V2 technique). It requires
glide, balance, power, coordination,
and well basically all of the skate skiing
skills put together into a dynamic
package. But balance is key, which is
why I found it especially helpful to
practice the drills in the beginning and
then move to the V2.
Practice, practice, practice
Obviously time spent practicing will
translate into improvement. Focusing
on drills and new skills is great,
but at some point you want to stop
thinking so much and just ski. Plain
and simple. Even at the Ladies Ski
Expo, all groups took time to rest and
then went out for an enjoyable tour
together. While skiing around for fun,
we still practiced switching between
different techniques according to
different terrain. For example, on a
slanted uphill with a fall-away pitch,
Karen recommended that you pole into
the uphill side as you ascend. We also
practiced hitting short steep hills with
powerful legs “like climbing stairs” and
how to descend around corners (cue
the power wedge for me).
Get out and ski!
Make it a goal to spend five to ten
minutes of your ski time doing
intentional practice. This kind
of awareness, observation, and
commitment will pay off no matter
what your sport. But you can’t practice
if you aren’t out skiing! Look around
your area; check out golf courses,
Christmas tree farms, whatever. You
may be surprised how many places
supplement their regular summer
income with a loop of XC trails, so you
won’t have to drive far to get out. A
quick half-hour lunch ski a few times a
week will do more for your technique
than a single long weekend day.
21
Trail Chief
Wanted
Top: Elevation view
iphone
Section 9 (north half): Route 155
to Route 103/Healdville (Weston/
Ludlow)
Bottom Right: Map
view iphone
Bottom Left: Layer
view iphone
The CTA’s Trail Chiefs make the
Trail possible. Here in the office,
we rely on our Trail Chiefs to act
as liaisons between their local
communities, landowners, and
the CTA. CTA is in need of a new
Trail Chief for the north half of
Section 9 between Route 155
and Route 103/Healdville. If you
are looking for a way to support
the Catamount Trail Association,
get to know your local trails, and
work with your community, this
is the perfect opportunity.
As a Trail Chief, you would be
responsible for working with
the local land managers, posting
blazes, brushing, and removing
deadfall on this 7-mile portion of
the Trail that is almost entirely
within Okemo State Forest.
In the fall, Trail Chiefs organize
one or more trail workdays to
clear the trail for the upcoming
ski season. In the winter, most
Trail Chiefs plan and lead tours
on their section or other events
along the Trail.
If you are interested in learning
more about this opportunity,
please contact Amy Kelsey at
[email protected], or
802-864-5794.
22
Did You Know
There’s a Catamount Trail iPhone App?
You can now explore Vermont’s 300-mile backcountry ski trail with our new CTMAP iPhone app. An interactive guidebook to the Catamount Trail in your hand!
CT-MAP describes each of the 31 sections from the Massachusetts border to the
Quebec border. With this convenient app, you can view Catamount Trail maps, trail
descriptions, and elevation profiles. You can also pinpoint your location, measure
distances between desired points on the Trail, and search for nearby trailside
amenities such as food and lodging. While there is no substitute for a map and
compass, we think CT-MAP will serve you well, on and off the trail. Visit the App
Store, search for CT-Map, and download it today ($4.99).
CT-MAP was designed by recent University of Vermont graduate Tyler Elko. Tyler
has generously shared his skills and expertise with the CTA to develop this helpful
tool. Thanks Tyler! And for those of you who are using other types of smartphones,
we do not have another app in production yet, but we know you are out there and
will keep you in mind.
S ki C ubs ...
continued from page
1
everyone learned how to put on their
skis, stay warm, and get up from a fall.
We spent the entire time skiing on a
200-meter loop just outside the Nordic
Center, and just like that, participants
were hooked!
By the last week we were racing down
Broadway, flying on the hills of Picnic
Loop and a few lucky participants
even glided through powder along the
Bryant Camp Trail (aka The Catamount
Trail!). Hallie Westermann, Northgate
Apartments’ mentor and chaperone
said, “A few (youth) expressed how
bummed they were on the last day that
this was our last time. The smiles and
laughter and improved skills over the
weeks were evidence enough that it
was a successful program.”
Vermont’s
Robinson
Elementary
School. Other festivals where CTA’s
SkiCubs Program provided Nordic
The
Telemarker’s
Tale
By Paul “Limey” Hemmerich
Many of us view the telemark turn as the
most graceful thing on snow, almost a
religious experience. Acquiring that skill
is the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Perhaps
only certain medieval poets would
have understood, and so I include the
following... with apologies to Geoffrey
Chaucer
Doug Chieffe lending a helping hand
skiing equipment and opportunities
in the community at no cost to
participants included The Stowe Tour
When February with its frozen cape
Has dressed the mountain tops in white landscape,
The naked flesh of January’s thaw
Is modestly concealed by winter’s shawl,
Then budding telemarkers ski their own
Form of New England snow, white Styrofoam.
They make their pilgrimage to Pico’s Peak
To bless their skiis, and skills on snow they seek
From that high priest and also high priestess
Indulgences they surely must possess!
Who come directly from the Holy See.
From where? Our Lady of the Bended Knee!
Come gather round my flock. Let us begin.
I’m sure you know an act that is a sin.
It’s called the fake-a-mark, and that is when
You thrust your ski way out, before the bend,
Paul Demers showing off his superior uphill technique
As the final day came to a close, it was
clear that many of the youth had caught
the ‘ski fever’. In addition to the 6-week
Saturday morning program, SkiCubs
provided one-time programming
Young skier returning equipment
for the Burlington area’s Committee
on Temporary Shelter and DREAM
program, as well for Starksboro
de Snow and Burlington’s “Wintervale
at the Intervale”.
The 2013 SkiCubs season provided
free access to skiing and outdoor
programming for 271 youth, equaling
over 727 hours of outdoor time. This
program succeeded in large part due to
the support of the Bolton Valley Nordic
Center and our generous volunteer
instructors. The CTA is already
planning for next season’s SkiCubs
program with the hope of introducing
ever more youngsters to the fun and
adventure of Nordic skiing.
To learn more about the Catamount SkiCubs
Program contact Emily Licht at
[email protected]
And pray to some false god to make it work
By genuflecting knee in one quick jerk.
A mortal sin this is, you know quite well,
And furthermore your thighs will burn in hell.
The proper righteous move that you should make:
Your downhill ski the very first to take
That plunge with gravity t’ward yon fall line
And then your outer leg will turn just fine
If hip and shoulder work as one with ski,
And after all of that you bend your knee.
Now go! In gloves, please thumb your rosaries.
And monomarks and garlands make for me.
Then make some linking turns with Grace and Flo
Two angels from on high. The moves they know.
And if you practice day and night and day
You will ascend to heaven I must say.
Go forth! Proclaim this skiing’s slippery bliss
My flock of telemark evangelists!
23
C atamount R eflections ...
continued from page
7
lift and shuffle. No wonder his quadriceps tired early, slowing
him to a plod and passed by one skier after another. Though
one of the last to complete the route – dehydrated, disheveled,
and drained – he had persevered to the finish, motivated by
the reward of lingonberry juice, only to find not a single drop
left!
Soon after, Dad bought genuine cross-country touring skis
for all of us—wide utilitarian skis with rugged three-pin
bindings. He learned about waxing and technique, bought
a blowtorch and wax kit with assorted hard waxes and
klisters, a scraper and wax chart. I became the family pine
tar technician, scraping the ski bottoms, and then applying a
new layer of the odiferous compound. Cross-country skiing
quickly became one of our favorite family activities.
One sunny Saturday three years ago when our Catamount
group paused for a lunch break on Stratton Pond (section 5),
I recalled skiing into the pond with my family more than 40
years prior. We stoked the woodstove all night long in order
to stay warm on a frigid night in the drafty Willis Ross Camp,
which sadly burned down the following year.
Last year, skiing south from Jay Pass on section 30 in about 40
inches of fresh powder on a cold February day, I looked over
at Jay Peak and was vividly reminded of the snowy October
day years before – the day after my dad became a Long Trail
end-to-ender. Dad and Mom hiked north from Jay Pass to
meet my Labrador Gerda and me as we backpacked south
to meet them at the summit of Jay. Snow obscured white
trail markers, and eventually the cold and wind turned my
parents back just shy of the summit. They left a note impaled
on a branch – Donna and Gerda, 11:35 am, We’ve turned back.
Love ya, Mom & Dad – that I found fluttering in the breeze
before being reunited with them shortly after.
The trails of Craftsbury Outdoor Center held more memories.
I skied north on section 27 of the Catamount Trail, one of
a motley group of twenty-six skiers out on a sunny, mild
Tuesday. Conditions were marginal, grass showing through
in places. Suddenly I felt Dad’s strong presence – déjà vu. He
was vividly standing there at that intersection in the same
outfit – tan knickers, blue knicker socks, blue windbreaker
and navy hat – as he paused twenty-one years earlier when
he, mom, and I had lingered at that exact spot while skiing
at Craftsbury. A broad smile on his face, Dad stood there
surrounded by fresh powder. I remembered skiing ahead
down a hill with a sharp turn at the bottom. I stopped and
took out my camera – ready for the action shot – and waited
for them to ski by. I captured them one at a time flying around
the bend, wild-eyed with ski tails spread in a wide snowplow.
Finding Catamount trailheads in the last few years brought
back memories of Dad and me trying to find trailheads and
markers in the 1990s when many sections were incomplete
or hard to find. I gave Dad the sixth edition of CT Guidebook
printed in 1995, when the Catamount was divided into 26
“tours” labeled A to Z. The Catamount Trail held great appeal
for Dad, with his love of discovering different ski trails and
exploring the woods. He would be mightily impressed
with the condition of today’s trail, the countless hours that
volunteers devote to maintain it, and how far the trail has
come with easements and protection.
My dad was with me as his red skis glided, climbed and
turned my final fifty miles of the Catamount Trail. On my final
section, some of his ashes took flight into the wind, toward the
Green Mountains he loved. I’m sure Dad is smiling, heartened
his skis have ventured far and wide. They are scratched and
chipped, well-used and cherished – not collecting dust. He’d
relate to the goal and achievement of becoming an end-toender and unquestionably appreciate the Catamount as it is
today.
The CTA is on Facebook... Are You?
Swing by and Like us. We are constantly sharing
news about the trail, event reports and more!
24
M y D earest CTA...
continued from page
2
and administrative duties, while Emily Licht wrangles Ski Cubs and assists in the planning and execution of events. In the everchanging world of the CTA, these guys are the old-timers, having held their positions for 15 and 8 months – and they have both
been doing a great job.
The other major change at the CTA is, with Jan’s departure, I moved into the position of Board Chair from Vice-chair, and Jill
Aspinall became Board Vice-chair. Our hope and intention is that the CTA will be as successful in our tenure as it was in Jan’s.
While we talk here about all of the changes with the CTA staff and board, we need to stop and note what has not changed, and
that would include the wonderful support of our membership, our volunteers, our sponsors, and the public organizations and
private landowners who allow the CTA to cross their lands. The reason we were able to stay viable during the tight economic
period of the Great Recession was that the members and sponsors continued to support the CTA through their contributions to
the Annual Fund, the Trail Fund, and various events. Our volunteers performed trail maintenance, led tours, and worked at the
special events. The State of Vermont, US Forest Service, and private landowners continued to work with us to allow access. Our
active base continues to be the heart of the CTA, and we are sure this will be true in the future.
As for our 2013 season, we had hoped for significantly better snow conditions than last year. Unfortunately, this has not been the
case, but we seem to be blessed with members who will ski on anything that is mostly white – snow, crust, ice, whatever – even
if mixed with rocks, leaves, and grass. Our events and multi-day tours will be covered elsewhere, but I will summarize by saying
that they have been extremely successful.
The Catamount Trail Association is approaching its 30-year mark. The organization has been blessed with good leadership
throughout its life. We have had a series of years of growth under
Jan and Jim, and we can be thankful for the current strength of
the organization. We have transitioned to new leadership within
the CTA, and we are off to a good start with a successful series of
ski events this winter in spite of the less than optimal conditions.
What does the future hold for the CTA? To a large extent, our focus
for the rest of 2013 will be to stay the course established by the
previous leaders of CTA. We appear to have an operational model
that is successful in serving the membership and conserving the
trail. We will look for ways to expand our base, especially beyond
northern Vermont, and will consider ideas for new events, but
aren’t planning for any
major upheavals. As always,
we welcome any ideas from
our members as to how
we might do a better job in
protecting the trail, serving
our members, and growing
our membership.
In closing, we want to thank
everyone for the successes
of the past, and we look
forward to working with
you and skiing with you in
the future.
25
What’s New With The North Face Race To The
Top Of Vermont
by Jim Fredericks
The North Face Race To The Top Of Vermont is CTA’s largest annual fundraising
event, and allows us to reach thousands of people and introduce them to the
Catamount Trail Association. Even though it’s over four months away, it feels like it’s
just around the corner here in the CTA office where we are already busy wrangling
the hundreds of details leading up to the race.
New Title Sponsor for 2013
Even though the 2013 event will retain the same name as in 2012, the actual title
sponsor has changed and is now The North Face Store @ KLMOUNTAINSHOP.COM,
one of the top North Face Summit Dealers in the USA. Their retail store in Burlington,
VT exclusively sells The North Face gear with over 1000 models to pick from in
stock including outerwear, technical ski and ride clothing, ice and rock climbing
styles, and bike, running, and yoga selections. The store has a complete footwear
department and all the latest innovations from The North Face for every season and
activity. Since 1968 The North Face has been the #1 supplier of all outdoor gear and
outerwear. They are the #1 manufacturer in the world of tents, sleeping bags, and
back packs and all are backed by The North Face lifetime guarantee. Check out their
store at 210 College Street in Burlington, VT or on the web at www.klmountainshop.
com.
New Event Website
In an effort to attract more participants and clearly communicate event options
and details, we have developed a dedicated race website. The new website
www.rtttovt.com – allows us to provide a greater amount of information about
the race in a way that is easy to navigate. Our goal is to make your experience as
a participant as painless as possible by making sure you are well informed. Don’t
forget to check out the interactive maps... we think you’re gonna like it.
USA Track & Field Sanctioning
This year the running portion of the race will be sanctioned by USA Track and Field.
Due to this you will see more clubs from the major metropolitan areas of the eastern
US and we have changed the team format to accommodate this category. The team
category will be made up of three people all of the same gender doing the same
discipline, all running or all mountain biking. Handmade stoneware race mugs will
be awarded to the fastest Open Team, Master Team (40+), and Senior Team (50+)
for both men and women.
h?
g
u
o
En
h
g
To u Your Way
u
o
t
Y
A r e Bike or pHOikfeVermon
,
13
0
2
,
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2
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u
Aug
Run , The To
To
Co-beneficiary Fundraising
In 2013 the RTTTOVT is extending an invitation to other Vermont based 501 c3
non-profits to use our event as a fundraising tool. This is a perfect opportunity for
other non-profits to fundraise without the financial liability and labor it takes to
organize an event. Non-profit organizations may learn more and apply by filling out
the form under the fundraising tab on our the event website – www.rtttovt.com.
W W W. R T T T O V T. C O M
26
Overheard...
The Ladies Nordic Ski
Expo was exactly what
I needed to get back
out there after a 35year “time out” from
cross country skiing.
Thank you so much. I
really had fun and I have
been out several times
since, with increased
confidence thanks to my
improved technique!
Ladies Nordic Ski Expo
H.L. Fuller
I really enjoy getting
together with a bunch
of women who love
skiing and the out
of doors. Such a nice
blend of instruction,
excercise, entertainment
and good food with
like minded people.
Connie Youngstrom
Content, organization,
spirit, people.
Get Out & Backcountry Ski Festival
Ivan Gingras
It was a challenging
course. It was well
organized. The
volunteers along the trail
were knowledgeable,
helpful, and friendly.
Beer, Chili, and a
Raffle... a nice way
to end the day.
Catamount BC Challenge
Anonymous
Loved the day, the
instruction, meeting
like-minded people, the
party afterwards was
great and we hooked
up with some others to
ski again. Demo’s were
good, tour was good.
Leslie Bashaw
Great instructors and
classes for all levels. It
made me realize just
how valuable the CTA is
promoting the sport.
Jay Stearns
The camaraderie, the
instructors for sure!
The friendliness and
availability of CTA staff,
the beauty of the area,
new friends made, the
availability of demo
equipment in spite of
such a large crowd.
Judi Byron
SO well organized that’s what gave me
the confidence to do it.
Catamount BC Challenge
Anonymous
I love that it is for
women and run by
women. And they are
all fabulous women. The
instruction is fantastic.
The location is beautiful.
The luncheon is
wonderful. Clearly one of
my favorite CTA events.
Diana Vachon
27
Non-Profit Rate
Catamount Trail Association
1 Mill Street, Suite 350
Burlington, VT 05401
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #421
Burlington, VT
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
The Catamount Trail exists thanks to the generosity of ski enthusiasts like you. If you plan on skiing on the
Trail next winter or just want to know that it will be there waiting for you, renew your membership today. We
really can’t keep it going without you. THANK YOU!
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR 6/1/13 – 5/31/14
Protector............................. $250*
Benefactor........................... $100*
Patron....................................... $75*
Family........................................ $50*
Individual.................................. $35
Name (please print)
Address
City
NON-BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP
State
E-mail
I am a new member.
I am willing to volunteer for events.
I am willing to help with trail maintenance.
I am willing to help lead weekend ski tours.
If you do not want us to share your name with other groups, please initial here. _______
Catamount Trail Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.
Questions? Please call us at 802.864.5794
Business.....................$350**
Lodging Member.......$100**
* Receive two (2) membership books and cards
** See CTA website for additional benefits
Zip
Telephone ( )
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP
Membership Dues $_____________
I want to support the CTA even more. Enclosed is my additional tax
Trail Conservation
Annual Operating
deductible contribution for
Costs $_____________
Total Enclosed: $_______________________________
Payment:
Card No.
Exp. Date
Signature
VISA
MasterCard
Check
3 Digit Code
Mail to >> The Catamount Trail Association
1 Mill Street, Suite 350, Burlington, VT 05401

CTA Newsletter_V29-03_Spring 2013

Transcription

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