Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Must-do Centennial Celebration Climbs and Adventure Travel Trips


Your membership in the CMC allows you access to some pretty exotic and private locations. Check out the upcoming Adventure Travel and Centennial Celebration Climbs we have this year that you don't want to miss!

June 26-June 28
Easy D
 
Culebra and Red Mountain, two of Colorado’s top 100 peaks, are located on private property in the southern part of the state.   In the summer the owners allow access to 25 people each weekend day.  You need to make a reservation, pay the fee, then join your 24 new friends on the trek to the summit.

The CMC has obtained permission for a private trip to these peaks.  We will leave Denver on the afternoon of the 27th and car camp on the property.  On the 28th we will  do this Centennial Celebration Climb and return home.  There are options to climb one or both peaks.   This is a great opportunity to bag these centennial peaks without the hassle of making your  own reservations!  Additional details are in the online CMC trip schedule.

Wind River Llama Trek
Bob Seyse 303/718-2005 or bobseyse@gmail.com
August 15-19, 2011, $1,324


Hike the remote and rugged Wind River Wyoming range while letting the llamas carry the heavy loads and the outfitters do the cooking and wash the dishes. Trip leaves from Worthen Meadow, a southern access point to the Popo Agie Wilderness of Shoshone National Forest. Starting at 9,000 feet the first day the route follows the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River through high alpine parks and riparian water sheds. Day 2 finds the route below Wind River Peak and Day 3 allows participants to ascend Wind River Peak, weather permitting. Day Four finds the route in Pinto Park with panoramic views of The Cirque of Towers. Day 5 returns to Worthen Meadow Reservoir; all hikes will be at B level. Price includes tents, sleeping bags &liners, ThermaRest, llamas, guide & wrangler services and meals on the trail. Price does not include travel to Landers, 2 nights motel stay, 2 evening meals, wrangler tips

Italian Alps: Mountaineering Trek & Ferrate-Bernia to Dolomites
Eugene Culbertson geneculb@gmail.com
Aug 29-Sept 15, 2011


Trek Italy’s Alps 29 Aug to 15 Sep 2011 from the beautiful lakes of Como and Garda to the majestic Bernina Range and awesome pillars and spires of the Brenta Dolomites, replete with itinerant “rifugio” hut-based lodging and “via ferrata” climbs certain to inspire a memorable adventure. Hike through forests, alpine meadows, over saddles, passes and across glaciers with breathtaking vistas to summit awe-inspiring peaks, many via the famous “path of iron” ferrate where multi-colored rock face and ledges are outfitted with anchored cables, ladders and bridges. Experience the culture as well, motoring between trailhead gateways: e.g., Bellagio (by boat), Merano, wine-tasting at Lake Caldaro, Verona, Bergamo and many quaint medieval towns.”

Mongolia Trek, Culture, Eagle Festival
September 5-22, 2011, $2700 Trip is limited to 10 people with a sense of adventure, and flexibility for traveling in this remote country.
Bea Slingsby, 303-422-3728, beahive@comcast.net


Some of the experiences on our 17-day trip include trekking with Mongolian Kazak herds men with camels or horses carrying our gear, hiking over Jolt Pass at 10,300 ft. in the Western Altai Mountains, staying in gers and tents, visiting with nomads who have trained Golden Eagles to use for hunting, being at the crossroads of emerging cultures of ancient times, 2 days at an Eagle Festival including horse racing, and locals wearing very colorful native dresses, and time to visit museums in Hovd and Ulaanbaatar. At Chigertei Lake we will stay for 2 nights, hiking in the area and meeting the nomads. Daily mileage 7-12 miles for 6 days. A visa is not needed for U.S. citizens. Included in price is 4 nights’ hotel in Ulaanbaatar, internal flight to Western Mongolia and return, all meals outside of Ulaanbaatar, English speaking guide, fees for National Park & Eagle Festival, 4-wheel drive vehicles, nomads with camels or horses carrying gear, all camp equipment, welcome and farewell dinner, breakfasts in Ulaanbaatar, medivac evacuation insurance. Not included in price is round trip flight to Ulaanbaatar, two lunches, one dinner, tips, single supplement of $30 night, bottled water, drinks, personal items.

Trekking in Nepal
October 1 – 18, 2011 Fee: $2,806
Pemba Sherpa at (303) 525-6508 or pemba@sherpaascent.com


Join Pemba Sherpa, a native of the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalayas, on this spectacular trek through the foothills of some of the world’s highest peaks. Pemba has been guiding visitors to his homeland since 1986. On this trip he will be taking us into the heart of the world’s majestic Himalayan Mountains around Annapurna. The classic Around Annapurna trek offers a complete panorama of culture and ecosystems, including high mountain passes, the deepest valley in the world, the desert of the Tibetan plateau, pine forests, rice paddies, monasteries and people as diverse as Tibetan lamas and Hindu farmers.

Sikkim Himalayan Trek
Gyeljen Sherpa at alpineadventureI@gmail.com or 720-273-7158
October 15 – November 5, 2011 / 21 Days, $3,220 Minimum participants: 8


Gyeljen Sherpa invites you to trek with him through Sikkim, once its own kingdom, now a state of India and home to the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga, 28,169 ft. From Delhi fly to Bagdora then to Darjeeling, home of His Holiness, the Dali Lama. The two week trek travels through the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. Trekkers will camp beside the sacred Lam Pokhari Lake and cross the 16,207 foot Goecha La Pass. You will interact with locals coming to know their customs, culture and make new friends. Not included in price: International and domestic fare, travel insurance, personal spending money, and an Indian visa fee of $73. Indian visas must be obtained before departing the US.


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

CMC Wild Plant School-Sign up Today!


 WILD PLANT SCHOOL

This is a unique opportunity to meet others who share a love of Colorado’s flora while gaining tools to identify plants your hikes.  You will also receive resources to learn more on your own. Note: the field sessions are not typical CMC hikes. These sessions will exercise your brains more than your legs – each field class will be less than 2 miles round trip. Some days are less than one mile!

The classes will help you identify and understand the wildflowers, shrubs, and trees in three Colorado life zones through a variety of teaching methods. All evening lectures take place from 7-9 pm at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401.

The school consists of three courses.  Each course will focus on the plants in a different life zone during a field day and an evening lecture. Approximately 30-40 plants will be featured per course, with opportunity to gain a depth of knowledge about interesting ecological relationships, human uses, family characteristics, and how to identify the species using key characteristics and a simple key.  The evening lecture for each life zone includes a preview of some of the plants you will see in the field as well as an introduction to basic botany vocabulary. You will have an opportunity to examine and dissect flower and leaf components, learn the basic arrangements.

FOOTHILLS LIFE ZONE:  elev. 6,000 – 8,000 ft

·   Evening lecture – Thursday, May 12
·   Field session – Mt. Falcon Park, Jeffco Open Space, near Morrison, CO
Saturday: May 14 (Mt. Falcon Park)
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. each day (starting at the trailhead)

    

MONTANE LIFE ZONE:  elev. 8,000-10,000 ft

·   Evening lecture – Thursday, June 9, 7-9 pm
·   Field session – Reynolds Park, Jeffco Open Space, near Conifer, CO
 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (starting at the trailhead)
Saturday: June 11

           

ALPINE LIFE ZONES:  elev. 11,000 – 14,400 ft

·   Evening lecture – Thursday, July 14, 7-9 pm
·   Field session – Loveland Pass, Summit Lake
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (starting at the trailhead)
Saturday:  July 16

TO REGISTER:

By phone: 303-279-3080 X 2

CLASS FEES:
Individual classes (include a lecture and a field day)
·         $35/class for CMC; $45/class for nonmembers

REFUND PROCEDURES:
No refunds will be issued for cancellations unless requested at least 1 week prior to the first class. A 50% refund will be granted for cancellations requested more than seven days prior to the first class. If the CMC cancels the class for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

FEE INCLUDES:
·         Instruction by Native Plant Masters certified by CSU Cooperative Extension, and graduates of the CMC Wild Plant School.
·         Plant checklists and handouts.
·         Depending on the course, Rocky Mountain Flower Finder or Alpine Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains, pocket plant keys by Janet Wingate, and Loraine Yeatts.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
Guennel, G.K. Guide to Colorado Wildflowers Volume 1: Plains and Foothills. Littleton, CO: Westcliffe Publishers, 1995
Guennel, G.K. Guide to Colorado Wildflowers Volume 2: Mountains. Littleton, CO: Westcliffe Publishers, 1995
Optional:
Weber, William. A Colorado Flora, Eastern Slope. Niwot, Colorado: University Press of Colorado, 1990.

OTHER NEEDED COURSE ITEMS:
·         Notebook/pen/drawing materials;
·         Hand lens – available from COSCO Colorado Scientific Store, 95 Lincoln Av, Denver, CO   303-777-777
·         Lunch/water and standard A trip day hike gear

DIRECTIONS TO AMERICAN MOUNTAINEERING CENTER (AMC):
710 10th Street Golden, CO 80401  Education Office: 303-996-2748; Main Office: 303-279-3080 X100
The CMC is housed within in the American Mountaineering Center, in downtown Golden.  The American Mountaineering Center is the historic, former Golden Junior/Senior High School--  a blond brick building on the NE corner of 10th St. and Washington Avenue, facing Parfet Park and kitty-corner from the Golden Visitor Center. Parking is available in the parking lot on the north side of the building off of 9th Street and Jackson.  Please enter the AMC through the main entryway from the parking lot.

Directions from North Denver and Denver International Airport:
Go west on I-70.  Take exit 265 onto highway 58 (W), to Golden.  Exit at Washington Avenue. Left (S) onto Washington Ave.  Left (E) on 9th street. Right (S) on Jackson Avenue. Right into the parking lot.

CARPOOLING TO FIELD TRIPS:
We will arrange carpools at the evening lecture for each course.

For more information: contact Brenda Porter  Call: 303-996-2748 or e-mail: porteb@cmc.org

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY-Outdoor Stewardship Day at Capitol Thursday

MEDIA ADVISORY
 
Coalition of Organizations to Host
Outdoor Stewardship Day at State Capitol
Governor to Issue Proclamation; Coalition to Release Impact Report
 
DENVER, Colo., April 21, 2011 – Volunteers play a critical role in caring for Colorado’s public lands.  As those lands face increasing pressure from budget cuts, a growing population, and a changing climate, the need and opportunity for citizen involvement continues to grow. 
 
To educate the public on State stewardship needs, volunteer impact, current efforts, and ways to get involved, a coalition of Colorado’s leading outdoor stewardship organizations is hosting an Outdoor Stewardship Day at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 21, 2011.  The day will include breakfast, an educational panel of speakers, a session on working with legislators, and a press conference with Governor John Hickenlooper.  Additionally, a resolution proclaiming it Outdoor Stewardship Day will be on the floor of the Senate and House. 
 
WHO:             Press Conference: (noon)
Governor Hickenlooper
Sue Anderson, Director of Programs, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Bryan Martin, Director of Conservation, Colorado Mountain Club
 
Panel Speakers: (8:30 – 10:00am)
Moderator:  Tim Wohlgenant, Executive Director, Trust for Public Lands and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Board member
Steve Sherwood, Regional Director for Recreation, Wilderness and Heritage Resources, US    Forest Service
Helen Hankins, Colorado State Director, Bureau of Land Management
Kim Burgess, COO, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Tom Hoby, Director, Jefferson County Open Space
Doug Young, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Hickenlooper
Rep. Matt Jones, Legislator and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado crew leader
Senator Gail Schwartz, Legislator
 
How to Work with Government Session for Constituents (10:00 – 10:30)
Craig Mackey, Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association
 
WHAT:           OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP DAY – educational program for media and the public to hear from several representatives from State agencies.   
Free light breakfast (RSVP) 7:30-8:30am
Educational panel 8:30-10am
How to talk to legislators 10-10:30am
 
PRESS CONFERENCE – At noon, Governor Hickenlooper will speak on the importance of outdoor volunteers to our State and will deliver a proclamation.  The press conference will announce for the first time to the public several key results from a collective impact study commissioned by the coalition.
 
WHERE:          State Capitol
                          Outdoor Stewardship Day events in the Old Supreme Court Chambers, 2nd Floor
                          Press Conference in the West Foyer (off the Rotunda)
 
WHEN:           Thursday, April 21
Outdoor Stewardship Day event: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Press conference with Governor Hickenlooper: 12 noon
 
CONTACT:     Sue Anderson, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, 303-818-7264 (cell), or sue@voc.org
###

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Spring into Service with the Colorado Mountain Club


CMC, REI and Jefferson County Open Space Present the First
Trail Stewardship Project of the Season

 
GOLDEN, Colo –The state’s leading recreation, conservation, and education organization, the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), will host its first trail stewardship project of the season Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. at the North Table Mountain Park trailhead on Highway 93 in Golden.  Spring Into Service is a family friendly outdoor volunteer project, co-hosted by Colorado Mountain Club, REI and Jefferson County Open Space. 

“While making your summer outdoor plans, think about volunteering time to help improve the heavily used trail system in Colorado that thousands utilize each year,” said CMC’s Land Partnerships Manager Lisa Cashel. "North Table Mountain Park is truly a local gem and we hope that our volunteer project will create a group of citizen stewards that will take interest in enhancing recreation opportunities in the park while protecting this special place now and for future generations.”

This event will feature three types of service projects – a family friendly nest box building station and park clean up, a teen friendly fence removal project and new trail construction for adults.  All projects will be designed and led by Jefferson County Open Space staff. Volunteers are asked to bring a day pack with water, snacks and extra layers for unpredictable Colorado weather. The event will take place rain or shine.

The CMC will also provide information about its popular hiking and mountaineering schools, adventure travel opportunities, conservation and youth education programs.  New members who join the Colorado Mountain Club at Spring Into Service will be eligible for a discount.

The Spring Into Service event wraps up with a free lunch provided by REI, gear giveaways, education booths, live music from the bluegrass ensemble Drive Fast, Turn Left, and a pack horse demonstration with the Backcountry Horsemen of America.

Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information, visit www.cmc.org/spring2service