Guest Blog: Dr. Haney on Childhood Obesity

Kaiser Permanente is the title sponsor of the 2012 Centennial Celebration Event Series and Kaiser Permanente physician Dr. Sean Haney will be sharing his thoughts as an official CMC guest blogger this year about the outdoors, medicine, wellness, and whatever else inspires him.

 We are currently experiencing an epidemic of childhood obesity.   Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years in the US.   In fact in 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents in our country were either overweight or obese.   Obesity in youth can lead to obesity in adulthood and costs a lot of money.  Based on 2006 figures, the cost of obesity to the US health care system in direct and indirect terms has been estimated at $147 billion (Yes, that’s $147 billion).  

There are immediate and long-term negative implications for youth obesity.  The immediate consequences include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.  The long-term effects of obesity include osteoarthritis, heart disease, and cancer.   Not only are there physical effects of obesity, there are serious psychological consequences associated with obesity such as poor self-esteem.

Exercise and healthy eating are important ways of combating this epidemic.   There are many ways to positively influence youth behavior as well.  These include school-based exercise programs, interventions from medical providers, products and pricing from the food and beverage industry, media coverage of the topic, and more.

We need to change the direction we are going.  This may mean rethinking school lunch and physical education programs; that is to say putting effort and resources into these areas. How about families (guided by parents) making better food choices and even exercising together? How about bike night?  Or how about taking a stroll after dinner?

As a nation, we rose to the challenge Sputnik presented.  We can’t give up on our kids or our country.  We can’t afford to.

Standing Up for Our Public Lands

(L-R) John Fielder, Kurt Kunkle (CEC) and Scott Braden (CMC)

Colorado Mountain Club joined renowned landscape photographer John Fielder, a representative of Senator Mark Udall and Colorado Environmental Coalition (CEC) to call attention to a raft of anti-conservation bills in the U.S. Congress.  A new report on the bills has been released by the group Environment Colorado.

These bills, outlined in the report, would turn back the clock on hard won conservation rules that help keep Colorado's wildernesses and open spaces pristine and open to recreation.  The bills, all in the House of Representatives, would open protected wilderness areas to logging and motor vehicles, gut the Colorado Roadless Rule, release lands from protection as Wilderness Study Areas, and force the Bureau of Land Management to sell of "excess" federal lands to the highest bidder.

The lands that would be adversely impacted by these bills in Colorado are critical to our state's robust and growing outdoor recreation economy.  A new study by the Outdoor Industry Association determined that outdoor recreation spending tops $645 billion per year in the U.S. and is responsible for 6.1 million jobs.  Additionally, a recent Colorado College poll indicates that 93% of Coloradans agree that “Our national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife areas are an essential part of Colorado’s economy.”

These laws, which unfortunately have support from some Colorado Congressmen, including Reps. Tipton, Lamborn and Coffman, undermine what is beautiful and great about our state, would damage our vibrant recreation economy, and are out of step with the values of Coloradans. 

Summit Registers: How they can offer comfort in a time of need.

We received this touching email to our office from Mountain Rescue Aspen team regarding a fallen climber from the North Face of North Maroon Peak on 7/24.  Summit registers, which can be seen as a controversial topic regarding Leave No Trace rules, can do more than offer a sense of accomplishment-it can comfort a family. The Colorado Mountain Club has been the keepers of Colorado summit registers since 1912.

"I think this is an incredible testament to the power of "the web" and social media. I will try to make it as short as I can but I believe each "Portal" through which the information flowed need to be acknowledged.

The story, as the register is concerned, began on Monday 7/23 late in the afternoon. When at my request, one of our team members "posted" a "Missing Climber" report on the site a website. The subject's had posted via mobile transmission his having reached the summit of South Maroon "Now for part 2!"

His post had been interpreted by some as a reference to the tough descent of S. Maroon but to many as "He's going for the traverse".

While our team was in the field attempting to eliminate the eastern aspects of the two bells as search areas, the internet was at work.

Terry M., a regular on the website had remembered a "Trip Report" from N. Maroon that had been posted on 7/21, two days after the last communications from the climber. Not a normal trip report as this one contained video content and a photo of the summit registry log; presumably as a keepsake of the group having been there. Terry, went back and looked at the photo, noticed that the name of the missing climber was on this register! He sent it to some of the 

subjects co-workers who are also using social media to get the word out. The co-workers not only confirmed the handwriting but noticed his FDNY (fire dept New York) badge number in the photo and confirmed it to Terry. By this time the climber had been found. It had been determined that the subject had taken a fatal fall while descending N. Maroon, his family had been notified and his body recovered. There was more on the ledger that could not be seen in the photo and family and friends wanted (I guess needed) to know what he last ones were.

So Terry got the ball rolling. Posted a "Request from the FDNY in memory of Lenny Joyner" http://14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=36527&p=435020

While the 14ers community was throwing around ideas and figuring out "Who" was going to N. Maroon next to get a high quality photo of the register, the request for a "High Quality Photo" was coming through official channels.

I cannot take credit for originating the idea to take the original page, but do take responsibility for executing it.

So off to the summit I went with another member of the team. After removing the page I had planned to take a photo, but felt compelled to make the short video, offering our condolences and to inform the FDNY and his family that the summit ledger was in our custody and we were getting it back to them."

Main StreetGallery in Carbondale Colorado worked overnight in the middle of an art show to frame the piece for us and refused to accept any money for the frame job.

Attached you will find a scanned copy for your summit record keeping. Your registry made it possible for a family to feel the joy of the climber's accomplishment of reach the summit before his fatal fall on the north face."

Respectfully submitted by Mountain Rescue Aspen

Xcel Energy Awards $15,000 Grant to Colorado Mountain Club

Contacts:              Sarah Gorecki

303-996-2752

sarahgorecki@cmc.org

Rachel Scott

303-996-2746

rachelscott@cmc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- July 26, 2012

Xcel Energy Awards Grant to Colorado Mountain Club’s Conservation & Youth Education Efforts

Grants Connect Xcel Energy to Colorado Communities

GOLDEN, Colo—On July 20, the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) received a $15,000 grant from Xcel Energy.

The grant was made through the Environmental focus area for Xcel Energy’s corporate giving, part of the company’s effort to support nonprofit agencies providing services in towns and cities served by Xcel Energy.

“The success of our company is directly related to the health of our communities,” said Monique Lovato, Xcel Energy’s director of Corporate Giving. “While Xcel Energy’s employees invest in our local communities with charitable contributions and volunteer time, these grants are another way Xcel Energy shows our commitment to improving the quality of life in the towns and cities we serve.”

Through its focus area grants, Xcel Energy supports nonprofit 501c(3) organizations that improve science, technology, engineering, economics, and math education; improve and enhance the natural environment; help individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency; and that provide access to arts and culture. In 2011, the company contributed $3.9 million in focus area grants to organizations across its eight-state service territory, which includes Colorado.

Funds will be used to support environmental and academic education through the CMC's Youth Education Program, as well as our slate of land stewardship projects in 2012.

“Xcel Energy is one of our most important corporate partners for getting kids outside and getting boots-on-the-ground stewardship accomplished, said CMC Development Director Sarah Gorecki. “Last year, our grant from Xcel Energy helped us to begin combining the two programs, by incorporating youth into our stewardship projects. We developed specific curricula to teach youth about giving back to the places they recreate in. We’re excited to continue to offer family-friendly and youth stewardship projects again this year. The grant also provides critical funding for our Youth Education Program and statewide stewardship projects.”

The CMC’s Youth Education Program provides opportunities for youth to learn about and explore the outdoors through hands-on activities in the classroom, at the American Mountaineering Center, or in local open space parks while CMC Conservation focuses on working with land management agencies, partner organizations, elected officials, and coalitions to permanently protect our last remaining roadless areas and the ecological integrity of our region.

About the Colorado Mountain Club

The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to adventure, education and preservation in Colorado. Established in 1912 by mountaineering enthusiasts, CMC now has more than 7,000 members statewide who explore and protect the wild areas of Colorado. CMC offers hundreds of events and classes for all ages and abilities. Throughout its history, the club has been instrumental in landmark achievements such as the designation of Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and the passage of the Wilderness Act. To become a member, visit www.cmc.org.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

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Conservation Chronicles July 2012

Welcome to the July Conservation Chronicles, the monthly e-news digest of CMC Conservation.  We seek to provide meaningful opportunities for CMC members and the public to engage in conservation advocacy and stewardship projects. I hope you'll be inspired to take action in some way, whether by sending an email to a policymaker, writing a letter to the editor of your local paper, or signing up on one of our volunteer service stewardship projects. Policymakers truly listen to CMC members because we know these lands almost better than anyone. Specific comments about how you value protection of specific places that you've hiked or climbed in are tremendously helpful and given more credence. Together, we are working to keep Colorado beautiful, protect its lands and waters, and give back to places that have enriched our lives.

For the mountains,
Scott Braden

Conservation Director

Protecting Wild Places - Make Your Voice Heard

Lake Irwin and Ruby Peak in Gunnison County. Photo by Scott Braden

Central Rocky Mountains - Senator Mark Udall is still collecting public input on the possible designation of wilderness for up to 32 areas in Pitkin, Summit and Eagle counties.  It is important that the Senator receive a clear signal for public support for protection of these important mid-elevation lands that are critical wildlife habitat and popular for human-powered recreation. Please comment and view proposal maps at http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=52 

Browns Canyon - Sen. Udall is also listening to public input for protecting Browns Canyon of the Arkansas River.  The proposal includes designation of a National Monument for about 32,000 acres with an additional wilderness designation within that boundary.  Maps of the proposal and the public comment form can be found at http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=51 

Hermosa Creek - Last week Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act.  This bill would protect 108,000 acres as a Special Management Area, including designation of 37,236 acres of wilderness.  This large, roadless area is part of the San Juan National Forest, just northwest of Durango.  Maps, text of the legislation and public comment form is found at http://www.bennet.senate.gov/hermosacreek/ 

Gunnison County - Sen. Bennet is also beginning to solicit input on a possible lands protection bill for Gunnison County. It's early in the process and there is no bill or maps yet.  But let the Senator know what places you value protecting in this vast county that includes Crested Butte, Kebler and McClure Passes and Marble.  http://www.bennet.senate.gov/gunnisonpubliclands

CMC Stewardship Trips

Four Pass Loop Trail Work

August 8-11 & August 13-16

The Colorado Mountain Club will work with USFS White River National Forest and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer staff to repair heavily used and eroding trails at Buckskin and Willow Passes. Open to the public, but backpacking experience is required.

Ophir Fen Restoration

August 18-19 & September 22-23

The Colorado Mountain Club will work with Mountain Studies Institute, San Juan Citizens Alliance, USFS, and Durango Mountain Resorts to restore wetlands disturbed during historic mining activities. Planting and erosion control. Open to the public. Car camping.

Beaver Brook Trail Maintenance

September 15

Did you know that both CMC and Denver Mountain Parks are celebrating their Centennials in 2012? Join the CMC and Denver Mountain Parks to work on maintaining this awesome Front Range trail overlooking Clear Creek Canyon. Open to the public. Lunch provided!

Sand Wash Basin Restoration

August 25-26

CMC returns to Moffat County to celebrate National Public Lands Day with the Bureau of Land Management and a local equestrian club. Assist with trail work and clean up of Sand Wash. Sand Wash Basin is surrounded by ridges and mesas and is home to a herd of wild horses.Open to the public. Car camping.

Access Updates

 

Proposed Eldora Ski Resort Expansion

We have learned that the Eldora expansion plan has been modified from the 2011 Master Plan. This modification will have significant impacts on the Jenny Creek Trail and the access to the Arestua Hut. See the map of the proposed Eldora expansion:  http://eldoraeis.com/media/uploads/scoping_map.pdf

If you look near the top of the map, the proposed ski area expansion significantly overlays the Jenny Creek trail. This could have impacts to access to the Jenny Creek drainage and the Arestua hut. It's not clear that Eldora has plans to mitigate these access concerns. The public feedback period for the Eldora expansion, which ends on August 6th. You can learn more about the process and give feedback at the Forest Service website:  http://e2.ma/click/0v3ze/omwyhl/g8nc1. We strongly encourage your feedback to the Forest Service by August 6th.

Crestone/Cottonwood Creek Trail

The Cottonwood Creek Trail south of the town of Crestone, and the historic west side pathway to the Crestones & other peaks, is open for the summer. Prospective climbers are asked to contact the manager of the Baca Grande Water & Sanitation District, Steve Harrell (steve@bacawater.com) in advance of arrival. Since the available parking is on Water/San property, they need to know who is climbing in case there is a need for search/rescue service. He can also update climbers in case something changes later in the summer. Continue Reading....