The Basic Glacier Climbing Course wraps up tonight. Team 2 completed their climb of Mount Baker, with clear skies, big views, great comraderie, and good times! 
Graduation Night is tonight. Please see your email for the Evite and directions to the big event! 
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Hines [mailto:khines@olympus.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 8:40 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Dox,
Here are my thoughts on the initiatives:
It seems that the ideas below fall under three broad topics: snow, rock, and leadershipskills. The club could spend 1-2 years/seasons on each topic. The time frame could be sped up if the courses were offer nearly year round,
rather that limited to Spring/Summer as it has been. I think that the club would benefit the most from advancing leadership skills as future leaders is what is needed to carry the club in the future. The life blood of the club
will be club sponsored outings which will require numerous qualified leaders/co-leader. Basic/intermediate skills along with judgement obtained from hands on mountain experience is what is needed to create leaders.
Initially the club's focus was on basic glacier climbing. With that aim, I would suggest 1-2 seasons emphasing the basic/intermediate snow skills (crevasse rescue clinic, intermediate glacier climbing course, avalance
awareness). Following this, the club could emphasize a leadership course for a 1-2 seasons. Then emphasize rock climbing skills for a few seasons. Having said all that, the Alaska Mountaineering Outing or rather a local
North Cascades Clinic for two weeks could vitually accomplish much of the skills above in a compressed time. The course could be 2 weeks with a few days devoted to each of the topics culminating in a climb that wraps it all
together...like a mountain madness or AAI 2 week alpine climbing course.
Kevin Hines
June Club Night was held at the Issaquah Brewery. There were probably twenty Bushwhackers and friends there, and the nice people of Trout Unlimited shared their room with us. Good times!
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Spencer [mailto:patrick1122@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tue 6/13/2006 11:12 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Cc:
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hi Doxey,
Wow, a great list of outdoors stuff. You may have already gotten this feedback, but one thing we might add, especially since it's required for outings, is a WFA classs that's a bit more accessable and affordable for the group as a whole. Do we have a list published, by the way, of those who are already certified?
Patrick
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Menard [mailto:mark_menard@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 8:15 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Great ideas, Doxey-here's my 2 cents' worth:
The crevasse rescue clinic sounds very attractive. I think such a class would be most useful if it could focus on the two- and three-person rope team rescue scenarios, for those who don't usually climb with larger groups. And the techniques useful for the smaller rope teams are more translatable to the larger team scenarios rather than vice-versa.
I like the idea of an avvy course-you can never have too much avalanche awareness training-I could envision a course that becomes an annual refresher-type, involving both classroom and an outing. Avoidance is where it's at, for sure...
The Alaska Outing sounds fantastic-what area(s) come to mind?
As always, thanks for all your hard work on behalf of the club. See you tomorrow!
-----Original Message-----
From: Alvin Goo [mailto:agoo@u.washington.edu]
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 1:40 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hello Doxey,
All Fantastic sessions:
My top 4 (not in any particular order)
-Conservation - hard work but fun and social; trail-building, beach cleanups, crag cleanups, and more
-Scrambling/Cross Country - an off-trail mountain travel course, but less technical so no ropes needed
-Alaska Mountaineering Outing - two weeks of glacier travel and peak-bagging in the Alaska Range
Explorers peak and the others surrounding Ruth Glacier certainly seem fun!!!!
-Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course - beyond the basics; leading, steep terrain, crevasse puzzles
-----Original Message-----
From: cynthia boyer [mailto:cynthiaboyer@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 12:10 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Dear Honorable and Esteemed President,
I am in favor of many of the iniatives; however, as I am in the latter part of my pregnancy, I am not sure how active I will be in the coming months. Perhaps the club could investigate some family outings. I would be happy to help participate in that venture. Muchas gracias El President por la vida!
-Cynthia
The Outdoor Photo Course is complete. They had a great time and learned a lot. We hope to display some photos from the class here soon.
Our friends Doug Y, Chris K, and their bud Steve S are headed to the Alaska Range to climb Denali. They leave on May 20 and expect to be in Alaska for three weeks. Good luck guys!
UPDATE: Our friends have returned from Denali! They are back safe and had fun, but weather thwarted their summit attempt - drat! Chris said,
Winds were around 40 MPH and with the cold Doug got minor frost bite on two toes and Steve got minor frost bite on his nose and one finger. Had a great time and we took lots of photos.
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Hagen [mailto:dughagen@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 11:04 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
OK, I've had a chance to look at these options & here's my thoughts: 1) (Favorite)=Leadership Course. I think this will help ensure we have more folks able to put private trips together... and that's a really good thing. Plus it's a fun class. Probably alot of work for the instructors though.
2) Scramble Course. This is good because it will appeal to the less technically adventurous in the club. A great way to offer more to more people.
3) Cragging Course. We can totally do this & it'll be a blast. Expand the tool kit!
4) Alaska trip. Hell ya! Sign me up!
5) Crevasse Rescue Clinic. Very valuable...but lots of work. Who's gonna teach this?
6) Conservation. A noble thing but, hell, I've never done it! Shame on me. Probably a very easy thing to coordinate with a group already doing this work. They'll welcome new volunteers happily.
7) Intermediate glacier course. Great idea but I'm not sure we have anyone to teach this. Maybe I'm thinking more ice climbing though. Guess I need to hear the list of skills you propose we teach. If we don't bite off too much I really like it but don't know if that would be enough for a whole course. I'd like to talk with you about this one.
8) Guide tricks. Again, who has these skills?
9) Avi Awareness. Same thing. I fear we go teaching things like this & someone gets hurt. Maybe if we hire an avi teacher. Would that be affordable?
So I realize I'm being selfish wanting to do climbs rather than build trails but I really like 1-5. That's still probably too many to do in 1 year. We can probably only add one or two courses & I think Leadership is one. I'M TORN BETWEEN Scrambling & cragging. Hmmmmm.
Anyhoo, that's my thoughts. I'd love to talk with you more about these. Thanks for all the great work you do, Dox!!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Katie Lichtenstein [mailto:katielichtenstein@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 12:12 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hey Dox,
Sorry I hadn't chimed in yet. Priorities that I would like to see really happen are the Leadership Course, conservation volunteer work, and the Intermediate Glacier Course. Other ideas are also great, but I think these would be a great direction for the club.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Pippin [mailto:dapippin@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 8:39 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Here's what I think about club initiatives....
First of all, I hope to take that glacier course with my daughters one day. And I think the Bushwhacker Way Days are the best. Whatever we do, this type of ongoing refresher clinic should remain a priority. Maybe we could focus on specific topics, crevasse rescue and such.
As for new initiatives, I like the idea of an Alaska Mountaineering outing. Putting together such an endeavor myself is too daunting, but I would like to get up there sometime. My hope would be that anyone with basic skills could participate. And I guess, in general, I think it would be good to for the club to focus on basics a bit more before
taking on an Intermediate Course.
Still, there does need to be something to keep people engaged at all levels. So I think it would be good to resurrect the leadership course.
I love scrambling, but I don't think we need a course. Perhaps a series of scrambles instead.
I'm not so much into rock climbing these days, but I know you are.
We should give back. I would be happy to put together a WTA trails day. It would be fun to do this together.
I'll renew my membership soon enough. Thanks, as always, for all you do. I think my feelings are best expressed in the words of Sheila as we were driving home today: "If you saw Doxey, you would be happier." I don't know where that came from, but she's right. I'm always happier when you're around.
Later,
---Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: Eli Levitt [mailto:rpcv_eli@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 8:02 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Doxey -
How are you?
My gut reaction, when looking at this list, is these ideas seem to be geared more toward the fairly experience climbers. If that's goal, I'm okay with that. But as a newer member with less experience, I worry we would not attract many new comers.
What about a basic trip planning seminar? We could cover a lot of the basics - how to read detailed maps, how to plan food for larger groups, reading the weather, planning routes, using a compas and GPS unit, etc. It's just a thought. Perhaps this is the idea behind the leadership course.
I think conservation days or service work is a great idea. We could do lot in the area - planting trees, trail work, removing invasives, serve as volunteers in the mid fork snowqualmie area, etc.
Keep up the fantastic work.
See you later,
Eli
-----Original Message-----
From: Shauna McDaniel [mailto:shaunam@exchange.microsoft.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 7:11 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Oh yeh - thanks for the reminder! Here are my thoughts, in very loose priority order:
1. Leadership course: Why? Because the more people we have who are willing and skilled enough to lead trips, the more club trips will happen, which seems like a healthy thing for the club. And even if people who take the course just use the skills for private trips, I still think it's a great skill set to build in the club.
2. Conservation: Why? I think it's important to help take care of the places where we play, and it would likely help to gain the club some recognition.
3. Cragging Course: Why? To help round out the climbing skills of this climbing club, adding to the bag of tricks for those of us that have mostly glacier and trail skills.
Not coincidentally all three choices above are things I'm interested in doing myself, time permitting of course!
~shauna
-----Original Message-----
From: Frederic Mokren [mailto:fmokren@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 5:09 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hey Doxey,
Wow so many great ideas. Personally I want to do things that take my skills to the next level. For instance I want to move my rock climbing from out of the gym and dependent on others to lead routes to more outdoors able to lead pitches. I'd also be interested more intermediate to advanced glacier climbing, such as the Tahoma glacier on Mt. R.
Here are my comments on your list.
* Leadership Course - a set of lectures and field trips challenging the aspiring trip leader
Great idea. Is there an incentive for taking this class. In the BCC program you needed this class to assist in the Glacier course.
* Cragging Course - a rock climbing course covering basic skills such as rappelling
I'd probably do this one.
* Crevasse Rescue Clinic - learn or refresh basic techniques then mix them in difficult situations
Using real cravasses? Could be cool. Especially coupled with a harder glacier climb.
* Guide Tricks for Climbers - aimed at trad rock leaders; techniques that guides employ
I'd like to get to this level
* Conservation - hard work but fun and social; trail-building, beach cleanups, crag cleanups, and more
Maybe we could partner with other groups that already do this. Such as the WTA. There was another group that did a beach cleanup a month or two ago. It would have been cool to put together a Bushwhacker contingent to go out and hang with other folks doing this sort of work.
* Avalanche Awareness - an avy course concentrating on avoidance rather than rescue
The necessity for this type of course should be obvious.
* Scrambling/Cross Country - an off-trail mountain travel course, but less technical so no ropes needed
Who would be the audience for this type of course? What would the technical aspects be?
* Alaska Mountaineering Outing - two weeks of glacier travel and peak-bagging in the Alaska Range
Pretty cool I'd have to say.
* Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course - beyond the basics; leading, steep terrain, crevasse puzzles
Well here it is the last one. I'd definitely want to do this one.
-----Original Message-----
From: brownk3@myuw.net [mailto:brownk3@myuw.net]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 3:48 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
ALL this stuff is good. Particularily Avalanche Awareness and Crevasse Rescue clinic (even the instructors for the Basic Climbing Course have to stop and think a minute regarding techniques - if you don't use it, you lose it).
Leadership clinic - the club is leaning more toward formal outings, so this would be necessary!
Conservation would be easy to fit in - the events already exists through Access Fund (crag cleanup), WTA (trail building) and the annual beach cleanup. It would take little coordination.
-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Kile [mailto:randykile@seanet.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 1:11 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
I like all the course ideas, but am I the only one who's spooked by the scrambling course? Unlike the other courses, it seems like there's very little that the group leader can do to ensure the safety of participants scrambling unroped over loose and/or exposed ground. Just my 2 cents, RK
-----Original Message-----
From: Brenna Owen [mailto:brennaowen@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:11 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Doxey:
I write down some ideas and suggestions on the 2007 inititatives below. I like all of the ideas. It is understandable that the club could not do all of them. I think it would depend on what are the goals/mission of the club going into the future. The priorties also should match the strategic plans of the club going into the future. Also look at the current strengths and weakness of the club as a whole and members. Could some of the class ideas be used to increase the current strengths of the club or turn a weakness into a strength.
I think an intermediate climbing class would be a great addition to the current class. I think as a club that is doing glacer climbing it is important to provide opportunity for people to brush up on Crevasse Rescue skills and avalanche awareness. I would see a crevase rescue class as a high priority that contributes to participation safety. The skills that bushwacker members teach for glacier travel are hard to find else where.
As a club it is important to give back so have a conservation day is great. Maybe do one or two days a year. Maybe one in summer and spring or fall. The rock climbing ideas could bring a new element of teaching within the
club and has the potential to draw a new mix of people into the club. The rock climbing elements could serve club members that have more interest in rock climbing then glacier travel and has the potential to introduce new trips in months that glacier travel is not safe.
I love the idea of taking a trip to Alaska, I have always wanted to go to Alaska.
Doxey, if you have any questions for me or know of some activities for this summer please let me know.
Brenna Owen
-----Original Message-----
From: Elaine McEnery [mailto:Elaine@parexis.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 3:56 PM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hi Doxey!
I would be interested in the Leadership course, Crevasse Rescue Clinic, Avalanche Awareness, Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course from your list.
Some other ideas: Conditioning Clinic, Mountaineering First Aid Refresher Clinic, Gear Swap evening.
See you tonight at class!
Elaine (McEnery)
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Thomlinson [mailto:Matt.Thomlinson@microsoft.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:56 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Not a full member yet, but here's what I think sounds most interesting:
* Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course - beyond the basics; leading, steep terrain, crevasse puzzles
* Cragging Course - a rock climbing course covering basic skills such as rappelling
I could see a bunch of folks opting for these - new skills & new experiences.
* Leadership Course - a set of lectures and field trips challenging the aspiring trip leader
I think this could help you generate new leaders for courses - almost a must-have to grow the group
* Guide Tricks for Climbers - aimed at trad rock leaders; techniques that guides employ As we discussed - keep the more experienced members active!
* Avalanche Awareness - an avy course concentrating on avoidance rather than rescue
* Scrambling/Cross Country - an off-trail mountain travel course, but less technical so no ropes needed
Smaller outings that wouldn't take as much commitment & would be easy for busy people to fit into a weekend - I like the idea of having some offerings like this
mattt
-----Original Message-----
From: Yumiko Adachi [mailto:a_yum@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:45 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hi Doxie,
It would be nice to see the outdoor photography class again next year. I missed it this year, but I am interested in taking that course if available next year.
-Yumi
-----Original Message-----
From: laurie cullen [mailto:lkcullen@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:27 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
hey doxey-
i would be very interested in the following: Leadership Course, Alaska OUting and the Intermediate Glacier class.
-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Barnett [mailto:rkbarnett@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:25 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: Re: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Hey Dox,
All IMO:
1) A Leadership Course seems to be the next new course the Club should offer. Its the "next step" in many other organizations after completing a basic glacier climbing class, but more importantly, it's what the Club needs in regards to continued interest and participation by recent beginning glacier climbing students.
2) A Basic Cragging Course seems to be the right direction to go, especially if this club wants to go beyond just Alpine climbing, but also into other areas.
3) I would really like for BWCC to have an Intermediate Climbing Course. This would benefit most of the club members old and new, and for folks not interested in rock climbing nor backcountry skiing, it is really the only "course" of sorts existing members (whom have completed some sort of beginner/basic alpine class) can take as continuing education (specifically in regards to alpine climbing). Unless of course there are thoughts on hosting an ice climbing class, but I would think this is further down the road. This course no doubt would include a higher degree of education regarding crevasse rescue, which is typically only necessary when alpine climbing anyway. I don't necessarily think a separate crevasse rescue class is necessary, but instead host "lets practice crevasse rescue scenarios outings" would be better.
4) I don't think an Avalanche "Avoidance" Class is necessary. Instead, I think avalanche avoidance should be part of the Beginning Glacier Climbing Course, and further explored in the Leadership Course, as well as possibly in other classes. This is a skill we should teach now, and to not get into it is a mistake in my opinion. If we were thinking about a full-blown Avy Class, this is different (of course, it would detail the "rescue" part for sure). I think these type of how to rescue someone caught in an avalanche type courses are already available elsewhere, and our time and resources can be better spent elsewhere.
5) A Conservation Course can get a bit tricky, and also political. I'm not sure if our little club is ready for this. I think it would get us into a bit of activism, lobbying, and the like once we delve in this direction. Instead, I think the club should take on a specific cause, or support a group, or something like that. Like the "adopt a highway" program, but not cleaning up a patch of road, but a specific trail we all like to go to, or area, or support an existing group in their endeavors.
6) Scrambling: I don't think we need a full-blown course for this. We can't be something for everyone (not yet anyway), and our focus is on climbing. The Beginning Glacier Climbing course covers most scrambling topics. Instead, I would have a few Beginner Scramble Outings, for new folks that want to join the club but don't want to glacier climb, or want to get "warmed up" to climbing. Just a weekend outing like BCC used to do up to Mt. St. Helens, with packs, crampons, and ice axes.
-Randy
-----Original Message-----
From: Carla Schauble [mailto:schaublecarla@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:06 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
I think all of them sound awesome! I would be interested in taking most of them Dox. This is very exciting!
Carla
-----Original Message-----
From: John G [mailto:jgartr@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:00 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
My top picks, rated and annotated:
1. Avalanche Awareness - would this include snowpack analysis?
2. Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course - "Crevasse problems..." that's the stuff. A big gap for me is route selection when winding through a heavily crevassed glacier.
3. Guide Tricks for Climbers - Tricks. I love tricks.
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephanie Arbogast [mailto:stephaniearbo@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:01 AM
To: Doxey Kemp
Subject: RE: [BUSHWHACKERS] Initiatives for 2007
Oh wow, great list! It's hard to not love them all...
If I had to narrow it down to my top picks they would fall into two categories
Things those are good for the club and community:
1. Leadership Course
2. Avy Awareness
3. Conservation
Things that I want to do:
1. Cragging Course
2. Alaska Mountaineering
My 02 cents,
-Stephanie
