Willamette Chapter–Oregon Nordic Club

P.O. Box 181

Salem, OR 97308

 

****Remember:  Our meetings are shifting back to the 2nd Tuesday of the month for the remainder of the season****

 

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, Mar. 10, 7:00 pm at Pringle Hall, 606 Church St SE

 

PROGRAM

Adventuring in Japan:  In August 2018, Keith Daellenbach and his pre-teen son, Micah, went on an adventure to Japan. There they hiked through the northern Japanese Alps, enjoying a high mountain onsen on their hut-to-hut journey. They sea kayaked on the Seto Inland Sea and swam in its warm waters. Along the way, they visited cultural treasures like Takayama, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. Before returning to Tōkyō, they climbed to the summit of Mount Fuji via a southern approach and traversed down the mountain’s northern side. It was a father-son tour they will not forget and they hope you can join them for this presentation on the Land of the Rising Sun.

 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Please renew your membership for the 2019-2020 season.  For only $20 you receive access to all the inside club news, Ski School, Overnight Trips and the satisfaction of supporting our efforts to promote and improve cross-country skiing for everyone.  You can renew at our monthly meetings or download a renewal form at oncwillamette.org/membership.  Join us for a great season on the snow.  Note:  an updated password for the club’s website will be sent to all current members before the March news is posted.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

March 21, Saturday:  John Craig Memorial Ski Event at McKenzie Pass.  This is a great chance to stretch your ski legs and experience the beautiful views from the summit of McKenzie Pass.  Details will be posted with the March News.  Watch this page.

SNO-PARK PERMITS

The Willamette Chapter is selling the cheapest Sno-Park permits in town.  The annual permits will be sold to you at cost ($25) at all club meetings.  Be the first on your block to have one pasted in your car window.

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Willamette Chapter has an active volunteer program assisting the Forest Service with ski trail clearing and marking, as well as shelter construction, maintenance and firewood stocking.  Thank you volunteers!  Please call Mark Olson (503x559x0728) or Jim Todd (503x378x7003) for more information or to sign up for one of our projects. 

During the ski season Willamette Chapter members help the Forest Service maintain and improve ski trails by reporting trail and shelter conditions. Please help the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests use their limited resources efficiently by sending a Nordic Trail Report when you ski their marked trails. “High Cascades Forest Volunteers” records volunteer activity and reports directly to Forest Service offices. You can access their special Nordic Trail Report form at:

http://www.highcascadesvolunteers.com/WorkReports/WorkReportNordicTrail.html. You can also find the Nordic Trail form by searching for “high cascade volunteers” and going to their website: www.highcascadesvolunteers.com/. From the home page click “HCFV Work Report Form” at the top of the left column and then click “Nordic Trail Report” at the bottom of the right column. Fill in the boxes on the form; describe any trail obstructions or problems you encounter; and then click “Submit” at the bottom. Thanks for your help.

 

VOLUNTEER REPORT

February 11, Tuesday:  Mark Olson joined the Salamanders crew of Beth Dayton, Gary Westphal and Bob DePuy to clear another 30 downed trees from the Maxwell SnoPark trails.  The Maxwell Loop past the South Maxwell Shelter is now open and clear.

February 12, Wednesday:  Ron Allowitz, Jim Todd, Jerry Vessello and Patrick Eckford (from Sisters Trails Alliance) combined volunteer work and pleasure on a survey of the trails at Ray Benson SnoPark.  They found the three shelters in good condition with adequate firewood for the remainder of the season.  Eight leaning trees were removed from the Circle Lake trail and they found the South Loop, North Loop, Two Buttes Cutoff and Claypool Butte trails open and free of obstructions.  It was a good ski, too.

 UPDATE : All tours and events are cancelled due to the corona virus.

WEEKEND DAY TOURSGuests are welcome on Willamette Chapter day tours.  Please contact the tour leader for details and to ensure the tour matches your interests and skill level.

We need more tour leaders for weekend tours; please step up and lead a tour to your favorite destination.  If you wish to lead a tour, suggest a tour destination or learn more about tour leading, contact Jim Todd (503z378z7003). Remember, impromptu tours are always an option.  If you yearn for a day on skis, phone Jim, one the leaders below or a skier on the weekday list.  Connect with your fellow Club members and get out when it snows.

 

March 7, Saturday:  A Tour, location depending on snow conditions.  Contact Ron Allowitz (503w951w3110).

March 7 or 8, Saturday or Sunday:  B Tour, Santiam Pass area; date and location depending on snow conditions and group interest.  Contact Bob Young (503w621w6626).

March 14, Saturday: A Tour, Ray Benson area.  Contact Mark Olson (503w559w0728).

March 14, Saturday:  B Tour, Santiam Lake or Maxwell Butte traverse.  Contact Jim Todd (503w378w7003) 

March 15, Sunday:  A Tour, location depending on snow conditions.  Contact Roz Shirack (503w399w8615).

March 21, Saturday:  A/B Tour, John Craig Ski Event at McKenzie Pass.  See the flyer below.

March 22, Sunday:  A Tour, Santiam Pass area.  Contact Pam & Craig Wojcik (503w931w2705).  

March 28 or 29, Saturday or Sunday:  B Tour, Santiam Pass area; date and location depending on snow conditions and group interest.  Contact Bob Young (503w621w6626).

April 4, Saturday:  A or B Tour, location depending on group interest.  Contact Jim Todd (503w378w7003).

Tour Ratings: A key to the Tour Rating codes: 

“Beginner-Easy”  = Short distances on flat or gentle slopes. Appropriate for first time skiers.

“A” = Easy-Distances up to 5 or 6 miles with a few slopes. Some basic skills are required. Some of these may not be suitable for 1st time skiers. 

“B” = Intermediate or experienced-Distances of 6 to 12 miles or possible elevation gains of 2000 feet. May include steeper sections. Some downhill skills are required. 

“C” = Advanced-Longer with greater elevation gains. Includes both trails and off-trail with frequent steep terrain.

“D” = Expert-Very difficult or long. Possible backcountry travel and/or mountaineering. 

 

 

 

The Willamette Chapter is sharing ski tours with the Chemeketans again this season.  Here is their tour list for 2020.  Please note that some of the dates have changed since the January posting. Contact Bruce Moffatt if you have questions or wish to join one of the Chemeketan ski tours.

Chemeketan XC Ski Schedule

 

Feb. 8th Cross the Crest. An XC ski tour beginning at Santiam SnoPark and crossing the Cascade Crest. Round trip 6-8 miles. Going towards the Booth Lake, Square Lake vicinity. Moderate difficulty. Contact the leader brucemoffatt3@gmail.com

 

Mar. 7th Hoodoo Ski Bowl to Potato Hill SnoPark. A moderate ski tour, being comfortable with some moderate downhill sections will make you feel more at ease. 

About 4 miles with an alpine feel without the elevation gain. A short and often overlooked, classic ski tour.  Contact the leader at brucemoffatt3@gmail.com

Mar. 14th Ski Skills Improvement- Groomed tracks at Hoodoo Ski Bowl. Come on out and get some tips, ski more confidently and comfortably. Brush up on your skills work on your fitness and enjoy the snow. Contact the leader at brucemoffatt3@gmail.com

April 17th Hut–to–Hut Tour, Dutchman’s Flat to Three Creeks SnoPark. 

Sign up now so we can reserve this weekend. Limited to 7 skiers.  Ski the backcountry hut system without a heavy pack. Food, sleeping systems, shuttle are included in the price. Enjoy traveling light through spring snow of Central Oregon.  Contact the leader at brucemoffatt3@gmail.com

 

 

SKI TOUR REPORT

2/29/2020:  Skiers on Cherry Lake                Photo by Bill Nelson

February 29, Saturday: six skiers had a great ramble into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness north of Santiam Pass.  The tour took us uphill along the old Skyline Trail, across Cherry Lake, Jack Crater and Joy Lake; and finally back to Santiam SnoPark paralleling the PCT.  The snow was beautiful and should last well into spring.  We hope you will join us for our next tour to these landmarks.     

 

OVER NIGHT TRIPS

Canmore Ski Trip

This is a multiday trip to one of the most scenic areas of the Canadian Rockies.  Skiing is at its best later in the winter when we are going since the major storms have past but it is still well below freezing to keep the snow dry for good skiing.  All types of skiing , backcountry trail, groomed Nordic and downhill are just a short drive away from our base location in Canmore (about and hour drive west of Calgary if you fly rather than drive).  The local groomed Nordic area, almost within walking distance from condo, offers plenty of challenging trails since it was built for Olympic ski competition. We will spend four nights in Canmore and then one night in northern Idaho for the drive up and another night for the drive back to Salem.  Condo type units where we are staying have small but complete kitchens. Both grocery stores and restaurants are numerous in Canmore.  For some of us this will be our third or fourth time to Canmore so we think it is well worth the trip for the skiing and the scenery.  Leaving Salem on 3/29, returning to Salem on 4/4.  Call for more details if you are interested  Craig Wojcik  503xx931xx2705.

Note:  condos reserved for this trip are full, but other accomodations are available if you wish to join this trip.

Hut-to-Hut ski trip from Dutchman Flats to Three Creeks SnoPark, April 17.  See Chemeketan XC Schedule above for details.