We need your help to make the new Tacoma Program Center a reality! The Tacoma Branch Board has submitted a grant request for the Mountaineers Foundation Brunhilde Wislicenus Fund to develop the Tacoma Program Center by renovating the existing Tacoma Clubhouse. The Program Center will be a key component of our strategic vision to become the center of outdoor and conservation activities in the South Puget Sound region.
Brunhilde Wislicenus, a long time Tacoma Branch member, donated her entire estate in 2007 to the Mountaineers Foundation. It was her wish that the money benefit the Tacoma Branch and Pierce County. We believe a Mountaineers Program Center in Tacoma serving the South Puget Sound region will build a lasting legacy for Bruni's generous gift and honor her wishes to benefit the Tacoma Branch and Pierce County.
The project will only be successful with a great deal of support from our Mountaineers community. You can read more about the project here. There are comment areas on the blog where you can post you ideas for features of the Program Center that will support our teaching and community outreach efforts as well as why this is a great project for the Mountaineers.
Front Elevation of Proposed Tacoma Program Center
OutdoorsFest!
Bringing the Outdoors to You!
September 18, 2010
10 am - 5 pm
Mountaineers Program Center, Magnuson Park;
7700 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle
If you are an outdoor enthusiast or even just someone who wants to get outside more, OutdoorsFest is a great place to start. We are bringing together outdoor education, gear vendors, outdoor non-profits and other groups to help you get the best information about enjoying the outdoors.
Here's a brief list of what you can expect when you attend OutdoorsFest:
Gear Park
Climbing Wall and Clinics
Outdoor Workshops
Family Activities area
Maps to Taps 5k Trivia Run
Backcountry Cook Off
Beer and Wine Garden
Food
Prizes
As the keynote speaker at our Annual Meeting, renowned climber, mountaineer, author and
environmental activist, Conrad Anker will be recounting his adventures and speaking on mountaineering and stewardship-challenges and opportunities facing the alpine world.
Tacoma Branch Members Summit Mt. Rainier for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(L to R) Chris Barney (Tacoma Branch), Patty Peterson, Angie Barney (Tacoma Branch), Don Kenyon (Tacoma Branch). (Lower Row) Brian Blakeman and Stuart Robertson, (AAI guides), Photo by Matt Emht (AAI guide)
The team climbed Mt. Rainier on August 7 - 9 to raise money for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. The Mt. Rainier climb is one of about 15 climbs scheduled this year including multiple climbs on Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier as well as a few international expeditions.
Chris said "This was my sister and my first climb with Fred Hutchinson, but Angie has been involved, in some capacity, with the 3-day walk for 6 years. Just like everyone we have been touched by this disease with a cousin and a good family friend both going through treatment in the recent past."
"Mt. Rainier has always been a summit that my sister and I wanted to stand on some time in our life, this gave us that opportunity while raising funds and awareness for those facing a much tougher challenge. I can't look at the mountain or life the same way since doing this, but I think that was the point. We have gained a greater appreciation for what life gives us."
Upcoming Tacoma Branch First Aid and Navigation Courses
Tacoma Branch presents upcoming courses on skills essential for the wilderness traveler. The two classes below are required for any student in Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climbing.
MOFA (Mountaineering Oriented First Aid): Anyone who spends time in the outdoors should have some first aid training. Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (MOFA) is a 28-hour first aid course for the wilderness traveler. The course consists of lecture, demonstration & practical experience, and includes Red Cross Adult CPR & First Aid certification. MOFA instructors are club volunteers who are also certified Red Cross Instructors.
Two or more instructors teach each class, with final practical scenarios evaluated by 3 other instructors. Our make-up artists add a lot of realism to the final exercises by outfitting our many volunteer victims with simulated injuries. No previous First Aid or climbing experience is required. Text book provided as part of course. Course fee (includes text book) typically is: $80 members, $105 non-members.
September 12, 19, Sun., 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Tacoma clubhouse and a field-trip the weekend of Sept. 25-26, Sat.-Sun. at our Irish Cabin Property in the Carbon River Valley.
October 23, 24, and November 6, 7 Sundays, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Tacoma clubhouse.
January 9, 16, 23, and 30, Sundays, Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Tacoma clubhouse.
Basic Navigation: Navigating through the wilderness and not getting lost is a skill that can save your life.
Tacoma Branch's last 2010 Basic Navigation class is: September 1, 8, 11.
The Tacoma Branch Basic Navigation Course consists of two evening workshops and a full-day field trip at The Mountaineers' Irish Cabin property (located near the Carbon River entrance to MRNP). Course participants have required reading and homework assignments and a final exam. Introductory GPS information is covered in the second workshop.
This course provides an introduction to skills needed to navigate safely while participating in outdoor activities. During the classes you will learn to relate features on a topographical map to your surroundings, use your compass to determine bearings to objects in the field, use a map to determine your location and desired direction of travel. On the field trip these skills will be used and honed in various hands-on modules, culminating in the "Long Nav": two-student teams use all their newly-learned skills to navigate cross-country over very challenging terrain.
For more information contact Tacoma Navigation Chair Jim Harvey, jim5car@yahoo.com.
Tacoma Branch's next Basic Navigation class tentatively is set for March 15, 22, 26, 2011.
8th Annual Tacoma Mountaineers Photo Exhibit
The 8th Annual Tacoma Mountaineers Photography Exhibit ended on July 27th at the Tahoma Gallery. The exhibition featured 40
photographs from 10 photographers, all members of the Tacoma Branch. The images were judged by Peter Haley, photographer with the Tacoma News Tribune.
There was also a People's Choice award, as voted by visitors to the gallery. The winner's images, along with their comments, are:
Best in Show and People's Choice – John Woods for his image "Cold Harbor Sunrise". Concerning this image, John
says, "I was on my way to work that morning when I noticed what looked to be an interesting sunrise developing. Spent a couple of hours shooting what turned out to
be an amazingly beautiful sunrise. This was during the cold spell we had in December with a thin layer of ice in the harbor."
First Place – Gary Peniston for his image "Tipsoo Lake, Fall/Early Winter". About the winning photo, Gary states,
"Good ole' Tipsoo Lake, early fall - looking for fall color on the other side of the pass. I stopped here again on the way back and about froze my fingers and toes tramping
all over the place looking for the good shot. The light was so good I had to stay".
Second Place – Jim Oliver for his image "Bonsai'd, Red Japanese Laceleaf Maple". Jim comments about his photo,
"Taken at the Pacific Rim Bonsai Gardens in Federal Way. The starkness and shape of the branches against the stucco wall is what caught my eye. The gardens were
closed at the time, so this was shot through the gate".
Honorable Mention – Brian Kenison for his image "A Walk in the Park". Brian states, "Taken in late fall at the Washington
Arboretum, a young girl happened by while I was taking a photo of the surrounding foliage. This opportunity just presented itself to me and I managed to capture this
image of the girl as she danced amid the leaves enjoying her own little forrest fantasy."
Honorable Mention – Gary Peniston for his image "Small Waterfall near Mowich Lake". Gary says, "This small waterfall on the
way to Knapsack Pass is probably photographed by everyone who walks by it. I shot it once before on another trip. Things look different on different days"
Honorable Mention – Joe Becker for his image "Night at the Glass Museum". Joe comments, "This image was taken on our photo
meeting night last February when we decided to go shooting down at the Glass Museum. This was one of the last photographs I took that night. The long exposure, 20 seconds in
this case, brings out reflections and colors not seen with the naked eye."
Honorable Mention – John Woods for his image "Snake River Overlook Sunrise". John notes, "This was taken at 4 am. We were
camping in our RV on the West side of the Tetons in Idaho and had to leave the campground at 2 am in order to be at this overlook for sunrise".
Also receiving votes in the People's Choice category were: Don Thompson, Joe Becker, Bert Daniels, Paul Nechols, Victoria Agedelo-Martin, Brian Kenison,
Jim Oliver, and Gary Peniston.
The photo committee has signed up with the Tahoma Gallery to again host the exhibition in 2011. The 9th annual event is scheduled for the months of September and October
next year. it isn't too soon to start shooting images for next year's show!
Nominations are now open for the Tacoma Branch Board of Trustee elections coming up in September. It is a great opportunity to help guide our branch and shape the future of The Mountaineers.
If you would like to nominate yourself or another member for consideration by the Nominating Committee, contact Darin Brekke, mtn_nav@earthlink.net.
Open Positions - Term starting Oct. 25, 2010
Chair-Elect - 1 year term plus becomes Chair following year
Treasurer - 1 year term (Note: The Treasurer's position has the minimum skills requirement of some knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, and fiscal policy.)
You can read about current Board of Trustee members, many of whom will continue to serve on the Board next year, here
Peak Achievements for 2009/2010
The Mountaineers have been busy over the past year. Discover how we are creating responsible recreationists, providing educational opportunities, and protecting Washington's wildlands in the newly published Peak Achievements.
The Mountaineers was established in 1906 and over the years has grown into the largest outdoor-recreation organization in the Northwest, including branches in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Bellingham, Wenatchee, and Kitsap County.
The Tacoma Branch was founded in 1912. As our membership grew, our activities increased to include a wide array of muscle-powered outdoor endeavors. However, some things about The Mountaineers never change. Our philosophy and purpose are the same as when the organization was formed almost 100 hundred years ago.
