ENGL 416 Newsletter
- 1. Thin Air Cyclone Mountaineering Club From the President Welcome to the first edition of the CMC Newsletter! We hope it will create a reliable medium for keeping in touch with you about club activities and events. In this newsletter you’ll find announcements about club activities as well as other information we hope you’ll find interesting and useful. Our officers have some exciting programs and trips planned for this year. I hope you’ll enjoy all of them! Chris Jones, President Summer Trip to Mount Washington Over summer break several club members drove to the Presidential Range in New Hampshire to climb Mount Washington and surrounding peaks. The conditions were excellent—clear skies, above freezing temperatures, and wind velocities under 50 mph. That was quite a pleasant surprise: Mt. Washington holds the wind velocity record, and snow continues to fly until late spring. Club members camped in tents in a nearby national forest. They hiked to the summits of Madison, Adams, and Jefferson, following the Appalachian Trail for nearly forty miles. All members of the group spotted moose and bears along the trail. The club will definitely consider the Presidential Range for future trips. Trail Volunteers Needed Volunteers for clearing trails are needed in several state and national forests and parks. This is a great way to learn about a mountain eco-system while preparing the trails for the summer season. Spend your spring break in the Rockies or the Appalachians where the streams run clear, the trees open their canopies, and the rhododendrons bloom. Housing is provided free, and car pooling is available. Contact Steve at 515-230-2888 for details. Dressing for the Climb Climbing a “fourteener” in Colorado can be an exhilarating experience—if you’re prepared. Most novices, however, make the mistake of underestimating the brute force of nature above the timber line. That can be a big mistake—an even fatal mistake. At this October’s monthly meeting, Fred Carlson will conduct a seminar on dressing for the climb. Fred, who
- 2. Annual Fundraiser We’ll be selling mountain T-shirts, mugs, and calendars for our annual fundraiser. These items make great gifts anytime of the year. We need volunteers for our booth displays. Contact Sue at 515-298-2222. Planning the Summer Break Tour Our annual summer tour (the week after classes end) is still in the planning stages. Scotland, Norway, Switzerland, Chile, and Hawaii are just of few of the many destinations under consideration. Give us your ideas and input. We need to finalize our plans by the end of December so we can get you the airfare discounts you need. Call Joe (4-3333) with your ideas and preferences— soon! Mountain Lectures Thursday, October 6 Jim Spitzer, “Which Mountain Will Be the Next St. Helens?” Find out about the geology of the Cascades and how it’s likely to change within the next decade. Wednesday, November 2 Mary Ann Woodling, “High Terrain Mammals” Learn about the amazing adaptive qualities of bears, marmots, and other mountain creatures. Monday, December 5 Liu Chang, “The Mountain People of Tibet” Discover this unique culture from an anthropology graduate student who has lived and worked in Tibet. Club Meeting Schedule—Fall Semester We’ll meet the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month at 7:00 in 298 Carver Hall. Bring your friends. Join us on Facebook: cyclonemountain worked for the National Park Service the past three summers, has lots of experience outfitting backpackers and climbers. Join us and let Fred help you plan your next mountain adventure. Thanksgiving Trip to the Big Horn Mountains The Big Horn mountains in northern Wyoming are one of the best kept secrets in the West—uncrowded, challenging, and rugged. That’s why we’ve chosen them as the destination for this year’s Thanksgiving trip. Here’s our itinerary: We’ll leave from Ames on Saturday, November 19, and stay overnight in Sheridan, Wyoming. Sunday afternoon we’ll be on the trail in the Big Horns, heading southwest. We’ll camp five nights, then return on Friday from Buffalo. The approximate cost for members will be $175. Sign up soon so we can line up transportation and supplies. Congratulations to Jerry, Brenda, and Fred In August Jerry Smith, Brenda Talbot, and Fred Carlson climbed Mount Rainier in Washington State. Although they were caught in a snowstorm on their descent, they made it back safely. “We had a clear view at the top,” said Jerry. “It was worth every step—-an incredible experience! I can’t wait to go back.” Welcome New Members and Officers Last spring we had nearly 20 new members, not only from Iowa but around the country and the globe. Welcome! This year’s officers include: »» President, Chris Jones »» Vice-President, Sally Smith »» Secretary, Al Foster »» Treasurer, Karl Neuberg »» Field Trip Coordinator, Brenda Sikes Thin Air Cyclone Mountaineering Club