When the clouds lift during these last days of November, snow can
be seen adorning the tops of Mount Spokane, Rathdrum and Chilco
Mountains and even Canfield Butte.  The sight of snow gets my
"blood up" for skiing along the mountain trails.

Hopefully, it will be but a short time before sufficient snow
coats the trails at Fourth of July and the grooming equipment can
make its rounds.  The area is nearly ready for another season of
winter use.  Sure there will be last minute signs and ski racks
to mount, but the prep work is nearing an end.

Many members contributed to the preparation during the earlier
work sessions.  However, Glen Truscott and Van Bennett this year,
as every year, seem to contribute the most.  A new porch on Ian's
Eagle Hut, a cover structure at the benches, an expanded area for
grooming equipment, and a new warming hut over on the Twisted
Klister trail system round out the list of improvements they have
had a large hand in completing this year.  The club members, and
all those using the Fourth of July Area during the winter months,
owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts to improve
cross-county skiing and snowshoeing in the Panhandle.

 

 

Some trips are forming up for the Martin Luther King weekend:

 

Carol Ridge is leading a trip to the Lost Trail Pass area near
the south end of Montana's Bitterroot Valley.  This is a combined
Nordic ski and Alpine ski trip.  The opportunity is there for one
or both at the Joseph Pass Nordic Ski Area and the Lost Trail
Pass Area just across the road.  Accommodations are planned for
the Sula County Store Cabins at Sula, Montana.

Dwight McCain is leading a trip the same weekend to the
Northwest's premier Nordic and Skate Ski Area, the Methow Valley
at Winthrop, Washington.   Call Dwight for details and potential
accommodations for this trip.  Both are excellent trips in
excellent areas.  As the snow begins to fall and we know where it
will be , a few day trips should show up on the sign-up sheets at
the December and  January meetings.

 

Don't  forget the annual Panhandle Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club
cookie exchange which is a large part of our December meeting!
Cookies will be exchanged and a few  may find their way into the
annual basket we make up for the Idaho Department of
Transportation crew who plow out the lot at Fourth of July. The
plow crews really appreciate our annual thanks.

 

The December 2 program will feature a review some basics of the
winter sports, the equipment, how to ski (classic and skate); how
to snowshoe and how to dress for it.  Three of our most
experienced members will give short presentations on the
equipment used and methods of skiing and snowshoe use.  Our
fourth member will give the key pointers on proper dress to keep
you safe and comfortable during winter outings.

Our panel of Glen Truscott, Dwight McCain, Van Bennett and Carol
Ridge have many years of experience with the equipment,
techniques and dress for winter sports.    They will be open for
questions and answers during and after the program.  The
information should be a good introduction to those new to winter
sports and a good review for those with more experience.  They
may have a novel tip or two for the veteran outdoor enthusiast in
the crowd.

 

As a preview of coming programs  --   Rich Landers, well known
outdoor sports writer for the Spokesman Review, will present the
January program on a ski trip to Yellowstone last winter.  In
February, we are working on as presentation by Fish & Game's
watchable wildlife expert on reading tracks in the snow and
winter wildlife viewing.

 

 Goeff Harvey