| Steve Dougherty ~ Sep 30, 2004 |
| Twenty-five Chemeketans converged on Mt. Hood's Eliot Glacier for a two day Ice School. In order to accomodate the large turnout, the participants were divided into four groups; two Saturday groups and two Sunday groups. A 90-minute classroom session was held in the Chemekeden the previous week to give participants a mental picture of the skills they would be practicing. Leaders Steve Dougherty and Tom Weimer each led a group up to the 7,800' level of the Eliot Glacier on Saturday and Sunday, where the participants practiced ice axe and crampon techniques on a 45 degree slope that bordered the east side of the glacier. Participants then took turns rapeling into a crevasse and prusiking out. The final skill involved a top-roped climb out of the crevasse using two ice tools. Special thanks to Gloria and John Petrie for organizing a delicious group meal at the Cloud Cap Saddle Campground Saturday evening. This allowed for both the Saturday and Sunday groups to socialize. Tim and Robyn Smith did a dutch oven apple struedel for desert. Linda Bedard and Keith Hill served breakfast. Their efforts made this outing extra special. Saturday participants were: Steve Dougherty, Linda Bedard, Keith Hill, Greg Tedrow, Jon Ellis, Tom Weimer, Kirk Kraschel, Michael McHugh, Ken Prowse, JP Petrin and Rick Barry. Sunday participants were: Steve Dougherty, Scott Phillips, Gloria Petrie, John Petrie, Tim Smith, Robyn Smith, Scott Kelley, April Waters, Tom Weimer, Ercan Acar, Jim Tschanz, Sue Nelson, Haydar Kutuk, Michael Slater, Jennifer Truax, and Matt VanCampen. |