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Mountaineer Bulletin, 1920-29
Mountaineer Bulletins, 1921
November, 1921, p. 5, "Notes"
J.H. Weer received a letter from Thor Bisgaard in Kristiania Norway. The letter mentions that they had started a mountaineer club there. It confirms that Bisgaard had returned to his hometown by this time.Mountaineer Bulletins, 1922
February, 1922, p. 1, "Announcements Extraordinary"
Paul Harper has donated a silver trophy cup to the novice who has shown the most progress in the previous two years. It is to be awarded for the first time in February 1923 and every year thereafter for ten years. Edith Knudsen, Helen MacKinnon and Elisabeth Wright are donating a silver vase to be awarded to the women of the club for the most expert skiing. It is to be awarded for the first time on February 19, 1922.During the Lincoln's Birthday outing at Snoqualmie Lodge on February 11-13, a moonlight climb of Silver Peak is planned, starting immediately after arrival Saturday night and reaching the summit at dawn.
March, 1922, p. 3, "Snoqualmie Lodge Outing"
The Women's Skiing Trophy was won by Stella M. Shahan, with a time of three minutes, eighteen seconds. "The race started at the lower end of the upper slope on the toboggan course and ended at a point on the edge of Lodge Lake, where a kick turn was made, followed by a climb to the starting point, the contestant demonstrating the side step and the herring bone during the ascent." Due to the amount of soft snow, the annual snowshoe races on Lodge Lake were not held.May, 1922, p. 5, Clark, Irving M., "First Winter Ascent of Mount Rainier"
This account contains more climbing detail than the newspaper reports of the climb. The ascent, made on February 13, 1922, required 8 hours, 15 minutes from the Forest Service Cabin at Anvil Rock to the summit. The snow was described as "excessively hard" but Jean Landry said it was the easiest big winter climb he had ever made. Landry believed that the Cowlitz and Ingraham Glaciers would have offered a better winter route than Gibraltar Rock.September, 1922, p. 3, "Notes"
The Forest Service has erected a second hut at Camp Muir. The hut is equipped with eight bunks and can accomodate thirty-two people.December, 1922, p. 1, "Tacoma's New Year's Outing"
The announcement recommends equipment to bring, and notes: "Women's outfit must include knickerbockers or bloomers." For the first time a ski program is planned by Paul Harper. The program includes cross country races and races down and up hill for form, for both novice and experienced men and women. Transport is still by train to Ashford, on foot for 13 miles to Longmire, then on snowshoes "(or skis if accustomed to their use)" for 5-1/2 miles to Paradise.Mountaineer Bulletins, 1923
August, 1923, p. 4, "Notes"
A short note mentions that the Cascadians of Yakima will hold their fourth annual outing, August 5-19, 1923, on Mt Rainier. "The trip will be made over the new Naches Pass [Chinook Pass] Highway to Tipsoo Lake," culminating with a climb of the mountain. The party will return to Yakima through Cowlitz Pass and the North Fork of Tieton River.Mountaineer Bulletins, 1924
February, 1924, p. 3, Kirkwood, Elizabeth, "The Tacoma Winter Outing"
Described as the "finest yet," this outing started out with rain but had perfect weather after the first day. New Year's Day was 14 degrees below zero. Bus transportation was used from Ashford to Longmire by those who wrote ahead, but "the strenuous ones" persisted in walking 13 miles in rain, slush and snow.December, 1924, p. 1, "Regular Monthly Meeting"
"Thrills and stunts galore by the world's greatest skiers near St. Moritz are combined in "The Chase," a two-reel motion picture which will be presented. Fifty champion ski-jumpers play a spectacular game of 'Hare and Hounds' over rugged mountain sides, displaying their best skill and endurance in a contest among themselves. After the regular run of the film, a slow run will be given to enable those interested in skiing to better observe the technique of these masters of the art."The announcement of the annual Tacoma New Year's Outing says that bus transportaion will be used from Ashford to Longmire, and the trip will be made direct to Paradise (5-1/2 mile hike) the first day. On the return, use of the bus to Ashford is optional. "Only those experienced with skis will be allowed to go from Longmire to Paradise without snowshoes; therefore, those intending bringing skis will also be required to have snowshoes."
Mountaineer Bulletins, 1925
January, 1925, p. 5, "Skis"
"Many of our members do not realize that skis are much cheaper than snowshoes." Poles cost $2.50. Ski harness costs $3. Six foot skis without harness: Pine, $2; maple, $4.50; ash, $7.50; hickory, $8. "Fifty cents for each additional foot in length is the average price." These prices were obtained at the Outdoor Store.February, 1925, p. 2, "Two Snoqualmie Lodge Outings"
"Rudolph Amsler has consented to make the trip to the Lodge. To those who made the Mount Rainier trip this New Year, Mr. Amsler will need no introduction, but for the benefit of the others, Mr. Amsler has been good enough to show some of our members more about skiing and about the difficult skiing turns, than thay would ever be able to read out of books. If you want to learn how it is done, now is your chance."An invitation has been received to the second annual ski tournament at Cle Elum, promising "very interesting ski jumping and running." This bulletin also includes short reviews of Ski-ing For Beginners by Arnold Lunn and Skiing by Ornulf Poulsen.
April, 1925, p. 1, "Snoqualmie Lodge Skiing"
"The highway has been opened beyond Denny Creek Ranger station for the last few weeks. A number of parties have gone to the lodge by auto. Call the chairman for latest news before going by auto."Mountaineer Bulletins, 1926
June, 1926, p. 6, "Notes"
"The Mount Baker Highway is now passable from Bellingham to Mount Baker Lodge, although the work on the road is not completed." The May 1926 bulletin mentions the first annual summer outing of the Mt Baker Club, to be held at Kulshan Cabin.July, 1926, p. 7, "Notes"
A party of Mountaineers climbed Mt St Helens on May 20, 1926. A road extends from Castle Rock forty-eight miles to Spirit Lake, but was "muddy and mountainous," causing delays. "In the dry season the road is good and presents no difficulty whatever."Mountaineer Bulletins, 1927
January, 1927, p. 4, "Outing at Snoqualmie Lodge"
On Sunday, January 30, Rudolph Amsler was scheduled to lead a ski trip toward Silver Peak. (I believe this was the first ski tour ever scheduled by the Mountaineers.) "This will be an unusual opportunity for our ski enthusiasts to become more familiar with cross country travel over trail, through timber and open snow slopes not available close to the Lodge. Several Mountaineers have already made this trip on skiis and are greatly inspired with its possibilities."Mountaineer Bulletins, 1928
January, 1928, p. 2, "Snoqualmie Lodge"
Ski instruction will be given each weekend at the lodge. Otto Giese, who "assisted in the filming of the picture, 'The Chase'," will be one of the instructors this season. The bulletin mentions ski trips planned to Divide Lake, Surveyor's Lake and Hyak. Bob Hayes is leading an overnight trip to the summit of Granite Mountain, but it's not clear whether this will be on skis.April, 1928, p. 3, "The Mountaineers' First Outing To Stampede Pass"
The outing was from Friday night, February 10, through Sunday, February 12. The group stayed in railroad shacks near the Stampede Tunnel. The account begins: "Our luxurious special car disappeared into the tunnel leaving us behind..." This suggests that the party got off at the west entrance to the tunnel. On Saturday they climbed "with skis in hand" to the ranger cabin, presumedly near the pass, arriving by noon, and enjoyed fine skiing. That night two more groups arrived, bringing the total to sixty. The next morning a weary band of men arrived from Snoqualmie Lodge, having spent the night in an igloo. The group enjoyed more fine skiing on Sunday before returning home.Otto P. Strizek won the Harper Cup (novice skier trophy) at the Washington's Birthday outing at Snoqualmie Lodge.
May, 1928, p. 4, "Notes"
On April 8, 1928, seven Mountaineers attempted to ski to the summit of Mt Rainier. They camped the previous night at 9,300 feet on snow. The party reached 12,000 feet where icy conditions forced them to abandon skis and use crampons. Walter C. Best, Otto Giese and Otto P. Strizek reached the summit. Other members of the party were Andy Anderson, Fred DuPuis, Lars Lovseth and W.J. Maxwell. The primus stove was defective so the ascent was made without anything to drink and without any warm food.December, 1928, p. 1, "Tacoma Winter Outing--Meany Ski Hut"
A ski hut near Martin was proposed by W.J. Maxwell in the June 1928 bulletin. The hut was constructed during the summer and dedicated in November 1928. The Tacoma branch decided to hold their annual winter outing at the new Meany Ski Hut this year. The announcement includes train schedules and rates.Mountaineer Bulletins, 1929
April, 1929, p. 1, "Notes"
At the Washington's Birthday outing at Snoqualmie Lodge, Otto P. Strizek again won the Harper Cup (novice ski trophy). On March 10, the first ski tournament was held at the Meany Ski Hut. The University Book Store (cross-country) cups were won by Hans-Otto Giese and Ellen Willis.A special ski outing is planned on April 14. The tour will go from Denny Creek over Hemlock and Melakwa Passes to Snow Lake, returning to Snoqualmie Pass. "As this is in the nature of a pioneer trip for The Mountaineers, all persons of sufficient experience are urged to attend."
May, 1929, p. 3, "Ski Tips"
"Ski Tips, containing timely and interesting bits of information regarding skiing, prepared and edited by your ski committee, will appear in the bulletin from time to time." This one describes care of skis in summer, which includes scraping, oiling, and strapping the skis in blocks to preserve the camber. The harness straps should be treated with whale amber.September, 1929, p. 4, "Ski Tips"
A few tips on preparing equipment for the coming season.December, 1929, p. 2, "Snoqualmie Lodge"
The article includes the Milwaukee train schedule from Seattle to Rockdale. During the winter, "We will use private automobiles as long as possible... During the heavy snows members are requested to leave their cars unlocked so that, if necessary, the road crews can move them to facilitate removal of the snow."
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