* Articles marked with an asterisk have been copied into my
Northwest Skier notebook.
Yodelin ski area opened on December 27, 1969, with a 1,800-foot
double chairlift, a rope tow, and a three-story Tyrolian-styled
lodge. Nason Properties, owned by W.C. "Wendy" Carlson and his
wife, operates the ski area and lodge and handles the sale and
development of the Yodelin village. A total of 184 homesite lots
are available and several all-season recreational homes have been
constructed. Future plans call for a condominium ("Lichtenberg
Haus"), a cable car on nearly Lichtenberg Mountain, and four
chairlifts on Barrier Ridge. The 3-1-70 issue (p.1) includes
more information about Yodelin, plus three pictures.
The Spoiler, made of flexible epoxy and cushioned with foam, can
be attached to the rear of the Lange competition model,
extending the height of the boot by about one-third. "Mastery of
the modern 'sit back' technique is made easier by the Spoiler
while fatigue is reduced and control increased." A drawing of the
Spoiler is included.
The 11-27-70 issue (p.11) reports on the popularity of Jet
Stix, introduced by former U.S. Olympian Jack Nagel. "Jet Stix
are simple to use--they fit around the boot top and require no
modification of the boot. They're held in place by a single
strap and fastened by a boot-type buckle. With Jet Stix, ski
boots become like the new high-backed models."
The 10-22-71 issue (p.14) has the first display ad I noticed
for a factory-produced high-back boot, the Dolomite Super-Comp.
The 11-5-71 issue (p.3) has a display ad for Cheetah sticks.
Mt Pilchuck ski area has been sold to two avid Bellingham skiers,
Dick Mahlberg, a 10th Mountain Division veteran, and Franz X.
Gable, former Austrian Olympic silver medalist. The 2-19-71
issue (p.9) describes Mt Pilchuck operation under their
management.
The Lake Chelan Skiers Association headed by Dr. Tom Milliette
hired Wenatchee's Munson Nash and Associates to study the
feasibility of a ski area on Stormy Mountain, west of Manson
between Lake Chelan and the Entiat River. The 7198-foot mountain
offers three large basins and potential for about 3,000 vertical
feet of skiing. The feasibility study was issued in September
1969 and in August 1970 the Forest Service issued a notice of
their intention to prepare a prospectus for potential developers.
The mountain offers over ten square miles of potential skiing
terrain that could require as many as twenty-five chairlifts to
service.
"Nordic skiing is gaining popularity because it is initially less
expensive, safer and easier to master than Alpine skiing to a
point where it can be enjoyed. [...] Alpine skiing is designed
for downhill use only. The weight of the skis, the stiff,
reinforced boots and the rigid bindings make uphill lifts a
necessity." The authors, from Scandia Ski Shop in Vancouver,
B.C., describe the equipment used for cross-country touring,
places where touring can be done, the popularity of the sport in
Scandinavia, and how to get started. In the 11-13-70 issue
(p.11) the authors discuss the importance of proper waxing. In
the 1-8-71 issue (p.11) writer John A. Herbert describes his
first cross-country ski lesson at Mt Baker. In the 12-15-72
issue (p.10) Dave Newton describes how to move from cross-country
touring into racing.
Two areas just east of Chinook Pass have been listed by the
Forest Service as off-limits to snowmobiles. According to Forest
supervisor Donald Campbell, these areas are used by hunters, snow
players and ski school clinics and there is not enough parking
space for snowmobile rigs. Two areas farther east remain open,
which the article notes "should be some consolation to motorized
skiers."
Although slightly outside the geographical scope of this project,
this article is noteworthy. It describes the revival of the John
Craig Memorial Race over Oregon's McKenzie Pass. In 1877, John
Templeton Craig lost his life in a blizzard while attempting to
deliver the mail on skis across this pass, just north of the
Three Sisters. In the early 1930s, Oregon historians and skiers
created a memorial ski race over the same terrain. During the
next twenty years, downhill skiing became so popular that the
race was abandoned in 1953. With the renewed interest in
cross-country skiing, the Oregon Nordic Club revived the race in
April, 1970. Thirty-six skiers started the race, which was
completed in blinding snow and sub-zero wind chill. Gunnar
Unneland of Seattle's Kongsberger Ski Club edged out the
favorite, Jay Bowerman of the Oregon Nordic Club. Each
competitor carried a small mail pouch reminiscent of Craig's and
filled with genuine mail to be delivered.
While saying little about the tragedy, which was covered
extensively in the mainstream press, this article recognizes
Stevens Pass people who came to the rescue after the Yodelin
avalanche on January 24. They included Jim Sullivan, Stevens
Pass outdoor manager, Bob Barr, ski school director, Bob Larson,
ski patrol leader, Bruce Kehr, area operator, and John Petri, ski
patrol member, according to Virginia Kehr of Stevens Pass.
After a delay of two weeks due to illness and bad weather, 35
year-old Swiss mountaineer and ski instructor Sylvain Saudan
completed a ski descent of the Newton Clark Headwall of Mt Hood
on March 1, 1971. (The article calls Saudan's descent the
Wy'east Face, but a photo of the route makes it clear that it was
the Newton Clark Headwall.)
The descent followed a four-day blizzard that dumped
up to five-feet of snow on the mountain. Unable to see the
summit, Saudan laid plans for the first descent of its kind in
North America by studying topographic maps.
March 1 dawned clear and Saudan was whisked to the
11,235-foot summit in sub-zero temperatures by helicopter. After
investigating conditions near the top, he concluded that the snow
was stable enough to support a skier. He began his descent at 4
pm. He encountered exposed ice high on the route and had to
negotiate several turns on it before finding better snow. The
4000-foot descent took 50 minutes and Saudan was met by
spectators and friends below.
Saudan's previous descents include: Rothorn, Zermatt; Piz
Corvatsch, St Moritz; Couloir Spencer, Mont Blanc; Couloir
Gervasutti, Mont Blanc; Aiguille de Boinassay, Chamonix; Couloir
Marinelli, Monte Rosa; and the northwest face of the Eiger, 60
degrees and 6000 vertical feet, which he skied in March 1970.
Saudan says, "Skiing these steep areas has taught me a great deal
about myself and human limits on skis. Providing a skier can
cope with the problem psychologically, technically he should be
able to conquer 50, even 60 degree slopes." The article includes
a closeup photo of Sylvain Saudan and another photo of the
descent route, both taken by Mel Olmstead.
"Mt Cashmere's snow-covered ski bowls are being promoted as a
potential Washington State ski mecca by two Puget Sound
engineers. Helicopter familiarization tours have been led by
Bill Stark and Dwight Baker. The formal name for their project
is Hochalpen Verein, Inc. Archie Marlin from Leavenworth,
Washington is president."
Describing Yodelin as a "struggling ski area," the article notes
that the area's second lift was completed behind schedule because
of bad weather in January and February. The 1,600-foot long lift
serves intermediate terrain and has a run extending to Highway 2
two miles east of the Yodelin day lodge. The 2-9-73 issue (p.18)
reports that Yodelin is "alive and well."
On June 9, 1972, Sylvain Saudan made the first ski descent of the
southwest face of Mt McKinley in Alaska. According to the
author, his descent route had never been climbed before. Saudan
switched from climbing boots to ski boots near the summit. He
recalls, "The changing from climbing gear to ski gear was
absolutely bone-chilling. My ski boots were frozen. They might
as well have been blocks of ice." He descended in four hours to
14,320 feet, rested a few hours, then continued in another three
hours to 7,200 feet. Just prior to this climb he skied the
Grandes Jorasses in Switzerland. McKinley is described as his
ninth conquest on skis. (The other descents are listed.)
In summer, Saudan works as a mountain guide in Chamonix,
France. In winter, he is a ski instructor at Arosa, Switzerland.
He makes his steep descents on 210 cm. metal skis with Salomon
505 step-in bindings. The article examines Saudan's thoughts
about skiing, his career, and his age, currently 36.
This article by the USSA Vice-President for Public Affairs
considers whether USSA should become active in curbing the
environmental damage caused by snowmobiles. The author observes
that snowmobiling has a negative impact on cross-country skiing,
has contributed to criminal activity, harms wildlife, causes
hearing loss to riders, and is aesthetically inappropriate in the
quiet winter environment. He notes that legislation to control
"this growing menace" has been inhibited by the powerful
snowmobile manufacturing lobby.
Further evidence of the growth of cross-country skiing is this
announcement of a 21-mile race from Mission Ridge to the Blewett
Pass Highway "(mostly for fun)" open to all ages and abilities on
March 4, 1973. "Mass shotgun style Western start." The 3-8-74
issue (p.4) reported on the first annual Gold Creek Rush citizens
race on February 10, near Hyak. Seven of the top ten finishers
were members of the Kongsberger Ski Club. There is a photo of
the start. The 10-4-74 issue (p.6) included an interview with
Liv Vagners about cross-country ski instruction. Around 1971,
the Pacific Northwest Ski Instructors Association held one of the
first cross-country ski instructor certification exams in the
country.
Karl Hinderman announced his retirement as ski school director at
the Big Mountain. He was among the first certified ski
instructors in the country "as well as being the U.S. Army's
first instructor," pioneering instruction for the 41st Division
at Fort Lewis before the 10th Mountain Division was formed. [The
article says this was in 1939, but I think it was 1940-41. I
also think other instructors such as John Woodward worked with
army troops around the same time.] During Hinderman's career at
the Big Mountain, he ran the technical gamut from Arlberg,
French, Austrian, modified American to GLM. He operates two
Montana ski shops.
After bemoaning the fact that there are too many Americans and
that our cars guzzle too much gas, and after mentioning "the
President's decision that there will be no gasoline sales between
9 p.m. Saturday and 12:01 a.m. Monday," the article offers some
practical suggestions for coping with the gas shortage. Share a
ride. Join a ski group that takes buses. Switch to mid-week or
night skiing. Dick Gentry, a tour organizer from Bellevue, has
been working with Amtrak to try to revive the Snoqualmie Pass ski
trains on the Milwaukee Road. Rainier Beer has shown an
interest, hoping to call the train the Mountain Fresh Express.
Responding to the gasoline crisis, bills before Congress would
classify the ski industry as non-essential with regard to fuel
allocation. This article has comments from leaders of the
National Ski Areas Association, the Ski Industries of America,
the American Ski Federation and the U.S. Ski Association
expressing their concerns. They argue that recreation should not
be considered non-essential in our urban society and that
individual citizens should be permitted discretion in their use
of the limited supply of gasoline. They argue against any
methods of fuel allocation that would discriminate against ski
areas.
"Nelson Bennett, manager of White Pass, is voicing considerable
distress over the closure of Cayuse Pass this winter. Officials
of the Washington Highway Dept. say the highway was getting low
usage, so the closure was ordered. Says Bennett, 'People tend to
drive highways they are sure of. The policy has been one of
discouraging motorists, regarding the passes. It takes access to
create a viable mountain recreation business.'" The 3-6-64 issue
(p.2) editorialized against the closure of Cayuse Pass. Prior to
the opening of Crystal Mountain, the expense of keeping the pass
open was justified to provide access from Enumclaw to White Pass.
This article describes the proposed Early Winters ski area on
Sandy Butte above the Methow Valley in Washington. Plans call
for two stages of development, the first being a gondola to the
summit, and the second being access lifts to various sites on the
mountain. The Aspen Skiing Corp. is backing the development
with support from the Methow Valley Winter Sports Council.
Members of the MVWSC include Gordon Butterfield, Sun Valley; L.M.
Cooley, Twisp; Robert Cram, Seattle; Michael Ewing, California;
Dr. William Henry, Twisp; Leonard Miller, Olympia; John Miller,
Seattle; Jack Nagel, Enumclaw; Donald Nitsche, Mercer Island;
Jack Wilson, Mazama; and Doug Devin, Seattle.
The 9-20-74 issue (p.1) reports that the search for a ski
resort site in north central Washington began in 1966 and two
years later focused on Early Winters. Local people were brought
together to form the Methow Valley Winter Sports Council. Aspen
Skiing Corp. became interested and the Council endorsed Aspen's
involvement. The article includes a ten-point summary of the
advantages of the Early Winters site. It describes the future
of the Early Winters resort as "hanging in the balance" and urges
readers to express their support in letters to the Okanogan
National Forest.
"A taped phone report of snow and avalanche conditions outside
developed ski areas at Snoqualmie Pass is being offered in
Seattle again this winter for ski touring and snowshoeing
enthusiasts." Last winter more than 20,000 calls were made to
442-SNOW, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, during a
three-month period. "The popularity of cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, and snowmobiling has been booming, and this is
bringing large numbers of people into areas with avalanche
potential. The Snoqualmie Pass vicinity is one of the more
popular destinations for this type of winter recreation, and it
is hoped that the taped message will help avert tragedies."
Bruce Kehr and his friend Don Adams skied at Mt Rainier before
there were rope tows. When they heard about a tow in the eastern
U.S. made from an endless rope, they fashioned one of their own
without having seen one. Adams cleared the way with the Forest
Service and Kehr came up with the tow and they went into business
at Stevens Pass in 1937. They charged a dollar for all-day use
or eight rides for a quarter. Total gross sales for their first
season were about $80, which did not compare well against the
$600 that Kehr had invested in the venture. Before the highway
was open from the west in winter, Seattle skiers learned that
they could drive to Scenic and pay 12 cents to ride the train
through the tunnel to Berne. A local restaurant owner bought a
small school bus to transport train passengers up to the pass
from the east. The article includes more information about the
development of lodges and lifts at Stevens Pass.
Aspen Skiing Corporation decided to defer further action on
developing a major resort at Early Winters and closed its office
in Winthrop. The company cited administrative delays, legal
costs and uncertainty due to proposed additional regulations.
The company continues to hold options for the purchase of land in
the area.
The 9-5-78 issue (p.2) reported that Aspen Corporation
switched its attention to developing a new resort adjacent to
Whistler Mountain, B.C. [i.e. Blackcomb]. Meanwhile a local
group incorporated as Methow Recreation, Inc., plans to continue
pursuing the development of an Early Winters ski area. The
directors are Scott Detro, Riverside; Walt Hampton, East
Wenatchee; Claude Miller, Winthrop; and Douglas Devin, Mazama.
This article introduces alpine touring, ski mountaineering and
nordic downhill skiing as ways to venture beyond nordic ski
trails into high mountains and deep wilderness. Climbing skins
and Silvretta touring bindings are mentioned and the author notes
that Steve Barnett, whose book Nordic Downhill is
forthcoming, is offering nordic downhill lessons at the Hyak
cross-country center. Jim McCarthy of the Swallow's Nest in
Seattle describes a trip with Joe Firey near Whistler Mountain,
B.C. The article includes photos by Dave Knudson of skiers on
B.C.'s Manatee Glacier and of Joe Firey touring on Ragged Ridge
in the North Cascades.
When operators of the Mt Pilchuck ski area applied for an
extension of their lease, the Forest Service rejected their
expansion plans. Ski area spokesman Gary Barrett said that in
order to be economically viable, the area needs to expand. "If
our ten-year operating plans allow for expansion, then we won't
get a lease renewal. On the other hand, if we can't expand, we
can't operate. It's a double bind." The area did not operate in
1977-78 and does not expect to operate in 1978-79, due to
uncertainty about its lease.
In the 2-20-79 issue (p.2) Joe Nadolski of the Forest Service
offered the agency's view of the problem. "It's not that we
don't want to see skiing up there. It's just that we haven't
seen much skiing there since the area opened. That's the major
reason for rejecting the lease renewal and expansion proposal.
It's a low altitude area and it's often that there's no snow. We
weren't responsible for Pilchuck's closure the past two seasons;
the weather did them in." The area opened in the 1950s when a
private ski club from Everett leased the land. By 1956, the
operators received a special lease permit good for thirty years.
Pilchuck applied for an extension of the lease to run for another
twenty years and the Forest Service rejected it, maintaining that
the area is inherently poor for skiing.