Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge on Facebook
Learn to love the Wichitas.
Do you like hiking? Climbing? Viewing wildlife? Are you itching to get into the Wichita Mountains?
If you are and you’re on Facebook, check out a new group created for like-minded people here: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/group.php?gid=154777599306
This is a good way to keep up with what other people are doing there, news that may be passed along or meeting folks who might be cool to hang out with as you hit the trail or tackle your next 5.8 pitch.
Bob Doucette
Weekly ski reports
Recent snows have helped several Rocky Mountain ski areas. (AP photo)
Pretty good dose of snow throughout the Rockies last week, so things are finally shaping up. I noticed that Wolf Creek in Colorado already has a base of more than 100 inches. Wow. From personal observations, I can tell you that ski conditions in northern New Mexico improved significantly.
Here’s the reports:
Video: The basics of climbing
Before you do this, learn the basics.
Good videos From the Mountaineers Club on some of the basic principles of rock climbing. If you’re a long-time climber, most of this will be familiar to you. For the rest of us, some valuable information. The videos are about seven and five minutes long, respectively. Have a look:
Part 1
Part 2
Bob Doucette
bdoucette@opubco.com
Wilderness first-aid class offered in Edmond
Learn wilderness first-aid. (Image courtesy OKC-ON)
Ever wonder what you would need to do in an emergency in the backcountry? Maybe how to treat and injury when you’re out in the wild? There’s an opportunity opening up in early March for those interested in gaining that knowledge, courtesy of the OKC Outdoor Network. Here’s the lowdown:
Wilderness First-Aid Class, March 6-7, Edmond
Cost: $70 per person
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days
Make checks payable to: High Plains Outdoor Institute and mail to: OKC Outdoor Network, P.O. Box 12763, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2763
Participants will receive Red Cross certification for completing this class. Space is limited. Checks will be held and not cashed until the week of the WFA Class.
For more information, e-mail at okcon@okcoutdoornetwork.org or go online to www.okcoutdoornetwork.org/workshop_wfa-class.htm
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People I know who have taken this have found it worthwhile, so check it out.
Bob Doucette
Weekly ski reports: Big snow in northern New Mexico
Fresh powder is blanketing the Rockies this week. (AP photo)
Time again for the weekly Rocky Mountain ski reports. Can’t say for certain if the latest reports will reflect what I’ve seen. What I’ve seen: Lots of fresh powder at Angel Fire, N.M. The size of the storm that rolled through this week guarantees similar fresh snow in nearby New Mexico resorts. This is pretty good news for New Mexico, which endured a bit of a dry spell after an encouraging autumn.
Anyway, here’s the latest:
Colorado: http://www.skireport.com/colorado/
New Mexico: http://www.skireport.com/newmexico/
Utah: http://www.skireport.com/utah/
Wyoming: http://www.skireport.com/wyoming/
New snow means more runs will be opening, and just in time as people start gearing up for the heart of the ski season. And one more bonus: I’m hearing that the southern Rockies are looking at two more snowstorms this week, with the next two being heavier than the first.
Bob Doucette
California lawmaker proposes ski helmet law
This guy has all the gear -- including a helmet. (Colorado Ski Country photo)
Interesting blog post here: http://sanfrancisco.injuryboard.com/head-and-brain-injuries/new-ski-helmet-bill-proposed-in-california-as-a-way-to-prevent-a-fatal-head-injury.aspx?googleid=277028
The rundown is there is a state legislator in California who is proposing a law that would require helmets for skiers and snowboarders under age 18. It is modeled after a similar law that requires helmets for kids riding bicycles.
We’ve all been down the path of mandatory motorcycle laws. It makes total sense, but many bikers resist it. Same is true of skiers and snowboarders. But that fact remains that skiers and boarders are trying new, more difficult and higher-speed moves that are inherently risky. And if you remember from last year, a famous model died during ski lessons from a routine fall — made worse by the fact that she was not wearing a helmet.
I used to ski without one. I’m a convert. There’s plenty of information out there that shows helmet use can reduce traumatic head injuries significantly. More ski states should consider what that California lawmaker is proposing, and hopefully the rest of the California Assembly sees the wisdom of it.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Protect that noggin!
Bob Doucette
Backwoods’ big hike; thoughts on snowboarding dangers
Elk Mountain.
News and notes from the outdoors…
I had a couple of friends join a sizable group Saturday for a hike up Elk Mountain. The meet-up, which was organized through outdoor retailer Backwoods, drew a bunch of people for the hike.
Hiking buddies Ouida Plumlee and Johnny Hunter were among those who went, though Johnny found a way to spearate from the pack. He spent the better part of the day actually running the trail, climbing around the Rock Rooms and otherwise doing his best to get in climbing condition. Seems like he’s taking my idea of a snow climb of Colorado’s Missouri Mountain pretty seriously. I think I could use similar conditioning.
Would love to hear from others about their day in the Wichitas with the Backwoods group.
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Is snowboarding inherently dangerous?
Saw this interesting link, courtesy of outdoorsfile.com:
http://www.myfoxchattanooga.com/dpps/health/dpgoh-snowboarding-dangers-eyed-fc-20100115_5576785
The story talks about the dangers that have grown in snowboarding, particularly among those who are attempting the high-flying tricks common to terrain parks and those which will be the staple of many Winter Olympics events.
The story references Kevin Pearce, an Olympic hopeful in snowboarding who had a serious brain injury last month while practicing for the Olympics. Pearce was wearing a helmet, but the manner in which he crashed caused the injury anyway.
It’s hard to say what to make of this. Snowboarding and skiing have risks, some deadly, depending on what you’re doing or where you’re skiing/riding.
And obviously Pearce is very accomplished at his sport. You don’t get to Olympic levels without being really good on the board.
So I suppose for the rest of us the lesson is to be prepared (wear that helmet!) and ski/ride within your capabilities. That way, there’s always a chance for future runs on the slopes.
Bob Doucette
Out There goes to New Mexico
Headin' to the high country. See you soon!
I might be a bit sparse on posts over the next week. I’ll be out in New Mexico, checking out some of that state’s premier ski areas and maybe looking into a couple of other outdoor adventures there. My hope is that I’ll be able to come back with some valuable information to pass along to you all about New Mexico and its winter outdoor recreation opportunities.
One of the things that appeals to me about New Mexico is how close it is, relatively speaking, to Oklahoma. Fourteen hours will get you somewhere in Colorado, but it’s only nine hours to some of New Mexico’s finest ski areas.
I’ll put up posts about other things during the week, but expect some future posts that are heavy in things you can do in northern New Mexico. Until then, we’ll see you on the trail.
Bob Doucette
Weekly ski reports
Current ski conditions: kinda dry. (AP Photo)
Here’s the weekly ski reports. My hope is that the bare spots and icy conditions that I’ve heard about lately are improving. Now is the time when a lot of people are planning their trips, especially for February and March. But it also looks like it’s been dry this week. Without further ado…
Colorado: http://www.skireport.com/colorado/
New Mexico: http://www.skireport.com/newmexico/
Utah: http://www.skireport.com/utah/
Wyoming: http://www.skireport.com/wyoming/
Bob Doucette
Beginner basics: Getting on a chairlift with a snowboard
Before you can do this, it's helpful to know how to get on the chairlift.
If you’re just learning to snowboard, there’s a trick to getting on the chairlift. It’s different than when you’re on skis. I’m no expert — I’ver never snowboarded. But the woman in this video is. So have a look, and hopefully this will help you avoid any embarassing mishaps on the ski lift.
