Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:02:19 -0800 From: Ann To: climbing AT lists.stanford.edu, redwood AT lists.stanford.edu, powderbound AT lists.stanford.edu Subject: Intro to XC Skiing, Jan 9, 13-14 [Please forward to interested parties] Introduction to Cross-Country/Nordic Skiing (XC Skiing) Brought to you by the Stanford Alpine Club & Redwood Outdoors Club Classroom Session Date: Tue Jan 9, 2007 @ 7-9pm Place: Clark Center S360 Map: http://alpineclub.stanford.edu/info/clarkmap.htm Cost: Free Outdoors Session Date: Sat Jan 13, 2007 - Sun Jan 14, 2007 Sat: Instruction in XC skiing Sun: Light touring trip Place: Hope Valley (junction of Hwy 88 and 89, east of Kirkwood) Cost: * cost of renting skis, boots, poles and other gear * cost of accommodations, if you prefer to not camp nearest location is Sorenson's (http://www.sorensensresort.com/) * your share of group expenses, such as food, gas, parking fees, etc. DESCRIPTION Cross-country/Nordic skiing is the foundation for all skiing forms today, including downhill/alpine skiing and telemark skiing. We will introduce you to what it is, its history, skiing techniques, and the equipment associated with XC skiing as well as teach you striding, the telemark turn, and skating (time permitting). The workshop will consist of a classroom session and a weekend on the snow in avalanche safe terrain. We plan to snow camp but hopefully be close enough to somewhere where you can pay for heated accommodations, if you prefer, or sleep in the car. If you plan to camp, you should have some experience with winter/snow camping as we will not be teaching winter camping skills. The most important tip is to bring enough food, water and clothes to keep yourself warm, hydrated and comfortable. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask. YOUR WORKSHOP LEADERS * Erik - A Swede who was brought up on skis. What else do you do when there's a lot of snow and a forest in your backyard? * Ann - Grew up (alpine) skiing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and was introduced to XC skiing by Erik a few years ago. * If you have the skills and are interested in helping instruct the outdoors session, please contact me. WHO IS THIS FOR Anyone. You do not need any experience with skiing to participate -- this is an introductory course! :) If you're thinking of taking a Telemark workshop in the future and have never skied before (snowboarding is not skiing), you should consider taking this workshop. WHAT DO YOU NEED See the gear list below. Included is an extensive winter clothing list. If you dress appropriately, you won't be cold. TO APPLY FOR THE OUTDOORS SESSION Fill out the questionnaire at the end of this email. The questionnaire is due Monday, Jan 8 at 6pm. If you're accepted on the trip, you will receive an email with further details. The size of the outdoors session will be limited so don't wait until the last minute to apply! Drivers bringing their cars on the trip and earlier applications may get priority. If you're only coming to the classroom session, you do not need to fill out the questionnaire. But please let me know you are coming. OTHER XC SKIING EVENTS Winter Trails Day in a nationwide event being held on Saturday Jan 9 and Feb 17 in various locations throughout the US and Canada. They will be offering free rentals and lessons for those *new* to showshoeing and XC skiing. See http://www.wintertrails.org/ for more info. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS -Ann Stanford Alpine Club alpineclub.stanford.edu Redwood Outdoors Club redwood.stanford.edu --- Gear List --- NECESSARY GEAR Items marked with an @ sign can be rented through Redwood (redwood.stanford.edu). If you are accepted on the trip, we'll let you know when we plan to rent gear, which will be before normal gear hours. * if you're bringing a car: snow chains that fit your tires (please practice putting the chains on at home!) * XC skis@ or telemark skis (telemark skis are typically slower than XC skis on flat terrain) * boots@ that fit your skis * ski poles@ * gaiters@ * backpack@ for carrying food, water, extra clothes and misc gear * eye protection, i.e., glasses, sunglasses and/or goggles * water bottles@ for carrying 4 liters of water/person/day * high energy snacks, e.g., chocolate bars with nuts, energy bars, trail bars, etc. * sunscreen & lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, preferably sweat-proof * bowl & eating utensils for group meals * winter clothing * NO COTTON! * waterproof/windproof jacket (a shell with multiple layers is better than a thick jacket with few or no layers) * waterproof/windproof pants (same principle as the jacket) * several upper & lower insulating layers (wool, fleece or other synthetic materials) * base-layer such as thermal underwear (wool, silk, fleece or other synthetic materials) * several pairs of wool or synthetic socks (wet feet? change socks!) * wool or fleece hat, preferably windproof * mitts or gloves, preferably waterproof & windproof If you are camping, bring winter camping gear, e.g., tent@, stove@, fuel@, sleeping bag(s)@, sleeping pad(s)@, extra water, head lamp@/flashlight, etc. Note: Redwood will provide group gear, such as a tent, stove, and fuel for every 3-4 persons. RECOMMENDED GEAR * neck gaiter or scarf (NOT cotton) * extra gloves/mitts (NOT cotton) * extra wool or fleece hat * camera * shovel or something similar (e.g., to dig your car out of the snow) * ice scraper for the windshield of your car or some hard plastic that can do the same ...and whatever else I may have forgotten. It's better to bring more than not enough. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best! GEAR BUYING TIPS Costco is currently selling 4-packs of 70% merino wool socks for $9.99 (Kirkland brand). Can be machine washed & dried. Good deal! Wool will keep you warm even if it is wet. Exped downmats are expensive but worth it when sleeping outdoors in the winter. They have the highest insulating value of any sleeping pad on the market. We have Exped downmat 9's. We've successfully ordered online from the following places: * Backcountry.com, UT * Mountain Gear, WA (mgear.com) * ParagonSports, NY (paragonsports.com) * REI (rei.com) and REI-Outlet (rei-outlet.com) * and, of course, Amazon (amazon.com) OEP also has a good list of places to buy gear locally and online: http://www.stanford.edu/class/ges7/students/buygear.html --- Application, due Monday, Jan 8 at 6pm --- Name: Email: (Cell) Phone: Gender: Stanford Affiliation: Time left at Stanford: SAC Member?: Why are you interested in this workshop? If you were offered a position in the course, would you definitely accept? What outdoor skills would you be able and willing to share with others by teaching future classes? Can you make it to both the classroom and weekend sessions? How many days on the weekend would you like to/can be out? 1 = Sat, 2 = Sat & Sun, 3 = Sat, Sun & Mon. Do you have a driver's license? Describe your experience with driving on snow & ice: Do you own a vehicle with snow chains that you can bring on the trip? If yes, how many people can fit into your car (including gear)? Do you have a sno-park pass or a national parks pass? Describe your XC/Nordic ski experience: Describe your downhill/alpine skiing experience: Describe your in-line/ice skating experience: Describe your winter/snow camping experience: Are you planning to camp, sleep in a car, or rent a heated room (or leave on Sat evening)? Do you prefer group or individual meal planning? If you'd prefer group meal planning, please give us some warm meal suggestions. (It doesn't need to be complicated. We just want some ideas for what to bring.) Tell us a funny joke or skiing story or something else funny about yourself (don't skip this part - if you don't put anything here, we may not want to spend several days with you): Anything else you want to tell us (e.g., food allergies)?