SFL BULLETIN Spring 1997 Ski for Light, Inc. 1455 West Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 From the President by Nancy Rowan Happy New Year! The day after Christmas the Seattle area was pounded with a storm the likes of which I have never seen. Snow and rain and kids trapped in the house--well, let's just say that the combination can be trying! Luckily the only hazard at my house was impending cabin fever. Just a bit of water in the basement is a small price to pay compared to people that were losing their houses down hillsides and into the streets. I did get to put my skis on one evening before the snow turned to slush. It was not as much fun as skiing in tracks but nonetheless entertaining. For a city with next to no snow removal equipment there were some very creative attempts at digging cars out of snow. Reflecting back on the last nine months I am still amazed at the proficiency of the people working together as volunteers to continue Ski for Light. There are many committees, chaired by dedicated volunteers all working together to ensure an annual event. This is the 22nd annual Ski For Light. We are meeting February 23-March 2, 1997 at Cragun's Lodge in Brainerd, MN. The week will start with a Board meeting and committee work and end in a race/rally with an award's banquet on Saturday night. The week is packed with skiing, fellowship, and many evening activities that will keep even the most active on their toes. For just a minute here I would like to explain some of the board committees. There are so many opportunities to give back to Ski for Light. The only magic that happens here is that people roll up their sleeves and do the work. Some of the committees that have been hard at work are: The Executive Committee, Budget & Finance, Bylaws, Friends of Ski for Light, Fundraising, Guide Recruitment, Long Range Planning, Participant Recruitment, Publicity & Public Relations, Regional Liaisons, Site Selection, Sons of Norway & Norwegian Community Liaison and the SFL International Week Planning Committee. My thanks and gratitude to all of the committee chairs who have worked hard over the last year to plan, organize and explore ways to continue Ski for Light and to bring us into the future. I encourage anyone interested in getting more involved to seek out a Board Member and find out what needs we have and what talents you have to offer. There is something for everyone! An example is guide recruitment. This is an ongoing job that everyone can take part in. Share your experience at Ski for Light with friends, relatives and co-workers. It is the excitement of the event that sparks people on to get involved. Sometimes a personal touch is what people need to join a new group. Let people know that there are regional events to try if someone needs to start on a more local level. In just seven weeks we will all be meeting together. I look forward to our Board Meeting where we can discuss all that has happened in the last year, discuss the future and then to the best part, finding out who we all get to ski with. Spending the week playing and working in the snow and enjoying the beauty of winter. It just doesn't get much better than that. My best wishes to everyone for a safe and healthy New Year. 1997 came a bit sooner than I expected, however I am sure that it will be another great year with Ski for Light. Going, Going, Gone Don't despair! You didn't miss this year's SFL Auction, because it didn't take place. The event was cancelled in Minneapolis, but now everyone has a chance to get in on the auction action. The following items will each go to the highest bidder, and all of the proceeds will go directly to Ski for Light. Hurry, deadline is March 1, 1997. -- Dream vacation including round-trip airfare and four night Bahamas cruise for Two. Donated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Corporate Travel of Denver. Cruise is on a space available basis, excluding Christmas and New Years, from Miami and must be taken by March 1998. Airfare is within continental U.S. Retail value is $1,500. (Minimum bid of $1,100 please) -- Two nights double occupancy at any participating Hilton Hotel throughout the U.S. Donated by Hilton Hotels. Good through October 15, 1997. Retail value up to $500. -- Weekend for Two at the Sheraton Hotel of your choice anywhere in the U.S. Donated by Fugazy Travel, New York City. Good through September 1997. Retail value up to $425. -- NordicTrack Cross-Country Ski Machine. Donated by NordicTrack. Retail value $600. -- The New Ab-Works Abdominal Exerciser. Donated by NordicTrack. Retail value $120. Bids are being accepted by Jack Newbury via phone, mail, or in-person at the 1997 SFL Week in Brainerd. To place a bid, to find out the current high bid, or for more details, contact: Jack Newbury P. O. Box 5 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 (207) 633-2055 Bids will be accepted until 6:00 pm CST Saturday, March 1, 1997. Winning bidders will be announced at the SFL Awards Banquet that evening in Brainerd. But you don't need to be present to win--you just need the highest bid! So bid early and bid often! Trek with Llamas in the Rockies Colorado Ski for Light will run its third annual Trekk for Light llama packing trip in the Rawah Wilderness from August 8 to 16, 1997. Visually impaired hikers and sighted guides are encouraged to apply early so that adequate preparation can be made for a fun and safe adventure. As in previous years, the trek will take 12 visually impaired persons, 12 sighted guides and 12 llamas to serve as pack animals. The trek will be divided into three separate groups using different trails to assure compliance with the principles of low-impact wilderness use. Both visually impaired hikers and sighted guides must be in good physical condition--working out to prepare for the trek is a must! The groups will cover several miles each day over steep, rocky terrain and at altitudes from 8,500 to 11,600 feet. Because of the nature of the terrain the trip is, unfortunately, not able to accommodate mobility-impaired participants. The trek will begin with a day and a half of training in llama packing, guiding techniques, use of camping gear, and so forth. The trek itself will be five days long and will travel up across the top of the Medicine Bow Range. The cost of the trek is $400 per person. All interested hikers and guides are encouraged to request an application now from: Art Bunn 3248 Silverwood Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 229-9119 E-mail: 103462.3343@compuserve.com Rafting the Middle Fork by Linda Spaulding There we were, heading straight into the bowels of Rainier Rapids. I had never been in a two-person kayak before and my partner, Dick Ashley, was visually impaired. I didn't know how to steer and I was supposed to be the eyes of the boat. We were so scared we were laughing. Before we knew what hit us we were flipped over and were sucked under by the Salmon River. Eight people from SFL, 11 others from Los Angeles to Alaska and six American River Touring Association guides met in Salmon, Idaho. Some came by car, others came by plane--but we each climbed on the old school bus anticipating a great adventure. And what an adventure it was! Each day, we could pick from three types of river crafts. The first type was an oar raft which was rowed by a guide and requires no paddling by the passengers. In an oar raft, you can just sit back and watch the beautiful canyon go by. The second type of raft available was a paddle raft. A paddle raft is a very exciting raft powered by one guide and six paddlers. Or, if your desire was to be the captain of your own ship you could choose one of the inflatable kayaks, or duckies. There were three single duckies and one double-duckie. We could not get Dick Ashley out of the double-duckie. An experienced boatman, Dick showed me the ropes. After our experience in the first rapids, I was yelling, "The waves are coming at us from both sides!" Each time Dick calmly replied, "Just aim for the "V" where the waves come together." So, I did, and we laughed and white-knuckled our way through the worst that the river had to offer. Duane Farrar, Ken Stewart, Kjell Skavenes and Greg Spaulding were also brave members of the Duckie Club. Dick Ashley swam three times going through the Class 3+ rapids. Greg, Duane and me each fell in the river once. The most technically difficult day was the third. When the paddle raft got stuck in a hole and suddenly stopped, Eileen Goff flew out of the boat and into the river. The raft was stuck and Eileen was floating down the stream. As the paddlers worked to free themselves from the jaws of death, the double duck accidentally rammed into the raft capsizing itself and freeing the raft. In a quiet eddy below the rapids, the three swimmers were rescued and reminded that they would be the talk of the campfire later that evening. With a little help from one of the rafts, Dick and I were finally able to flip our duckie right side up and continue on down the river. All in all, everyone had a lot of fun on our six-day, five-night, 90-mile journey together down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. We camped on gorgeous sandy beaches, read stories around the campfire, ate fresh fruit every day, enjoyed margaritas and chicken fajitas on Mexican night, and discovered a new delicacy baked in the Dutch oven each evening. Dick Ashley, Richard Epstein, Duane Farrar, Eileen Goff, Don Perlman, Kjell Skavenes, Greg and Linda Spaulding, Ken Stewart, 11 other wonderful people and six very skilled river guides grew to be great friends and much-improved boatmen and women. Rafting Adventure in Idaho Plans are being made for another white water rafting trip this summer, from August 1 to 8, 1997 on the Salmon River. The same river as last year, the Main Salmon is known as the "River of No Return" and has a class 3+ rating that is ideal for first- time white water rafters. Trip participants should be comfortable with camping. The 80-mile Main Salmon River Canyon is known for its spectacular scenery, big waves, hot springs, hiking, diverse wildlife and large sandy beaches. The daily schedule allows plenty of time to relax, to fish or to do off-river exploring of this historical area. Camp each evening is pitched on a sandy beach at the river's edge. The cost of the trip will be approximately $675 plus transportation. To register for the trip or to get more information, contact: Dick Ashley 738-B South 15th Street Arlington, VA 22202 (703) 892-9082 SFL Family Although Ski for Light is a close-knit group, our news--both happy and sad--often goes without notice between SFL gatherings. So, this column is here to report what's happening in our lives. Let the Bulletin editor know what's going on so everyone else knows as well! -- Bob Civiak and Noriko Tani, SFL Guides from Washington, DC, were married this past summer. SFL friends and others from the area celebrated this happy event, yet another SFL marriage made on the ski trails. -- Kathy Morrill, SFL Participant from Hendersonville, NC, died in late November from complications associated with her serious diabetes. She was 39. 1997 would have been her fifth year and her father tells how important SFL was to Kathy. Messages and cards can be sent to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Morrill, 104 Red Oak Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28791 -- Dallas Dietrich, board member and former president of the Black Hills Regional Ski for Light and his family were in a tragic auto accident January 4 near Sault Falls, SD. The Dietrichs' son and duaghter and son-in-law were killed and Dallas and his wife were seriously injured. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Black Hills Regional Ski for Light. -- Gordon Larson, SFL Guide and Board member from Spokane, WA, is feeling and looking much better after a freak accident in late November. The top of a large tree fell on his car as he was on his way to work. A branch came through the windshield and put a nasty gash in his head, requiring 40 stitches. Branches also damaged the hood, engine and interior of his car resulting in $9,000 in repairs. He is mighty nervous driving down that stretch of road now! -- Kari Heistad, SFL Guide from New Hampshire (now Newton, MA) just completed a three-year project of compiling and publishing a curriculum for high school teachers based on a model United Nations Security Council simulation. The book teaches non-violent conflict resolution, geography, political skills, and negotiation. It is being marketed nationwide by the United Nations Association of Greter Boston. End to End by Janice Newman It was Saturday 22nd June, 1996 at 7:45 am that my steersman Peter and I wet off from my home in West London. We were on my tandem to ride the 12 miles to Paddington Station to board the train which would take us the five hour journey to Penzance in Cornwall,. There our 15-day "End to End" ride would begin. The "End to End" ride is from the most southerly tip of England (Lands End) to the most northerly point of Scotland (John O'Groats). The most direct route is about 876 miles by motorway, but of course cyclists are not allowed out on these main roads. Besides, we wanted to take the scenic route, keeping whenever possible to the lovely, leafy lanes. We waved good-bye to Lands End Lighthouse and set off. The first two days through Cornwall and Devon were tough. The hills are not high compared to the Scottish Mountains, but they are much steeper and very tiring. At the end of the first day when we reached Boscastle Youth Hostel, I felt worn out and wondered how on earth we would survive the next fortnight. The hostel is set on the north Cornish Coast, by the River Valensia. I soon fell sound asleep exhausted after the day's efforts. to the sound of the river only a few yards from my window, gushing into the sea. I needed no lulling to help me sleep that night. The next morning, the landscape began to level out a little around Somerset. By now, the weather had begun to deteriorate, becoming much cooler with light showers threatening. Now we were in Hereford and riding through the very pretty Wye Valley, and on to Monmouth which is just over the Welsh border. Then back into England and six days into the trip, we reached Shropshire. We enjoyed gently undulating countryside. It was now pouring rain, and I did not enjoy the busy suburban roads. But we were half way to John O'Groats. We would soon reach the Yorkshire Dales. We climbed higher and higher on to The Moors, so pleased to be away from the traffic on these almost deserted roads, enjoying the clean fresh air and listening to the bird songs. When miles from anywhere, and on a Sunday, we experienced a rather serious mechanical breakdown. We stripped the cogs, preventing us from getting into a low gear to climb the steep hills. We limped on to Carlisle, the last city before crossing the Scottish Border. In Carlisle, we eventually found a really helpful bike shop. Within an hour, we were back on the road and heading for Scotland. I thought it most amusing that in Carlisle, only ten miles from the border, the locals speak with a very broad English accent. Only a few yards over the Scottish border, they speak with broad Scottish accents. Our first night in Scotland was in a B & B near Lockerbie. It was a sheep farm, that was decorated tastefully in tartan. We were two-thirds of the way now, and beginning to get our second wind. We made our way between Glasgow and Edinburgh and on to Loch Lomond, in the pouring rain. As the clouds rolled back, the mountains sparkled. Glencoe is a particularly pretty place and the rhododendrons were in full bloom as we wound round the mountain roads. Each turn unfolded a new beautiful view. I was pleasantly surprised that although we were surrounded by mountains, our roads followed the valleys to make for easy riding. On our way to Loch Ness, we met up with another End to Ender who we had met just a week ago in Shropshire. Each day we must have been riding only a few miles apart without knowing. It was good to share experiences over lunch. It is sheep country up there, and they wonder along and across the traffic-free roads at will. The highland cattle with their long shaggy coats and huge horns are magnificent beasts and "moo" contentedly. It was on the 15th day after completing 1,004 miles we arrived at John O'Groats, weary and very pleased. It is a much nicer place than Lands End, having been left more natural. the next day while enjoying breakfast at our B & B, we were rewarded with a glimpse of The Golden Eagle, a rare and wonderful sight. Many people have done the "End to End" in many ways, but we were not out to set any records--just to feel satisfied that we had completed it. Editor's Note: In late November, we received the sad news that Peter Allocco, Janices's steersman, long time friend and companion, died of a heart attack at the age of 57. Peter never attended SFL, but the SFL delegation got to know him two years ago when he attended Ridderrennet with Janice. If you wish to send Janice a card or message, her address is: Janice Newman 13 Windsor House The Farmlands Northolt ENGLAND UB5 5ES