Mountaineer
May, 2010
Volume 104, No. 5
The monthly publication of The Mountain-
eers: Enriching the community by helping
people explore, conserve, learn about, and
enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific
Northwest.
Legends converge. See M3
M3 Burke event: Mountaineers around their
Mushroom Maynia just the rain. It is very likely the
M4 Book coming ing stream or the top of one of the
to the rescue
of NC National Park
M5 Whittakers named strategic plan a few years ago, a
to Sports Hall
M2 View from the Top
M4 Conservation Currents
M4 Summit Savvy
M5 Off the Shelf
Discover The Mountaineers
If you are thinking of joining -
or have joined and aren’t sure
where to start - why not attend
an information meeting?
Check the Go Guide branch
sections for times and locations.
Are you ready to jump right in?
Visit www.mountaineers.org.
Need to call? 206-521-6000.
POSTAGE PAID AT
SEATTLE, WA
PERIODICAL
7700 Sand Point Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115
The Mountaineers
The
w w w. m o u n t a i n e e r s . o r g
Lighter feet
are filling
Mountaineers’
landscape
T
By Brad Stracener
he pitter-patter heard by
usual haunts may not be
sound of lighter feet on the way to
a mountain lake, a salmon-spawn-
climbing walls at The Mountaineers
Program Center.
Especially since The Mountaineers
Brad Stracnener photo
Board of Trustees adopted a new
youth movement has been afoot,
one that includes the families of On a recent Salmon Safari field trip, fifth-grade students from Bremerton browse
these youths as well. the banks of Chico Creek for traces of the chum salmon run last fall. The creek
runs through The Mountaineers Rhododendron Preserve. For more about the
New family and kids’ preserve’s history, see the article below.
programs launched! See
teemed inside the cabin to watch “Thumb is for chum. The first finger
pg. 10 of the Go Guide
a film on salmon and then listened is for the sockeye. The tallest
intently to Mountaineer and Kitsap finger, your middle, is for the king.
A recent visit by this writer to
Branch Chair Katha Miller-Winder The ring finger—think what some
Kitsap Cabin, operated by The
as she reviewed the information jewelry is made of—is for silver
Mountaineers Kitsap Branch and
imparted by the film: salmon and the pinky is for pink
Players, exemplified the surge of
salmon.”
youth and family activity within and “So does anyone remember the
outside the organization. More than types of salmon in the Northwest?” The kids are then divided into a few
70 fifth-graders from Crown Hill She proceeds by raising the five groups and each group is given
Elementary School in Bremerton fingers on one of her hands. Continued on M6
Players provide supporting cast for Rhodie Preserve
Editor’s note: Gardner Hicks was taineers who hiked into the forest neither one would be around today
asked 40 years ago if he could to view the wild rhododendrons 100 if the other were not.
help The Mountaineers Players at years ago. In the following article, The Mountaineers was founded in
the Forest Theater on the Kitsap Hicks conveys some history about 1906. In 1909 a group of Mountain-
Peninsula. He responded with a the preserve and its significance. eers was making its way up Chico
“yes” and ended up with a walk-on By Gardner Hicks and Wildcat Creeks intending to
part in the cast for “The Hobbit.” I think that the Players and Rho- hike to Wildcat Lake. The group
Ever since, he has been known dodendron Preserve have a kind had taken one of the mosquito-fleet
by Players as a “one-man mainte- of symbiotic relationship such that Continued on M7
nance committee” on the grounds,
Upcoming
part of the 460-acre Rhododendron
Preserve that found its genesis via
a group of thespian-inclined Moun-
The rugged and remote picture:
Photographer Chris Noble, whose
lens has captured some of the
most wild corners of the globe, will
present a show here on May 7.
See the ad on M3 for details.
✔
GREEN DRINKS to flood our
halls! A gaggle of green groups,
are expected to fill The Mountain-
Mick Etchoe photo
eers Program Center on Tue., May
11 at 5:30 p.m. The monthly Green
Drinks event rotates hosts from
month to month. For details visit Liesl von Trapp (Ila Faubion) and Rolf
(Anthony Dreessen): “The Sound of
Gardner Hicks on site. www.seattlegreendrinks.org.
Music.” See the ad on pg. M7 for info.
May 2010 The Mountaineer
The

Mountaineer Mission and purposes

To enrich the community by helping people
Also see us on the web at www.mountaineers.org

The Mountaineers is a nonprofit
organization, founded in 1906
and dedicated to the responsible
enjoyment and protection of natural
areas.
Board of Trustees
Officers
President Tab Wilkins, 10-12
President Elect Mona West, 10-12
VP Properties Dave Claar, 10-12
VP Publishing Don Heck, 10-12
Treasurer Gavin Woody, 10-12
Secretary Lorna Corrigan, 10-12
Trustees at large
Kirk Alm, 07-10
Rich Draves, 08-11
Dale Flynn, 07-10
Ed Henderson, 08-11
Lynn Hyde, 08-11
John Ohlson, 09-12
Mark Scheffer, 09-12
Dave Shema, 07-10
Matt Sullivan, 09-12
Mona West, 09-12
Branch Trustees
Bellingham, Steven Glenn
Everett, Rob Simonsen
Foothills, Gerry Haugen
Kitsap, Jimmy James
Olympia, John Flanagan
Seattle, Mike Maude
Tacoma, Tom Shimko
Executive Director
Martinique Grigg
Managing Editor explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the
Brad Stracener
Contributors, proofreaders: lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Chris Austin, Jack Edwards, Brian
“To explore and study the mountains, forests and other water
Futch, Jim Harvey, Suzan Reiley
Photographers & Illustrators: courses of the Northwest and beyond;
Mick Etchoe “To preserve by example, teaching and encouragement of
THE MOUNTAINEER is published protective legislation our special places; and,
monthly by:
The Mountaineers, “To add value to our member’s and our community by provid-
7700 Sand Point Way N.E.
ing youth and adult outdoor education opportunities.”
Seattle, WA 98115
206-521-6000; 206-523-6763 fax
Volume 104, No. 5
The Mountaineer (ISSN 0027-2620) Who ya gonna call? Your mentor, of course
is published monthly by The Moun- Are you a new member wondering about the how-to, where-to and what-to-do with
taineers, 7700 Sand Point Way N.E.,
your club? There are a number of resources available to you, not the least our
Seattle, WA 98115.
Members receive a subscription as part websites. Now there is also a real, live person. If you want to know about expected
of their annual dues. Approximately conditioning for a hike, what not to wear, how to sign up for events or whatever call
$12.42 of each member’s annual or e-mail the “mentor of the month.” Mona West is this month’s mentor. Feel free to
membership dues is spent to print and contact her at west_mona@yahoo.com with your questions or comments.
mail this publication. Non-member
subscriptions to The Mountaineer are
$32. Periodicals postage paid at Seat-
tle WA. How's 20 percent off your first
Postmaster: send address changes
to The Mountaineer, 7700 Sand Point piece of hiking gear sound?
Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115.
Opinions expressed in articles are That's how much you save on the price
those of the authors and do not nec- of guidebooks—or any book for that
essarily represent the views of The
Mountaineers. matter—at our bookstore when you join
The Mountaineers.

View from the Top

With appreciation to all who support and contribute
By Martinique Grigg, president ments, I couldn’t imagine a better members, students, public partners pg. M1 of this Mountaineer you

O
n April 9 The Mountain-
eers Program Center
hosted an event to honor
Wolf Bauer and celebrate the re-
lease of his new biography, “Crags,
Eddies and Riprap.” As Tab Wilkins
mentioned in last month’s “View
from the Top,” Wolf, 98, boasts the
longest tenure of membership—81
years—among all members of the
organization. His contributions to
the outdoor education, conserva-
tion and recreation communities
are unparalleled.
Not only
was he a
founding
member
of the
Mountain
Rescue
Council,
the Wash-
ington Kayak Club and the Wash-
ington Environmental Coalition, but
he also created The Mountaineers
basic climbing program and taught
the first kayaking course in Seattle
at the YMCA. Later in his life—as
a second career—he led the way
in preserving and protecting the
Green River Gorge and the shore-
lines of Washington state.
Listening to all of his achieve-
person to embody our mission:
“to help people explore, preserve,
conserve . . . learn about and enjoy
the lands and waters of the Pacific
Northwest.”
He brings together the three pillars
of our organization: conservation,
education and recreation. And
he knows that teaching people to
recreate safely and responsibly is
the best way to ensure a love and
commitment for the special places
in which we play.
While Wolf’s numerous achieve-
ments are inspiring, similarly
inspiring were the 220 or more
people who gathered from across
our community at our Evening of
Legends event to support Wolf and
The Mountaineers. Volunteers,
teachers, recreationists, conserva-
tionists, members, government of-
ficials, corporate executives, young
and old, they all came to celebrate
with us. And for that I need to ex-
press my personal gratitude.
In fact, many of our guests went
above and beyond to offer dona-
tions to The Mountaineers in order
to sustain and grow our programs,
conservation efforts and mission.
This organization was built upon
the shoulders of legends like Wolf,
as well as all of the volunteers,
and donors whose contributions
have allowed us to thrive for over
100 years. With your support we
want to continue for 100 more.
In his book’s preface, Wolf states
that telling his story has a dual
role—explaining the past in order
to plan and guide the future.
Today, our 9,700 members are
testament to a community dedi-
cated to sharing its passion for the
Mountaineers
volunteers educate
over 2,500 students
annually in responsible
recreation skills.
outdoors and protecting the special
places in which we recreate.
Mountaineers volunteers educate
over 2,500 students annually in
responsible recreation skills. Over
8,000 of our members will engage
in our conservation efforts when we
launch our conservation e-newslet-
ter this month.
Inspiring the next generation of
explorers, conservationists and
educators is our next challenge.
We want to increase our efforts
to get youth outdoors. In fact, on
will read about our recent Family
Activities Summit and new family-
oriented programs. Over 20 volun-
teers gathered to brainstorm and
create a slate of family activities for
this summer. Keep an eye out for
the schedule to be posted on our
website and in the Go Guide.
In the coming years we will need
to further protect our irreplace-
able lands and waterways and
to continue to educate the public
about responsible recreation. The
board spent its April retreat taking
a fresh look at our 2007 strategic
plan (available on our website in
the “About Us” section) and we are
working to update it for 2010. You
will find that the current document
outlines our current priorities fairly
well—a future focused on growth,
community outreach, youth, fami-
lies, outdoor education and finan-
cial stability.
To achieve our aspirations, we will
need your continued involvement.
So in the spirit of creating lasting
legacies for The Mountaineers, I
hope you are inspired by Wolf’s
achievements enough to continue
or even increase your contributions
to The Mountaineers. Who knows?
It may be you we are celebrating at
one of our future Legends events.

M
The Mountaineer May 2010

Thank you! To all those who attended an Evening of Legends

(From bottom left clockwise) Mountaineers Executive Director Martinique
Grigg and President Tab Wilkins present Wolf Bauer (left) with the inaugural
river stone of the “Tributaries” campaign, in honor of his monumental
contributions to The Mountaineers; the first American to summit Mt. Everest,
Jim Whittaker, presents a gift to Bauer; attendees share stories while
reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones; Dee Molenaar’s hijinks
catch the Whittaker twins at a vulnerable moment.
Brad Stracener photos

More than 220 people joined The Mountaineers on April 9 to celebrate the life and achievements of Wolf Bauer at an Evening of
Legends banquet. Everyone in attendance was awed by the amazing achievements of Wolf and many were inspired to purchase his newly
published memoirs, “Crags, Eddies, and Rip Rap: The Sound County Memoirs of Wolf Bauer,” by Wolf Bauer and Lynn Hyde. Special guests
included Jim and Lou Whittaker, as well as Dee Molenaar and numerous local leaders. Thank you, again, to all those attended this year. We
hope to see everyone again next year!

Read The Mountaineer/Go Guide online, too!
Did you know you can find The Mountaineer and the Go Guide online?
Visit www.mountaineers.org and go to “monthly mangazine” in the top
menu bar.
Burke to host ‘Mushroom Maynia’ this month
The Burke Museum invites everyone to learn about a fabulous friend, the
fungi, at its Third Annual Mushroom Maynia on Sun., May 2.
Visitors are invited to bring in mushrooms for identification, join in demon-
strations of mushroom cultivation, listen to talks on mushroom collection
and their place in our ecology, taste yummy mushroom specialties, and
join in crafts projects for children and adults. Visitors may also view photos
from the 2009 event.
Mushroom Maynia, which begins at 10 a.m. and continues to 4 p.m., is
presented by the Burke Museum, the Puget Sound Mycological Society
and the Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation. This event is included in
the price of museum admission and is free to Burke members. For more
details visit www.washington.edu/burkemuseum.

Colorado Mountain Club offers canyon raft, hike

The Colorado Mountain Club invites Mountaineers to participate in a 2011
rafting and hiking trip on the Colorado River. Titled the “Best of the Grand
Canyon,” the outing is scheduled for April 23-May 5 of next year.
The motorized raft trip will cover 188 miles, from Lee’s Ferry to Whitmore
Wash, and will include extensive hiking opportunities at all levels.
The group will return to its put-in via helicopter and airplane. See the
Colorado Mountain Club website for details: www.cmc.org. Leaders: Blake
Clark and Rosemary Burbank, blakerosemary@cs.com, 303-871-0379.

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May 2010 The Mountaineer

Summit Savvy
■ Send your photographs for pos-
Can you identify the summit in
sible publication as a mystery summit
the foreground here? Send your answer
(include identification for our benefit).
(by May 10) by post or e-mail: brads@
See e-mail and mailing address at
mountaineers.org; Summit Savvy, The
right. If we use your photo, you will
Mountaineer, 7700 Sand Point Way
receive $10 in Mountaineers Money.
N.E., Seattle, WA 98115. If you guess

correctly, you’ll receive $10 of Moun-
taineers Money, good for Mountaineers
Bookstore merchandise, and we’ll
publish your name in next month’s
column. (In case of a tie, one winner will
be chosen at random.) Club employees
or persons shown in the photograph are
not eligible. Each month we’ll publish a
new mystery summit and identification
of the previous one.
■ At the end of each year, all correct
respondents’ names are placed in a
hat and the winner of that drawing will
receive $50 of Mountaineers Money
good for purchases at The Moun-
taineers Bookstore.
■ No one correctly guessed last
month’s mystery summit, DeRoux
Peak, as photographed by Curt
Baxstrom.

conservation
CURRENTS
Book project hopes to help rescue
unprotected parts of North Cascades
By Ed Henderson Neither Liberty Bell nor any of the

I n September 1946, relaxing on

the summit of Liberty Bell after
an epic first ascent, Fred Beckey
viewed the surrounding peaks.
He wrote of this experience in his
book, “The Challenge of the North
Cascades,” which follows:
“ The only sound was the whir-
peaks that Fred Beckey observed
in 1946 were included in the new
park. The orphaned areas contain
scenic, ecological and recreational
features both deserving of and
qualified for national park status. Liberty Bell: Overlooked in the act that created the North Cascades National Park.
In addition, national park status Miller’s “The North Cascades,” seed money for the production cost
would protect the headwaters of 1964, and Harvey Manning’s “The of the new book.
the rivers and streams of the North

ring of a mysterious wind eddying
around a corner of the enormous
precipice below . . . The views
were outstanding of Silver Star,
Cutthroat, Kangaroo Ridge, and
Snagtooth Ridge, and of Golden
Horn, which Keith Rankin, Chuck
Welsh and I had ‘first-ascented’ a
fortnight before.”
Twenty years later, in 1968, and
after decades of work by dedicated
volunteers, President Lyndon
Johnson signed legislation creating
the North Cascades National Park.
This legislation was a victory, but
an incomplete triumph. In the then
Cascades, helping restore and pre-
serve the waters of Puget Sound.
While these public lands remain
nearly pristine in their relative isola-
tion, development pressures are
increasing. Now is the time to fulfill
the original vision and complete the
North Cascades National Park.
The Mountaineers is
working with the Legacy
Project to advocate for
park completion.
Wild Cascades, Forgotten Park-
land,” 1965, were influential in
the founding of the original park.
Likewise, Brock Evans’ “The Alpine
Lakes,” 1971, tipped the scales in
favor of President Ford’s signature
protecting that popular wilderness
under the Wilderness Act.
Former Gov. Dan Evans, who
presented President Ford with a
copy of “The Alpine Lakes” before
he signed the bill, has joined the
Legacy Project. He stated, “I wish
there was a book on the North
Cascades that I could pass around.
It worked like a charm last time!”
N
ow is the time for dedicated
Mountaineers to put their
money where their hearts are and
contribute to The North Cascades
Book Fund Raising Campaign.
With this one-for-one, dollar-for-
dollar matching opportunity your
donation will have a double impact.
These matching funds were made
possible through the generous
bequest of Kathleen Husband in
support of conservation efforts by
The Mountaineers.
Matching contributions to the North
Cascades Book Fund Raising
Campaign can be made directly

T T
prevailing political climate, many his magic is still powerful. And to Mountaineer Books/Braided
he Conservation Division of
deserving and qualified areas were a book with striking images River. When making your contribu-
The Mountaineers is working
left out of the national park. Today, and compelling essays will tell tion, please make your check out
with the Legacy Project coalition
the American Alps Legacy Project is the story of this national outdoor to “Braided River-North Cascades
to advocate for park completion.
working to incorporate those omit- treasure and serve as a persuasive Book.” Contributions to Braided
This is a task much greater than
ted areas into the North Cascades advocacy tool for park completion. River, a 501(c)3 non-profit organiza-
preaching to the choir of commit-
National Park. As it was with the tion that exclusively supports the
ted conservationists and outdoor To release that genie, the Conser-
creation of the park, The Mountain- conservation publications and public
recreationists. vation Division of The Mountain-
eers is actively involved as a charter outreach of Mountaineers Books,
For park expansion to happen, eers recommended and the board
member of the Legacy Project. are tax deductable to the extent al-
the public at large and our leg- of trustees approved a $25,000
Today, in fulfillment of our third commitment from the dedicated lowed by law.
islative representatives must be
purpose, “To preserve by example, Conservation Reserves for a fund- Please keep an eye on www.
convinced to actively support it. In
teaching, and the encouragement raising campaign that will enable braidedriver.org and visit www.
past campaigns one of the most
of protective legislation or oth- Mountaineers Books to begin pro- northcascades.org/programs/
effective means of influencing
erwise the beauty of the natural duction of a new exhibition-format americanalps.html for more details
favorable public opinion has been
environment,” The Mountaineers book on the North Cascades. about the campaign and additional
the publication and distribution of
has joined a coalition of groups North Cascades protection.
exhibition-format books, a tradition The $25,000 will be used as
and individuals to bring the area of
that continues today through The matching funds, dollar for dollar, Ed Henderson is a member of
unprotected scenic peaks and eco-
Mountaineers Books publishing toward contributions to the cam- The Mountaineers Conservation
logically important lands into the
imprint, Braided River. Both Tom paign, yielding as much as $50,000 Execuitve Committee.
North Cascades National Park.
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The Mountaineer
Whittakers to be celebrated
Internationally renowned mountaineers Jim and Lou Whittaker, who began
climbing mountains through The Mountaineers, will be inducted into the
State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame on June 3 at the Tacoma Dome
as part of the annual Banquet of Champions.
It will bring the total number of inductees to 168 since the inception of the
Hall of Fame in 1960.
As a member of the American Mt. Everest Expedition in 1963, Jim Whittak-
er was the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He guided
Robert Kennedy up the newly-named Mount Kennedy in 1965; led the
1990 Everest Peace Climb that brought together climbers from the United
States, USSR and China, and he was also the first full-time employee of
Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI) and served as REI’s CEO in the ’60s.
Lou Whittaker led the first American team to summit Mt. Everest via the
mountain’s north wall in 1984. One year later, his climbing expertise was
crucial in reaching many intact burial sites on a 1,000-foot cliff face in the
Peruvian Andes. In the spring of 1989 and going by way of the North Wall,
he led the first successful ascent by an American team to the top of Mt.
Kangchenjunga in Nepal, the world’s third-tallest mountain.
For more information about the Sports Hall of Fame visit www.washington-
sportshof.com. For dinner reservations to the banquet contact Marc Blau,
assistant executive director, at 253-677-2872, blaumarc@qwest.net.
Trail access saved for 2010 but future hazy
Although the Legislature decided recently to rescind a budget edict which
would have eliminated access to popular trailheads near the west slope
of the Cascades this year, the prospect for the same closures next year
looms unless lawmakers find a sustainable funding for such trailheads.
The Senate revised a House bill in the most recent legislative session to
eliminate a $278,000 trail fund cut. As a result Department of Natural Re-
sources access to such popular hikes as Mt. Si and Rattlesnake Mountain
will remain open in 2010.
The Mountaineers joined several other hiker-advocate groups for Hiker
Lobby Day at the capitol in January. The groups lobbied for reinstatement
of the $278,000. However, the Legislature did not come up with a long-term
solution.
May 2010
Off the shelf
The latest from your Mountaineers Library
By Dennis Sampson, Chair of the Library Committee
Help us by volunteering!
T
hrough the efforts of a group of dedicated volunteers, the library has been open
most evenings, Tuesday through Thursday, with the core hours being 6-8 p.m.
In order to maintain this level of service, more dedicated and committed volunteers
are needed to staff the library, to attend new member nights (first Wednesday of
each month) and to help publicize the library to both members and the public.
The Library Committee will provide the necessary training to certify you as an
“illustrious” Mountaineers Library volunteer. To volunteer your services contact
Dennis Sampson, Library Committee chair, at librarycom@mountaineers.org, or the
volunteer coordinator at libraryvol@mountaineers.org.
The Library Committee has prepared a grant request to The Mountaineers Foun-
dation’s designated Friends of The Mountaineers Library (FOML) Fund to cover the
bare bones cost of operating the library while using volunteers for the rest of 2010.
As of this writing the grant has been approved by The Mountaineers Fundraising
Committee and has been submitted to The Mountaineers Foundation for consider-
ation at its April board of trustees meeting; it is expected to be approved. 
Tax-deductible donations to the designated FOML Fund can be mailed directly to
The Mountaineers Foundation, P. O. Box 25590, Seattle, WA 98165 (be sure to
indicate “FOML” on the check), or can be made online at www.mountaineersfoun-
dation.org by clicking on “donate” in the upper left corner of the home page. The
FOML Fund is at the bottom of the list of designated funds. All donations are wel-
come, no matter the amount.
The Library Committee welcomes your suggestions about how best to fulfill your
needs and desires during this difficult period. To make it easier for you, a special
e-mail address has been established, librarycom@mountaineers.org. 
Enroll in a school as big as all
the outdoors—and then some
When you join The Mountaineers you not
only tap into year-round outdoor acitvi-
ties. You acquire the skills to introduce
hundreds of others to nature’s splendor.
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May 2010
Pool of leaders, instructors being built for family events
Continued from M1
a jar with a tea bag inside. The
groups sniff the essence of what
is inside the jar and are then told
to proceed just a couple hundred
feet outside and into the cabin’s
surrounding forest where they must
find a hidden jar with the same es-
sence inside it.
“This is very close to what an adult
salmon must do when it returns
to its stream of birth to spawn,”
explains Miller-Winder, who has
Brad Stracener photo
been spearheading the effort to
bring youths to the Kitsap grounds
in order to learn more about the
Pacific Northwest environment.
W hether it is education bent
or skills bent, The Mountain-
eers, its volunteers and its leaders
have been trying to focus on teach-
ing youths and their families what
they know and love. Kids Rock
Days at the program center in Mag-
nuson Park show parents how to
belay for their children scaling the
south-plaza climbing wall. Junior
Naturalists, a division of the Seattle
Branch Naturalists, beach-comb
along Elliott Bay at low tide to see
what ordinarily only a fish can see
on “Who’s Who at the Beach” day.
Laura Rightmyer of the Kitsap
Want to help?
If you have any ideas, have
leadership expertise to offer,
wish to be trained as a leader
or want to learn more about
how your children can become
involved, contact Hahn, kenh@
mountaineers.org, 206-521-
6011.
Branch takes families on a field trip
to Mima Mounds, a mysterious se-
ries of hummocks below Olympia,
as part of HARK (Hiking and Active
Recreation for Kids), an outreach
program founded by the Tacoma
Branch of The Mountaineers, which
introduces the splendor of the
Pacific Northwest to kids who find
it difficult to engage in the outdoors
because of their particular domes-
tic situation.
The effort to better engage some of
the half-a-million kids under 18 who
live in the same neighborhoods as
Mountaineers is reliant upon adult
volunteers and leaders, such as
the aforementioned Mountaineers
members. The ultimate goal of this
youth movement is what one for-
mer president of The Mountaineers
likes to call “leave no child inside.”
M
uch of the support for provid-
ing the new family-oriented
programs is being sought through
grant applications. According to
Mountaineers Executive Director
M
Volunteers Katha Miller-Winder (left) and Rick Gillat discuss future field trips.
Martinique Grigg, a two-year grant
is being sought to meet a goal of
engaging 4,000 youths under the
age of 20.
A
t the hub of this effort is Ken
Hahn, program development
coordinator for The Mountaineers
over the past two years. He and a
volunteer who is chair of the Se-
attle Branch, Courtenay Schurman,
are currently holding meetings
with various activity committees in
the realm of climbing, navigation,
hiking, backpacking, photography,
naturalists, winter travel, first aid
and kayaking to recruit leaders for
trips with kids.
“My husband, Doug, and I have
been trying to contact the various
activity committees to have their
leaders join us on family activities
and introduce kids and families to
the basics of their activities,” stated
Schurman, who has already led
numerous family hikes and outings
that included her 5-year-old daugh-
ter, Brooke.
As a Mountaineers staff member
whose experience in alpine travel
through Mountaineers courses has
allowed him to lead and instruct
for those courses, Hahn is recruit-
ing other qualified leaders such as
the Schurmans to kick-start youth
participation in activities rich in
Mountaineers expertise.
His reach has recently extended
to the Boy Scouts of America and
the Garfield High School Post, a
group of more than 300 students
who endeavor in almost any and
all outdoor experiences, including
climbing, navigation, wilderness
survival, winter travel and wilder-
ness first aid.
“I would like to see (them) form
some kind of internal youth com-
mittee from which they would cre-
ate their own programs that would
serve them, our membership and
youths in the broader community,”
stated Hahn, who also sits on the
board of directors for the Garfield
Post.
Hahn will have a hand in teach-
ing outdoor wilderness skills and
leadership development but noted
he already knows a few Mountain-
eers who are qualified to train the
students to be leaders, some of
The ultimate goal of
this youth movement
is what one former
president of
The Mountaineers
likes to call, “leave no
child inside.”
whom will become trainers of lead-
ers themselves.
C onversely, some leaders and
instructors simply fall from
the sky and hit the ground run-
ning. Such was the case for Rick
Gillat, a biologist who assisted
Miller-Winder by guiding the Crown
Hill Elementary students along
Chico Creek, a spawning stream
for salmon that brims with chums
The Mountaineer
every fall.
Gillat and his children joined The
Mountaineers last year after they
happened to visit the Rhodo-
dendron Preserve. His desire to
become more involved with youth
education and his expertise, which
he also shares with the Seattle
Aquarium, fell serendipitously into
place with the Kitsap Salmon Safa-
ris, held in the spring and fall and
open to any school that wishes to
schedule a field trip.
At a recent “youth summit meeting”
held at the program center, current
leaders, parents and children lent
their ideas for future endeavors,
ranging from photography classes
for kids to astronomy outings to
planting trees, do-it-yourself trail
food and family gear swaps.
Back at Kitsap and the Rhododen-
dron Preserve, Gillat and Miller-
Winder are also brainstorming on
ways to connect youths from the
wider community to the outdoors.
The Kitsap Branch is pursuing a
Honda grant to conduct a salmon
summit, according to Miller-Winder,
with the idea of “bringing school
teachers here to speak with agen-
cies and community resource
people who have educational pro-
grams that teachers and schools
may not know about.”
Much like Hahn’s plans for the
Scouts and Post groups, the sum-
mit could provide classes on the
460-acre Rhododendron Preserve
that would train the trainers—mak-
ing teachers and students them-
selves the leaders for field trips
such as Salmon Safaris or even
workshops on invasive species,
Miller-Winder conjectured.
The ideas are endless, according
to these Mountaineers leaders.
They are hoping that eventually the
leadership pool will be, too.
Brad Stracener is managing editor
of The Mountaineer.
The Mountaineer May 2010

Annual performance sustained interest in the preserve

Continued from M1 a more traditional theater. The first performance on the present site was in
ferries from Seattle to Chico and had hiked in from there. On the way, it en- 1923, and the Players group was born.

countered a homestead in the woods. The homestead (then known as Hid-
den Ranch) had been established in the 1880s. Edward Paschall bought it
and moved his family into the 14-by-16 foot cabin in 1907. The Paschalls
and Mountaineers found that they enjoyed each others company and The
Mountaineers began to make it a regular destination.
C
oincidentally, the road which is now Seabeck Highway was opened
the same year. In the preceding decade, the automobile had become
widely affordable, and it was practical to spend one’s free time in the
mountains or at the beach. One had more choices and could enjoy more
variety—resulting in fewer people being attracted to the property at Kitsap.

I n 1915 some property adjacent to the Paschalls became available and Fortunately for the property, the Players had a play to put on. They needed
The Mountaineers acquired it. By 1919 The Mountaineers opened the a facility from which to stage their production, preferably with an outdoor
first section of what was later enlarged to construct the present-day Kitsap ambiance, as they were part of an outdoor club. The Kitsap Forest Theater
Cabin. filled the bill nicely. Between the play and the property, enough people were
attracted to the enterprise to supply
Conditions in this part of the world were
a good deal different from what they
Hidden Ranch and Patience Paschall the energy to keep it going.
Patience Paschall, daughter of Edward Paschall, was a talented composer I suspect that without the attraction
are today. There were still considerable
and lyricist, an actress who could forge a character with whatever costume the Players provided—something to
stands of original old-growth timber
parts and props came to hand, a naturalist wise in the ways of the creatures do once you got there—the property
and the works of man were scattered
and plants of Hidden Valley, and a true Mountaineer. She circumnavigated would have lingered on for a time
and widely separated. The automobile
Mt. Rainier seven times, building her strength and endurance by walking the but would have eventually faded
existed but it was a rich man’s toy and
steep trail to her home at Hidden Ranch (now the Rhododendron Preserve). away. And it’s doubtful that the people
fairly rare. Serious travel was by water
She was warm and friendly, but with a spunk and proclivity to speak her and interest would have been there to
or by train. Local travel consisted of
mind—acquired as the much youngest of four siblings. She learned to drive tend and nourish the preserve.
walking, or if you could afford it, riding

F
at age 60.
a horse or a horse-drawn buggy. or a considerable period of time
— “Theatre in the Wild: A Pictorial History of The Mountaineers Forest Theatre.” there were no changes to the pre-
Mountaineers had about a one-hour
ferry ride, a one- or two-hour hike, and serve boundaries. Eventually, a piece
maybe an hour to set up camp. After that their time was free until it was of property became available, five acres for $7,000. You could literally
time to strike camp and head back to the ferry. In the evening they would see the edge of the property to the left as you sat in the theater. The club
sit around the campfire, talk, tell stories, sing and perform impromptu skits. couldn’t help. It felt its resources were limited and shouldn’t be used in a
There was no radio, no movies, no television and no internet. Their enter- way that would benefit a relatively small number of members. The Moun-
tainment was pretty much a matter of their own resourcefulness. taineers Foundation was on the scene but quite new and didn’t have the
necessary resources either.
The skits became more elaborate and more of a daytime production. By
1918 each scene took place in a different clearing or spot in the woods and We could imagine people someday in the backyards of their houses using
the entire company and audience moved from spot to spot. Word got out, their barbecues and looking over a fence to watch our show. So, a group of
attracting more people from Seattle and this progressive theater format Players (“Mountaineers Kitsap Joint Venture”) was formed to buy and hold
began to get cumbersome. So work was begun to find a site and develop the property until ownership by the club could be figured out.
We sent in our checks, the property was purchased, and we held it for
about three years. During that time we held fundraisers; I know that for two
g 2010 June May 30,
Sprin 5, 6
12,
31 seasons cast members went through the audience soliciting donations.
2:00 13 19, 2 One year they were selling golden apples. Finally the club stepped up and
pm 0
took part in the effort—members donating significantly to the cause—and
enough money was raised so that the joint venture was completed and the
title to the property transferred to the club.

KITSAP FOREST THEATER

,
July 31
s t 1
Augu

 
7 , 8 Sum


14, 15 m er 20

 
21, 22 10


2:00 p
m The making of a preserve
Above are the boundaries of the Rhododendron Preserve and its acquisitions
 


through 2008. Since then, it has gained 100 acres from land formerly owned



by Ueland Tree Farm and a 68-acre option on an additional Ueland parcel. In




 

Conceived by John-Michael Tebelak
Music and new Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Escape to the Kitsap Forest Theater, located a short drive from the
Bremerton ferry. Enjoy a great day trip with friends and family!
Picnic under the firs before you stroll down the forested trail to our
unique and magical theater! Call today for tickets: 800-573-8484.
Shows presented by The Mountaineers Players
Tickets available at www. ForestTheater.com
the mid-1980s the state passed a law permitting appropriate public and private
organizations to hold wild land in conservancy status free of property taxes.
Soon after, The Mountaineers Board of Trustees decided to transfer 170 acres
of the 190-acre Rhododendron Preserve to The Mountaineers Foundation with
the stipulation that the acreage be placed in conservancy status, maintained and
preserved through contracts with The Mountaineers, and that money be raised to
enlarge it. As a result, potential development has been stifled around the property
and habitat around salmon spawning streams preserved.

M
May 2010 The Mountaineer

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Two bestselling books that are changing the way
people think about changing the world.

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paperback from Penguin Books photo © Greg Mortenson, south face of K2 (8,611 meters)

M