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N S P. O R G 3

44 Happy 75 Years A collection of quotes from industry insiders wishing the National Ski Patrol a Happy 75th Anniversary. 48 Anniversary Toboggan
By Rob Silbaugh

SPECIAL 75th anniversary section

Depart

ments
08 Letters to the Editor 10 Letter from the Editor 13 Contributors 16 + 18 Commentary 20 Bulletins 25 Division News 76 Avalanche 80 MTR 82 Nordic 88 OEC 92 Telecommunications 94 Womens 101 Young Adult 102 Book review 104 In Memoriam 110 INDEX 114 Out of Bounds

A commemorative toboggan donated by Cascade Rescue will be placed in the NSP Museum after the 75th Gala event. 50 Adventures in Skiing excerpt An excerpt from Minnie Doles autobiography, now reprinted as part of NSPs 75th year. 54 Samaritans of the Snow excerpt
By Gretchen R. Besser

An excerpt from the definitive history of NSP, Samaritans of the Snow, now reprinted as part of NSPs 75th year with an epilogue that covers NSPs recent history. 59 Remembering Minnie Dole
By Candace Horgan

A look back at NSPs patriarch, with remembrances from his family and friends. 62 Through the Looking Glass
By Candace Horgan

Patrolling in the early days of NSP differed greatly from how patrolling is in our 75th year. 65 All-Mountain Twins
By Kim Kircher

Mountaineering titans Jim and Lou Whittaker both joined the NSP at a young age, and their patrolling experiences served them well on mountains all over the world. 69 Connecting with the Past
By Candace Horgan

NSPs 75th Anniversary kicked off with a memorable event in Stowe, Vt.

2011/2012 Outstanding Awards

By Candace Horgan

A look at the NSPs Outstanding Awards winners for 2011/2012. Congrats to all our winners for their dedication and service to their patrols and mountains.

N S P. O R G

ARTICLES

28 Camera Eye
B y M e l a ni e H o o d

Calling all photographers: NSP will celebrate its 75th year with another photo contest.

30 Everyday Heroes
B y D av i d Fr i c k

NSP has a new campaign to spotlight its Everyday Heroes.

32 Symbiosis
B y Sc o tt M a r l a nd

Many of the leading companies in the outdoor industry look to partner with the NSP. What you should know about pro deals.

40 Continuing Ed
B y D a r c y Ha nl e y

Darcy Hanley reviews some of the new developments in the education department.

42 Certified Search
B y T o m H u gh e s

The NSP Certified Committee is trying to match old Certified numbers will all patrollers who have achieved Certified.

43 Credentialing Instructors
B y D a r c y Ha nl e y

The new OEC Senior module got a kick start with a training session for OEC supervisors.

72 Wilderness Learning
B y Ca nda c e Ho r ga n

A report on the Far West Divisions annual Tri-Advisory Conference.

Photo: Early patrollers. COVER DESIGN by Candace Horgan, with photos by Sandy Macy and Candace Horgan.

N S P. O R G

Candace Horgan editor@nsp.org

Edito r

G o v e r n an ce Co m m itte e

Jim Decker, Chair

Adv e rtisin g/S po n so rsh ips

N o m in atio n Co m m itte e

Melanie Hood mhood@nsp.org

John Shipman, Chair Deb Endly, Chair

OEC Re fre sh e r Co m m itte e Plan n in g Co m m itte e

ld woru Thes r n eed yo

R nd / ORBITE no - Living lege Glen PLAKE large format goggle cuts rs is offe n freeride, th ntilated spherical lens logy, ve no r big mountai Designed fo es to performance. The bra photochromic tech total in for it ks to Ze n it com corners whe peripheral vision. Than conditions so you can go the weather. outstanding tra-quickly to all light confidence, whatever ul it adapts

vi si on

Agnieszka Hansen hansengraphic@gmail.com Linda Barthel, Gretchen Besser, David Frick, Phil Galka, Bill Gibson, Darcy Hanley, Troy Hawks,, Melanie Hood, Tom Hughes, Rick King, Kim Kircher, Mike Laney, Scott Marland, Burt Mitchell, Christopher Rousseau, Brigitte Schran, Rick Shandler, Rob Silbaugh, Tim White, Dick Woolf
Co n tribu to rs

D e sign an d Pro du ctio n

Scott Marland, Chair

N atio n al Pro gram D ire cto r s

NS P Natio n al Ch air

Burt Mitchell

Linda Barthel: Womens Kevin Johnson: Nordic John Keith: Instructor Development Rick King: Mountain Travel and Rescue Steve Kuller: Certified Mike Laney: Avalanche Ed McNamara: OEC Christopher Rousseau: Young Adult Jay Zedak: Transportation
N atio n al Alu m n i Pro gram Co o rdin ato r

Gary Deaver, Jim Decker, Ed Gassman, Janet Glaeser, Bill Hummer, John Lawson, Scott Marland, Ed McNamara, Burt Mitchell, Wally Shank, Larry Stone, Jim Woodrum, Norris Woody Roc Beaver, Richard Boyer, Bill Gibson, John Larson, Terry Petze, Chris Ross, Julie Rust, John Shipman, Bill Sinykin, David Ulrich, Jim Woodrum

NS P Bo ard o f Dire cto rs

TBD

N atio n al Awards Co o rdin at o r

Bill Boulter

NS P Div isio n Dire cto rs

N atio n al Histo rian

Rick Hamlin

N atio n al Le gal C o u n se l

Robert Scarlett Dave Esty

John Lawson, Chair Morgan Armstrong, Chair

A u dit Co m m itte e

N atio n al Marke tin g A dv is er N atio n al Me dical A dv ise r

By laws/ Ov e rsigh t C o m m itte e Edu catio n C o m m itte e

David Johe, M.D.

Larry Bost, Chair

N atio n al Te le co m m u n icat io ns Adv ise r

Fin an ce C o m m itte e

Norris Woody, Chair

Dick Woolf Bob Black

Fu n draisin g C o m m itte e

Rob Silbaugh, Chair

N atio n al V isito r Exch an g e Pro gram Adv ise r

N ation a l Office Sta ff

T im W hi te Can d ace H or g an

Executive Director
Photos Dom Daher

Communications Director
Mel anie H oo d

Wayne Bl ock

Finance Director
Jil l B jerke

Marketing and Development Director

Carol Hu d son

Education Administrative Assistant

R achel Crane

Executive Assistant
Josh Jaco bson

Product Merchandising Coordinator

Davi d F rick

Product and Sales Manager

Jen M il l er

Assistant Marketing Director

Joanne Gal ko

Member Services
Cheri Overt on

Accounting Assistant
Darcy Hanl ey

Director of Member Registration/Awards Administrator

Ro b W il cox

Education Director

Warehouse Supervisor

The world needs your vision

www.julbousa.com

The National Ski Patrol is the premier provider of training and education programs for emergency rescuers who serve the outdoor recreation community. Ski Patrol Magazine is an official publication of the National Ski Patrol and is published three times per year. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the National Ski Patrol. Address changes and subscription inquiries should be sent to Ski Patrol Magazine, 133 S. Van Gordon St., Suite 100, Lakewood, CO 80228-1700. Association members can also indicate a change of address online through the member services area at www.nsp.org. For NSP member services, dial 303-988-1111. Please send editorial queries, comments, and letters to editor@nsp.org.

N S P. O R G

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l e tt e r s

to the Editor
Female pioneers
On December 11, 2011, at the age of 97, Bonnie Prudden passed away (Ski Patrol Magazine, vol. 30, issue 1). No one can deny the impact she had on fitness education. She was a significant advocate of fitness in children. Her experiences contributed to the basis of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Because of her impact on physical fitness awareness, Prudden was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006. However, a significant clarification is needed regarding her career in the National Ski Patrol. Bonnie was not the first woman to earn the National Ski Patrol badge. The history of women in the NSP has been thoroughly researched and well-documented by Dr. Gretchen R. Besser in The National Ski Patrol: Samaritans of the Snow. Previously out of print, this excellent resource has undergone a second printing and is now available for purchase from NSP. In 1941, women were officially welcomed into the NSP on an individual basis as long as they demonstrated and met the required Linda Barthel NSP National Womens Program Director No doubt Bonnie had a significant impact, but it was Dorothy who truly paved the way for the women in the NSP. When Bonnie passed away, there was an erroneous plethora of press misstating her National Ski Patrol badge number. Dr. Besser contacted Skiing Heritage Magazine in an effort to clear up the confusion. In her letter to Tom West, executive director of the International Skiing History Association, she stated, Theres an egregious error in the online Skiing Heritage obituary of Bonnie Prudden, which refers to her in its headline as the first female patroller (absolutely false) and later in the article says in 1943 [she] was the first woman awarded the National Ski Patrol Badge (completely wrong). I dont know where the author of this piece obtained this bit of erroneous information. Prudden was indeed an early member of the National Ski Patrol in the 1940s, but there were no firsts in her Ski Patrol history. (Under the name Ruth Hirschland, she received womens National Appointment #22.)

criteria. On January 16, 1941, Dorothy McClung was accepted as the first woman to receive a National Appointment, earning National Appointment Number 1. At that time, the first 170 women Nationals were numbered separately from their male counterparts.

N S P. O R G

Laura F riesell re ading SPM in the wil derness .

Wilderness Reading, part deux

Attached is this years photo of taking the NSP magazine with me on an August backpacking trip to the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area; it made for great wilderness reading. Cloud Peak is in the background of this photo. The mountain is a Wyoming thirteener, and the highest point of the Big Horn Range. It is the third highest range highpoint in the state, and one of the ultra-prominence points of the United States. By definition, an ultra-prominence peak rises at least 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above its key saddle or surrounding water. The views were outstanding, and we saw 13 moose in two days; never in all my years backpacking have I seen so much wildlife as I have here. What a treat! Laura Friesell Mt. Crescent Ski Patrol, Iowa (ed. note: this is the second photo Laura has sent in of her reading the magazine in a stunning location, and this might be an ongoing part of Letters to the Editor. Take a photo of yourself reading the magazine in a cool location, send it to editor@nsp.org, and perhaps we will run it!)

Kudos
Once again a terrific magazine. Great job. You have turned a routine nonprofit magazine into an outstanding piece of literature that I look forward to receiving. Thanks for the great work that you have done in turning this around and making it a world class mag. Ed McNamara National OEC Program Director

Birkenstock is a proud sponsor of the National Ski Patrol.

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To learn more about a Birkenstock pro-price deal log onto www.nsp.org and view the NSP Pro Page.
N S P. O R G 9

l e tt e r s

from the Editor

By Candace Horgan, Editor

was. We also take a look back Through the Looking Glass to show you how patrolling was much different back when Minnie started the organization, as the patrols were often separate from the ski areas. The excerpts from the reprints of Adventures in Skiing and Samaritans of the Snow give a little insight into our organizations salad days, yet show that there are still many commonalities we modern patrollers share with our early counterparts. Two early members of the NSP have loomed large in American mountaineering: Jim and Lou Whittaker. As Kim Kircher details in this issue, both joined the NSP at a relatively young age, and they carried the lessons they learned as patrollers to the great ranges of the world, including the Himalayas, where Jim made the first American ascent of Mount Everest and later led the first successful American expedition to K2 in 1978. In addition to the Whittakers, read the many well-wishes to the NSP from our industry partners to get some idea of how well-respected NSP is now in our 75th year. For Minnie, the death of his good friend, Frank Edson, left him with a strong dedication to promoting safety in skiing, which is why he adopted the motto Service and Safety for his fledgling organization. He saw it as part and parcel of helping to rescue skiers, that by promoting safety, we could help prevent accidents. All patrollers carry that same dedication, and in this issue, we take a look at our annual Outstanding Awards winners, those who by dint of dedication and hard work have distinguished themselves and promoted the NSP. NSP has also embarked on an Everyday Heroes campaign to promote those patrollers who make a lifesaving difference in the lives of those around them. The campaign was sparked in part by a letter NSP received from a grateful woman whose husbands life was saved by NSP patrollers. Read more about the Everyday Heroes campaign in this issue. Of course, NSP is ever moving forward. Our marketing department will be sponsoring another photo contest this year, which runs into April; read about the contest in this issue, and take a look at some winning entries from the last contest. The new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual has been well-received, avalanche education is being kept at the forefront by attendance at events like the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW), and our OEC program is the standard for many rescue organizations. In this issue, we examine treatment for a silent killer, shock. We also spotlight more on the National Incident Management System and how its use can help patrols, and review the 2012 ISSW. I was recently welcomed by the Far West Division for their magnificent Tri-Advisory Conference in Yosemite National Park, about which I write in this issue. Id like to thank the FWD for hosting me in such a beautiful place. Patrolling gets into your blood, and it becomes a shared point of experience between people all over the country that promotes lifelong friendships. Id like to wish all my fellow patrollers a happy 75th year, and lets work together to keep NSP thriving for another 75 years. +

This year, 2013, marks the 75th Anniversary of the birth of the National Ski Patrol. We hope to see many of you at the Anniversary weekend in Denver in February, as we have several excellent events planned, from ski days at Ski Cooper and Winter Park to a wonderful Gala dinner celebration on Feb. 2. In October 2012, the Eastern Division got our 75th year off to a wonderful start with a dedication event for a stone bench monument in Stowe, Vt. Over 200 patrollers attended the event, and even Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy was there to join the celebration. As the photos and article in this issue make clear, this was a time for all patrollers to share in the joy and camaraderie of our organization, and it proved to be a wonderful day in the shadow of the mountain where the NSP was birthed. Looking back at NSPs origins, its clear that NSP has always had a strong reputation, as it attracted most of the best skiers of the day to the organization when Charles Minnie Dole founded it. As part of our 75th year, in this issue we look to the Dole family with thanks, and they, along with 99-year-old Stuart Gillespie, give us some insight into our patriarch and what kind of man he
10 N S P. O R G

N S P. O R G

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contributors
Patroller: Alanna Magovern Photo: Dustin Schaefer

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contributors

Gretchen Besser
Longtime ski patroller Dr. Gretchen R. Besser (National Appointment Number 5756), of Morrisville, Vt., was the first-ever National Ski Patrol historian. In recognition of her 32 years as historian, she was the initial recipient of the National Ski Patrol Chairmans Excellence in Service Award (January 2010). From 1980-1985, Besser served as international liaison for the NSP. A former professor of French language and literature, she is the author of four books and hundreds of articles. Her book, The National Ski Patrol: Samaritans of the Snow (1983), received a ULLR award from the International Skiing History Association (ISHA) in 1997. She has contributed to Ski Patrol Magazine since 1976, when it was a newsletter called National Notes. Besser is a past board member of ISHA and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, as well as a retired member of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. She has skied all over the world, including Canada, Europe, Argentina, Australia, Japan, and the Peoples Republic of China. She still makes first tracks at Stowe Mountain Resort most winter weekday mornings.

Kim Kircher
Kim Kircher has logged over 600 hours of explosives control, earning not only her avalanche blasters card, but also a heli-blaster endorsement, allowing her to fly over the slopes in a helicopter and drop bombs from the open cockpit while uttering the fabulously thrilling words bombs away into the mic. Her articles have appeared in Womens Adventure, Couloir Magazine, and Off-Piste Magazine. Her memoir, The Next Fifteen Minutes, was released by Behler Publications in November 2011. She blogs at www.kimkircher.com and www.blogcrystal.com about her job as a ski patroller.

Troy Hawks
Troy Hawks is the communication manager for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and editor-in-chief of the NSAA Journal, positions hes held since 2004. He is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA). A 1992 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire School of Journalism, his career spans 20 years serving in a variety of capacities, including editor, freelance writer, and photographer for several mountain newspapers and national trade and consumer magazines. Following graduation, Troy moved to Colorado and worked 12 seasons as a childrens ski instructor for Keystone Resort. This summer marked his 13th year working as a part-time fly fishing guide.

Phil Galka
Phil Galka is the Eastern Division Avalanche supervisor. He holds Nordic Master Number 004, and helped to create the Nordic Masters Program. He has been a member of the Camelback Alpine Ski Patrol in Pennsylvania since 1986, and has also been with the High Point Nordic Ski Patrol in New Jersey since 2001. Phil holds instructor credentials in OEC, Avalanche, mountaineering, and alpine and Nordic Skiing, and has advanced training and experience in emergency management and incident command.

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contributors

Scott Marland
Scott Marland is currently the assistant national chair of the NSP board of directors and the chair of the NSP Planning Committee. He started volunteer patrolling at age 15 in the Southern Division in 1984, and has now been patrolling for over half his life. Through college and graduate school, he worked as a paid patroller, as the paid patrol director, and the Southern Divisions Student/Junior adviser. After graduation, he moved to Utah, where he is currently a volunteer patroller at Brighton Ski Resort in the Intermountain Division. He has been an instructor in OEC, CPR, Ski and Toboggan, and lift evacuation, and has been qualified to patrol on alpine skis, telemark skis, and a snowboard. When not patrolling or working on the board, Scott is an engineer, having earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He is also a competitive cyclist, and pursues photography on the side.

Rick Shandler
Rick Shandler is the patrol director of the newly-formed Valley Forge National Park Nordic Ski and Bike Patrol and a longtime alpine patroller at Spring Mountain, Pa. He is the Nordic Masters Program administrator, holds Nordic Master Number 007, and is also the assistant Nordic supervisor for the Eastern Division. He is an OEC and ID instructor, and functions as an IT for the Nordic, Avalanche, and Mountain Travel and Rescue Programs. He was a presenter at the 2012 Patroller Education Conference, and happily taught several telemark toboggan clinics there.

Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes (Huey) has been a Certified Patroller, number 651, since 2006. Because his father was a ski patroller, he started patrolling as a junior at Snow Summit in California in 1973. In 1978, Huey earned his Senior as a member of the West Point Ski Patrol, where he was Cadet Patrol leader from 19761980. He was assistant patrol director at Whitetail in Pennsylvania from 20012003, and patrol director and NSP representative in 2004. In 2005, Huey transferred to Snowshoe Mountain in the Southern Division, where he served as region Transportation coordinator. Currently, he is a member of the Wintergreen Ski Patrol in Virginia and the Southern Division assistant Certified representative. He is an OEC instructor, ski and toboggan instructor, and an MTR instructor.

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N S P. O R G 15

c o m m e n ta r y

Spirit of Patrolling
Finding guidance from our founder
B y B urt M itchell , NSP B oard C hair

She said that her husband didnt have any money to pay us. I said, with considerable pride I am sure, that National Ski Patrolmen dont take pay for bringing down an accident victim. We took the man into the Long Trail Lodge and we unstrapped the ties that bound him to the toboggan. He got off the toboggan and walked away. And I thought to myself, You s.ob., youve cost me hours of labor and hell. I didnt want to do this. I wanted to go home to Jane. Actually I suppose his knee hurt and he expected a ride all the way down. But the point is, the next day I would have done the very same thing, even for the same guy. This is what it is all about. We have grown from merely a few willing souls who were on call at local ski trails to todays patroller, who is highly-trained in medical response and transportation, covers trails periodically, and is supported by sophisticated communication systems. We are a now a great network of local patrols spread across the country. Back in Minnies day, you were basically on your own if you got injured. It is still that common thread of attitude, satisfaction, pride from our work, and spirit of compassion that has sped the expansion of the National Ski Patrol and enabled us to not only survive, but thrive. As Minnie said, I think the old Latin proverb said it -- Tandem fit glandular quercus, or, At length the acorn becomes the oak. I believe that with the current virtues of patrollers, we will thrive for another 75 years and become a forest of oaks. Keep the passion and spirit of patrolling alive! +

While thinking about what to say at the 75th Anniversary event at the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe, Vt., where we were inducting our founder, Minnie Dole, into the museums Hall of Fame and celebrating the dedication of a 75th Anniversary stone bench monument, I thought about how we as an organization have survived. It has been said that of all the arts of man, the most difficult is that of survival, but for 75 years, the National Ski Patrol has not only survived, its members have distinguished our organization through our ever-improving service to the ski industry, the skiing and riding public, and the outdoor recreation industry. Looking at the crowd of patrollers there for the celebration, I reflected on what common threads have kept us together as an organization, and then I remembered something from Minnies autobiography, Adventures in Skiing, that I believe holds the answer. Minnie was working the last Inferno race in Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington in the 1940s, and in preparation for the descent of 3,000 spectators, he worked his way down the Sherburne Trail to check its condition. He found an area where wind had blown the snow away and revealed a pile of rocks, and was in the process of marking it with tree branches when three skiers came flying down the trail. Minnie tried to flag them down, but they blitzed by and all three crashed in the rocks. Minnie wrote: The next thing I heard was the sound of yells and a man who cried out. I skied back down to the rock pile and here were the three guys in shambles. One of them obviously had a broken leg; the second fellow was complaining about his ribs; and the third was moaning about his knee. So I climbed like mad back up that quarter of a mile to the Forest Service Hut and got some guys to man the toboggans. When we got back down, I put traction on the one skiers leg which is against the rules now; you dont put traction on a break below the femur anymore and got him onto a toboggan and two men started off with him. Then I made the fellow with the bruised or broken ribs he was in very bad shape in spite of the fact that he had not bled at all comfortable on the toboggan and got him on his way. Finally I came to the one who was moaning and groaning about his knee. It was getting dark then. We put him on the third toboggan and started down. We finally got down at about eight oclock at night. It was pitch dark. As we came out of the woods a girl came up to me and said, Oh, thank God! The fellow was her husband. Theyd just been married and had come up for the weekend on one of their first trips together.

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Love knowing that your vehicle will take your family to and from destinations safely, year after year? Love the fact that the baby in the backseat may end up driving it to college someday? Love owning a vehicle with a reputation of being both reliable and dependable? Love knowing that many Subaru owners brag that theyve gotten more car than they paid for? Love. Its what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. Take advantage of the Subaru VIP Program and save up to $3,300 on your new Subaru. Get started by clicking the Subaru logo on the NSP Pro Deals Page at www.nsp.org.
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N S P. O R G

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c o m m e n ta r y

full-service national office and staff, an exceptional education development and delivery system, a sophisticated database and IT infrastructure, a world-class magazine, a member catalog and pro discount programs, a well-organized national awards program, and a broad range of program offerings, including Young Adult, Womens, and Alumni. While it is impossible to know what the next 75 years will bring for the NSP, it is exciting to think of all the possibilities. No doubt there will be many changes to patrolling, as well as to the education and training of patrollers, in the years ahead. Fortunately, we have a solid foundation from which to plan and prepare for the future. We are financially stable, and we have experienced leadership and staff in place. Equally important, we have a dedicated membership committed to carrying out the work envisioned by Minnie Dole. It is the spirit of all patrollers that will continue to sustain the NSP for years to come. If the ever-improving research on longevity is correct, perhaps the 100-year-old patroller will become the new norm! I hope to see many of you in Denver at the 75th in February. +

Celebrating 75 Years: The Secret of Longevity

B y T im W hite , C hief e xecutive optimist

I am pleased to report that NSPs 75th Anniversary season started off on a high note. With over 200 patrollers on hand, the NSP stone bench dedication at Stowe, Vt., was a great success. The upcoming Gala event in Denver in February 2013 promises to be equally impressive. I wish to give a heartfelt thanks to 75th Anniversary Planning Committee Chair Ted Forbes and his creative and hardworking team of volunteers, including Bill Boulter, Bill Bullen, Burt Mitchell, Debbie DesRoches, Hart Axley, John Lawson, John Shipman, Marty Mercer, Marty Zimmerman, Miles Miya, Rick Hamlin, Roc Beaver, Shirley Cummings, and Tom Hames. They have done an outstanding job of meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and setting the stage for a truly memorable event. If you are anything like me, whenever you meet a member who is still thriving at 90-plus-years-old, you have to ask the question, To what do they owe their longevity? You can generally count on some funny and often insightful answers. Coincidentally, research on the aging in America shows that having a strong social network and volunteering to help others will lead to increased longevity. This is good news for NSP, as we may well see many senior members staying active and involved longer. It could also serve as a future recruitment campaign: Join the NSP and live a longer and more fulfilling life! On the eve of our 75th Anniversary, the question has to be asked: What does NSP owe its longevity to? In a day and age when companies and organizations fall by the wayside as frequently as Ben and Jerrys flavors of the month, why has NSP endured? A second, equally important question is: Will the formula or factors that got NSP here today enable it to survive another 75 years? So, what is NSPs secret to longevity? It is really no secret. First and foremost, NSP fulfills a unique niche. As long as the American public yearns for adventure in the mountains, there will always be a need for properly trained and equipped rescuers. Through all 75 years of existence, NSP has stayed true to its promise to the American public to be there, no matter how difficult the circumstances, in their time of need. This promise has been delivered by NSP members, a core of selfless individuals willing to go to extreme measures to help others. It is your passion to help and infectious enthusiasm for skiing and the mountains that has sustained the NSP all these years. No one can argue that the NSP has grown significantly since its founding in 1938. We would hope that Minnie Dole and the founding fathers would be proud of the organization it has become today. NSP is certainly a model 21st century professional membership association, with a

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These are just some of the many benefits of being a member of the National Ski Patrol. Through the help of NSPs sponsors, members have low dues and great opportunities to purchase top-of-the-line gear at deeply discounted prices. Take advantage of this valuable member benefit and help support those who N S P. O R G support us. Login to nsp.org and shop great products through the NSP Pro Deals Page or Winter Catalog.

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photo credit: top Scott White bottom Shannon Finch

B ULLE T INS

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month/ Bring a Friend

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) takes place in January and focuses on encouraging both children and adults to learn by taking lessons from professional ski and snowboard instructors. While LSSM aids snow sports development for beginners, it also focuses on challenging current skiers and riders to improve their skills through lessons. Resorts all across the country offer free and reasonably-priced turnkey lesson programs during January as part of this initiative, and www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org provides useful information for those whod like to learn more. This year, a new, Bring a Friend campaign will target current skiers and riders and encourage them to bring a newcomer. NSP members can help get newcomers hooked by promoting Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. If more riders and skiers are out on the hill, more patrollers will be needed to keep them safe. Of course, thats not to mention that skiing and riding is fun and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it! NSP has created materials for patrols to distribute for both National Safety Week, which occurs January 1927, 2013, and LSSM, which occurs in January concurrently and is month-long. Call the national office at 303-9881111 to get materials (detailed in the marketing materials bulletin) for your patrol to distribute during this important week and month.

advanced, and freestyle categories. The questions are skied onto the screen by a patroller hauling a sled, and each question has a Learn More button with more information related to the question and its answer. This quiz is a perfect tool for teaching beginners snowsmarts safety basics and refreshing safety knowledge for more experienced skiers and riders.

Safety Campaign
The NSP and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) are collaborating on a joint safety campaign for the 2012/2013 ski season, the focus of which will be chairlift safety for children, including how to properly load, ride, and unload the lift. Epic Mountain Productions, a premier video production company based in Breckenridge, Colo., was chosen by NSP and NSAA to help produce the video, which was shot in Colorado and consists of children demonstrating proper methods of approaching and loading the lifts, as well as sitting back and holding on while riding the lifts. In addition, the video demonstrates proper methods of unloading the lifts and proper procedures if an individual falls during the unloading process. After production, the video was distributed to resorts and ski areas across the United States; copies are available at no cost to NSP patrols and affiliates. NSP is also promoting the chairlift safety message to the public in a variety of other ways to educate as many skiers and riders as possible. Sit Back, Hold On! is the chosen tagline, and has been included on several safety marketing items, including safety cards, bandanas, and helmet stickers. For more information on chairlift safety, visit NSAAs website, www.kidsonlifts.org. The safety cards, bandanas, and helmet stickers were created to be handed out by patrollers and resort employees during Safety Week and Learn to Ski and

Snowsmarts Safety Quiz

True or false: the terrain adjacent to and outside the ski area is safe to ski because it is the same as the ski areas. If you answered false, you are correct! Test your ski and snowboard knowledge with more safety questions by clicking on Snowsmarts Safety Quiz at www.nsp.org. The quiz has 20 questions on different ski and snowboarding safety topics broken down into beginner, intermediate,

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To take advantage of Pro Program discounts on Black Diamond gear, check out the NSP Pro Page found in the Member Services section at www.nsp.org.

JAY BEYER

BlackDiamondEquipment.com/nsp
801.278.5533 propurchase@bdel.com
Snowboard Month in January 2013. Patrols and resorts are encouraged to call the national office to order these items for distribution; the only cost is shipping! Call 303-988-1111 or email David Frick at dfrick@ nsp.org to order a package for your patrol. A special thank you goes out to NSPs sponsors who provided gear and apparel for this video, including Patagonia, Smith Optics, Boll, Hestra, and GoPro. can utilize both the NSP Pro Deals Page and Ski Patrol Catalog to save money on gear, apparel, and much, much more. Login to the NSP Pro Deals Page and Online Ski Patrol Catalog to shop current offerings and products, and stay up-to-date by checking back often.

New sponsors and re-signed sponsors

If its deals you seek, NSP has provided! We are proud to announce a new partnership with VIRUS Action Sport Performance for compression apparel that assists in performance and recovery. VIRUS has been chosen as an Official Supplier of NSP because of the growing demand for compression gear due to its numerous benefits, including improving circulation, reducing lactic acid, minimizing muscle damage, and promoting quicker recovery times. The VIRUS compression line is available to members on the NSP Pro Deals Page at www.nsp.org, and more info on its other lines is available at www.virusintl.com. While VIRUS is the newest sponsor, NSP is also proud to announce that nine of its current sponsors have agreed to continue to support NSP and its members through the comprehensive sponsorship program. NuMask supports NSP by offering its products to members on the NSP Pro Deals Page and in the Ski Patrol Catalog. NuMask has also created CPR and IntraOral Mask training for patrols that is available on the NuMask YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/thenumask. DeFeet supports NSP by offering a variety of technical socks in the Ski Patrol Catalog, and offers a discount on products purchased through www.defeet.com via the NSP Pro Deals Page. RAMP Sports supports NSP by offering a discount on skis, snowboards, bindings, poles, and more via the NSP Pro Deals Page. GoPro supports NSP by offering a discount on POV cameras and camera accessories via the NSP Pro Deals Page. GoPro will also sponsor the NSP Everyday Heroes Photo Contest for the 2012/2013 ski season (see page 28). Boll supports NSP by offering a variety of goggles and sunglasses in the Ski Patrol Catalog, and offers a discount on its other items via the NSP Pro Deals Page.

Accident Response Time Fastest Patroller Race

The Art Race, an opportunity for patrollers to race against each other in order to find the fastest individual in NSP, has begun! In cooperation with NASTAR and NSP, the fastest patrollers, from the smallest mountain in the country to the largest resort, will get the chance to compete. Any registered active patroller, Nordic or alpine, can race. The requirements are registration with NASTAR and a race course. If youre a Nordic patroller, youll have to locate a mountain with NASTAR to compete at. There are two divisions womens and mens and three categories: alpine, snowboard, and telemark, allowing for 18 winners. The races will take place over eight weeks, starting Jan. 5, 2013, and ending on Feb. 24, 2013, allowing any who choose the opportunity to compete. Patrollers may race as many times as they like to get their fastest time. Visit www.jakesartrace.com to find rules, registration information for NASTAR, and FAQs. Prizes will be awarded for winners in all categories.

Buyers Survey
From Oct. 16Nov. 5, 2012, NSP surveyed its members to gain a better understanding of what types of products and companies the NSP membership is most interested in for the NSP Pro Deals Page and Ski Patrol Catalog. Nearly 7,000 patrollers responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 79 percent were male and 21 percent female, while 23 percent were between the ages of 2544 and 59 percent between the ages of 5564. The results of the survey are being used by NSP to enhance the pro offers its membership receives and better select products to sell through the Ski Patrol Catalog. This is part of an ongoing effort to increase the value of NSP membership. All members

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B ULLE T INS

Deuter supports NSP by offering a variety of packs in the Ski Patrol Catalog, and a discount on other items via the NSP Pro Deals Page. Opedix supports NSP by offering ski and board tights and tops in the Ski Patrol Catalog. Mountainsmith supports NSP by offering a discount on products purchased at www.mountainsmith.com via the NSP Pro Deals Page. Philips supports NSP by offering discounts on AEDs and AED accessories via the NSP Pro Deals Page.

Marketing Materials
NSP has new marketing and recruitment items available for patrols! An all-new recruitment brochure answers the most frequently asked questions from prospective patrollers, and the back page is fully customizable so recruitment info can be included that is specific to your patrol. Login to Member Services and click on the Easy button (click on business cards) located on the NSP Pro Deals Page to order this professionally-printed brochure! In addition to the brochure, NSP has also created a new recruitment card designed for patrollers to hand out on the hill. This card encourages prospective patrollers to visit the patrol room and view the Life of a Patroller video online. View these items by visiting the NSP Recruitment Materials page under Press at www.nsp.org. Other marketing materials available include Natural Ice lip balm, recruitment and Young Adult Program posters, two different helmet safety stickers, and the Life of a Patroller DVD! Contact David Frick at 303-988-1111, ext. 2641, or dfrick@nsp.org to place an order. Just have a credit card ready to pay for shipping.

and free activities for people to enjoy. The 2012/2013 ski season will be Subarus 17th year for the Master the Mountain event, and NSP will aid Subaru for the second straight year by providing an interactive, fun, and educational scavenger hunt that provides important information on snow sports and driving safety to the general public. Individuals who participate will be given small takeaways with safety messages on them, and may also enter a drawing for a grand prize awarded by Subaru. The events were a huge success in 2011/2012, and helped deliver a message of safety, both on- and off-the-hill. NSP is excited to partner with Subaru again for the 2012/2013 ski season.

New Member Packet

New NSP members will now receive a redesigned and professionally-printed brochure that answers the most commonlyasked questions new members have. This 9-inch wide by 6-inch tall brochure includes important information about logging into Member Services at www.nsp.org, further education and leadership opportunities, and shopping the Ski Patrol Catalog or the NSP Pro Deals Page. NSP recognized a demand for this brochure after assessing what the newest NSP members actually know versus what they should know. NSP believes that sending this brochure out will greatly help new NSP members understand how to stay connected, what the current member benefits include, and how to view relevant material only accessible to members. The brochure was sent out beginning in December 2012, and will continue to be updated and sent out to new members in the future. +

Master the Mountain

National Ski Patrol will once again partner with NSP sponsor Subaru to promote snow sports safety at Subarus Master the Mountain events during the 2012/2013 ski season. Subarus Master the Mountain team travels to ski resorts across the country bringing music, giveaways,

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REAL ENDURANCE
SINCE 1968

REAL WORKOUTS CALL FOR REAL FUEL.

Twinlab Endurance Fuel. Antioxidants, 4 stage energy blend, proteins, electrolytes and beta alanine to help fuel performance and stamina.* Natural flavors and hype free.

Official Nutrition Partner of the National Ski Patrol

Proudly produced in a NSF GMP for Sport registered facility

www.twinlabfuel.com
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 2012 Twinlab Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

N S P. O R G

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GET R E ADY @ S I A S NO W S HO W.C OM

CE LEBRATE OUR INDUSTRY

CHECK BRANDS HE AD TO HE AD

EXPLOR E TH E L ATEST GE A R

SI A SNOW S HOW J A NUA RY 31 - F EBRU AR Y 3 , 2013 COLORA DO CONV E NTION C E NTE R, DE NV ER, COLOR ADO ON -SNO W DE MO/S K I - RIDE F E S T F EBRUA R Y 4 - 5 , 2013 W IN T E R PA RK RE S ORT & DE V ILS T H U M B R ANCH

STEP INTO THE SIA SNOW SHOW.

24 N S P. O R G

snowsports.org/social
#SIA13

division news

FAR WEST DIVISION

Search and rescue takes flight
Four patrollers from the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol responded to a sheriffs aid request in the search for a missing 28-year-old hiker in the Desolation Wilderness area near Lake Tahoe, Calif., after an October blizzard deposited more than three feet of snow on the bare ground. The NSP team joined four other skiers from Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and 40 snowshoers from SAR teams around the region. Patrollers Dave Vargas, Mark Schlosser, Steve Fisch, and Greg Marsden were airlifted into the search area via Blackhawk helicopter and tasked with searching nearly 10 square miles of terrain. The search intensity was increased because the storm had already claimed a life in the region several days previously. The hiker had set out for a three-day backcountry tour, and the storm set in on the last day of his trek. He was found alive and well three days after his intended return date. Being inserted via Blackhawk was far more efficient than some of the long hikes or whiteknuckle rides up closed chairlifts in 80 mph winds we have done for other searches, said backcountry patroller Vargas. SAR teams with Nordic travel capabilities are valuable assets that can cover large search areas efficiently, and are often sent to the farthest reaches of the expected search areas. The patrollers are veteran SAR responders with more than 45 years of patrolling experience and a dozen backcountry searches in the Lake Tahoe Basin and across California. We really appreciate the willingness of our SAR volunteers to drop everything and turn out for these searches, said California Winter SAR Team North Director Mike Kelly. We are often called out in the middle of the night and during severe storms. It takes a special breed and extraordinary dedication to respond again and again under such circumstances. As a California Alpine Type I Search and Rescue asset, NSPs Northern California Winter Search and Rescue Team gets called out for searches in winter weather and hazardous conditions. Winter SAR responders are trained in night, storm, and potential overnight search situations. Much like the story of the Donner Party, three feet of snow is not uncommon for the Sierra in October. Multiple summer hikers were caught unprepared, resulting in more than 10 searches and at least one fatality in the region. The 28 year old lost in Desolation Wilderness was lucky; though he prepared for only three days and for the summer conditions that had been prevalent the prior week, he managed to stay safe and was found six days later. He sheltered in place, in his tent and sleeping bag, leaving camp only once to try and hike out after it became apparent the storm would not abate. Realizing that the trail was completely covered and he was breaking trail in snow up to his waist, he backtracked to his campsite and spent the next two days sheltering until the storm cleared. He used whistle blasts to make contact with rescuers after hearing the helicopter. The Far West Division of NSP sponsors two Winter SAR teams in California. These teams require secondary patrol registration for ski patrollers in the state, and host training and demonstration exercises throughout the year, including the Tri-Advisory Conference held annually in Yosemite National Park. Level 1 searchers are required to take NSP Advanced Mountain Travel and Rescue and attend regular backcountry trainings to stay current with the team; patrollers without Advanced MTR are encouraged to sign on as Level 2 SAR personnel, but are limited to daylight and lift-accessed backcountry searching. Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol was recognized as the NSPs Outstanding Nordic Patrol for 2011/2012 (see page 37) in part for the teams commitment to winter backcountry education and search and rescue. All Tahoe Backcountry patrollers are qualified as Level 1 searchers, and a majority are registered with the California Winter SAR team. by Greg Marsden Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol/California Winter SAR Team North, Calif.

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division news

FAR WEST DIVISION

Instructor recertification in the summer?
When the weather hits the 100s, what does an instructor in the Far West Division do? Attend an instructors recertification day! The Mother Lode and Eastern Sierra Regions of the Far West Division joined forces to hold the first annual Instructors Recertification/Training Day. The regions advisers, with support from the division supervisors, combined efforts to offer the first training day devoted to helping instructors meet the requirements of recertifying every three years. More than 100 members from throughout the division met in Davis, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2012. The programs included OEC, Avalanche, MTR, OET, and Instructor Development. All sessions were very well-attended. So how do you conduct an instructor recertification when its 102 F outside? Maybe a better question would be how do you do it in the middle of a snowstorm on the side of a mountain? In order to be an effective instructor, you need to do both. Teaching skills need to be reviewed, and this is usually done in the winter on the hill. However, a good instructor needs to spend time reviewing the steps necessary to complete their course(s). That is exactly what these instructors did. In a series of stations, they focused on communications skills, teaching techniques, and course completion procedures. Every program showed what was new, including the new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual, the OEC Senior Module, and the OET Senior Module. Avalanche covered the latest information from the National Avalanche School. Of course, ID touched on the online modules and distance learning programs that are now being used. This event was so well-attended and well-received that plans are already being made to hold this conference annually. So maybe next year when the mercury is in the 100s, you might want to recertify your sled-handling skills, at least to become a more effective instructor. That is what the instructors in the Far West Division will be doing; why not plan on joining us? by Bill Gibson Far West Division Director, NSP

FAR WEST DIVISION

Celebrate the NSPs 75th Anniversary in the Far West Division
So you live on the West Coast and cant attend any of the 75th Anniversary events in Stowe, Vt., or Denver, Colo., this year? All is not lost! The Far West Division, in conjunction with the Northstar Ski Patrol, will be hosting a 75th Anniversary dinner and winter conference in the Tahoe area over the weekend of March 8-10, 2013. Northstar will be providing on-the-snow NSP programs where patrollers and their families can spend a weekend skiing at the beautiful Northstar California Resort. Patrollers can enjoy seminars in skiing, toboggan, avalanche education, and more! Their families can join experienced guides exploring the mountain, or just spend time skiing on their own. There is something there for everyone! Saturday night, the Far West Division will be hosting a celebration dinner highlighting the 75 years of the National Ski Patrol. You wont want to miss this chance to spend time with patrollers both old and new. Plus, you get to ski at one of the most celebrated ski areas in the Tahoe area. Mark your calendar and plan on attending. + by Bill Gibson Far West Division Director, NSP

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ATHLETE: CALEB FARRO | CAPTURED BY: CALEB FARRO

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1080p60 / 960p100 / 720p120 fps 4Kp15 / 2.7Kp30 / 1440p48 fps 12MP / 30 fps Burst Wi-Fi Built-In Wi-Fi Remote Included GoPro App Compatible
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Camera

Eye

Everyday Heroes NSP Photo Contest

B y M e l a n ie H o o d , N SP M ark eting D irecto r

Always Ready, Susan Whitaker.

A picture is worth a thousand words. so share your story with the National Ski Patrol and others around the country. On Jan. 1, 2013, NSP is launching the Everyday Heroes Photo Contest. Patrollers help keep the public safe, both on- and off-the-mountain, and the NSP would like to highlight how patrollers truly are Everyday Heroes. Please join us in highlighting patrollers across the nation by submitting your photos by April 15, 2013. Every patroller can submit up to three photos in each of these categories: The Ski/Snowboard Experience; Passion for the Profession; Aprs Patrolling; Patroller at Work; Patrol Video; and Patrol GoPro Edit Video. The best photos from each category will be chosen by the NSP marketing director, communications director, two GoPro representatives, and the grand prize winner of the last photo contest, Scott Cordner (winning photo shown at right). The first prize winner in each category will receive a GoPro helmet camera, while second place in each category will be awarded a Patagonia layering piece. The grand prize winner for top overall photo will receive a GoPro helmet camera and mounting package, a Patagonia layering piece, a pair of Hestra gloves, a base layer piece from Polarmax, and official NSP 75th Anniversary merchandise. To learn more about the contest, see the official Everyday Heroes Photo Contest Rules and Regulations, and learn more about the prizes, login to www.nsp.org, click on About the NSP, and find the Photo Contest link on the left side of the page, or go to www.nsp.org/about/Photo_Contest.aspx. All images must be submitted by an NSP patroller through the official NSP Flickr Photo Contest Page by April 15, 2013. Prizes will be awarded in May 2013. +
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Cornice Removal, Scott Cordner.

www.tecnicausa.com www.blizzardsportusa.com

Baldy Hike, Craig Yanase.

Sling Loading, Richard Bumgardner.

committed
feeling dedication and loyalty to a cause, activity, or job; wholeheartedly dedicated

Sun and Windy, Larry Maurer.

NSP Members: For online pro sales go to www.nsp.org

N S P. O R G 29

Real Heroes Touching Real Lives.

Because of you, my husband has a second chance at life...

What does a person say at a time like this? The answer I suppose is, what can a person say? Because of you, my husband has a second chance at life. Because of you, I have a husband to love and grow old with. Because of you, our son has a father to love him and teach him all that is precious in life. You saved our hearts. You touched our lives. We will be forever grateful. Love, perhaps thats the word you say at a time like this. We love all of you. Merle & Andrea
Everyday Heroes
Andrea wrote this letter thanking Jason, a member of the National Ski Patrol for saving her husbands life. Read the story behind this letter, and learn how you can donate to National Ski Patrol to help save more individuals like Merle, at www.nsp.org.

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Everyday
Heroes
B y D avid Fr ic k, NSP Ass ista n t M a rk e tin g Di re c to r

N S P patro llers m a k in g a dif f erence Because of you, my husband has a second chance at life.
Andrea, the wife of one of the 160,000 people who receive care from National Ski Patrol members every year, wrote this in a personal letter to NSP. Of those 160,000 people, approximately 40 receive life-saving care each year from NSP members. These are truly incredible statistics, and every member of NSP should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. Because NSP members donate their time, dedication, and effort to learning important Outdoor Emergency Care skills, people have injuries treated, accidents on the slopes are prevented, and, more importantly, peoples lives are saved. Thats not all NSP members do, of course. In addition to treating injuries, preventing accidents, and saving lives, NSP members are continuously doing outstanding things that much of the public doesnt even realize, such as being role models for children on the slopes and passing important education theyve gained about snow sports safety onto others to keep them safe in the future. Further, NSP members often use the knowledge and skills theyve gained patrolling in other situations. For example, a group of patrollers that had gathered for a series of training events at Mount Hood, Ore., witnessed, responded to, and were directly involved in the saving of two lives after a serious car crash in June 2011. Simply put, NSP members are making positive impacts, both big and small, in peoples lives every single day. In the words of many, NSP members are truly Everyday Heroes. What is an Everyday Hero? Perhaps the best way to define an Everyday Hero is by ruling out what it isnt. An Everyday Hero isnt a character like Superman or Spider-Man, nor a famous celebrity. Rather, an Everyday Hero is a person who has selflessly committed time and energy to helping others. Every NSP member fits this description! NSP members have dedicated not only hours, but days and weeks worth of time to learning the critical skills needed to aid those who need help. In fall 2012, NSP developed a new Everyday Heroes national campaign that highlights those who have made a positive impact in the lives of others through NSPs Outdoor Emergency Care education and training. This is only the start of what will be an ongoing tribute to all emergency rescue personnel who have helped keep the public safe, both on- and off-the-mountain. To kick off this campaign, NSP created a print ad that includes quotes from Andreas letter. She wrote, Because of you, our son has a father to teach him all that is precious in life. You saved our hearts. You touched our lives. We will be forever grateful. Documentation by a medical professional determined that the reason Andreas husband is still alive is because of the immediate medical attention given by NSP members. Jason, one of those NSP members, was awarded a Purple Merit Star, NSPs highest honor, for his efforts.

NSP is exceptionally proud of each and every one of our members for all the time, dedication, and effort you put into helping others. Visit the Everyday Heroes webpage at www.nsp.org to read more stories like Jasons, and if you have a story youd like highlighted, please submit it in an essay of up to 500 words to marketing@nsp.org. +
N S P. O R G 31

Symbiosis
Companies, patrollers, help each other
B y S c o tt M ar l a n d , N SP Ass i s ta n t B o a r d Chai r

Have you visited the NSP Pro Deals Page yet? We have a great set of deals on a wide variety of products that our sponsors and industry partners provide us. Most patrollers also have access to quite a number of other deals through mountain representatives or local shops. These deals are a great benefit to us, but most importantly, they are a privilege, not an entitlement. Our sponsors and partners are not in the pro deal business as a charity because were such nice, hard-working people; they are in it to make money, and part of that is through using us as expert representatives to market their products to the general snow sports public. Members of the public see patrollers, whether on- or off-the-hill, as knowledgeable, professional experts, and our opinions matter to them and can guide them in purchasing decisions. This is a great privilege and opportunity, but also a responsibility. I have personally been an area representative for quite a few companies over the years, and have really enjoyed it. Ive worked with four ski companies, a boot company, several optics companies, and an outdoor distributor. As a mountain rep, my job is to promote the products and sell them at discounted prices (pro deals) to patrollers, instructors, and mountain employees. Each company has specific rules about who is eligible for purchasing and what their pricing is. Typically, pro pricing is near wholesale, but sometimes its a good bit better, sometimes just a bit more. The NSP staff also works hard to get deals like this for all members and offer the products either through the Ski Patrol Catalog or the NSP Pro Deals Page. The team behind this does a lot of research and outreach to get the best deals possible from great companies. We have been listening to the members and attending several trade shows to expand our offerings, and to develop the best relationships we can. I have been to the Outdoor Retailer trade show for the

last two years with the team from the national office to find and enhance these relationships. We have had wonderful meetings with some of the top people from our sponsor companies, and it has been both exciting and gratifying to hear how thrilled they are to work with us. The NSP brand is very well-respected in our industry, and many companies are eager to partner with us because of our reputation and the value putting our logo on their products or in their advertisements can bring. We are an investment that these suppliers make, but if they dont get a reasonable return on this investment, they are not likely to continue supporting us. They need to see a continued value in the association, especially in how it impacts their brand value and sales. This doesnt mean that we should endorse or promote products or companies that we dont like or believe in, but there are some things we can all do help build better relationships. We are continuing to expand our relationships and offerings to better serve members. Our sponsors see the association with NSP as a benefit to them in terms of advertising, but we also look for companies that are not only a benefit to members in terms of great product, but also in terms of how association with them impacts our brand value. Partnering with unethical or low-quality companies just doesnt make us look good (and doesnt provide us usable products). Think of it as a brand value that as a whole is better than the individual pieces. These relationships must be a win for everyone. We are also very conscientious about choosing best-in-class partners that do not compete with each other. Please keep using these great products and promoting our partners. If you have feedback, or know of a company that would be a good fit, please let us know by emailing Marketing Director Melanie Hood (mhood@nsp.org), Assistant Marketing Director David Frick (drick@nsp.org), or Product and Sales Manager Josh Jacobson (jjacobson@nsp.org) with your suggestions. To further enhance our relationships with our sponsor companies, below is a handy list of dos and donts for your edification. +

Do
Buy product from our sponsors via the Ski Patrol Catalog and the NSP Pro Deals Page and use it; they want the product out there and visible. If you like it, tell people about it. Recommend local shops where they can buy it. Develop good relationships with your local shops and help promote them and their products. If product feedback is requested, please provide it; we are great testers, and companies can learn a lot from our experiences. If you really like a product or company, give it good online reviews.

Dont
Dont buy for friends, family, or strangers, unless specifically authorized. Do not disclose pro prices. Dont waste shop time with questions or trying stuff on; if you need to get assistance from your local shop, do it during slow times, be courteous, and let them help other customers ahead of you. Dont bad-mouth products or companies; if you dont like the product, you dont need to (and shouldnt) promote it, but dont publicly speak against it either.

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2011/2012
Outstanding

National

Award
Winners
Patrols and

patrollers

who lead
by example
B y C an da c e H o r g an

With the low snow year and the decline in skier visits, the 2011/2012 ski season proved challenging at many resorts, but that did not stop patrollers from continuing to excel in all their duties. Once again, the NSP wants to recognize those patrols and patrollers that achieved excellence and set a standard all of us can strive to attain. Each division nominates two judges to vote on the awards. The judges view anonymous nominations, and each one is scored by the different judges based on the criteria for the award. Each judge sends a summary of the points they assign to the nominees in each category, and the results are then tallied from the point scores.
N S P. O R G 33

Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol

identify candidates who would benefit from taking adaptive ski lessons at the resort. In the offseason, the patrol provides medical coverage at up to five equine event competitions in its region, including an Olympic qualifier. Organizers and others have recognized the quality of the NSP OEC Program for event coverage, and have asked the patrol to support other competitions. Patrollers have also volunteered time in Haiti as part of the rebuilding effort and in construction efforts in Guatemala. Runner-Up: The China Peak Ski Patrol in the Far West Division received a Silver Unit Citation as runner-up for Outstanding Large Alpine Patrol. Side Note: The China Peak Ski Patrol assists resort management with its Learn to Ski and Ride Program by providing vouchers for a free lesson to guests they see struggling on the hill. They can also provide vouchers for free rentals to those they see using outdated equipment. They then help the guest off the hill, helping to prevent injuries and providing a positive outcome to new skiers and riders.

Outstanding Large Alpine Patrol Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol Division: Eastern Year Activated: 1966 Total Lifts: 3
The Genesee Valley Regions instructional staff is well-represented by Hunt Hollow patrollers. Nine of the 14 region Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) instructor trainers are from Hunt Hollow, as are five of the 10 S&T trainer evaluators, seven of the 14 Senior Emergency Management Module instructors, three of the seven Instructor Development instructors, and six of the 14 Mountain Travel and Rescue instructors. Hunt Hollow has 16 OEC instructors, eight OEC instructor trainers (ITs), 13 Ski and Toboggan (S&T) instructors, and two Young Adult Program instructors. Instructors on this patrol have won a National Outstanding Instructor Award (2008), a Division Instructor of the Year Award (2008 and 2011), and a Region Instructor of the Year Award (2010). The leadership of the patrol is reflected by the 30 percent of the patrol that holds either National Appointment Numbers or Leadership Commendation Awards. Members of this patrol have served on the national board of directors, as a division director, and as assistant division director. All of the Genesee Valley Region directors except for one have come from this patrol, as have more than 50 percent of the assistant region directors. Over the last four years, candidates at the Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol have a 100 percent pass rate. Candidates undergo training with the Genesee Valley Region OEC Program, and
34 N S P. O R G

also train in CPR, local patrol and ski area orientation, lift evacuation, and patrol S&T. All the candidates are mentored throughout the training to ensure they pass. The patrol also excels at recruiting young patrollers, recruiting 10 sons or daughters of current patrollers to work on the patrol in the last three years. The patrol has four thirdgeneration patrollers, and almost 20 percent of the young adults are either second- or thirdgeneration patrollers. The young adults have also embraced the service motif; one young patroller, whose mother passed away due to breast cancer, organized a Boarding for Cancer event to raise money to fight breast cancer. The patrol has supported the event. The patrol does not just limit itself to helping injured skiers, however. Two members of the patrol took a leadership role in developing an adaptive sports program for disabled veterans, working with the Veterans Administration to

Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol Division: Central Year Activated: 1967 Lifts: 6
Percentages help tell the story of the Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol. For instance, 77 percent of the patrol has achieved Senior, and 66 percent have received either National Appointment Numbers or Leadership Commendation Awards. The return rate of patrollers over the last four years is 92.8 percent.

Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol

The percentages are also high for instructors and for participation in region, division, and national meetings. For instance, 60 percent are OEC instructors, 26 percent are CPR instructors that are certified by both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross, 13 percent are OEC ITs, 16 percent are Instructor Development instructors, and 18 percent are S&T instructors. In 2011-2012, 50 percent of the patrol attended the region spring meeting and awards banquet, while 15 percent attended a neighboring region meeting in the fall and 32 percent attended a region meeting in the spring. Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol members comprise 75 percent of the State Special Olympics Ski Patrol, while 35 percent of the patrol also works other Special Olympics events, including the State Summer Games. Other outreach includes teaching CPR to three police departments, two fire departments, and five schools, and providing medical coverage for bike races in a nearby city. Because region members live in two different counties with a large driving distance between them, members of this patrol took the lead in developing a Web-based region solution for event registration and fee collection and for communication of awards information and submitting awards applications. Recently, this patrol developed a computer automated process for member records, attendance, and incident reporting. They have shared the program with others, and now over 20 patrols are using the membership program, four are using the attendance application, and eight are using the incident reporting system. Runner-Up: Diamond Peak Ski Patrol of the Far West Division received a Silver Unit Citation as runner-up for Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol. Side Note: In addition to volunteering at fire departments and local hospitals, members of this patrol conducted three practice and two actual night search and rescues, and participated in an annual multi-agency community disaster preparedness exercise with the sheriffs office and fire department.

Outstanding Alpine Patroller Mary Zelko Patrol: Powder Ridge Ski Patrol Division: Central
There are many characteristics that truly outstanding patrollers share, but one is the desire to pass their knowledge on to others. Such is the case with Mary Zelko, who has served as her patrols OEC refresher instructor of record (IOR), as well as the candidate IOR, for the last five years, beginning in 2008. Zelko has also instructed lift evacuation and CPR/AED refresher training. Expanding her resorts medical base knowledge, she taught basic first aid to junior patrollers from 2008-2011, and taught it to area management and ski school instructors in 2008-2012 so that ski area and ski school personnel can handle an injury or accident until the patrol arrives. She has organized and run OEC final exams for combined patrols within her region, and promotes toboggan training and testing jointly with another region patrol. Additionally, she pioneered an OEC online course that combines an online class with a once-a-week in-person class for skills training and practice. Zelko takes an active role in recruiting for both her patrol and the NSP. Since 2008, she has participated in Come Ski with the Patrol day at her area, and handed out Want to Join the National Ski Patrol? cards to visitors. She has promoted the OEC course at local colleges and medical facilities by putting up fliers, and developed the areas junior patrol to serve as a feeder for the patrol.

John Lawson

patrol director, region director, and region awards chair, National Second Assistant Board Chair John Lawson has gained a lot of experience in patrol administration, something he carried over to his work on the NSP board of directors. At the national level, Lawson serves on the Finance Committee, helping to revise the budgeting process and streamline it by providing budgets to programs and getting advisers to work within budget. Lawson is also the chair of the Audit Committee, and was recently asked to join the Education Committee. Lawson served on a task force that fought efforts to bring NSPs OEC Program under EMS regulatory control in four states, and serves as a liaison with the Far West Division in its efforts to provide disaster coverage under the Department of Homeland Security. Most recently, Lawson worked with the 75th Anniversary Committee to help plan events for the NSP Anniversary Gala scheduled for Denver, Colo., Jan. 31Feb. 3, 2013. At the local level, Lawson still serves on his patrol board. He is an OEC instructor and IT at the region level, as well as an instructor in lift evacuation, CPR, Instructor Development, and the Senior Emergency Management Module. He has suggested new protocols that have been adopted in the training of OEC instructors and ski patrollers. Runner-up: Bernard Goddard of the Summit at Snoqualmie Paid Patrol and Summit at Snoqualmie Central Ski Patrol received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Administrative Patroller. Side Note: Goddard has served as the cochair for both the Pacific Northwest Division Convention and the Northwest Region Awards Banquet, serving as the advance person in evaluating convention venues and in securing door prizes.

Outstanding Administrative Patroller John Lawson Patrol: Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol Division: Eastern
With 20 years of leadership experience, including serving as assistant patrol director,

Mary Zelko

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Outside of NSP, she has worked to introduce underprivileged students to skiing by bringing them to the resort, and has worked U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association race events for youth. She has been an ambassador for both the patrol and her resort by speaking to community groups about snow sports and the patrol, and distributed NSP-logoed items at local events. She also organized a patrol volleyball team for the local volleyball league. A registered nurse who has worked as a neonatal flight nurse and hospice nurse, she has served as a liaison with EMS ambulance services to establish protocols for how to work with BLS and ALS services on the patrol. When not patrolling, she works as an elementary school nurse, servicing over 800 students, as well as 90 staff, both in the school and at field events. In the summer, she works for the American Red Cross, teaching certified nursing assistant courses to approximately 180 students each summer. Runner-Up: Dore Bietz of the Dodge Ridge National Ski Patrol in the Far West Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Alpine Patroller. Side Note: Over the past eight years, Bietz has led the charge in developing a new NSP patrol at a resort in the region that had been without an NSP patrol since 1969. She forged relationships between NSP, area management, and the veteran paid-patrol staff, and recruited and trained six candidates for the new patrol.

at both the region and division level. He has also instructed two OEC Enhancement Seminars at each Winter Education Conference since 2009. He is the OEC IOR for his patrols refreshers, and has been the IOR for an OEC trainee class since 2005. When the Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition was released, Byas instructed the rollout and training session for 22 OEC instructors. He has been the OEC adviser for his patrol since 2005, providing leadership for both instructors and candidates. Byas serves as the director of the China Peak Mountain Hosts, which started in 2012 with eight hosts. His goal is to grow the program to 20 members in the coming season. Additionally, he has been elected to five twoyear terms on his patrols board of directors, beginning in 2004. Byas has also taken the lead to coordinate 20 volunteer OEC patrollers to provide first aid for community functions, as well as 10 volunteers for a local bike event that was a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. He has led volunteer patrollers in providing first aid at three 100-mile Century Rides for nonprofit organizations in the community. Runner-Up: Marty Moore of the Nubs Nob Ski Patrol in the Central Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Patroller. Side Note: Moore is the outdoor area manager and responds to up to 70 percent of the calls that come into the patrol base, often driving over 30 miles a day on his snowmobile and wearing two radios, one monitoring the patrol channel and one monitoring the area channel.
Mike Byas

Outstanding Paid Patroller Mark Brown Patrol: Big Bear Valley National Ski Patrol Division: Far West
In addition to being an OEC instructor and instructor trainer, Marc Brown is an EMT instructor at a local college. While teaching EMT, he relates his patrol experiences to the students and encourages them to participate if it appeals to them. He then mentors these students and other patrol candidates in their candidate year.

Mark Brown

Outstanding Patroller
(formerly Outstanding Auxiliary)

Mike Byas Patrol: China Peak Ski Patrol Division: Far West
Most patrollers take being part of the NSP for granted; for Mike Byas, it was something he needed to fight for. Byas patrol was removed from the NSP by resort management, and could not host NSP events. The patrol was converted to an area patrol instead, with the American Red Cross being the standard of care. Many NSP patrollers quit. However, Byas and a small group of patrollers from the resort remained committed to rebuilding the NSP at the resort, teaching OEC at a high level. When the resort came under new management, the patrol rejoined NSP. Byas has served as an OEC instructor and instructor trainer since 2005, and judged Senior Emergency Management since 2007

Brown, who has a Certified Number and National Appointment Number, is a region Certified adviser and teaches multiple clinics in his region. Since 1998, he has been a Certified candidate trainer. He instructs Senior clinics in the region, and at his local hill has taught an on-hill training in risk management that focuses on skier safety and accident prevention. He also gives this presentation to ski instructors, mountain security, park staff, and hosts. Outside of NSP, Brown serves on committees with several charity programs in Big Bear City, Calif., and offers toboggan rides as a fundraiser for various programs. He has also taught numerous clinics to Boy Scouts to help Scouts get their Skiing Merit Badge. Brown is a Professional Ski Instructors of America Level II instructor, and serves as a liaison between instructors and the patrol at his resort. Runner-Up: Marc LeBlond of the Sunday River Ski Patrol in Maine received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Paid Patroller. Side Note: As the assistant patrol director and training coordinator, LeBlond assembled an individualized training booklet for each candidate that was broken down into different critical skill indicators for medical and mountain training.

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Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol

Outstanding Nordic Patrol Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol Division: Far West Year Activated: 1992
Area Covered: 50 miles across two national forests
In this case, the second time is the charm, as the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol, which previously won a Silver Unit Citation as runner-up for Outstanding Nordic Patrol for 2009/2010, took home a Gold Unit Citation for the category in 2011/2012. With the ever-increasing number of backcountry skiers comes the need for better backcountry education and outreach. Members of the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol give safety lectures in concert with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) rangers on backcountry awareness to the public, teaching basics on safe winter travel, equipment selection, and map and compass. Further public education efforts include a Ski-Along event that pairs members of the public with patrollers so the public can learn backcountry tips and see the work the patrol does. The patrol also helps the USFS monitor snowmobile closure areas and teaches avalanche awareness to a local SAR organization that often is deployed for winter rescues. As part of its SAR efforts, the patrol manages and trains an SAR team consisting of 50 alpine and Nordic patrollers in the region under an agreement with the State Office of Emergency Services. The training is based off of MTR Fundamentals and MTR Level 2 courses. Candidates for this patrol undergo a rigorous testing and training procedure. Candidates take several NSP courses, including Introduction to Ski Patrolling, Mountain Travel and Rescue Level 1 and

2, Level 1 Avalanche, and OEC. In addition to classroom and daytime practice sessions, all candidates and transfer patrollers participate in a weekend training session that teaches snow cave construction, overnights in a snow cave, and skills practice. Candidates must also demonstrate competency in the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System (see page 82), avalanche danger analysis and avalanche rescue, rope skills, GPS and map and compass, and equipment selection. The skills that members of the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol bring to bear were well-demonstrated in the winter of 2011/2012 when they assisted in the successful location of a snowshoer in a multi-day search. During the search, two feet of snow accumulated, and it was only through the application of their skills that two members of the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol were able to locate the lost snowshoer, conduct an OEC assessment, and successfully evacuate him by helicopter. Runner-Up: Upper Delaware Nordic Patrol of the Eastern Division received a Silver Unit Citation as runner-up for Outstanding Nordic Patrol. Side Note: The patrol developed a Winter Awareness Brochure that it stocks at all trailheads and distributes in local ski shops and sporting goods shops.

Outstanding OEC Instructor Barbara Baxter Patrol: Big Bear Valley National Ski Patrol Division: Far West
Having someone on the patrol who has great attention to detail is something

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(CARDA), and even introduced OEC to the staff at the medical office where she works as a pediatric nurse so that the staff can handle typical cases more efficiently. Though she excels at teaching OEC, instructing OEC instructor refreshers and OEC challenge courses and acting as an OEC IOR for five years, Baxter doesnt limit herself to OEC. She also teaches an Auxiliary Patrol Room Management Module and an Instructor Development course. At her area, Baxter has worked together with area management and the risk management department to establish report reviewing criteria for forms used by the patrol, and to help educate patrollers as to their use from a risk management perspective. At the request of area management, she revised the OEC training for new patrollers so that they could complete it in a more expeditious manner. She has also met with area management to review patrol room procedures. Baxter promotes ski safety by giving lectures and demonstrations to various ski clubs and community groups, including Scout troops and church groups. Runner-Up: David Kilmer of the Wintergreen Ski Patrol in the Southern Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding OEC Instructor. Side Note: Kilmer became an OEC instructor shortly after completing his candidate year, and is one of the lead instructors for his patrols refresher, which is attended by 140 patrollers, and is also the IOR for his patrols candidate OEC class.

Outstanding Instructor Robert Andre Patrol: Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol Division: Eastern
Quality assurance is an important part of the instructional process, and in that regard, Robert Andre excels. He recruited a local doctor that specializes in pediatrics to serve as medical adviser for his patrol. Each year, this doctor gives presentations at the patrol refresher on topics important to patrollers, using actual case data so that patrollers get knowledge from real scenarios. As a result of these discussions, which she greatly enjoyed, the medical adviser decided to join the patrol and recently completed her candidate year. The assistant patrol director for OEC, Andre developed numerous local protocols, and
Robert Andre

Barbara Baxter

that can benefit every patroller. Such is the case with Barbara Baxter, who designed and instructed several makeup OEC refresher sessions so that all OEC-delinquent patrollers on her patrol could be certified as current. Additionally, as an American Heart Association CPR instructor, she has taught and recertified CPR at refreshers all over her region. When the NSP was gearing up to roll out the Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition, Baxter was charged by her division OEC supervisor with writing and teaching the Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition Rollout Recertification Clinic for the division, which was attended by over 200 division OEC instructors. She has also taught OEC to the California Rescue Dog Association
38 N S P. O R G

teaches them at the local refreshers. He also worked to transition incident reporting to a computerized system and taught patrollers how to enter the reports into the computer. As an editor for the Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition, Andre took the lead in teaching the new protocols to local and region OEC instructors. He also purchased supplies so that he could teach the use of some of the new equipment, including pelvic slings and EpiPens. Andre never misses a fundraising opportunity. He runs an Olympic equestrian qualifying event on his farm and recruited patrollers to provide the medical coverage. The event managers have in turn donated up to $4,000 each year to the region education fund. Andre has also worked with Wounded Warriors to teach skiing to disabled veterans. He then recruited a veteran who was an adaptive skier to teach a session to the patrol on adaptive skiers and their needs. A former assistant division OEC supervisor, a position he gave up to become Genesee Valley Region director in 2009, Andre chaired the search committee that worked to nominate a new division OEC supervisor. At the region level, Andre is an instructor in OEC, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Avalanche, Emergency Management, and Instructor Development, and is also an OEC IT. He has taught on average 20 candidates per year in OEC, 8-10 per year in Instructor Development, Avalanche, and MTR Level 1, and up to nine per year in MTR Level 2. He has refreshed his regions OEC instructors every year since 2006, and mentored and evaluated new OEC instructor candidates. Runner-Up: Michael Loy of the Dodge Ridge National Ski Patrol in the Far West Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Instructor. Side Note: Loy, his patrols S&T IOR and region S&T adviser, took snowboard and telemark lessons so that he could instruct S&T clinics on all three types of gear, and teaches Senior S&T seminars at his resort.

Michael Fanelli

Outstanding Young Patroller Kaitlin Henry Patrol: Pats Peak Ski Patrol Division: Eastern
Kaitlin Henry jumped into patrolling with amazing enthusiasm. After completing her candidate year, she volunteered to assist with an annual snowmobile hill race and climb after the mountain closed, and over the summer worked a weekend-long mountain bike race, taking turns with the other patrollers in sleeping in the first aid building. In her first full year patrolling, she came in after school each night, often remaining until closing, eventually accumulating over 635 volunteer hours, more than many paid patrollers and more than twice that of any other volunteer patroller at her resort. In the summer of 2011 and 2012, she volunteered to help construct a new 20-by-32-foot patrol building at the top of the mountain. A straight A student and competitive equestrian, Henry has already completed both OEC and Mountain Travel and Rescue. She assists with both her patrols refresher and OEC exam. Perhaps the ultimate endorsement of Henry is that she was requested by the on-duty paramedic to accompany a patient in the ambulance, as the paramedic felt he needed additional assistance with the patients injury on the ambulance ride. Runner-Up: Trevor Stevens of the Mt. Holiday Ski Patrol in the Central Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Young Patroller. Side Note: Before he was eligible to take the OEC class, Stevens often served as a patient or helper in OEC scenarios, and now that he has taken the class often helps teach and lead practice stations at the region level and at the patrol refresher. +
N S P. O R G 39

directors since his second year patrolling, and currently is the patrol director. He also serves on the Far West Division Winter Education Conference Committee; the conference has been hosted at Northstar Resort for four consecutive years. To keep up to date on the latest standards, Fanelli attends all NSP region and division meetings. Due in part to Fanellis leadership and belief in the NSP, the patrol has had a 400 percent increase in participation in NSP functions, as well as a 43 percent increase in NSP registration. A retired fire captain, Fanelli is an American Heart Association CPR/AED trainer, OEC instructor and instructor trainer, and region OEC instructor trainer and Senior Emergency Management evaluator. He serves as an oncall fire captain during state emergencies. When Northstar Resort was bought by Vail Resorts several years ago, Fanellis leadership and working relationships helped integrate the volunteer patrol into the new ownership. Since then, Vail has asked for Fanellis help in integrating volunteer patrols at its other resorts. During the season, Fanelli has daily meetings and interactions with others on the hill, including ski school, lift ops, and mountain management, to keep them apprised of things the patrol is working on. In addition to his prior Silver Merit Star, Fanelli won the Far West Division Outstanding Patrol Representative Award in 2011 and the Region Outstanding Patrol Representative Award in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Runner-Up: Peter Wollan of the Hiawatha Nordic, Three Rivers, and Coffee Mills Ski Patrols in the Central Division received a Silver Merit Star as runner-up for Outstanding Patrol Representative. Side Note: Wollan started as an alpine patroller, eventually achieving Senior in both alpine and Nordic disciplines, and has served as both region and division Nordic adviser, leading all region Nordic Ski Enhancement Seminars and testing events.

Kaitlin Henry

Outstanding Patrol Representative Michael Fanelli Patrol: Northstar National Ski Patrol Division: Far West
Michael Fanelli, who was runner-up for Outstanding Patrol Representative in 2010/2011, has served on his patrols board of

! g n i l l o Patr Snow!

! s m a r g o r P NSP Education
rtment s Education Depa Updates from NSP NS P Ed uc ati on
By Da rc y Ha nl ey, ac e Ho rg an Ph ot os by ca nd Dir ec to r

e are excited to announce that there have been many enhancements to NSP's education programs. All of the national program directors have worked hard to enhance the value and content of their programs. First, the new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual is on bookshelves everywhere! Thank you to all 40-plus authors who contributed to this book. You can find the book at REI, the Mountaineers Books website, and a link on the NSP website. It is also available in an e-book format, and is being promoted at tradeshows across the country. MTR Program Director Rick King now moves on to the instructor manual used by our MTR instructors. Avalanche Program Director Mike Laney attended the 2012 International Snow Science Workshop (see article on page 76), and is also making revisions to the

Avalanche Program. The Avalanche Awareness and Safety Course is available to anyone who needs to have very basic knowledge of backcountry safety; the course can be found online at nspelearning.com. The Terrain and Route Selection chapter of the Outdoor Emergency Transportation Manual is being made into a video to accompany chapters one and two. Need a copy? Contact your division Transportation supervisor, or email Darcy Hanley at the national office and we will get it to you. In addition, the video locker under "Education" on the NSP website will house any training videos you upload of your candidates to enhance their training. V1 software is available in the Ski Patrol Catalog, or it can be downloaded online. V1 will also offer apps for Android and Apple phones. The Toboggan Program refresher completion

roster is on your patrol representative's page. The completed roster can be sent to the national office and recorded on each members profile. This annual refresher is listed in the NSP Policies and Procedures as an important component for every on-thehill patroller. The NSP Safety Team has two important goals this season, so check the Safety Page on the NSP website often and regularly. There will be a digital coloring page for kids, and the "Lead By Example" pin program will continue this year; the pins can be given to customers or employees that demonstrate safety awareness, especially as it relates to Your Responsibility Code. These pins are available from any Safety Team member, or by contacting the national office. Put them in your pocket and distribute them throughout the season. This year, Subaru, the National Ski Areas

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Association, and the NSP Safety Team have pulled together to focus on chairlift safety for children. We have created baseball cards with the tagline Sit Back, Hold On! on the front of the card and chairlift safety tips for children on the back. Nita and Bear, the Safety Team dogs, show how it is done. These cards are available by contacting the national office, and are packaged in lots of 100. You just need to pay for shipping and handling. Put them in your pocket and hand them out! In addition, we are creating two video public service announcements about chairlift safety that will be available from the national office. Dont forget to get your Safety Week activities together for the week of January 19-27, 2013. The OEC Program is currently in Cycle B of the Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition. The 2012-2013 OEC test is being used, and is available online. Instructors should send candidate answer keys to Darcy for analysis of this years test. The OEC written test changes from year to year, and the answer keys help improve the test. Redact the names and send them via email or snail mail to the national office. Over 200 were received last year. The Outdoor First Care Program is under revision, and is expected to be available for the 2013/2014 season. The OFC Program can still be used, but cannot be purchased. Please contact Darcy at the national office to learn how to deliver the OFC program as it undergoes revision.

The OEC Refresher Committee met in Denver in November 2012 to start work on the Cycle C refresher. They review every single comment on the evaluation sheets you submit. The refresher material will continue to stress hands-on stations, with a focus on demonstration of skills. The OEC Beta Refresher has been completed, and generally, minus the technical challenges, it was well-received and endorsed. This option will be available for any patrol that would like to use it. Remember, OEC instructor materials are found on www. MYNSPKIT.com. This is especially important for OEC candidate instructors. The Leadership Development Committee continues work on module two. This will be available in spring 2013. The first module is available for anyone to use on the front page of the NSP website. The Instructor Development Program is finishing the final revisions to the program manual and mentoring guide. The expected release is July 2013. The ID hybrid online course has been taken by over 2,500 people. Paperwork is important to make sure each patroller is given credit for his or her accomplishments during the season. The development and testing of the automatic submission of OEC completion rosters is done. The future for all NSP courses will be automatic submission of course completion rosters that post directly to

the member profile. This enhancement is long overdue, but is a reality, and instructions and rollout will be forthcoming to each division. For clarification, Education Administrative Assistant Jill Bjerke handles all course completion records, while Darcy will handle classification changes (Senior and Certified) and instructor/IT appointments. There is never enough credit or kudos extended for the countless hours instructors spend maintaining their certification(s), submitting paperwork, training new instructors, and teaching throughout the year. Each year, NSP gets better and better because of the incredible energy and effort extended by each of our 5,000 instructors. Thank you! For my part, I presented at four of the NSAA Fall Education Seminars, attended the Search and Rescue Conference in Breckenridge, Colo., taught an ID course, and was the IT on an OEC instructor recertification. I will present at the Rocky Mountain Lift Operators Conference in May, help produce two PSAs, travel to the Northern Division for the Winter Tip Off event, return to Central Division for its Certified event, and hope to see many of you at the 75th Gala in Denver, Jan. 31Feb. 3, 2013. Happiness is a face shot of powder, a bluebird sky, a big smile, and my patroller family! May it be the same for each of you! Have a safe season. +

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Certified Certified
search
list is posted on the NSP website under Programs/Certified (look in the toolbar at the top of the home page). We encourage all interested members to consider enrolling in the Certified Program. For information, please contact your patrol rep, or ask any Certified patroller about how to get involved with the Certified evaluation process. We welcome and celebrate all patrollers who are constantly improving their skills and knowledge through the many programs that NSP offers, and we hope that you will consider joining the ranks of Certified patrollers in your division. +

Tracking down all Certified patroller numbers

By T o m Hu g h e s, N S P Ce rt i f i e d C o m m i t t e e Ch ai r

n 1964, then NSP National Director Charles Schobinger forwarded a committee report from the Southern Rocky Mountain Division to George Wesson to work out the details for a Certified program. It read: It is the desire of the paid patrolmen of the NSPS to continually strive for higher standards for all ski patrolmen. Hence this Certified ski patrolmen program is instituted to give recognition to those who have devoted the extra time and effort to pursue a course of self development beyond the minimum requirements of the senior ski patrolmen. This program is necessary for the NSPS to keep pace with the technological developments in the sport of skiing and to encourage ski patrolmen to better fulfill the ever increasing demands and expectations of ski area management and the skiing public. Thus, the Certified Program was conceived, and over the next several years evolved to one that has endured for over 30 years. The NSP recognizes those members who successfully complete the Certified modules with a Certified Number for their dedication to the program and demonstration of skill and knowledge. The Certified Number is issued from the NSP office in Lakewood, Colo., but unfortunately there was a significant lapse in the record keeping when we converted to
42 N S P. O R G

Pho to s b y S a nd y M a c y

computer records. We are currently trying to assemble a clear and continuous record of those who have passed the test and earned a Certified Number, and we need your help. If you are a Certified patroller, or know of anyone that has passed the test, we are seeking your input to match Certified Numbers with their proper recipient. If you know of a fellow patroller who has a Certified Number, or, more importantly, an inactive Certified member whose number might possibly not be in our system, please contact your division Certified representative so that we can properly account for and recognize these individuals. The

Credentialing Instructors
B y Dar c y Ha n l e y P h o t os by Ca n da c e Ho rga n

OEC Senior Trainer Evaluator Certification clinic draws leaders

t the OEC Division Supervisors meeting held September 29, 2012, in Denver, Colo., 25 of the OEC program directors, division supervisors, assistants, and guests went through staged scenarios to be credentialed as the first Senior trainer evaluators for the OEC module of the Senior Program. They spent a day going through four scenario stations as evaluators, patients, and patrollers. At the end of the day, they had successfully passed the calibration. The next step for these trainer evaluators is to return to their divisions and provide the same calibration for the division trainer evaluators. We understand this process may take a season or two. The

program manual is on the website under Education Programs. You can request minutes of the meeting as well. The new OEC module of the Senior Program Manual is being given some final format changes and then will be available online for download. You are free to start your Senior candidate training for the season! There will be standard scenarios for the Senior evaluation available from the national office. To receive them, email a request to education@nsp.org with the course number in the subject title so they can be sent out to you. The best resource for information is your OEC division supervisor or your region or division newsletter. +

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y p p a H
An

h t 5 7 y r a s r e v i n
ace By Cand Horgan

A s t h e N S P c e l e b r at e s i t s 7 5 t h Anniversary, many of the ski industrys movers and shakers took the time to extend congratulations to our organization on this milestone.

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the ki ry lues tional S and ve p a v y a d e rN ou all grou w V s of ou e are pr is fine a u to Sq bution ers. W e th y ways their d i i s r e g t t h man con alon oug olun d so ion thr ol v o work n r t fi a o t P ss n. t s wh orts mi ountai ored den hon ividual s m resi aw e e r P h , e t d h irth Squ of in pport t ities on dy W EO of Calif. v n i su t A c C a , and Valley
The Natio nal Ski Patr ol is an inc the ski ind redible ass ustry, with et to outstandin developme g training an nt program d s that prov highly-qua ide resorts lified patro l personne tion and it l. The orga s members nizahave show commitme n a p a ssionate nt to excell ence that h hallmark th as been a rough its lo ng, success Their focus ful history. on continu o us improve their ability ment and to stay apa ce with the of the sport evolution is a testam ent to their Thank you vision. , and cong ratulations of service fo r 75 years to the indu stry and ou r resorts. Blaise Ca rrig, Presid ent of Vail Resorts Mountain D ivision, Colo .

nal essio f o r P the k.com rs of n e erstoc tt b u h rica 6/s em rook7 nt Ame he m d t I wa n l l a , a s r a f c o o i t l mer ona half struc of A Nati n be "Patagonia is d In r s e r O nd a h o o t t always c to ce a wb nstru ervi Sno ons I i S f t striving to 'bui i a ave o k f l S ld the best pro atu SI h ion rs o r t a A g a e i A n y / c duct.' co con PSIA Asso We are honore g 75 my has idin and d to be partner t end v t a P o x r S h t e i p ed N p to with an organ d sk l on ars, nshi ization like NSP g an atro e ye atio P n l h i t i i e , k k r w r ho s S se ve patrollers need king s of sely ty. O the best gear wor cces g clo y u n s h i Safe t to l k ke e r ep o th njoy them warm an hea to w da ly to he e d dry while in t t d a a r h e e a t the field. o gr Patagonia wo forw rom ted uld like to cong to p look tribu e e r ra u tu late NSP ay. fut on 75 years of rts. W r of the afe w service, and lo s reso n i a ecto r P i n oks forward to i S D t I N r AAS utive with r spo gearing you up SIA/ f ou Exec P o , for many more y t e s . men Dor ark Happy Anniver M sa

5 years NSP on 7 s unwavOn b embership m ehalf e th d n a making of to ext itment to m m end m the Nation o c g n eri al Ski y hea afer, our Ski Pa Areas r slopes s rtfelt u o trol o congr n reac effechas b atulat Associatio hing i staffs more een a n i o , n t I s s to th want ke 75 owing prom e Nat e, and all v ti ote th y partner w th Anniver i on sary. T e gr ith s to be provid he NS al r mountain u o ing an owth of sk the NSAA P i iing a opera invalu y all levels me nd sn n helping t a t enjoyed b owbo o over 1 mbers giv ors. The co ble servic ders. arding e to r e in tr 60,00 untles iers and ri k s f o e b 0 a s s ort ow y ining mind moun to a h volunteer to tho t lan, CEO hours ners and igh st se wh ain recreat Mike Kap andar t o enjo ionist h a t NS kiing d s y our of Aspen S sport annually h and treatin P elps b . , Colo. g Company ring p eace Mic of hael B erry, Presid ent o f NSA A

vice Ser f o s year ve n 75 e ha o l w o p r and i t h a iP wth ons k i o t S r a g l l !I re na ed atio them e tinu lose N t c n u o e e c o th th bl e ith alua w ns to trol, and tor in th ne it w v o a i t a do ac ula been y of sno ski p ificant f ot have grat has it w n n Con ty! Our t the o g ular i n d as wha , rook76/shutterstoc fe oul pop ars r s a c e i e o k.com S y , f e h d t are and NSP nd a. W P for 75 c joye a e e r n o y n t a e r o t i s s S d s i k y l N u s P d r el e alwa f ou e NS s! W at th he ski in ss o e th of th boarder e t s v c s f e t c i o r l su d lope ss be ffo s an th S tion inly ucce of the e r r a s e t i o r e k N a s t ce in th soci esul t. our fect ner nd r Per eas As s e f o part o e m h r r ts. T lues age ki A spor ustry va Man ional S l a r nd Nat ene you! ski i ct, G r of the ank e h f t r i e and cha ip P Ch board lations to nce Congratu and of excelle

From all of the guests an d employees of Snowbasin, I would like to wish the National Ski Patrol a Happy 75th Anniversary. Their ability to provide willing, well-trained patrollers has made a significa nt contribution to the success of our Resort. Whether it was for the Olympic venues or the daily operation of the Resort, they have pla yed a key role in our daily operations. John Loomis, General Manager of Snowbasin, Utah
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ry!"

Allison Alle Pro Sales Mar n, keting Manag er of Patagoni a

Since its formation in 1962, Cascade Rescue Company (Cascade Toboggan) has been partnered with the NSP. From the early days of the Toboggan

Roundup, to today as the exclusive provider and partner for rescue toboggans, we have enjoyed a spirit of cooperation, camaraderie, and a true willingness to welcome us as part of the team. Never before has the NSP been stronger than it is today. The organization has made great strides to expand its membership,

engage new partners, and bring the best products and services to its customers. As the clock turns on the NSPs 75th Anniversary, we wish the entire organization a heartfelt Happy Anniversary! May the next 50

rook76/shutterstoc k.com

years be as fun as the last.

The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort salutes the National Ski Patrol on their 75th anniversary. NSPs support of our industry through education and training for safety and emergency medicine is a foundation for our operations. We look forward to working closely with NSP into the future.

Dana Jordan, President of Cascade Rescue Company

Kill ingt on R is tr esor uly t and fortuna t har e to ha lers, dworki ng g ve a de som ro di e of the who up of sk cated reso m i r patr t for h trus olover ave be ted e m n 3 0 emb with day y e a e in a nd d rs of th rs. They feel e a are yo res safe on t ut allow ort, wh he m o our oun Mi tain guests . to ke S Gen eral olimano , Man ager Preside nt a of K nd ill Pico ington a Mou n ntain d , Vt.
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s as the h ski patroller it w in ta n ou m d to be on the forts in the X are so prou A M R A L and rescue ef O P ty fe sa in We at ta n improve mou e National yer system to e efforts of th th t ou h it official base la W . environments l enjoy. ng of weather tion that we al gi ea n cr le re al ts ch t or os sp r m er not be a winte warm in ord e really would er th l, ro ski patrollers at P ep ke Ski P S N ed to the the cold and simple compar t worry about ou h it w Our job is so b jo r thei lize vital concentrate on Jerry Blann, President of llers must uti ro at w patrollers to p lo h al ic h to w Jackson Hole conditions in ki Patrol treme weather the National S s te Mountain Resorts, Wyo. la u at gr n potentially ex co POLARMAX rescue skills. d an g in av -s life ars young! Polarmax on being 75 ye dent/CEO of si re P , ck la B Randy

nd ce a iteface n e i Congr per Wh atulatio e ex pics at Having ns to th h T for ach . e Natio y he m s. ieving 7 nal Ski rsar 80 Oly Game e into t s e 5 v P i y atrol ears of and Sa 19 the hoe olv ann Servic fety on 5th ing the cess of and ev fety ec e 7 t r h r e c mount Hestras you row d Sa f du l su ain. Y. partne n on SP staf overal rts to g vice an o , N. i r s t h n ip with a o i r e l NSP is N p a e h u t s r t S invalua grat oun ow of f ou l to ble to o eM Con edge o pivota wed sn creed c and we a u f r brand, ur as re hon wl llo hite ored to kno tain w s has a day. Yo fW o gloves r n h d o e ave ou u protecti ag r Mo standar y it is t ains. ng the Man t tr l P n patrolle s a hands u S r u N mo of rs acro The National Ski Patro ind ene ss the c l has been an inteajor out the tt, G e you to l m o l u e ntry. Th gral part of the ski indust gh K the out u n o a n r o ry for the past 75 k standin r th siastic g staff Aa years. An outstanding org membe and en anization that has rship o thuproud f NSP t maintained a cohesive mi to be a hat ma ssio n, the NSP is partne ke us appreciated by millions. r. Dino Dardan o, Pres John Kircher, Preside ident o nt of f Hestr Cr ystal Mountain, Wa a USA sh.
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Permanent Record
By R o b S il b a u g h , N S P F un dr ai s i n g C o m m i t t e e C h ai r

Anniversary toboggan offers donors chance to have names displayed

As the chair of the National Ski Patrol Fundraising Committee, I want to personally thank each and every one of NSPs 28,500 members for your dedication and commitment. Every NSP member is an everyday hero that provides Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) to the outdoor recreation industry and public. It is hard to imagine that NSP has been around for 75 years. This is a huge milestone, and during that time, countless lives have been saved due to your dedication and professionalism. You are highly trained in OEC, and use the finest products to aid in the safety of those that need assistance. One of those products is the toboggan. In honor of NSPs 75 years, Cascade Rescue, an NSP sponsor, has generously donated a unique, carbon fiber/titanium toboggan with the words Celebrating 75 Years National Ski Patrol branded on both sides. This toboggan has a value of over $3,500, and is truly a fantastic item. As many of you know, in February 2013, the NSP will host a Gala event to celebrate the 75th Anniversary. I look forward to meeting many of you there and enjoying the Anniversary weekend events with you. The 75th-branded carbon fiber/titanium toboggan will be on display for all to see at the NSP Historical Exhibit at the SIA Snow Show, as well as at the Anniversary Gala. After the Gala and exhibit, the sled will be on permanent display at the national office in Lakewood, Colo., and showcase all individuals

and organizations who have donated $150 or more to the Education Endowment Fund. We invite every patroller to be part of this historic milestone by donating and having their name permanently displayed on the toboggan. What exactly does your donation go toward? The Education Endowment Fund specifically provides for the development, maintenance, delivery, modification, and outreach of NSP education programs. We need your support to help grow the NSP for the next 75 years. Will you help us? Please consider one of the sponsorship levels listed below. Your support is greatly appreciated. To make a donation, click on the "Everyday Heroes" button at www.nsp.org to make your contribution; be sure to mention its for the Education Endowment Fund and Gala event when you make your donation. Levels of Sponsorship $500 or more (those who buy a table for the Gala will automatically be at this level). $250-$499. $150-$249. Up to $149, mention in the 75th Gala program (not on toboggan). Thank you again for your wonderful commitment to the NSP, and for your service. Lets continue to make the NSP the best it can be. +

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2011 The Mentholatum Company

Photo: Greg Lawler

The Beginnings
Excerpt from Minnie Doles autobiography, Adventures in Skiing
It was March 1938 on a cold day on the Nosedive trail at Stowe, Vt., when Charles Minot Minnie Dole agreed to Roger Langleys suggestion that he start a national ski patrol based on the one Dole had organized for the National Downhill race. However, the seeds of the patrol idea had been planted in Doles mind two years earlier by two events: Dole breaking his ankle at Stowe, and Doles good friend, Frank Edson, dying in a ski race at Pittsfield, Mass. Minnie wrote at length about both incidents in his autobiography, Adventures in Skiing, which NSP has reprinted for its 75th Anniversary celebration this year. The book is available from the Ski Patrol Catalog and the NSP Online Ski Patrol Catalog. The following excerpt provides a fascinating glimpse into NSPs origins.

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Photo by Cand

ace Horgan.

Growing Pains

Excerpt from Gretchen Bessers The National Ski Patrol: Samaritans of the Snow
In 1983, after five years of exhaustive research, former NSP National Historian Gretchen Besser published her definitive history of the National Ski Patrol, The National Ski Patrol: Samaritans of the Snow. For 2013, NSP has reprinted the book, which now includes an epilogue covering NSP history since the books original publication. In this excerpt from the chapter titled Growing Pains, Besser, who interviewed countless patrollers and others in her original research, examines the impact NSP had on the ski industry in its first 25 years.

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Remembering Minnie
NSP founder, in the words of family and friends
By Cand a c e Hor ga n

hile many patrollers, and even non-patrollers, know that Charles Minot Minnie Dole founded the National Ski Patrol System at the behest of his friend, Roger Langley, and that Dole later played a key role in helping to organize the 10th Mountain Division, its harder to get a handle on who Minnie was as a person. As part of NSPs 75th Anniversary, NSP reprinted Minnies autobiography, Adventures in Skiing, which helps give some insight into Minnie. Of course, there are other equally important sources for a perspective on Minnie: his family, and a longtime friend. Minnie was a Yale man, great musical man, absolutely incredible music, said 99-year-old Stuart Gillespie, National Appointment Number 13, who was one of the original 15 men that Dole recruited to the NSP in 1938. He sang and played the mandolin, and I knew his wife Jane. I used to see him off and on. We were up here at Stowe for many years, and then Minnie was up here on the Toll Road with Livingston Longfellow when he broke his leg. Livingston Longfellow is the man who designed our original six-pointed star logo. Doles daughter, Susan Dole Armstrong, also remembers her father as being very involved in music, saying that it was a centerpiece of many of the parties her father hosted. I was particularly close to dad in that sense, because we had a couple of duets that we were always asked to sing together, said Dole Armstrong. Dad was leader of the Whiffs at Yale as an underclassman, which is highly unheard of. He also was president of the Yale Glee Club. Most of our parties at home were definitely singing parties. He invited the people that he knew loved to sing or play a musical instrument. The incident at Stowe was one of two in

Doles life that spurred him to promote safety in skiing; the other was when his good friend, Frank Edson, died in a ski accident. Edson had also married a relative of Doles wife, Jane, so Edson was family to Dole. The two incidents happened within a couple of months of each other in 1936. Basically, the start of all his initiation into this was breaking his ankle up on the Toll Road at Stowe, said Mint Dole, Minnies son. I think that was in 1936. As the story goes, mother and a friend hauled him down on a piece of tin, a piece of corrugated roofing that they found somewhere. They used it to drag him down. The next episode was his very best friend, Frank Edson, whom he met and brought up to the Adirondacks. Frank was racing on the Ghost Trail and he hit a tree and it crushed some of his ribs and they couldnt get him off the mountain in time to save his life. The third thing was that Roger Langley in 1938 asked him to form a national ski patrol. From my fathers point of view, he was a natural. He had a fire in his belly, based on his experiences, and it was natural for him to pick up the ball and pull it together. He would talk about how it was in the old days and how he had started NSP and the 10th Mountain, said Dick Armstrong, Minnies grandson. He told me some of the details, but not all. I think he was a rescuer, and that was in his blood; he was driven to help other people. This was his creation and his idea of taking this and driving it to fruition. Theres no doubt that hes influenced a lot of lives in ski patrol, including my own. I decided to go to paramedic school almost 20 years ago now; it gets in your blood and you just want to help people. I think I got that from him. Dole ran the NSP for 12 years, until 1950,

when he was succeeded by Ed Taylor. In that time, he built the NSP into a 4,000-member organization with 300 patrols. I was born in 1938, when NSPS was started, said Susan Dole Armstrong. I dont remember much about that. I remember the room in the Adirondacks where dad used to type all the things he needed to do for the National Ski Patrol. I remember his typewriter, which I think is somewhere in the museum. We had a good friend and neighbor who was a doctor, and he used to come to our house and do first aid classes for the National Ski Patrolmen. I wasnt a patient, but I learned a lot of what I know from that and gained a real interest in the medical world Im sure because of it. During World War II, Dole was instrumental in persuading General George C. Marshall of the possible importance of ski troops to the U.S. war effort. This led to the creation of the 10th Mountain Division, for which the NSP became the first and only civilian organization authorized by the military to recruit troops. Many of those who signed up for the 10th were NSP patrollers. I was born in 1933, and one of my memories is that during all those years, the late 30s and the 40s, I didnt see much of him, said Mint. He was always around and about doing his thing from 8:30 in the morning in New York screening the 25,000 men that he was under contract to get for the 10th Mountain Division. They came
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GEAR.
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into his office with letters of recommendation, and they either passed or didnt. If they passed, they went right from induction to the 10th Mountain. There was no preliminary 20 weeks training for soldiers in those days. He ended up $25,000 in debt in 1945. He had spent so much time on the 10th Mountain Division and all of that, he couldnt pay attention to earning a living. Thats a lot of money in 1945. He was unable, for whatever reason, to land into the ski industry in any kind of paying job. I think in 1947, 1948, he and Ward Howell put together Ward Howell Associates, which was an executive recruiting firm, and it became very successful until he had a falling out with Ward Howell. He didnt have the money to buy into his own business, so to speak. The long and short of it is that dad was never a successful businessman, but what he has done for the country, if you will, has made up for it. Mother said, You cant eat plaques, but dad is remembered for what he has done as an icon, as so many of those people are that came out of the ski industry. From 1935 or 1936, skiing was his whole world, and as it turned out it was in his organizational abilities and his abilities as a very good people man. Though Dole was instrumental in

organizing the NSP, he was never an actual patroller. Mint recalled that his father helped set up trails at Sugarbush in the 50s, and when he visited ski areas, he would inspect the patrol, but he never ran a toboggan. Of course, even inspecting the patrols could lead to an interesting story. I certainly have wonderful memories of skiing with him, and I do remember the patrolmen said Susan Dole Armstrong. We skied a great deal in Vermont, and other places too. I often went down to the patrol rooms, the first aid rooms, with dad. I remember one time particularly at Bromley. I looked up at the mountain and I saw this man walking down the side of the slope with his skis over his shoulders. I didnt think anything about it until he got down to the bottom and I realized it was my father, and he had broken his ankle but had walked himself down the mountain. He did not get the ski patrol, which makes me laugh to think of it. I remember going into the first aid room and the wonderful care of the patrolmen. Minnie was a good skier, but also extremely focused on promoting safety. In part due to his early experiences with injuries and the death of Edson, he always encouraged his family to ski safely. I got the impression that he wasnt a

Minnie Dole and Roger Langley, circa 1938.

KITE / WAKE / SUP

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I think he was a ked on visionary and wor and grew this whole thing uld at the it into what he co ously time, and its obvi then and gone crazy since antly. expanded signific , - Dick Armstrong n Minnie's grandso

really great skier, but he was good enough to get down just about anything, said Dick Armstrong. He was a safe skier, and thats what he always told us, that you wanted to be a safe skier, so you can tell where that went. I remember that he gave me my first ski lesson. That was kind of cool. I believe I was five or six and it was in Switzerland, which was where the family was for Christmas. He went outside the hotel and gave me my first lesson on skis. After Dole retired as head of the NSP, he stayed involved with skiing and the ski industry. It was at this time that he wrote his autobiography. In addition to Sugarbush, Dole consulted on the development of Thunder Mountain in 1960, now know as Berkshire East, where a trail, Minnie Dole, is named after him. A trail at Vail, Colo., Minnies Mile," is also named after Dole. In February 2012, Mint, who skis in the West mostly these days, went to Vail for a bronze plaque rededication ceremony at the top of Minnies Mile that honored his father. The rededication was part of a week-long celebration of 10th Mountain veterans. It (the original) got buried somewhere when they put the snowboard park in, so I had it recast from one at the Vail Ski Museum, and we had a rededication in February with Vail, the NSPS, and the 10th Mountain, said Mint. It was pretty nice. It was important to him, to the extent that when he died in his hospital bed in Greenwich, the regular wall plaque that was given to dad was at the end of his bed. That was all he wanted. Thats now hanging in my office. Dole was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 1977 and the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame in 1958. In October 2012, at the place where it all started, Stowe, Vt., Dole was inducted into

the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame (see page 69). I think it meant a lot to the family to have my grandfather remembered the way you did, said Dick Armstrong. I thought it was excellent the way you put together the videos, and it was a really good remembrance of how things used to be and how he put it all together. As NSP celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a Gala event in Denver in February 2013, which Mint Dole will be attending and where he will be signing copies of his fathers autobiography, its interesting to ponder whether Minnie had the foresight to see his organization at 75. I think he was a visionary and worked on this whole thing and grew it into what he could at the time, and its obviously gone crazy since then and expanded significantly, said Dick Armstrong. I think he did have a vision of what it would be like. He loved skiing so much; it was his passion for every single mountain to have rescue, to make sure that nobody else was in the same position he was of getting hurt and not being able to get down on their own. He wanted somebody to help them out. Susan Dole Armstrong concurs with her sons assessment of what NSPs 75th Anniversary would have meant to her father, who died in 1976. I think he would be very, very excited about it, Dole Armstrong said. I think dad was a real humanitarian. He had a wonderful way with people, even in his business life. He later got into executive recruiting, which involves a tremendous amount of people skills. I dont think hed be able to believe it, but I know that he would be thrilled. +

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Through the Looking Glass

b y C an d a c e Ho rga n

Early growth of the National Ski Patrol

s the National Ski Patrol enters its 75th year of providing Service and Safety to mountain recreationists, it is larger and stronger than ever before. There are over 28,000 patrollers on over 650 patrols around the world. Most people associate patrollers with the ski resorts for which they work, yet when Charles Minot Minnie Dole and Roger Langley agreed to start the NSP in 1938 over a handshake and a nip of whiskey at Shambles Corner on the Nosedive trail at Stowe, Vt., things were quite different. Before Dole founded the NSP, there already existed a handful of informal patrols in the U.S. It is unclear what the first ones were, though it is generally acknowledged that the Mt. Hood Patrol in Oregon and the Mt. Mansfield Patrol in Vermont were two of the earliest. The latter was started by Roland Palmedo in 1935. Palmedo was a well-traveled skier who skied all around the world, and was a prime financier of the first chairlift at Stowe; he later helped develop Mad River Glen in Fayston, Vt. Palmedo based his patrol on the Parsenndienst, a Swiss rescue organization he had seen in action at Davos in the European Alps. Other informal patrols existed at places like Pittsfield, Mass. It was from these patrols, as well as other volunteers, that Dole drew patrollers to work the National Downhill at Stowe in 1938, where Langley proposed the idea of the NSP. Despite some initial resistance from individuals who didnt want to take the character out of skiing by making it safe, Doles fledgling national organization grew quickly. In three seasons the National Ski Patrol System has grown to embrace 180
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Registered Patrols in the U.S. composed of 4000 patrolmen. During this time, 4887 accidents, ranging from minor bruises to more serious breaks have been cared for by patrolmen and full reports turned over to the Medical Committee. (The National Ski Patrol System MANUAL, 1941). The inaugural NSP manual lists 445 National Appointments. Where did these patrols and patrollers come from? Looking through NSPs first two publications, The National Ski Patrol System and What It Does for You (1940), and The National Ski Patrol System MANUAL, the list of patrols is intriguing. Among the names modern patrollers might recognize are Cranmore Mountain (listed as professional), Gore Mountain, Mount Greylock, Taos, Jackson Hole, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie, and Santiam. Most of the others however, would come as a surprise. Names such as the Appalachian Mountain Club Ski Patrol, the LaCrosse Ski Club, the Denver Ski Patrol, and the Salt Lake City Ski Patrol are listed. We were club patrols, and when we went off to Canada or other places, we went off as clubs and took our own patrols with us, said Stuart Gillespie, National Appointment Number 13. Thats the way it was. Change is inevitable, and it continues to this day. In 1939 or 1940, the patrols started moving to resorts. A man by the name of Hugo Meury had a ski area in the northern part of New Jersey, and he was one of our ski patrolmen, and he said, Gee, this doesnt make sense, for you to come up here with your club patrols. I would like to have an area patrol, and well put it together from there. It was a very happy transition. "Brattleboro, Vt., became an area patrol, and there was an area patrol in Jackson, N.H.,

and one up in North Conway, N.H. It was not a difficult transition. Areas were not, I wont say resentful, but they were not really very anxious to have our presence there. Then we transitioned from volunteers to professionals, and that wasnt as easy a transition, but it came together in a series of meetings with the leaders of the areas when they decided they wanted to pay their patrollers. We would bring in volunteers over the weekend and be weekend warriors, but have the resorts set the standards for how they wanted us to volunteer with them. That came together very, very nicely. I was always a weekend warrior at various areas. Gillespie, who skied with Dole in the Amateur Ski Club of New York even before the formation of the NSP, was at the National Downhill the day that Langley suggested the idea of a national patrol to Dole. He was also in the first group of patrollers selected for National Appointments. That was a hoot and a howl, Gillespie laughed. Minnie was assigned to get 15 volunteers whom he could appoint as national patrolmen. Roger was to be number one, Roland number two, and Minnie number three. We had a very interesting philosophical question as to whether we would have low-key policemen on the slopes, and that decision right then and there was made that we would not only be racers, but we would be first-aiders. The women came along very shortly thereafter. Nobody would take 13 of the first appointments, and Minnie called me up and said, Gee Stuart, would you take 13? I said, Sure, Id love it Minnie, and there its been ever since. I had been up here at Stowe for the Nationals, and that again is a lovely story. It was raced up on the Nosedive, and

ls, club patro We were we went and when r da or othe off to Cana s went off a places, we n ok our ow to d n a s b clu h us." patrols wit lespie, - Stuart Gil t ppointmen A l a n o ti a N 3 Number 1

Stuart G Photo illespie a nd his by Ca d ndac e Horg aughter M argot. an.

they had 10 Northland toboggans with no straddle bars. We were up there, but there were no accidents of any consequence that required medical help on the National. Another large difference in the way Dole conceived the NSP and the way patrollers work now concerns the local patroller and the patroller with a National Appointment. The latter had more training, and a leadership role, and often floated between mountains and patrols. Dole wrote: Whereas the Local Patrolmans chief responsibility lies mainly in his own locality, the National Patrolmans responsibility never ceases. He is a roving Patrolman. Whenever he skis, he must be on the alert to help and cooperate not only with the Local Patrol but with all skiers. His badge is a reward and holds a special responsibility that the Local Patrolman will not be asked to assume. This does not mean that when a National Patrolman appears on the terrain where the Local Patrolman is skiing, the latter can shift responsibility in case of need. They are working for a common cause the Service and Safety of all skiers. There are other reasons for the appointment of the National Ski Patrolman. There are many days when it is not possible for the Local Patrol to be on duty. There are many areas where no Patrols exist but are actively skied. The National Patrolman may be present and will fill the gap. They fill a definite need. On Local and National Ski Patrolman alike rests the responsibility for the publics acceptance of voluntary aid. Rigid standards have been set for membership in the National Ski Patrol and; upon query, all sections of the United States

have strongly advised adherence to these requirements and extreme care in the selection of members. Thus appointments will be few, for the public will come to recognize the badge and expect much from National Patrolmen. (The National Ski Patrol System and What It Does for You). When Dole and the national leadership composed The National Ski Patrol System MANUAL a year later, he listed three types of patrols: the Local, the Special, and the Metropolitan. The transition from ski club patrols to area patrols had already begun, and he addressed it. Of the Local Patrol, Dole stated that, It is usually voluntary and depends for its patrolmen on those few active skiers of the local ski club who are interested enough to take first aid courses. For the Special, he wrote, All that can be said so far is, that whenever commercial interests become benefited by visiting crowds of skiers depending on the services of a local volunteer patrol then some basis of help, financial or practical, must be arranged with those commercial interests. Commercial interests may be defined not only by the words ski tow, or tramway but also by hotel, resort, or community. ... The Special Patrol may also be a small unit of from three to fifteen patrolmen on specific duty at a ski tow, chair lift, or extensive tramway. Though the Metropolitan Patrol was seen as a patrol with no home area, in some ways, you can see the antecedents of current patrollers in the Metropolitan Patrol. Metropolitan Patrolmen necessarily do not have the advantage of continual practice in handling accident victims that members of a Special Patrol do. They are also more apt
N S P. O R G 63

to have a minimum of rescue equipment on hand and must be highly trained by continual first aid sessions and theoretical problems at home. While some things were notably different, others were similar to current patrol practices. Having lost his good friend, Frank Edson, to a ski accident in 1936, Dole was always concerned with improving skier safety, and indeed helped write the first report on ski accidents in 1936, examining causes and ways to prevent them. The report was published in the American Ski Annual. Even as the NSP was starting, Dole made sure that safety was part of its mission, adopting the slogan Service and Safety right from the outset. Dole saw his new organization as one that could help prevent tragic accidents like the one that befell his friend. Attempt by means of signs and other education means to teach skiers who come to your area how to avoid being exposed to accidents. You will find this

work well worthwhile in lessening your accident rate. Some patrols report actual lowering of their accident rate through an emphasizing of tactful supervision by patrolmen. This means informal guardian angel tactics on the part of patrolmen, who tactfully suggest or show the way in repairing trail damage from falls or politely warn inexperienced skiers away from difficult terrain. (The National Ski Patrol System and What It Does for You). Dole early on made the decision to make Red Cross certification part of being a national patroller, requiring 40 hours in two separate courses (American Red Cross Standard and Advanced Course with Credit, with a supplemental Ski Safety and First Aid course). My introduction to the ski patrol, I was already well-established with the Red Cross and the power company in New Jersey, Jersey Central Power Light Company, where we would teach the linemen to climb poles

and do poletop resuscitation, explained Gillespie of the NSPs nascence. When the word went out that we needed someone to organize ski patrols, I stepped right in. We had what were known as club patrols, and I had five club patrols in Northern New Jersey, in Morristown, Plainfield, Montclair, and two others. There were also two in the Poconos (in Pennsylvania), including one at Pocono Manor, so it was very easy to put the thing together. I traveled to New York City and helped them organize, because there were no ski and first aid instructors in New York. There again it came together so easily, because there were lovely clubs in New York. We raced at that kind of thing there. So then, Dr. Laurence Thompson of the American Red Cross took over the instruction. The Red Cross was part of our souls; if it werent for the Red Cross, we wouldnt be alive and kicking the way we are today. Then it all took off and flew in a variety of ways. The ski patrol in those days was fairly limited; it wasnt an active organization the way it is today. While much of what made up early patrolling likely seems foreign to modern patrollers, there are threads of commonality. Even after one year, patrollers were concerned with Good Samaritan laws, legal liability, filling out report forms, recruiting for patrols, and improving first aid. The injuries that the early patrollers dealt with, aside from a larger number of ankle injuries, were very similar to what most patrollers deal with today. The National Ski Patrol System and What It Does for You contains a chart listing a composite report on 846 accidents treated by patrollers the previous year. As you can see from the chart at left, it is not that dissimilar from what most patrollers see today. Ultimately, we owe our survival as an organization to the foresight of those early patrollers who could see the need for a patrol system, but also recognized the need for flexibility. Minnie Dole himself wrote, The National Committee has tried to follow its fundamental policy of suggesting and outlining recommendations for the advancement of skiing and increased public enjoyment, avoiding any semblance of regimentation. If Minnie were to see what the NSP has become, surely he would be proud of how the organization has continued to thrive. +

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All-Mountain Twins:

Lou and Jim Whittaker

Patrolling background served Whittakers well in mountain exploits
By Ki m K ir ch er

ountaineering twins Lou and Jim Whittaker have accomplished great feats in the highest mountain ranges in the world. In 1963, Jim was the first American to summit Mount Everest. He was the only full-time employee at REI in 1955, eventually becoming president and CEO. Lou started Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., a guide service on the most heavily-glaciated mountain in the contiguous United States. He has been to the summit of Mount Rainier over 250 times, and scaled challenging peaks in the Himalayas, Alaska, and elsewhere. The twins childhood home offered a view of the mountains, so it is no surprise that they spent their careers in the worlds highest places. Climbers of their caliber spend countless hours in the mountains, until the ice seeps into their blood and the rock settles in their bones. Yet they were not born mountaineers; they first had to make their introductions with the wild and remote peaks surrounding their hometown. They truly met the mountains, learning both judgment and rescue skills, as members of the National Ski Patrol. Looking to improve their skiing skills while having a cheap way to enjoy the sport, in the winter of 1948-1949, at age 19, Lou and Jim earned National Appointment Numbers 1033 and 1034, respectively, making them the youngest ski patrollers to earn national status. Lou and Jim Whittaker were born February 10, 1929, and raised in West Seattle. With a view of Puget Sound, and surrounded by the Olympic Mountains to the West and the Cascades to the East, the two were destined for an outdoor lifestyle. Their Boy Scout master, Ray Meyers, led them into the

woods, onto the rocks, and out into the mountains. While the twins would endure many challenges on big mountains, one of their first took place in the early 1940s on Snoqualmie Pass. Their climbing mentors, Dr. Otto Trott and Max Eckenburg, invited the two for a day of skiing on Mount Margaret. While theyd practiced a few turns on snow, they had yet to master the sport. They bought canvas socks for the tails of their skis in order to climb up the slope, and were easily able to keep up with the others on the ascent. Once at the top however, their confidence dwindled. Trott and Eckenburg peeled the skins off their skis and said simply, See you at the bottom. Have a good ski, and took off down the steep, heavily-treed run. According to Lou, they couldnt figure out how to turn those damn skis. Not wanting to lose face in front of their mentors, they used the trees and branches to slow themselves down, falling and crashing through the glade. When they arrived at the bottom with their clothes torn ragged from pinballing through the branches, Otto told them, Weve been talking. We think we should take you up to Snoqualmie and teach you how to turn so you wont kill yourselves having so much fun. Once they learned to properly ski, their next goal was running toboggans. Trott was already a member of the National Ski Patrol at Stevens Pass, and he encouraged the brothers to join. Not only did they learn to control toboggans, they further honed their skiing skills.

Jim Whittaker teaching John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy to ski as their mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, looks on. Photo c/o Whittaker Family Collection.

Later, they would travel to Oregon for the Western Region Ski Patrol competition, vying for top first aid skills and toboggan running speed. They brought home twin silver snowflake belt buckles as the prize for first place. During the next few years, they spent weekends patrolling at Stevens Pass until they graduated from Seattle University. In his memoir, Memoirs of a Mountain Guide (1994), Lou describes the work thusly: Wed sometimes get as many as twenty fractures during a weekend, thanks to the good old long thong bindings used at the time. Either the ski broke or the leg, but never the binding. This unfortunate fact gave us the opportunity to really hone our first aid skills. One of the most difficult components of the

N S P. O R G

65

Jim and Lou with the 10th Mountain Division (second and fourth from left). Photo c/o Whittaker Family Collection.

njury Every i you teaches ng that somethi use on you can ntain. the mou

hittaker - Lou W

job was returning the toboggans to the top of the ski hill. According to Jim, patrollers rode the rope tow with one hand on the sled and the other arm hooked around the rope. It took quite a bit of strength to hold on, and it also rubbed holes in the armpit of their jackets. On ski patrol rescues, the Stevens patrollers often sent a self-addressed postcard with their diagnosis with the injured skier, requesting the physician to confirm their findings. Lou claims, feedback really helped (him) learn the basics of first aid and what is called second aid, which involves reducing dislocations and aligning fractures. (ibid, p. 42.) This technique helped them differentiate between a fracture and a hematoma, which came in handy on Mount Rainier, when the difference meant evacuation. Every injury teaches you something that you can use on the mountain, says Lou. At around the same time, Lou and Jim joined Trott, Eckenburg, and Wolf Bauer in their newly-founded Mountain Rescue Council, which emerged in response to a growing number of alpine accidents in the Cascades and Olympics. The climbers used much of the first aid training learned on the slopes with them in their backcountry rescues. Jim says, No question my time on the patrol helped with those rescues. At Stevens Pass, the two were faced with serious accidents. One unfortunate patient was impaled by his ski pole in the thigh. The surprisingly sharp shaft of the pole travelled along the length of the patients leg and exited at the ankle. Since ambulances wouldnt travel to the mountains then, Lou
66 N S P. O R G

drove the man to Wenatchee in a private vehicle. When he transferred care, the nurse on call fainted at the sight of the patient. With their remote location, patrollers used inventive techniques to provide appropriate care. On another occasion, a man cut his scrotum with his ski edge and Dr. Trott used a tobacco bag as the dressing. Apparently, it was the only alternative, and worked quite well. Lou claims they got quite a laugh about the incident later. In 1948, for what would be the last Silver Skis race on Mount Rainier, Jim and Lou hauled a toboggan up to Camp Muir, acting as ski patrollers for the classic race. Starting at 10,000 feet, the course fell 4,600 feet in nearly four miles. Fortunately, no one was injured that year, but it was a whiteout on the way down. On Panorama Face, Jim and Lou lost control of the sled and it slid down the hill into the clouds below. Jim yelled, Rock! and listened, afraid the toboggan would hit an unwary climber. From below, he heard someone say, What was that? as the sled whizzed by. Luckily, no one was hurt, especially since the only toboggan was now several thousand feet below them. At Stevens Pass, the Whittaker twins mitigated avalanches by ski cutting, learning to recognize dangerous snow conditions. Their experience helped on bigger peaks, such as Rainier and later in the Himalayas, and taught them how to handle themselves on snow and ice. A few years later, Jim would narrowly survive an avalanche on Rainier while guiding clients. While this could be considered merely lucky, he credits his ski

patrol training as helping him get out alive. Ski patrol and rescue work can provide lessons of a singular nature. In his early 20s, with numerous rescues already under his belt, Lou claims he still sought the adrenaline rush of high risk and adventure, but learned to temper it with judgment. That judgment mostly came from rescue work. Judgment is the essential ingredient of success in the mountains. Whether on the ski slopes or the flanks of Everest, knowing how to make measured, careful decisions can mean the difference between life and death. Lou explains, Rescues invariably brought up the questions How did this guy die? and How can I prevent this from happening to me? I learned many lessons on rescues that I later passed on to my climbing students and other guides. As a consummate guide and owner of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., Lou has drawn upon his lengthy experiences to build sound judgment that has kept him alive. Many of these lessons were learned on the slopes of Stevens Pass. According to Lou, he has used the skills learned as a ski patroller on Mount Rainier especially providing first aid and determining the need for evacuations on the mountain. After high school, Lou and Jim enrolled at Seattle University, earning basketball scholarships at the Jesuit school. Knowing little about the Jesuits or about college basketball didnt stop them. There was only one hitch: In order to get a full ride, they had to stop skiing. They readily agreed. By the time

ski season came around, however, they had both changed their minds. Ski patrolling at Stevens Pass was just too much fun. They risked it, figuring their coach would never know. On February 5, 1949, that belief would be challenged. The coach might not have known about their ski patrolling gig if it werent for the Purple Merit Star Jim earned for saving two lives in an avalanche that occurred on his way to the ski area. Lou and Jim were carpooling in two separate cars and planned to meet at the ski area. Snow dumped hard on the drive up. A few miles shy of the summit, a swirl of snow engulfed Jim, buffeting the car with the air blast from an avalanche that narrowly missed him and his companions. Jim jumped out of the car; sure another car just behind them had gotten caught. He stuffed his feet in his ski boots and raced back to the site, not bothering to lace them. Below the road, surrounded by large chunks of avalanche debris, Jim saw tires from an overturned car. He ran down and immediately lost his ski boots in the deep snow. Undaunted, he continued in his socks. Later, when Minnie Dole sent him a letter along with a Purple Merit Star, he wrote, Congratulations Jim. Next time, dont forget to lace your boots. Years later, Jim was signing books in Seattle when he noticed a woman waiting in line, crying. She said, I want to share something with you, and pulled out a Seattle PostIntelligencer article about Jim saving a life.

She told him, I wouldnt be here if you hadnt saved my fathers life. The womans father was the 16-year-old boy in the car Jim had dug out of the avalanche. While Jim had saved many lives in the mountains, the realization that hed saved this womans father seemed quite profound. Years later, Jim returned to Seattle University and asked the Jesuit priests about the womans assertion. He wanted to know if her soul would have still been born if her father had died in that avalanche. They just told him, Jim, we cant answer that. While the twins lost their basketball scholarships, they were able to continue ski patrolling and rescue work while attending Seattle University. Just before graduation, the two joined a rescue on Mount St. Helens and missed an important test needed to graduate. The following week, the Jesuits set up the test for them, but didnt make them finish it, saying theyd already earned their diplomas. Even their professors understood the importance of the work they had done in the mountains. In 1952, the Korean War was in full swing, and upon graduation, the two were drafted into the Army. Friends in the climbing community, such as Olav Ulland, who Jim and Lou worked for at his Seattle outfitting store Osborn and Ulland, wrote a letter to Colonel Ed Link at Camp Hale in Colorado, recommending the twins. Instead of fighting, the two were offered a job, and they spent the next two years training members of the 10th Mountain Division in the basics

of skiing and glacier travel. In 1963, Jim Whittaker became the first American to climb Mount Everest. He returned to the U.S. to an exuberant welcome. President Kennedy presented him with a Hubbard medal, hailing both Whittaker and his climbing partner, Nawang Gombu, as heroes. No question patrolling helped me on Everest, says Jim. He also credited skiing with helping his clients. Robert F. Kennedy, who joined Jim on the first ascent of Mount Kennedy after it was named for his late brother John F. Kennedy, had never climbed steep ice. Jim was sure Bobby would fall on a particularly steep pitch. As a skier, Kennedy was a natural on steeps; he knew not to lean into the slope. This experience proved invaluable on Mount Kennedy. According to Jim, Nature is the best teacher. After his ascent of Everest, Jim befriended the Kennedy clan, teaching some how to ski and spending ski holidays with them at Sun Valley, Idaho. One day, he rode a chairlift with Joan Kennedy in whiteout conditions. They both noticed a skier on the slope below them looking disoriented and missing a ski. Jim called down, You alright? Just then, Joan grabbed Jims knee and said, Thats my Teddy. The young Edward Jr. replied, Sort of. Reacting quickly, which Jim claims he learned as a ski patroller, Jim jumped out of the chair to provide first aid to the dazed and lost child. Its no surprise that after nearly 70 years in the mountains, these two have collected

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N S P. O Since R G 1898 67

Jim, Dianne, Ingrid, and Lou at Sun Valley, Idaho. Photo c/o Whittaker Family Collection.

some remarkable stories. Yet they have both remained humble, giving honor and credit to their mentors. The most rewarding aspect of patrolling for Jim was helping people that really needed it. Everything he learned as a ski patroller, he took with him in his career as a mountaineer. The Whittakers are true mountaineering legends, and are still alive because they listened to the mountains and acknowledged their own limitations. Humility in the mountains can mean the difference between life and death. By not setting out to conquer mountains, but rather to dwell among them, as well as having a good dose of luck, these two are still climbing, still teaching, and still skiing. Jim knows that it is better to be lucky than smart. He says, In order to win the lottery, you have to place a bet. Get out on the edge and find out how lucky you are. Jim, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Everest climb in 2013, quoted George Mallory during our recent conversation: Have we vanquished an enemy? None but ourselves. The mountains are a mirror, reflecting back to us both our strengths and our foibles. In Jim Whittakers mind, the further you push yourself out on the edge, the more you learn about yourself. Not only is skiing a great way to spend time in the snow and experience the mountains in the winter, according to Jim, skiing also provides the opportunity to really get out on the edge
68 N S P. O R G 68 N S P. O R G

and scare yourself. It is an opportunity to learn. In addition to the 50th anniversary of his climb and the release of an updated edition of his memoir, Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond, which includes another chapter and additional photos, Jim is also active in his local city of Port Townsend, Wash., working to get children interested in the outdoors. His groups motto is, No child left inside. Jim wants kids to go outside and play get them skiing, get them on a boat, just get them outside. Lou and his wife, Ingrid, split their time between Sun Valley and Ashford, Wash., at the base of Mount Rainier. Lou skied 30 days last year, and is still going strong. Lou says, (He) will do anything for the patrol. Its the greatest. Keep on doing that great work. As a tribute to fallen climbers, Lou is currently constructing a memorial to all his climbing friends in Ashford, which will include a chairlift and a bower made of ice axes to commemorate those who have died both on- and off-the-mountain. In true Whittaker fashion, Lou commemorates his mentors, his friends, and his climbing partners, giving credit to those that went before him in the first American climbing memorial. With their collective projects and past accomplishments, at age 83, the Whittaker brothers carry on the National Ski Patrol motto of Service and Safety. +

Connecting with the Past

Patrollers descend on Stowe to celebrate 75th Anniversary
sto ry a n d ph ot o s B y C an da c e H o r g an

riving into Stowe, Vt., along the winding two-lane Route 100, one is greeted by a scene straight out of a postcard. The white spire of the Stowe Community Church peeks out from a pastoral landscape of old growth deciduous trees on rolling hills, while the recognizable facial topography of Mount Mansfield, Vermonts highest peak and home to the Stowe Mountain Resort ski area, looms off in the distance, though clouds often swirl around its 4,395-foot summit. The story of the National Ski Patrol and its founding after two separate events at Stowe is fairly well-known. Charles Minot Minnie Dole first started thinking about expanding patrols after breaking his ankle on the Toll Road at Stowe and enduring a long, painful evacuation from high up the mountain. This happened just a few months

before Doles good friend, Frank Edson, died in a race at Pittsfield, Mass. Then in 1938, Dole put together a super patrol for the National Downhill at Stowe. While working the race, Dole had a conversation with Roger Langley, chair of the National Ski Association, at Shambles Corner on the Nosedive trail. Langley was so impressed with the patrol Dole had organized that he suggested Dole organize something similar on a national level. Over a sip of whiskey, the two shook hands on the proposition, and Dole set about creating the NSP. Nobody, least of all Dole, could have seen how the NSP would flourish, but 75 years later, on a lovely sunny fall day with the maples creating a fiery landscape of color on the surrounding hills, over 200 NSP patrollers came to the organizations birthplace to celebrate its 75th Anniversary with the dedication of a stone bench monument in

front of the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum (VSSM) at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 108, the latter of which leads to Stowe Mountain Resort. As part of the celebration, Dole himself was inducted into the museum's Hall of Fame. Looking out over the town, it is easy to imagine Minnie coming up to Stowe 75 years previously to pursue his passion for skiing, as Vermont seems to exist in its own time, and little looks to have changed at Stowe, except for the addition of a few more hotels, ski trails, and lifts. The stone bench monument was carved by noted Stowe sculptor Chris Curtis from a rock taken from the base of Mount Mansfield. The base of the monument has an opening for a time capsule that will be

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inserted and sealed in March 2013, to be unveiled in 75 years at the 150th anniversary of the NSP. The monument has a dedication to the NSP, with the words Service and Safety, as well as the NSP logo. A video about the creation of the monument can be viewed at http://vimeo. com/44863958. The day began at 11 a.m. with a presentation by Stowe patroller Brian Lindner on the history of the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol and its connection to the NSP. There is some debate, but there is no question that the patrol at Mount Mansfield not only predated NSP, but may have been the first in the country (others credit the patrol at Mount Hood). Lindner also talked about the evolution of toboggan transport, from the corrugated tin roofing used to evacuate Dole to the modern Cascade toboggans most resorts employ today, and how Stowe played a part in that evolution. After a lunch break, patrollers began gathering outside the museum, chatting with each other, meeting old friends and making new ones, and taking many different group photos. At 2 p.m., the unveiling began with a short speech by NSP Historian Rick Hamlin, who is also the chair of the VSSM board of directors. Hamlin thanked everyone for coming, then welcomed Eastern Division Director John Shipman, who briefly thanked some of the other division directors and board members for attending, and talked about the many trips that he had made to Stowe to work with VSSM Director-Curator Meredith Scott on the placement of the sculpture and the ceremony. Shipman also pointed out that it is the only monument to the NSP in the world. Next, NSP Board Chair Burt Mitchell commented that, One of mans hardest arts is survival; for 75 years, NSP has survived. Weve done a very, very good job at that, at improving things and moving it along. Hamlin and Mitchell then unveiled the monument, and invited NSP Executive Director Tim White to cut the red ribbon wrapped around it, after which most of those in attendance took the opportunity to have photos shot of themselves sitting on the bench with their fellow patrollers. View the video of the ribbon cutting and dedication on the NSP YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ NationalSkiPatrol. View another video of the event at http://vimeo.com/52417899.

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont opened the event at the Rusty Nail by welcoming all those in attendance. Next, a video about the creation of the NSP monument was shown on the TVs around the bar, as was a short historical video about Dole. Mitchell also welcomed several noted guests, including Stuart Gillespie, National Appointment Number 13, who knew Dole and skied with him as a member of the Amateur Ski Club of New York even before the founding of NSP. Gillespie spoke about ski patrolling and altruism, noting, Ski patrol is the practice of UNSELFISH concern for the welfare of others. Also onhand were Minnie Doles grandchilden, Erika Hemphill and Dick Armstrong, and Minnies greatgrandchildren, Natalia Hemphill, Oliver Hemphill, Charlotte Armstrong, and Nicea Armstrong. They were formally welcomed to the event by Scott and Hamlin. Finally, a group shot of all those in attendance (most wearing red coats) was staged to close the event down. The celebration in Stowe was a wonderful event that bridged our organizations past to its future, said White. It exemplified the spirit and camaraderie of patrolling that showcases patrolling and the NSP at its best, and what makes us such a unique organization. It is my hope that patrollers in the future will continue to visit the stone bench monument in Stowe to reconnect with our organizations founding. The Stowe event is the first in what will be a celebratory year for the National Ski Patrol. An epic four-day event in Denver, Colo., that includes two ski days, an exhibit at the SIA Snow Show tradeshow, and a Gala dinner, will be held Jan. 31Feb. 3, 2013. Be sure to book your reservation to the event; theres still time! +

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N S P. O R G

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At 4 p.m., the event moved to the Rusty Nail Bar and Grill up Route 108. Hors doeuvres were served, and patrollers took the time to purchase much 75th Anniversary logo gear, as well as copies of two special books, the reprintings of Minnie Doles autobiography, Adventures in Skiing, and former National Historian Gretchen R. Bessers history of the NSP, The National Ski Patrol: Samaritans of the Snow (see pages 50-58). As an added bonus, Besser was at the event and gladly signed copies of the book for those who asked her. Both books are available in the Ski Patrol Catalog.

BITE BACK AT WINTER.

GET OUTSIDE.

Wilderness Learning
Patrollers gather in Yosemite for annual Tri-Advisory Conference
s t o ry an d p h o t o s B y C a n d a c e H o rga n

Sometimes, it really is all about the backdrop. Learning can take place anywhere, whether it be the classroom, the office, or on the hill. However, the Far West Division of the NSP offers one of the most unique learning experiences in the entire organization: a two-day gathering to practice Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, and Nordic rescue skills in Yosemite National Park.

f you have never been to Yosemite, suffice it to say that the postcards dont do it justice. It is, quite simply, one of the most stunning wilderness vistas that you will ever see. Driving into the park on California Highway 140 in the late fall, the sun disappears momentarily as you enter the steep, glacier-carved valley. After a short distance of driving, the trees open up and the breathtaking monolith of El Capitan looms in front of you, with the prominence of The Nose, 2,900 feet of sheer granite, immediately visible to any rock climber familiar with the Valleys climbing history. For the first-time visitor, the grandeur of El Cap can prove distracting to driving; luckily, there is a pullout at this spot that

provides plenty of photo opportunities. A little further along on the north side of the road, shaded in darkness for much of the day in the fall due to the position of the sun, lies another famous climbing feature, Sentinel Rock. Right below Sentinel on the south side of the Valley road is the Sentinel Beach area, where the Yellow Pines campsite is situated. It is here that the 2012 Tri-Advisory Conference was held. The Tri-Advisory began over 30 years ago as a way for instructors and patrollers to share knowledge in three related disciplines. It has bounced around a bit, having first been held in Tahoe-Donner, Calif., before finally coming to its most popular location, Yosemite. It is held every year on

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the first weekend of November. This years conference attracted approximately 50 participants, down from the normal level, but still plenty large enough for patrollers to get the full spectrum of learning opportunities. Most of the conference participants began arriving Friday afternoon, setting up camp while the sun was still hitting the site. Dinner on Friday was an informal affair and up to attendees. Several gathered at Yosemite Lodge for a lovely dinner in the restaurant before heading back to the campsite to gather around a fire and get reacquainted with each other, sharing patrol stories, mountaineering stories, ski stories, or just getting caught up on the latest in each others lives. Due to its position below Sentinel, the campsite didn't get hit by the sun until 11 a.m. or so, but the call for breakfast went out at 7 a.m. Among the offerings were

scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, and some baked goods. Several people got the fire going in the pit and huddled around it to keep warm while drinking coffee and preparing for the full days slate of events. After introductory remarks from host Mike St. Clair of the Mt. Pinos Nordic Patrol and California Winter SAR Team South, the first session of the day was a rope rescue challenge run by Mike Kelly of Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol and California Winter SAR Team North. This gave participants an opportunity to discuss various rope rescue systems and their efficacy and speed for both lowering and raising a rescuer and injured person in technical terrain. The teams set up 3:1 systems for the rescue, and the one that utilized a Petzl GriGri 2 and Petzl Freino carabiner proved the fastest. The teams then discussed the benefits and disadvantages of various rescue systems, and the basics behind a Z-system

setup, including the ability to set it up with a variety of different gear. After a short coffee break, during which everyone gathered around the fire to warm up again while waiting for the sun to make its slow path high enough in the sky such that it would hit the campground, Rob Morrow, the Far West Division Avalanche supervisor, led a breakout avalanche session that examined the ways to pick up the flux lines emitted by a buried beacon, as well as how patrol radios and/or cell phones can possibly interfere with beacons. It is a sobering thought to realize that if you are buried in an avalanche, your rescue could be delayed by a patrol radio or cell phones proximity to the searchers beacons. Rescuers should turn off both phones and radios during a search to make sure this doesn't happen. Morrow also led a session that measured

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the distance range of a variety of beacons in search mode during a coarse search, where it was found that the range could vary from 35 meters to as far as 70 meters away from the target. The ultimate takeaway is to practice regularly with your beacon so that you are intimately aware of its capabilities and idiosyncrasies. All through the morning, a soup had been on a slow simmer for the lunch break at noon, which occurred just after the sun made its welcome progress to reach the Valley floor, instantly turning the campsite to a balmy 55 degrees. Participants

shed their down and fleece while scarfing a lovely vegetarian soup that instantly warmed the chill away. The afternoon kicked off with a search and rescue team exercise that involved four teams. St. Clair and a couple of other people had spent the morning setting up four sets of waypoints/navigation markers for an SAR competition that would test the abilities of each team to use a GPS and map and compass. Prizes were to be given to the winning team. St. Clair gave the first set of coordinates out to each team, and they raced off to find the markers indicated

by the coordinates. The exercise required at times adjusting between UTM and longitude/latitude on the GPS, and even just using a compass bearing rather than the GPS to find one of the markers, each of which had bearings or GPS coordinates for finding the next marker. With the SAR exercise over, participants had a break before dinner, and some went for short hikes and/or bouldering sessions before returning for a talk at 4 p.m. at the campsite on integrating search and rescue with ski patrol operations given by Matt Scharper, who is the deputy chief of law

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The ultimate takeaway is to practice regularly with your beacon so that you are intimately aware of its capabilities and idiosyncrasies.
enforcement for the California Emergency Management Association and the California State SAR coordinator. The day concluded with a potluck Dutch oven dinner. Many different dishes were available, including soups, salad, shepherds pie, burgers and other meats, a curry, and even macaroni and cheese. Deserts, including cookies and cakes, were also available if you werent stuffed from all the great food. After dinner, everyone gathered around the campfire to chat, play guitar, and have a great time in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Additionally, St. Clair presented Far West Division Director Bill Gibson with the Dave Tollakson TriAdvisory Award for his ongoing efforts to promote the conference. The award has been given out annually since 2000, and honors a patroller who was a great proponent of the Tri-Advisory Conference for many years. While Sunday morning was supposed to start with a search and rescue exercise with the Yosemite Park Service, the coordinator for the NPS had been called away for other job duties. It is the willingness of patrollers to work as a search and rescue adjunct that enables the Far West Division to have access to such an amazing campsite every year. With the day suddenly free, patrollers took the opportunity to go rock climbing over by historic Camp 4 or hike the many wilderness trails Yosemite has. This years Tri-Advisory Conference was a wonderful experience for all who attended. It might be the only multi-day campout education conference in any NSP division, but that is what makes it so enjoyable and
RE
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memorable. Most of those who come have been going to it for years to soak up all the latest knowledge from the Avalanche, MTR, and Nordic Programs, as well as to enjoy each others company against the stunning backdrop of Yosemite National Park. It is a conference idea that all NSP divisions should possibly consider implementing, as the camaraderie that develops on overnight

campouts brings everyone closer together. Id like to thank my gracious hosts from Far West Division, Bill Gibson, Mike St. Clair, and Karl Chulski, who took me in and even took me climbing on Sunday, for sharing such a memorable event with me. All NSP patrollers are welcome at the Tri-Advisory; perhaps Ill see some of you there next year! +

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g n i u n i t n o C
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by M ike L an

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I was privileged to attend the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW), held September 2012 in Anchorage, Alaska. This five-day event is the single largest source of information that drives NSP Avalanche Program curricula, validating what we presently teach and helping us to make improvements. It is particularly timely, since our program is undergoing a comprehensive review and update this year.

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A Little History
The concept behind ISSW began in the late 1950s, and the first informal meeting was convened in April 1960 at Santa Fe, N.M., where about 30 participants spent two days discussing avalanche control methods. These meetings were held irregularly and informally, but over the years, they gradually became larger, more frequent, and more formal. In 1982, the snow study group at Montana State University organized a meeting, chaired by John Montagne, to bring together scientists, patrollers, and others involved in the study of snow science and avalanches. This group created the title International Snow Science Workshop, and its motto, A Merging of Theory and Practice, which continues to this day. This gathering was so successful that interested parties began to discuss the possibility of holding ISSW on a regular basis. At the next ISSW in 1984, a permanent ISSW Steering Committee was created to provide guidance for future ISSWs. A biennial rotation of ISSW in Western North American mountain regions was established, with every third meeting to be held in Canada. Two representatives were appointed from each of four U.S. regions (established by what is now the American Avalanche Association), and two Canadian regions (established by the Canadian Avalanche Association). Now, the chair of each ISSW Organizing Committee becomes chair of the Steering Committee for the next ISSW, then remains a voting member thereafter. A secretary of the Steering Committee provides a point of contact and helps maintain continuity in the organization. Montagne served as secretary from 1984 through 2000, when Rich Marriott accepted the position. The Steering Committee has remained informal, meeting only at ISSWs, primarily to consider bids from future host sites. Over the years, attendance has grown from 220 people (including 10 foreign participants) in 1984 to nearly 1,000 people representing 26 countries in Squaw Valley, Calif., in 2010. ISSW 2012 was somewhat smaller, but still very well-attended.

ISSW 2012
ISSW 2012 had nearly 700 attendees participating in 52 oral presentations, 140 poster presentations, and 39 interactive workshops that were grouped into common themes to provide continuity for the attendees. These themes included: Avalanche Hazard Mitigation and Risk Management;

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Avalanche

Avalanche Formation, Failure, and Dynamics; Avalanche Forecasting; Snowpack Structure, Variability, and Metamorphism; Education, Regulation, and Legal Issues; Instrumentation and Measurement; Avalanche Accidents and Rescue; and Human Factors.

absorbed, entertaining but pertinent activities were scheduled for the evenings and all day on Wednesday. Monday evening, the women attendees got together for Divas Night, where they networked and honored their own at a local tavern for a few hours, then opened their get-together to the men for some general partying. Tuesday evening was Movie Night, with attendees being bused to the Beartooth Theater Pub, which had a theater reserved exclusively for the group. Participants enjoyed dinner and beer while watching fascinating climbing and trekking presentations and videos on the big screen. All of Wednesday was Field Trip Day. All field activities began on an Alaska Railroad train reserved exclusively for ISSW attendees. It ran along the Seward Corridor, with stops for those choosing a tour of the Alyeska Ski Resort, a glacier tour, or a rafting trip, while others stayed on the train to Moose Pass. Because of constant rain that day, many chose to stay aboard the train, but a few hardy souls, properly dressed for the elements, took the other tours. Much of the Seward Corridor is shared by the railroad, the Seward highway, and fuel pipelines, all of which are exposed to numerous avalanche paths. At Girdwood, the train stopped and transferred half of the passengers to waiting buses. Bus passengers were given briefings on slide paths affecting the highway and recreation areas along it, while the remaining train passengers were briefed on slide paths and mitigation measures that affect the railroad. At Moose Pass, the train and buses rejoined to swap passengers for the return trip, so all passengers were briefed on both the highway and railroad avalanche paths. On the return trip, the train stopped to pick up those who opted for the other field trips, wet but pleased with their experiences. Back at Girdwood, the bus passengers again boarded the train for happy hour and the return to Anchorage.

Each days schedule was full, tight, well-organized, and full of useful information. Food and beverages were provided during breaks, keeping participants onsite and energized for the next session. Breaks were sufficiently long enough to allow people to mingle, discuss topics, and visit vendor booths. I operated an NSP Avalanche Program information booth during breaks and poster sessions, displaying program brochures and samples of our curricula. I was able to attract visitors with swag provided by the national office. For many visitors, the NSP brand and the scope of our programs was previously vague, or even unknown. Many had questions about the availability of courses in Alaska, particularly avalanche awareness courses that could be taught to youth. Hopefully, they left with a greater awareness of, and appreciation for, our organization and its programs. At other times, I was able to visit with vendors who have recently partnered with NSP and confirm the value of providing access to discounted gear. Some of these manufacturers and vendors limit the gear available for NSP pro discount, but all expressed willingness to expand their pro deals if our membership shows significant patronage and the credibility of our organization continues to grow. To break up the seriousness and sheer volume of information being presented and

Regional Snow and Avalanche Workshops

The influence of the ISSW has helped spawn a growing number of smaller, regional snow and avalanche workshops, mainly conducted by regional avalanche centers. These are based on ISSW content and tailored to regional conditions. I attended the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop held in Sandy, Utah, in early November. It consisted of a morning session, open only to avalanche professionals, which covered highlights of ISSW 2012 and other topics pertinent to Intermountain conditions. This was attended by nearly 200 snow and avalanche professionals. The afternoon session was open to the general public, as well as to professionals, with a total attendance of over 300. This session covered a range of topics dealing with avalanche safety and accountability. Something I found especially interesting was the issue of recreational user liability in the backcountry. As use increases, so does the likelihood that
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one users actions may cause harm to another user. How this might happen, as well as applicable laws, principles, precedence, and gray areas governing this issue, were presented and discussed. Such regional workshops are increasing throughout the Mountain West. The latest addition to these is the Northern Rockies Avalanche Safety Workshop, held in Whitefish, Mont., organized in no small part by Ted Steiner, a member of the NSP Flathead Ski Patrol, and supported by NSP members and patrols throughout the Northern Division. This workshops first session last year was so well-attended that its organizers decided to offer it annually, and held their second workshop last October. Workshops like these afford our members, particularly our avalanche instructors, a focused opportunity for continuing education and promotion of avalanche safety among the stakeholders we work with and serve. These events should be supported through attendance and contributions whenever feasible. +

ISSW Organizing Committee Chair David Hamre began the Friday session with a moment of silence to honor Meiners' passing. The workshop concluded its final day as scheduled, but the climate was subdued.

ISSW Proceedings
Photo by Candace Horgan.

Coincidentally, the NSP and Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) attendees have a tradition of meeting for a spaghetti dinner on this day. At this ISSW, the dinner was hosted by Eric and Penelope Geisler at their home in Anchorage. Eric is a former Pacific Northwest Division Avalanche Program supervisor who was transferred to Alaska by his employer, the U.S. Forest Service. Besides enjoying marvelous hospitality, food, and an opportunity to relax and socialize, this get-together gave us a chance to meet, discuss items of mutual interest, and develop new friendships. I was fortunate to meet Ken Lukawy, my counterpart with the CSPS, and discuss how our respective organizations conduct avalanche education. Thursday was Banquet Night, held at the convention center. After a scrumptious meal, we enjoyed a fascinating presentation entitled "Whalebacks, Barchans and Natigvik: A Scientist's Stumblings through Yup'ik and Iupiat Traditional Knowledge of Snow," by Dr. Matthew Sturm, a leader in the Arctic climate change research community. In his nearly 8,000 kilometers of travel by snowmobile for research purposes, he pondered a question: How many words do the indigenous people really have for snow, and does this collection of words really carry special meaning beyond the ways in which we describe snow? Dr. Sturm exposed a great deal of mythology that developed from studies conducted by early "scholars," who actually had very limited contact with the very people they supposedly studied. Dr. Sturm's approach was to seek out village elders during his travels to gain first-hand knowledge of how snow was described and how the language of snow changed from region to region as snow conditions changed. We learned that snow is generally described much as snow scientists do and, for that matter, how most cultures describe snow when they are surrounded by the stuff. The presentation was capped off by a performance in which we were both entertained and educated with Inuit song, dance, and cultural insight. This truly outstanding evening was marred at the end by a tragic accident at the convention center that took the life of Theo Meiners. Theo was an NSP patroller, a ski guide in the Jackson, Wyo., area, an operator of a heli-ski operation in Alaska, a member of the ISSW 2012 Papers Review Committee, an ISSW session chair, and a dynamic and respected member of the NSP and the avalanche community.

All ISSW papers, posters, and talks are published in the ISSW Proceedings. This publication was in print copy only until ISSW 2006, when it became available digitally on a CD, as well as in print. The hard copy of Proceedings was phased out in 2012; instead, it was given to attendees on a flash drive. In 2010, Professor Stephan Custer of Montana State University (MSU) proposed to the Steering Committee that the university provide all of the ISSW Proceedings digitally on the Internet, hosted by the MSU Digital Library. As of March 2012, Proceedings through 2010 are online at http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/. By the time this article appears, the ISSW 2012 Proceedings should also be available at this site.

Usefulness to the NSP Avalanche Program

The scientific and technical presentations serve to increase the breadth and depth of a participant's knowledge. This alone is important, because it helps to provide a larger context from which to evaluate and develop our program. Furthermore, there are subjects that help us to target specific program development, particularly in the area of safety education and rescue. For example, we can use research on the use of social networking on the Internet to learn more about how individuals make decisions that expose them to avalanche danger, including snowmobile riders. We can use the same social networking venues to provide appropriate safety education for these people. Our instructors get the latest information about safety and rescue technology, such as the effectiveness of avalanche airbag systems, to help them discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of these systems in an objective and knowledgeable manner.

Next ISSWs
Besides attending the North American ISSWs over the years, Europeans have been offering sanctioned versions in odd-numbered years, with the first in 2009. These meetings were very successful, attracting over 550 participants from 24 countries. The next European ISSW will be held in Grenoble and Chamonix, France, on October 7-11, 2013. Presentations will be in English. ISSW 2014 will be held in Banff, Alb., and ISSW 2016 will be in Breckenridge, Colo. +

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MTR

The New

Mountain Travel & Rescue Manual and beyond

new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual propels program changes
B y R i c k K in g, NS P N atio n a l Mo u n ta in Tr ave l a n d Re s c u e P ro g ra m Dir ecto r

What were you doing in 1995, the year the first Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual came out? Were you starting a dot-com business, or watching and wondering what Bill Clinton was going to be doing? At that time, civilian GPS units were just starting to come out. What were you doing after September 11, 2001? The Department of Homeland Security formed not too long after that, and there was further development of NIMS/ICS (National

Incident Management System/Incident Command System, see page 82) through the Homeland Security Presidential Directive. The 2003 presidential directive required all federal agencies to adopt NIMS and use it in their individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs and activities. Much has changed in the world of incident response and search and rescue since 1995. In 2010, a group of Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) instructors started working on what would be the new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual. In October 2012, the new book was released. Knowing all the events that had occurred since the last manual was released, and how the NSP was working more closely with other organizations and search and rescue groups, we knew that we needed to modify and enhance the manual. First, we added NIMS/ICS protocols. We also delved more in-depth into low angle rope rescue and search and rescue techniques. Backcountry skiing has been growing across the country, as have patrols that cover those areas, so the manual also covers extended backcountry travel and care. The manual is written not just by ski patrollers, but also by members of the Wilderness Medical Society, Mountain Rescue Association, Garmin International, American Avalanche Association, and National Association for Search and Rescue, to name a few. The manual was also sponsored by Petzl, one of the leading manufacturers of rescue and climbing equipment. This all adds to its credibility, and also helps National Ski Patrol members stay abreast of what other organizations are doing in the industry. One of the other major coups for the manual

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and the NSP is that this book was published by The Mountaineers Books, one of the leading publishers of outdoor books, including the famed Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. What this means for the MTR Program and the NSP is that the manual is getting a lot of exposure beyond NSP patrollers. It is published in both hardcopy and electronic formats, and is sold on the NSP website, Amazon.com, The Mountaineers Books website, and is highlighted on the cover of the current Mountaineers Books catalog, which is distributed to specialty outdoor retailers across the country. The Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual will also be sold at REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), which is highly-competitive for shelf space, and The Mountaineers Books will display the Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual cover on its banner at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City in January 2013, which attracts thousands of buyers from around the country. In all, this is good exposure for the program and NSP, leads to potential new recruits for the NSP, and expands the reach of the MTR Program to not just NSP members, but also the general public, which could potentially be interested in taking courses like MTR, Avalanche, and Outdoor Emergency Care. This is all great news, but while all manuals and books are written with good intentions, none are ever published without some hiccups. This tome is no exception. There are some items in the Land Navigation chapter

that were not included, and this was not discovered until it was too late to stop the presses. As a solution, the MTR Committee will be issuing an addendum to fill in any missing material. After the completion of the new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual Addendum, the MTR Committee will begin working on the update of the MTR Instructors Manual, which will include all of the changes of the new manual and also add instructor resources for the recently-created MTR Enhancement Seminar course, a six-to-eight hour course focusing on one-to-two topics from the MTR curriculum. As an example, a seminar could have four hours focusing on search and rescue and four hours focusing on land navigation, or it could end up being a full-day course on low angle rope rescue, whatever the student, instructor, and/or home area decides is needed. The MTR Instructors Manual update will not be as big of an undertaking as the Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual was, as it was last released in 2003 and was the NSPs first electronically-published manual, whereas the Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual was a complete rewrite. So if you are looking for a good book to curl up with by the fire or to use as a guideline for one of the MTR courses, we recommend the new Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual. It is a volume of which all NSP patrollers should be proud. +

Knowing all the events that had occurred since the last manual was released, and how the NSP was working more closely with other organizations and search and rescue groups, we knew we needed to modify and enhance the manual.

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Coordinating Rescues
r i c k s h andl e r

N I MS o f f e r s solutions f or patrols B y p h i l g al k a and

A mother is in your patrol room at closing, hysterical that her child hasnt met her at their usual spot for pick up. A chaperone from Special Olympics is on the radio, telling you that they are one short on the bus head count. A report comes in of a humantriggered avalanche just outside your area boundary. You are standing in a lift line with two of your fellow patrollers when you hear a horrible noise from the lift shack and you see loaded chairs and the cable start to peel off of towers running up the hill. You are coordinating a large race event at your area. What do all of these situations have in common? They all have the makings of an incident that will quickly require the participation of multiple organizations, each of which has its own internal command structure. While each organization has something to offer in resolving the situation, without coordination, they may waste time duplicating efforts, or worse, not provide a service where one is needed, thinking that some other team has taken care of it. How can you get everyone on the same page and keep all the rescuers safe while maximizing their efforts? The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is the answer. Developed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), it is the successor to the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS, NIMS, and FEMA may sound like alphabet soup, but NSP has been using the fundamentals of these rescue systems for years. As part of normal operations, we interact with first aid, ambulance, firefighting, and rescue organizations, all of which are also operating within these rescue system principles. What should you know about each system and how it can help you?
Photo by Studio 404 Photography.com

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The Incident Command System (ICS)

ICS is a standardized on-scene incident management concept designed specifically to allow responders to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of any single incident or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. Using ICS enables integrated communication and planning by establishing a manageable span of control. ICS divides an emergency response into five manageable functions essential for emergency response operations: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance and Administration. Figure 1 shows a typical ICS structure.

Arriving on the scene

The responding patroller is still in command of the incident and surveys the scene. Arriving on the scene, the patroller finds a single skier on the ground holding his leg. Planning: Is the scene safe? Is this a person who needs help? Does dispatch know Im on scene? Will I need more help? Operations: Radio call to dispatch that I am on scene. Visually review the scene for unsafe situations. Identify myself. Ask the skier if they are hurt or if they need help and obtain verbal permission to assist. Increase scene safety by crossing skis in an X above the injured. Perform OEC-compliant examination of patient and request additional resources as required. Logistics: Request additional patroller with toboggan and transportation to hospital because this skier is skiing alone. Finance/Administration: If this takes a long time, will the additional patrollers also get overtime from the mountain? Im glad we own our equipment.

How patrollers respond to a call using ICS

This system becomes active at the start of the response to an incident. When a patroller gets a call from dispatch that there is an injured skier on the slope, the system begins. The responding patroller is in charge of the incident. We now call this patroller the Incident Commander. As the patroller skis to the scene, he or she is reviewing the ICS for Planning, Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. Planning: As a patroller, I have planned and trained for this response; what resources will I need to handle the incident, based on my limited information? Operations: Am I close to or far from the incident? How soon will I be on scene? Will the scene be safe? As I arrive, can I bring in additional resources that I will need? Logistics: Do I need transportation resources, risk management resources, or ambulance or helicopter resources? Finance/Administration: If this takes a long time, will I get overtime from the mountain? I better remember to do my timesheet before I leave.

How can you get everyone on the same page and keep all the rescuers safe while maximizing their efforts? The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is the answer.
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Incident Commander
Liaison Officer

Public Information Officer Safety Officer

Operations Section

Planning Section

Logistics Section

Finance/Admin Operations Section Section

Branches

Air Ops Branch

Resources Unit Situation Unit

Demob. Unit Doc. Unit

Service Branch

Support Branch

Time Unit Procurement Unit

Compensation Claims Unit Cost Unit

Divisions

Groups

Commun. Unit Medical Unit Food Unit

Supply Unit Facilities Unit Ground Support Unit

Strike Team Task Force

Single Resource

Figure 1: Incident Command Structure.

Assisting the patient

Additional resources arrive. The Incident Commander advises the additional patrollers of the situation and communicates a plan of action. Planning: Is the patients condition improving or degrading? Are all requested resources being dispatched? Is there new information that changes the situation? Operations: Outdoor Emergency Care, risk management, transportation. Logistics: Ambulance is at the base ready to load. Finance/Administration: Are we on overtime? Let me make notes for the incident report.

For most of the local operations that NSP is involved in, the Incident Command System provides a management structure that has common language and concepts that are standardized by FEMA. Larger-scale operations may involve multi-agency and multi-jurisdiction support systems. When the operation grows to include multiple organizations such as NSP, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), fire and police departments, public utilities, highway departments, and others, the ICS contains provisions for a Unified Command Structure (UC). Unified Command brings together the Incident Commanders of all major organizations involved in the incident in order to coordinate an effective response, while at the same time allowing each to carry out their own jurisdictional responsibilities. The UC links the organizations responding to the incident and provides a forum for these entities to make consensus decisions. Under the UC, the various jurisdictions and/or agencies and non-government responders may blend together throughout the operation to create an integrated response team. The UC is responsible for overall management of the incident and directs incident activities, including the development and implementation of overall objectives and strategies, and approves the ordering and releasing of resources. Members of the UC work together to develop a common set of

Transporting the patient to the ambulance

Additional resources arrive. The Incident Commander advises the additional patrollers of the situation and communicates a plan of action. Planning: Ambulance is ready and we can load directly to it. Operations: Exit interview of patient. Logistics: Hospital system. Finance/Administration: Are we on overtime?

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incident objectives and strategies, share information, maximize the use of available resources, and enhance the efficiency of the individual response organizations. Information and online courses are available for free. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) ICS training offers a model for course curricula and materials applicable to NIMS: ICS-100: Introduction to ICS; ICS-200: Basic ICS; ICS-300: Intermediate ICS; and ICS-400: Advanced ICS. The USFSs National Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute both follow this model in their ICS training curricula. At the local level, agencies may contact the fire department for information and training on ICS.

emergency response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. NIMS enables responders at all levels to work together more effectively and efficiently to manage domestic incidents, no matter the cause, size, or complexity, including catastrophic acts of terrorism and disasters. Federal agencies are also required to use the NIMS framework in domestic incident management and in support of state and local incident response and recovery activities. The benefits of NIMS are significant, and include: Standardized organizational structures, processes, and procedures; Standards for planning, training, and exercising; Personnel qualification standards; Equipment acquisition and certification standards; Interoperable communications processes, procedures, and systems; Information management systems with a commonly accepted architecture; Supporting technologies voice and data communications systems, information systems, data display systems, and specialized technologies; and Publication management processes and activities.

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The National Incident Management System (NIMS)

The National Incident Management System is the first-ever standardized approach to incident management and response. It was developed by the Department of Homeland Security and released in March 2004.

NIMS builds upon ICS and details a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations. NIMS integrates effective practices in

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INCIDENT COMMAND
Responsibilities Include: Establish Command Post

Provide overall incident management Public Information Officer Safety Office

Determine incident objectives & strategy Determine/develop the organizational structure needed to manage the incident

Liason Officer

OPERATIONS SECTION
Responsibilities Include: Plan process (participant)

PLANNING SECTION
Responsibilities Include: Determine incident resource need

Reduce immediate hazards

Gather, analyze incident data

Save lives and property

Create probability projections Prepare contingencies and alternative strategies Assist in preparing incident documents and maps

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Establish situation control

Restore scene to state of narmalcy

Maintain incident records (except financial)

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When developing a response plan for an avalanche incident, search and rescue, lift evacuation, disaster management, a mass casualty incident, or a large event or race, two of the most effective ways of testing it are to either conduct a white board simulation, or, better yet, run it as a real-time scenario. This is something we are used to doing on a smaller scale for OEC, but now we have to zoom out and think bigger. Having personnel from each responding organization that accurately represent their capabilities allows for refinement of the response plan. This is called mutual aid, and utilizing ICS helps coordinate the data from all of the parties and puts it into an easily-referenced, organized format. Using Communications as an example, your plan would have listed dispatch contact information, key personnel, cell phone numbers, operational radio frequencies, etc. You would have already solved the inter-agency communication puzzle. As an example, Dave Childs, patrol director at Thunderbolt Mountain, employs a professional dispatcher stationed at

the base of the mountain to handle the multiagency-supported Thunderbolt backcountry ski race. When the time comes to actually execute a rescue, seconds count. By debriefing real-time or simulated exercises, you can close the loop to refine and then revise your plan. Although no two incidents are the same, this allows you to replace assumption with experience. These exercises refine your internal response and build relationships with other agencies that allow for better coordination (Unified Command) when actually needed, and therefore yield better outcomes. You can see that by incorporating these frameworks, you can provide enhanced responses to situations of varying size and jurisdiction. Two of the mantras that we incorporate into all of our teachings are, Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, and How you practice is how you play. A response to an event or incident is more likely to have a successful outcome if there has been a preplanning component. ICS and NIMS give us a modular framework to make this happen, and a common terminology when working outside our own agency. Think about the situations depicted in the opening paragraph. Which do you think is more likely to have a positive outcome: a practiced response, or one that is made up on the fly? +

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I n n o v at I v e t e c h n o l o g y. S u p e r I o r p e r f o r m a n c e .
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OEC

Unobvious

The Quiet
Recognizing the signs of shock
B y B r i g i t t e S c hr an P h o t os b y S c o t t Sm i t h

s OEC technicians, we are trained to be on the lookout for shock and intervene as quickly as possible. While we may carry a high index of suspicion for hemorrhagic shock (especially that caused by blunt or penetrating trauma), other causes of shock can be quickly fatal, but may be less obvious and less likely to arouse our index of suspicion. It is for this reason that OEC technicians must be equally as comfortable in recognizing the potential for less obvious types and causes of shock.

Non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock

Hemorrhagic shock is a subset of hypovolemic shock. Hemorrhaging is profuse bleeding, which may be obvious (as might be seen with blunt or penetrating traumatic injury), but may also be caused by less obvious, nontraumatic, or chronic conditions. These can occur spontaneously, and may result from conditions such as gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, complications with pregnancy or childbirth, aortic rupture, or aortic dissection. Bleeding from any of these conditions may initially be invisible to the rescuer, but can cause a patient to exsanguinate, or "bleed out," quickly. Thus, it is important that rescuers be aware that massive bleeding can occur intrathoracically or intra-abdominally without the patient having suffered trauma, and the patient may initially even appear well.

Shock Defined
The Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition defines shock as a failure of the circulatory system to maintain adequate blood flow to tissues, resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion in which cells do not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients to meet immediate metabolic needs. There are four basic types of shock: hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, and distributive. Subsets of shock fall into each of these basic categories.

GI bleed
There are multiple causes of GI bleeds. Severe peptic ulcer disease can erode the stomach lining and penetrate a blood vessel within the

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Shock:
upper GI tract, resulting in life-threatening hemorrhage. Bleeding in other parts of the GI tract can be caused by taking aspirin, heavy alcohol consumption, esophageal tears, or ruptured blood vessels. Rescuers can identify the possibility of these types of bleeding through a careful patient assessment and by reviewing the SAMPLE questions. A patient with a history of peptic ulcerative disease (PUD), GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), or abdominal cancers can be at risk for a GI bleed. Rescuers should consider the possibility of GI bleed in patients who regularly take antacids such as Tums or Maalox, or "pump inhibitors" such as Zantac or Prilosec. Patients who drink heavily are also at high risk of GI or esophageal bleeding. A patient with a GI bleed may initially present with pain that can be described as gnawing. As the condition worsens, the patient may suffer from hematemesis (bloody vomit). In upper GI bleeds, the vomit may only be blood-tinged, or it may be profuse or look like coffee grounds, which is a result of blood that has been partially digested. Patients may also pass bright red, bloody stools, a condition known as hematochezia. Bright red blood is usually indicative of a lower GI bleed, while black, tarry, foul-smelling stools, known as melena, are indicative of bleeding originating in the upper GI tract. Because a severe GI bleed can rapidly cause hemorrhagic shock, OEC technicians should respond quickly by conducting a rapid but thorough assessment, monitoring the vital signs (including the presence and equality of femoral pulses), administering high-flow oxygen through a non-rebreather mask, placing the patient in the shock position, and arranging for rapid transport via ALS to definitive medical care. The greatest benefit for these patients however, comes from early recognition through a high index of suspicion and thorough SAMPLE questioning.

Killer
in the blood that cause blood clots to form) from forming blood clots. Some individuals take aspirin therapeutically to prevent clots from causing heart attacks and strokes. Asking a patient whether or not they take aspirin regularly can help raise the index of suspicion for a potential GI bleed, or an increased risk of hemorrhage from wounds or conditions that might otherwise not bleed as severely.

Complications of Pregnancy
The L part of the SAMPLE assessment stands for Last Oral Intake, but in women of childbearing age, it also stands for Last (normal) Menstrual Period. It is important to determine the possibility of pregnancy in any patient of childbearing age. Three conditions in pregnancy can result in severe hemorrhage. The first is placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is implanted low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the internal cervix. With the onset of contractions or cervical dilation, the placenta is pulled away from the uterine wall, resulting in painless, dark red vaginal bleeding that may be life-threatening to both the mother and her fetus. In the second condition, abruptio placenta, the placenta separates prematurely from the uterine wall. Abruptio placenta is generally associated with severe abdominal pain, a firm contracted uterus, and bright red vaginal bleeding. Both conditions can lead to massive bleeding and fetal/maternal death. Early detection, placing the patient on high-flow oxygen with a non-rebreather mask, and rapidly transporting the mother via ALS to definitive medical care, are all essential. The third condition is ectopic pregnancy, a situation in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside of the uterus. If this occurs in one of the fallopian tubes, the tube could rupture, causing severe bleeding and death. SAMPLE questioning to determine the possibility of early pregnancy, and severe lower quadrant abdominal pain, could alert the rescuer to the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. Transporting the patient to definitive care by the fastest means possible is essential. Postpartal hemorrhage is bleeding in excess of 500 mL of blood following a vaginal delivery.
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OEC

If this occurs, OEC technicians should administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask and firmly massage the patients lower abdomen using downward strokes to stimulate the uterus to contract. Administer oxygen and transport the mother and baby to definitive medical care.

Aortic Rupture
The Outdoor Emergency Care Fifth Edition defines an aortic rupture as the development of a leak in the largest blood vessel in the body, resulting in massive bleeding that is usually fatal. The aorta branches out directly from the heart and perfuses the rest of the body. As a result, pressure within the aorta is great, and any breech of the artery wall can result in a massive hemorrhage. Aortic rupture is generally associated with blunt chest trauma, and accounts for approximately 18 percent of deaths occurring in automobile accidents.2 The rupture of this vessel occurs when a moving body slows or stops abruptly due to the chest wall striking a fixed object, causing a tremendous shearing force on the aorta. Initially, there may be little or no external evidence of injury. A thorough assessment and monitoring of vital signs is imperative after any blunt chest trauma to determine the possibility of this type of injury. However, transport of a patient to definitive medical care following blunt chest trauma should never be delayed while rescuers attempt to make a definitive determination that a potential arterial bleed does or does not exist. In some cases, the aorta can rupture spontaneously due to an aortic aneurysm, which is an abnormal dilation, bulging, or ballooning of the aorta occurring either intrathoracically or abdominally. Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms may not have symptoms until the aneurysm grows large enough to put pressure on the surrounding organs. At this point, patients may complain of deep, aching, or throbbing chest pain, back pain, cough, or shortness of breath. Patients may also sound hoarse, or complain of pain or difficulty when swallowing. An abdominal aortic aneurysm tends to be more painful, with the pain coming and going or remaining constant. Patients may complain of dull, aching, gnawing, or throbbing pain in the chest, abdomen, lower back, or flank, and pain may spread to the groin, buttocks, or legs. Generally, the pain is not made worse by moving (palliation; the P in OPQRST), but some patients may find relief by assuming certain positions, such as with the knees bent and drawn up. Upon examination, rescuers may palpate a pulsating mass in the abdomen, or uneven femoral pulses. In some cases, the patient may present with a sensation of coldness in a foot, or a discolored, painful toe. This is indicative of a clot blocking flow to the lower extremity. Many of these patients have a long history of
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hypertension. Thus, it is important for OEC technicians to do a thorough assessment, SAMPLE history, and, if the patient complains of pain, to assess the OPQRSTs. A high index of suspicion for potential shock and rapid transport to definitive care are essential.

A fever of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher; OR A temperature less than 36 C (96 F) (hypothermia can be a presenting sign of sepsis); Heart rate greater than 90; Respiratory rate greater than 20; A positive postural blood pressure; and A heart rate that is greater than the systolic blood pressure. These assessment criteria can be summarized in the SRS Triangle.3 In summary, it is essential that OEC technicians be aware that shock can occur from a variety of nontraumatic conditions, and may not always be initially obvious. Maintaining a high index of suspicion, performing a thorough assessment, documenting vital signs, and thoroughly assessing the SAMPLE history, can be life-saving. + 1. Andrew Lenneman, M.D., Henry H Ooi, M.B., MRCPIMedscape http://emedicine.medscape.com/ article/152191-overview. 2. Rousseau H, Soula P, Perreault P et al. (2 February 1999). Delayed treatment of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta with endoluminal covered stent. Circulation 99 (4): 498504. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.99.4.498. PMID9927395. 3. From King County EMS online, a presentation on SIRS by Dr. David Carlbom, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle WA, 2012.

Non-traumatic Hypovolemic shock

Hypo means low, and volemic refers to volume, so hypovolemic shock means just that: The bodys vital fluids are too low to adequately perfuse and maintain tissue life. Low volume can have a multitude of causes, including burns, dehydration due to prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, inadequate fluid intake, sweating, the use of diuretic medications such as furosemide (Lasix), and hypothermia or hyperthermia. In these cases, as fluid loss occurs, compensatory mechanisms in the body draw water from plasma and direct it to intercellular spaces in the body. This fluid shift removes water from the bloodstream, which results in a decreasing circulatory volume, decreasing blood pressure, and potential for shock. Maintaining a high index of suspicion for potential shock in patients who may be dehydrated can be life-saving.

Septic shock
Septic shock is a condition in which an infection overwhelms the system. Blood vessels begin to break down and fluid leaches into interstitial spaces. Severe shock and death can follow. The determination of sepsis can be made utilizing the following assessment findings:

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T e l e c o m m u n i c at i o n s

FCC Licensing Questions

The value of public safety channels
By Di c k Woolf, N S P N at i onal T e l e commun ications A dv i se r P h o t o b y Rob e r t Ba k k e r

Since the early 70s, ski patrols have been able to be licensed in the frequency bands reserved for rescue and medical services organizations. A reorganization of the FCC regulations several years ago resulted in the creation of a Public Safety Pool of channels, which included frequencies formerly reserved exclusively for police, fire, local government, highway maintenance, and similar functions. The purpose of pooling the channels was to create channel availability by not restricting a specific frequency to a specific type of user (as had been the practice since 1946). Public safety channels tend to be less congested than commercial (business) channels. Radios sold at big box stores are not programmed to public safety frequencies, so the general public wont be sharing the channels. Frequency coordination is generally more conservative than for business channels, so the potential for interference is reduced. Another benefit of public safety licensing is the FCC license fee exemption (business licenses require payment upon renewal). Ski patrols operating on frequencies where licensing is required MUST operate either under an NSP public safety license or a business license issued to area management (see NSP Policies and Procedures 2012-13, chapter 18, 18.1.2). There

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are no public safety channels that do not require a license. Wide-area division licenses, where available, are for short-term, special event use only, and are no substitute for a patrols permanent license. Division licenses do not authorize base stations or repeaters. Radio usage on public safety frequencies is strictly limited to official ski patrol business, including during the off-season (ibid. 18.2.3). If the radios are owned by management, and management takes possession of them for off-season operations, then business licensing is the proper course of action. The FCC, in conjunction with the federal Department of Homeland Security, has made available certain channels on a nationwide basis for communication with other first responders during mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and other emergencies where multiple agencies respond to and operate at the scene. These are referred to as the national interoperability frequencies. Ski patrols are eligible to operate on those channels during such incidents, provided they are licensed in public safety. For those patrols needing improved signal coverage, repeater licensing is available on public safety and business channels for both VHF (150 MHz) and UHF (450 MHz) frequency bands. All new radio licenses are issued in narrowband only. Questions regarding licensing may be directed to your division Telecom adviser, or by email to telecom@nsp. org. Additional information is also available on the NSP Telecom Program webpage, which is accessed from the homepage at www.nsp.org by clicking Programs, followed by Telecommunications. +

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womens

Ge ar
No tJ us ta Pr et ty

Fa ce An yM or e!

fo r

by L in d a Ba rt hel, NSP N ational Wo m e n s Pr ogr am Di recto r

Basic anatomy can be a critical component in getting full performance from a ski or snowboard. Jeannie Thoren played a significant role in creating awareness of how the anatomical differences between men and women affect skiing and how to design equipment to accommodate these differences (see Ski Patrol Magazine, vol. 29, issue 1). The center of gravity is significant in initiating a turn. In women, the center of gravity is lower and further back than in men. Men are broader in the shoulders and chest and carry most of their weight above the waist; women carry more weight below the waist, around the hips, buttocks, and thighs. She uses the analogy of a pear: Women are pears sitting on their bottom, men are pears standing on their heads. As a result, when a man flexes forward in a balanced stance, his center of gravity will be over his toes. When a woman flexes forward in a balanced stance, her center of mass ends up over

Women
Rossignol photo by Blake Jorgeson.

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womens

Photo c/o Atomic.

her heels. This drives the weight too far back on the ski, when the driving force should be upfront. Having the weight further away from the ground provides more leverage, and it takes less effort to get the ski up on edge. With a womans center of mass positioned lower, getting the ski up on edge is more difficult. Many women can be seen bending at the waist. The cause of this is, ironically enough, the inability of women to bend at the ankles or flex at the knees as much as men. The bending at the waist is an attempt to bring the weight forward to control the front of the ski. This difficulty is amplified as the slope gets steeper. Knowing these anatomical differences had us wondering what manufacturers are doing to optimize their equipment for women. Our sponsors were surveyed with the following questions:

What specific components are addressed in the construction of womens skis, and why? Is there a difference in the construction or sidecut? How does the construction play a role in gender-specific equipment? What type of research do you do in designing women-specific skis? The weight of the ski and the binding plays a role in ease of maneuverability. Nick Castagnoli of Rossignol noted that there are benefits to women-specific construction. Lighter-weight cores and laminates not only make the skis easier to carry, but provide easier maneuverability for increased control and less fatigue, he said. Rossignol has also begun to address the weight of the integrated binding. Design differences are especially advantageous for the less

aggressive skier. To compensate for the lower center of gravity in women, the mounting position for the binding is moved forward on womens skis, Castagnoli said. This makes the front of the ski feel lighter, and allows better balance and control. Ease of turn initiation is enhanced when the sidecut is moved forward on the ski. Raising the heel of the binding, placing a lifter under the binding, or both, will allow better leverage over the front of the ski for increased control and easier turn initiation. Further expanding on the role of sidecut, Kathryn Smith, brand manager of Atomic USA, said, The shape of the ski sidecut, or the amount of taper from the tip to tail and position fore and aft, can contribute a ton to the skis characteristics. The taper you have from the tip to tail really influences the way the ski enters and exits the turn and how aggressively it does so. Generally, womens

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womens

Photo by Candace Horgan.

skis with a bit more taper allow the ski to enter the turn more easily and exit the turn more easily. The ski or snowboard must flex in order to turn, which involves weight and distribution. To initiate and hold a turn, the skier forces the ski into an arc. The softer flex contributes to ease of generating the turning arc. Having a womens-specific flex pattern tunes the flex characteristics to womens biomechanics, Smith said. The difference in the way men and women are built contributes to the way they pressure the ski through the turn. A ski tailored for the beginning skier will be more forgiving, while skis for more advanced skiers will provide more energy out of the turn, offering up a more dynamic experience. Bringing all these innovations into the equipment involves extensive research utilizing feedback from skiers and racers in the industry. Michael Kilchenstein, president at RAMP Sports, worked with Rossignol as a sales manager and then managed the start-up of Roxy Skis. During his time spent with Rossignol, he made many turns with top women skiers like Donna Weinbrecht and Picabo Street. This gave Kilchenstein insight into what the professional skier was looking for in performance. In short, we found the really strong (women) skiers and riders like the same type of equipment men like, Kilchenstein said. Same binding location, same ramp angle, even the same flexes, of course assuming each size is made for the average-strength of user, which we do at RAMP. When Kilchenstein was initiating the Roxy
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line, they surveyed strong women skiers and riders and found that women loved the brand and hoped the equipment would have the same upper-level performance. At RAMP, we do this as well, he said. Real live expert-level womens skis and boards with really great womens graphics. I know some companies differ with this opinion, but my experience of 35 years of doing this and skiing and riding with many great women athletes is having the binding mark forward or having more ramp angle on plates is not a male/female thing, its a more athletic/less athletic thing. Atomic USA Alpine Product Category Manager Jake Strassburger also provided insight regarding the research strategy used for developing women-specific equipment. From our history in working with the University of Salzburg and directly with a wide array of women skiers of different ability and terrain preferences, weve identified a few key areas that have proven to bolster our womens ski collection, Strassburger said. Generally, more beginner and intermediate women skiers seem to benefit the most from women-specific products. When asked what type of research they do, Strassburger commented, We have worked very closely with the University of Salzburg in Austria to develop real benefits for women skiers. We also host womens focus groups and test groups to validate ski-ability and performance, as well as the graphic directions or cosmetics of womens products. The women-specific equipment focus doesnt stop just at the skis. At FLOW Sports, many of the same issues with skis are analyzed when

 Camber Slight arching upward curve in the middle of the ski or board. Distributes the weight to the tip and tail, providing more grip on the snow. Core The center portion of the ski that gives the ski a backbone, or substance. The core manages the torsional rigidity (ability to resist twisting) and flex. The reduction in twisting contributes to the ability to hold an edge on hard pack. Core contributes to the weight of the ski. Laminates/sandwich The ski or board is built in horizontal layers above and below the core. Typical laminates are either metal or fiberglass. Metal laminates make the ski more damp and stable, and fiberglass laminates make for a more lively and quick ski. Ramp Angle Forward lean. Influenced by boot cuff alignment, boot design and fit, footbed design, internal ramp angle, and heel lift. External ramp angle referenced by boot sole angle and delta angle is an effect of the bindings, and affects fore-aft balance and range of flexion-extension, controlling the ability to tip and steer the ski. Rocker The opposite of camber, it is the upward curve of the tip and tail. There are several degrees of rocker, contributing to different performance in different conditions. Full rocker has an upward-turned tip and tail with no camber, which provides improved maneuverability in deep powder and crud. It also helps with pivoting, but will be more difficult to edge in firm conditions. Tip rocker with camber improves flotation and reduces tip catch, and helps with edge control on hardpack. Tip and tail rocker with camber provides more versatility, allowing for edge grip on hard pack while the rocker contributes to more powder/crud control. Sidecut A general term for the inner curve of the ski or board. The sidecut depth is measured as the distance between the waist and an imaginary straight line that touches both the tip and tail. The sidecut radius is the measurement of the radius of a circle that will fit in the curvature of the sidecut. Taper The difference between the tail and tip width. The greater the taper (narrower tail), the more forgiving the ski and the easier it is to ski. Lower taper means the tail will stick to the turn, providing more dynamic performance. +

Photo by Candace Horgan.

developing women-specific snowboards. We look at what our women teamriders ride, what they like, their stance width, as well as what the general public rides, said Kilchenstein. The narrow stance of women is accommodated by having the camber section of the rocker closer to the middle of the board. The rocker is designed around each board size. The sidecut is shaped to accommodate the womens rocker and slightly tighter stance. Flex of the board is based around the stance width and the rocker. With a womens-specific board, they use a longer nose/tail flex than that found on a mens board of the exact same size. This allows for good pressure to the tips for carving, jumping, and riding rails/boxes. With all this information on research and design, it is clear there are a vast variety of performance aspects addressed in the development of women-specific equipment. The critical part is to determine how this would benefit your personal style. It is apparent that the manufacturers develop equipment to address the full spectrum of skiing/riding styles. How to sort through the maze takes a game plan. First, be honest about your skiing/riding style. Are you happy cruising the groomers? Are bumps your attitude? Do you aspire to chase after the black diamonds, or is offpiste more to your taste? What part of the

country do you do most of your skiing in: Intermountain champagne powder, Far West Sierra cement, Midwest hard pack, or East Coast variety? If you are a single ski owner, this is a critical component of your selection. A little homework is involved. Read, read, read. Visit the manufacturers websites, collect as many reviews from publications as possible, and attempt to get as many opinions as you can from a variety of resources. Try to find reviews written by women of similar size and stature. The ultimate test is to demo. One size does not fit all. Find a quality shop and talk to the employees that have experience on a variety of equipment. Many shops offer demo programs with a wide selection of equipment. The ski or snowboard you select is really a matter of personal preference. If possible, ski or ride a selection on the same day in the terrain you normally ski or ride in. Actually test-driving the boards and skis will narrow the field and point you toward the equipment of choice your choice. The industry has taken notice, and women of all abilities have become a significant focus in their equipment design. With a little bit of homework, not only will you find a board or ski with good looks, you will have exceptional performance with your style. All of this will add up to a more enjoyable experience on the mountain! +

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 Paying It
Training young adults can pay unexpected dividends
By Chr i s t o ph er R ou ss e au, N at i o n al Y o un g A dult P ro g ra m D ir e c t o r

Y o u n g a d u lt

Forward
Another short summer has come and gone. Although I found myself doing yard work, much traveling, and many other summerrelated activities, patrolling was never far away. You see, it is possible to be involved in my facets of life, and possibly roam a far distance from patrolling, but much like a dog that finds itself miles from its familiar and loving home, we all have the ability to find our way back. In my travels across the United States, one of the reasons I am given that ski areas dont want to get involved with the Young Adult Program is because they dont want to invest time and effort into a young person who will only leave the patrol when they graduate high school. They think this is a waste of their time. One patrol that does invest that time and takes that chance is the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol in Oregon, which has been working with young adult patrollers for years. One of those students was Alex Grimaldi, who started with the patrol in 2002. At age 15, he was one of six young adults that year. The Willamette Pass Ski Patrol worked with Grimaldi for the next two years, teaching him first aid, patrol responsibilities, and leadership. During that time, Grimaldi developed a passion for medicine, and when he graduated from the Young Adult Program, he explored his newly-found interests. During college, he continued his patrol involvement, serving five years at Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol in Oregon while he attended Southern Oregon University. Today, Grimaldi is a fourth-year medical student at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and is going to become a doctor, something he attributes largely to his time spent in the Young Adult Program under the guidance of the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. Grimaldi has little doubt that his time with the patrol and the experiences and knowledge that he acquired there helped him gain admittance into the university and, ultimately, into his medical studies. Recently, he completed a four-week rotation in the trauma unit at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Ore. Last year, Grimaldi returned to patrolling and joined the Great Falls Ski Patrol in Great Falls, Mont., where he plans to patrol again this winter. Despite his hectic schedule and time constraints, he has not forgotten where it all started, and he will, no doubt, be an asset to the Great Falls Ski Patrol. This is the type of opportunity that can present itself when a resort takes the time to run a young adult program. Great Falls didnt have anything to do with Grimaldis initial training and mentoring, but will reap the benefits of his newly-gained expertise. In turn, someday the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol might gain something similar when a patroller from another program joins their ranks. The most important point to remember is that while many of these students may leave for a period of time when they graduate, they often return, if not to their original patrol, then to another. They also usually remain a part of the National Ski Patrol as a whole. This is the type of recruitment and retention that our organization needs. So take the time and start up a young adult program. Give your patrollers a reason to work with young adults and to impart their knowledge and expertise to the next generation. Help to foster one of nations next physicians, like Alex Grimaldi. With a currently aging ski patrol population, how can you afford not to? +

Alex Grimaldi

N S P. O R G 101

book review

Skiing Politics

Human-Technology Hybrids and the Eco-Politics of Skiing

By Tr oy Hawk s

Mark C.J. Stoddart, Making Meaning Out of Mountains: The Political Ecology of Skiing. (University of British Columbia Press, 2012). 223 pages. As a skier or snowboarder that interacts with the natural mountain environment, have you ever thought of yourself as a human-technology hybrid? Thats one of the definitions that Mark C.J. Stoddart affords our breed in his book, Making Meaning Out of Mountains: The Political Ecology of Skiing. Stoddarts book is a sociological study of environmental politics specific to the ski industry. In his research, Stoddart applies discourse analysis, interviews, and field observations. He writes, Analyzing how discourses of sustainability are mobilized, interpreted, and contested helps us understand how particular social groups become viewed as legitimate users and managers of mountain environments and to comprehend why certain social-environmental practices are deemed appropriate modes of interaction with mountainous nature, while the ecological and social legitimacy of other practices are questioned. Indeed, the methodology Stoddart outlines in the first few pages of the book presents what appears to be a fair, balanced, and objective approach. Unfortunately, by page 20, the objectivity begins to unravel. Here, he cites Jorge Rivera, professor at George Washington University, and Peter de Leon, professor at the University of Denver. Rivera and de Leon are associated with the Ski Area Citizens Coalition (SACC) Ski Area Environmental Scorecard
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that has long been deemed a paradigm of an eco-public relations stunt. The scorecard effectively grabs media headlines, but the bulk of the research behind it can be filed in one of three categories: unfounded, illogical, or overly-subjective. Stoddart asserts Rivera and de Leons assessment of Sustainable Slopes, a program launched by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) during the 1999/2000 season (see sidebar). Nevertheless, Stoddarts narrative effectively leads readers to intriguing vistas and unique

observations of our sport and the ski industry as a whole as seen through a lens filtered with societal trends, environmentalism, the media, and politics. In Chapter 2, Stoddart likens the actions of ski areas and environmentalists to those of politicians who wrap themselves in the flag. He claims that both sides leverage (in some cases exploit) images of nature. Environmentalists, he says, display photographs of wildlife to challenge skiings environmental legitimacy. Meanwhile, he says, wood-carved bears, brass elk sculptures, stuffed toys in gift shops, and even website videos of live bears frolicking on the slopes during the summer, are used by ski areas to link skiing with nature and environmental values. His work includes 418 footnotes, a 16-page bibliography, and an impressive list of presumed expert sources. John B. Allen, a noted ski historian, and John Fry, legendary ski writer and founder of SKI magazine, are among those cited. Stoddarts research is rooted in British Columbia and the communities near Whistler/ Blackcomb and Whitewater ski areas, including Vancouver and Nelson, respectively. The book is based off of interviews with 45 local skiers and snowboarders and 18 onmountain field observations, evenly split between Whistler and Whitewater during the 2006/2007 season. Yet noticeably missing from his long list of informative sources are humans who work at ski areas. This is a fact that unearths another fascinating sociological, political question: What is the underlying discourse that would lead one to spend more

than three years of study and 184 pages of text analyzing the ski industry, the foundations of the sport, and the sentiments of dedicated skiers and snowboarders and their environmental interactions with nature, without making contact with a single ski area owner, operator, or employee? Given that lapse, the book includes a handful of rather glaring generalizations, the ski area perspective is marginalized, and ski area actions toward greater sustainability are largely discredited. The only voice ski areas are given in the book comes from statements posted on company websites. In Chapter 6, Stoddart writes, Ski resort websites and ski magazines link images of the mountainous sublime with athletic, risk-seeking masculinity, normalized whiteness, and an aesthetic of rustic luxury. Those who embody these traits become perceived as the natural inhabitants of mountainous nature, while others experience is devalued and marginalized. While this notion might not be entirely false, there remains much more to consider. For instance, here in the U.S., ski areas operate on less than one-tenth of 1 percent of all National Forest lands, so the risk-seeking masculinity of skiing and snowboarding occurs within a very small sliver of mountainous nature. Moreover, more than 40 percent of

skiers and snowboarders are female. Its also worth noting that while they might log the most days on the mountain, ski areas are not getting rich (must less paying the utility bill) from the wallets of cliff-hucking males. Families, especially parents with children who are increasingly accompanied by grandparents, are by far the largest contributors to ski area revenues. In fact, according to NSAA, nearly half of all people on the slopes today are either 17 years old or younger, or 45 years old or older. Regardless of the questions it raises, Making Meaning Out of Mountains: The Political Ecology of Skiing, serves as a platform that provides a unique vantage point on the interrelation and sociological and political ties of ski areas, their guests, and environmentalists. As Stoddart writes, The question of who is granted the authority to speak on behalf of non-human animals government employees, scientific experts, ski industry representatives, or environmental activists is integral to the political ecology of skiing. To that end, we would encourage that in his next work, the author grant a voice to ski areas and the many environmental engineers and other sustainability experts who work closely within the industry. +

Ski Areas Take Action on Sustainability

Today, more than 190 ski resorts endorse the National Ski Area Associations Sustainable Slopes Environmental Charter, representing more than 75 percent of the skier and snowboarder visits made annually to U.S. resorts. The Environmental Charter promotes sound environmental stewardship and, more importantly, offers a comprehensive set of 21 Environmental Principles that enable ski area operators to make sustainable use of natural resources. The principles are the key to the Environmental Charter, and address many different topics, including planning, design and construction, water use for snowmaking and facilities and landscaping, water quality and wastewater management, energy use, product reuse and recycling, wildlife and forest management, and education and outreach. Upon endorsing the Charter, these resorts have assessed their policies and operations and taken steps toward improved environmental performance. Given variances in size, technical expertise, financial resources, and geographic location, resorts are at different points with respect to their environmental programs and implementation of the Environmental Principles, but all are making efforts that are meaningful. Find more under Environment at www.nsaa.org. +
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Lewis Eugene Buck Buchanan

On June 8, 2012, Lewis Buck Buchanan, one of Wintergreen Ski Patrols most stalwart patrollers, passed away after a courageous, two-year effort to overcome an aggressive form of lung cancer. He was 62 years old.

Kansas City. Buck joined the Army at age 19, doing his basic training at Fort Polk, La., and his warrant officer flight training at Fort Wolters, Texas, Fort Rucker, Ala., and Fort Stewart, Ga., and became a warrant officer upon completion of helicopter pilot training. He served in Vietnam as an armored cavalry combat pilot, and continued in aviation assignments in the United States and Germany. In a very unusual procedure, Buck received a direct commission as a captain when he was a senior warrant officer (CW3) as recognition of his superior leadership skills. He subsequently served in special operations assignments and in senior general staff assignments. He retired from the Army in 2006 as a lieutenant colonel. At the time of his death, he was a senior civilian employee at First Army Division East at Fort Meade, Md. Buck became a member of the National Ski Patrol in 1990 when he joined Snow Creek Ski Patrol in Weston, Mo. While with Snow Creek, he completed Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, and Instructor Development. He was also a toboggan instructor and candidate mentor. Buck joined Wintergreen Ski Patrol in 1996 when the Army transferred him to Virginia. Later, he was assigned to South Carolina. His

continued dedication to ski patrolling and commitment to Wintergreen were apparent when he regularly drove over six hours from South Carolina on Friday evenings in order to patrol weekends in Virginia. He always took a lead role in fall refresher training, providing insightful guidance and sharing his own experience and knowledge. Off the slopes, Buck was great company, had a quick sense of humor, and was an accomplished home chef, wine expert, and single-malt scotch connoisseur. His repertoire ranged from pot sticker dumplings to venison fondue with homemade sauces to Mediterranean bouillabaisse seafood stew; all were incomparably delicious. In addition to skiing, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and scuba diving. Buck approached every ski patrol activity with exceptional competence and professionalism. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched and shared. Judith Kay Wintergreen Ski Patrol, Va.

He was born on Johnson Air Force Base in Japan on May 18, 1950. He graduated from Itazuke High School in Japan, earned a bachelors from Chaminade College in Hawaii, graduating summa cum laude, and a masters degree from the University of Missouri

Kari Lee Dayton

Mother Teresa stated, Kindness is a language we all can speak. Even the deaf can hear it and the blind can see it. Kari Lee Dayton lived this kindness by immersing herself in the community through devotion to nonprofit and civic organizations. The Ski Gull Ski Patrol was lucky to have her become a full patroller in 2010. She passed away suddenly in February 2012. Her tenure was brief, but her impact was enormous. Kari spent most of her life in Nisswa, Minn., and lived well up north, enjoying many outdoor activities. Kari was always being moved toward her gifts and passions, which involved helping those less fortunate. She earned a masters in special education with an emphasis in deaf and hard of hearing from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. After her career in education, she used her gifts as the director of Ski Gull to request support with grants and donations to make Ski Gull profitable. She implemented and expanded various programs at Ski Gull, including the Learn to Ski program, tubing hill, and the development of the terrain park. Kari gave it her all when it came to her work with Ski Gull and volunteering with the patrol. The deal was if she was going to be involved in something, it was going to be fun, there would be laughter, and you had better accept that she

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was going to give her opinion and she would make a difference! One of Karis strong attributes was her ability to bring people together. Kari connected with people everywhere she went. She brightened a room and wore a nonstop smile. These attributes allowed her to show compassion for the injured and calmly assist patients. She also encouraged others in their work with patients, and even convinced some new candidates to join the patrol. Karis legacy will continue at Ski Gull, as a tow rope will be dedicated in her name in the terrain park. We will miss Kari, but hope to feel her spirit as we attempt to apply the words/works of her favorite quote, Live simply, love generously, speak kindly.leave the rest to God. Amen! Jim Hutchison Ski Gull Ski Patrol, Minn.

under extreme adversity was kind and helpful to all he met. He is survived by his wife, Ann, their children, Jamie, Sam, and Jeremiah, and grandchildren, Declan, Kimberlynn, and Shawn. There is an old saying that some attribute to Native Americans that says, A man dies two deaths, the first when his physical body no longer lives, and the second when his name is spoken for the last time by those who know him. May you hold Shawn and the memories of him close to you, and share those memories with others, so that he will continue to live beyond this day, and tomorrow. The Whiteface Ski Patrol would like to wish Shawn good luck and Godspeed on his Final Sweep. Joe Rine Whiteface Ski Patrol, N.Y.

Shawn Farmer
Southern New York curmudgeon Shawn Peter Farmer, 51, of Jay, N.Y., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at his home, following a courageous, two-year battle with glioblastoma. His family and friends were at his side at the time, and have been there every day since his surgery in 2010. Shawn was born on Feb. 25, 1961, in Utica, N.Y., to William and Marguerite (Matera) Farmer of Old Forge. Shawn has worked as a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain since 1989, and has skied more vertical in the past 23 years than most people will ski in their lifetime. Following his surgery in 2010 to remove a brain tumor, he returned to the mountain to continue his service there. After the surgery and during radiation treatment, he continued to patrol at Whiteface, and even

Jerrie Fowler
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Jerrie Fowler, National Appointment Number 3366 awarded in 1969, at the age of 81 years young. She was a lifelong resident of Highland Park, Ill., and wintered in Vail, Colo., where she could delight in Vails challenging slopes. She was very athletic, enjoying tennis, golf, and bicycling vacations in Europe, but most of all skiing, her real passion. She worked the Chicago Ski Show and was a pioneer with the National Ski Patrol, serving with the Oak Park Ski Club Ski Patrol, the Downers Patrol, and the Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol. She was the Wilmot patrol director in the early 1970s (in a male-dominated world), and raced for many years with the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council. After retiring from moviemaking, she moved to Vail, living in a beautiful condo overlooking the ski slopes while still staying active with the Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol by coming back to get her hours during the holiday break, until she went alumni after 50 years of dedicated service to the National Ski Patrol. While in Vail, she skied almost every day, and continued serving skiers as a host and guide for the Over the Hill Gang, an over-50 ski club. She also shared her filmmaking knowledge by creating Thats Why Were Here, a film designed to recruit new ski patrollers for the NSPS, in the mid-1960s. Jerrie had a fascinating and rare self-made

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Jerry Horwitz
A dedicated and lifelong ski patroller, Simon Gerald Jerry Horwitz, passed away on June 6, 2012. Jerry patrolled for over 40 years, and will be missed by his numerous patrol friends throughout the country. Jerry was born in Elmira, N.Y., in 1927, and served in the Navy during World War II. He began his ski patrol career at Innsbruck Mountain in upstate New York in 1965, where he patrolled until 1971. During this time, Jerrys lifelong commitment to patrolling became obvious. He quickly earned Senior, and was the assistant patrol leader at Innsbruck Mountain, a regional adviser, and a first aid instructor. When Innsbruck Mountain (temporarily) shut down in 1971, Jerry transferred to the Greek Peak Ski Patrol in upstate New York, where he patrolled from 1971-1973 before he moved to Colorado. Beginning in 1973, Jerry patrolled at several Colorado resorts, including Berthoud Pass Ski Area, Geneva Pass, and Ski Cooper. Berthoud Pass closed in 1991, but with hopes that it would eventually reopen, Jerry did what he could to keep a few patrollers together in case the lifts ever did start turning again. When Berthoud Pass reopened in 1997, Jerry faced the difficult task of trying to put together a functioning ski patrol in less than a year. As the volunteer patrol director for Berthoud Pass, Jerry managed to put together a fully-functioning ski patrol with an OEC class, an OEC refresher, a ski and toboggan program, and an avalanche program within the very first season the ski area was back open. Jerry continued as the patrol director for a few more seasons. In 2001, around the same time that Berthoud Pass Ski Area was closing down again, Jerry retired to Nevada, but he was not one who believed in retiring from patrolling. He continued to patrol for a few more years, while

in his 70s, at Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort. Jerry had a tremendous ski patrol career that spanned over four decades and three different states. All of us who had the good fortune to patrol with Jerry will always appreciate his dedication to patrolling and to his fellow patrollers. Many ski areas, ski patrols, and ski patrollers are richer today for the many contributions he made to ski patrol. Thank you Jerry! Jordan Lipp Bryan Mountain Nordic Ski Patrol, Colo. (former Berthoud Pass Ski Patrol, Colo.)

film career for a woman of her era. She developed her experience in television, movie, and commercial production, starting at Wilding Studios in downtown Chicago as script supervisor before moving on to her main profession as film editor and assistant director (AD). During the early years at Wilding, she worked with Alfred Hitchcock on the 1959 movie North by Northwest. Later, Jerrie worked on many films with John Hughes as assistant editor, film editor, and (at times) AD. Those classics include Curly Sue (1991), Home Alone (1991), Uncle Buck (1989), Shes Having a Baby (1988), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), Light of Day (1987), One More Saturday Night (1986), Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986), Weird Science (1985), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Sixteen Candles (1984). She was a member of the Directors Guild of America as a First AD for 47 years. Jerrie was an enthusiastic alumni of Northwestern University, attending many football games. She also collected and restored antique brass into lamps, candlesticks, furniture, and many other creative objects. In addition to her passion for skiing, she loved to travel, and had incredible life experiences to share. She was married to William A. Fowler (deceased), who served in World War II. She is survived by her niece, Katherine Gold (Charles), and nephew, Francis J. McDonough (Valerie). A quote from one of her many treasured friends says it perfectly: We will all remember her as our strong, robust, enthusiastic, earlyrising, purple-wearing athlete who overdosed on vitamins and collections of all sorts. What a gal she was. Jerrie will be sorely missed. Vince Clemens Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol, Wis.

John Jack Hunter Kern

Brigadier General John Hunter Kern, United States Army, retired, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Va., from complications following open heart surgery.

The son of the late Colonel William Bentley Kern and Anne Nichol Kern, Jack was born in Kingston, Ont., on March 16, 1948, while his father was posted as an instructor to the Canadian Army Staff College. He traveled with his family throughout the world, to Fort Monroe, Va., Carlisle Barracks, Pa., The Presidio of San Francisco, Calif., Fort Sheridan, Ill., Fort Meade, Md., Hawaii, France, Algeria,

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Connect turns with better control from improved dynamic balance

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Morocco, Israel, India, Egypt, Jordan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and China. Jack was an ardent member of the Boy Scouts of America, attaining Eagle Scout in 1964. He continued to serve the Scouts throughout his lifetime. Jack graduated from Groveton High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1966, where he lettered in track and wrestling. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and was commissioned an infantry officer through the Army ROTC program in 1970. He entered U.S. Army active service in 1971, attending the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was the honor graduate, followed by the Basic Airborne and the Mortar Platoon Leaders Courses. Thereafter, he was assigned as training officer of a basic training company at Fort Dix, N.J. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 172nd Infantry Brigade in Fort Richardson, Alaska, where he served in the 60th Infantry Regiment as a rifle platoon leader leading sovereignty patrols north of the Brooks Range, and as an infantry company executive officer. Kern left the active military in 1975, but continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he commanded Company C, 1st Battalion, 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He later served as the Battalion S-3 in Newburgh, N.Y. He was a CAS-3 instructor at the 2070th USAR Forces School at Fort Belvoir, Va., and then commanded the 1st Battalion, 11th Special Forces (Airborne) in New Windsor, N.Y. Kern served 18 years with special forces. During his tenure, he greatly improved the professionalism, proficiency, and combat readiness of these units, and led his soldiers in several winter warfare exercises in the Norwegian Arctic. Kerns many personal awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), a Joint Service Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Ten Year DeviceGold (3rd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization (3rd Award), and a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal. Upon retirement, he established Kern Consulting, LLC, a defense firm specializing in logistics management and post-hostilities consulting. Jack loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a consummate professional,
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Protection from wear-and-tear knee issues with improved alignment

and took on any challenge that faced him. No matter what the difficulty, he never gave up. He always kept moving forward. He loved his family and friends, his country, and the United States Army. His passions were the Virginia Military Institute, the 11th Special Forces Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs, and the Bryce Resort Ski Patrol. His hobbies included sailing his 43-foot ketch, Civil Affair, patrolling with the Bryce Resort Ski Patrol, golfing for the ever-elusive par, naval history, windsurfing, and running marathons (completing 10 Marine Corps Marathons). He enjoyed a good steak, a great cigar, and Lagavulin single malt scotch. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Melanie A. Hughes, his children, John H. Kern Jr. and Bonnie S. Kern, four grandchildren, Hayden and Ty Miller and Madeleine and Jack Kern, his sister, Anne K. Lawrie Branson and her husband Dr. Ira D. Branson, his sister, Katharine Kathy K. Candido and her husband Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Candido, his brother, Colonel William H. Kern and his wife Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth A. Hart, his aunts, Lorraine M. Nichol and Albina S. Kern, as well as many other beloved in-laws, outlaws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many, many wonderful colleagues and friends. Funeral services and burial took place at Arlington National Cemetery on October 18, 2012. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Lacy Williams Bryce Resort Ski Patrol, Va.

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Chris Anthony Extreme Ski Champion, wears Opedix Photograph by: Richie Graham

Opedix Knee Support tights have scientifically designed tensioning systems within a comfortable, form-fitting base layer to enhance the kinetic functioning of your body. Tests conducted with over 300 patrollers and instructors last year showed quadricep fatigue reduced by 30% and knee pain up to 40%.

Raymond Lump
As we prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our organization, we must pause to remember one of our members who joined when the NSP was just entering its teenage years. Raymond Willie Lump passed away on August 15, 2012. He started his day with a hike, and his body was found under a tree the following morning. He was 89. His original registration with NSP Far West Division was in 1953 as a member of Phoenix Patrol Intermountain. He has been a lifetime member since 1964, and a Senior patroller since the programs inception. After joining Sunrise Ski Patrol in 1973, he served as assistant mountain manager and patrol director. From 1975 until 1982,

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To place an order for Opedix Knee Support tights, please order through the NSP Winter Catalog or online

annual fall meetings. Chris was awarded two Yellow Merit Stars, one in 2003 and a second in 2009. Both were for her close involvement in the saving of lives at Lost Trail Powder Mountain. In 2006, she was awarded a Patrollers Cross for serious injuries sustained while patrolling at Lost Trail. Although her skiing days were over, Chris took on yet another role and became dispatcher for the patrol. Out of the many years she dispatched, she had one impressive stretch where she dispatched 142 days over the course of two years, every day the area was open, without missing a single shift. he served in managerial positions at the Sunrise Ski Park. At the age of 62, an age many think of as retirement, he returned to the job of patroller. Since that time, his knowledge and experience have launched many new patrollers. As his body became frail, we came to know Willie as the voice of dispatch. Still in service to NSP, he directed daily activities of the patrol from the radio room. No one dared to not follow his direction. At fall refresher in 2011, we presented Willie with the Distinguished Service Award, and at this springs end-of-year party, he received his 60-year pin. In typical Willie style, his comment was, I dont understand; Im just a patroller. To the Sunrise Ski Patrol, he was much, much more, and he will be missed. Deb OGrady Sunrise Ski Patrol, Ariz. Chris traveled about 100 miles daily to do her duties, which included base station OEC care, as well as communication with patrollers, lifties, groomers, maintenance, and mountain management. She was known as Mother or Mom by the patrollers and many of the areas regular visitors. She always had a story for the patrollers and her patients that kept the atmosphere light while she maintained a special, professional touch in the day-to-day operations on the hill. During the weekdays, many busloads of youngsters visited the hill, and she was the angel in the patrol room. She dried tears, warmed hands, and found lost chaperones and parents. She prepared and comforted those who took hard tumbles for their EMS trips to town, and had a very expeditious system for those who required that special airlift to local hospitals. Chris was the glue on the hill that made every day a great day to patrol! Chris was a registered member of the Northern Division staff, and served as the Northern Division treasurer for two years and then secretary for the two years following. One of Chris favorite places in the world was a hideaway she and her husband maintained on secluded Killisnoo Island on the west side of Admiralty Island in Alaska. Chris loved to go out in their boat to fish for salmon and halibut, watch the whales, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and solitude of their Alaskan property. Chris is survived by Mike Parnell, her husband of more than 47 years, her daughters, Jennifer and Erin (Leigh Roby), son Jamie, granddaughter Ryah Roby, her mother, Georgana Egeland, and four brothers and three sisters. Deb OGrady Sunrise Ski Patrol, Ariz.
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Christine Parnell
Christine (Chris) Marie Parnell passed away on October 22, 2012, at her home in Hamilton, Mont. She was born November 2, 1949, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and became a member of the Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Patrol (LTSP) in 1996. As a testament to her enthusiasm and talents, Chris was awarded Candidate of the Year for the 1996-97 season. Chris was a member of Team 3 at LTSP for over 10 years. She embraced her role as a patroller, and soon after her candidate season, she became an OEC instructor and was instrumental in the training and refreshing of many new patrollers. She was an OEC candidate practical test examiner, and a regular instructor for several years at the Northern Divisions

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2000-Present
75th Anniversary..................................................... Beyond Diamonds Pg. 62 Summer 12 A Celebration to Remember Pg. 48 Fall 12 Administrative......................................................... Area Management: Outlook for Patrollers Pg. 16 Fall 02 Board election process: summary Pg. 36 Fall 02 Pg. 56 Winter 07 Bylaw changes approved Board candidates Pg. 44 Fall 03 Board candidates Pg. 46 Fall 11 Board meeting Pg. 28 Fall 11 Board meeting Pg. 35 Fall 12 Board progress report Pg. 46 Fall 01 Candidate slate ( ) Pg. 38 Fall 02 Candidate slate (2004) Pg. 42 Winter 04 Candidate slate (2004) Pg. 28 Fall 04 Donation, Harry Voege Pg. 40 Winter 04 Dues increase Pg. 42 Fall 00 Dues increase Pg. 42 Winter 06 Financial Report 2000-2001 Pg. 40 Winter 01 Financial Report 2004-2005 Pg. 40 Winter 06 Financial Report 2005-2006 Pg. 36 Winter 07 Financial Update 2006-2007 Pg. 27 Fall 07 Financial Update 2007-2008 Pg. 33 Fall 08 Financial Update 2008-2009 Pg. 30 Fall 09 Financial Update 2009-2010 Pg. 28 Winter 11 Financial Update 2010-2011 Pg. 26 Winter 12 Leadership changes Pg. 56 Winter 07 New election process Pg. 34 Winter 06 NSP origins Pg. 46 Fall 04 NSP governance; board evaluation Pg. 44 Summer 01 NSP Postage Stamp Pg. 36 Fall 00 Pg. 33 Fall 00 Organizational structure task force Pro form etiquette Pg. 40 Fall 03 Recruiting Pg. 28 Winter 07 Pg. 34 Winter 07 Retirement Scott Marland Pg. 28 Winter 12 Strategic plan Pg. 50 Winter 00 Pg. 16 Summer 08 Survey results Avalanche and Mountaineering........................ ABCs (and D) of Digging Pg. 52 Fall 11 Pg. 14 Winter 06 Avalanche control, Taos Pg. 48 Winter 05 Avalanche education Avalanche hazard evaluation Pg. 48 Winter 03 Avalanche program changes Pg. 35 Winter 03 Avalanche SAR dogs Pg. 12 Summer 03 Spring 00 Avalanche season statistics 1998-1999 Pg. 42 Summer 01 Avalanche season statistics 1999-2000 Pg. 45 Avalanche season statistics 2001-2002 Pg. 36 Summer 03 Avalanche season statistics 2002-2003 Pg. 50 Fall 04 Avalanche season statistics 2010-2011 Pg. 50 Summer 11 Avalanche season statistics 2011-2012 Pg. 56 Fall 12 Pg. 50 Spring 00 Avalung Avoiding complacency backcountry Pg. 20 Summer 04 Pg. 20 Winter 07 Beacon parks Donner Summit rescue Pg. 36 Summer 10 Education movers and shakers Pg. 42 Winter 08 Pg. 18 Fall 06 Everest, patroller ascents Helicopter rescue Pg. 42 Winter 02 Pg. 18 Fall 07 Hydrating in the backcountry Ice cave collapse Pg. 30 Summer 09 Inbounds avalanches Pg. 12 Fall 07 Pg. 65 Winter 12 Incident Commant System Instructing Law Enforcement Pg. 18 Winter 09 Instructing and e-mail Pg. 87 Fall 01 ISSW 2010 Pg. 55 Winter 11 Pg. 36 Fall 11 Know Before You Go Pg. 44 Winter 10 LaChapelle collection Level II course, Whiteface Mountain Pg. 48 Winter 04 Low Angle Rescue Pg. 22 Winter 09 Map and compass Pg. 52 Spring 00 Mapping and GPS Pg. 50 Fall 03 Midwestern slide Pg. 25 Winter 06 Mount Hood rescue Pg. 38 Winter 07 MTR Enhancement Seminar Pg. 70 Summer 12 MTR Manual: Then and Now Pg. 55 Fall 11 MTR and SAR Pg. 51 Fall 10 MTR and SAR: pt. 2 Pg. 58 Winter 11 MTR and SAR: pt. 3 Pg. 53 Summer 11 MTR Program changes Pg. 32 Winter 03 National Avalanche School Pg. 60 Winter 12 National Avalanche School Field Pg. 64 Summer 12 New avalanche courses Pg. 20 Fall 08 New NSP Avalanche Program Pg. 49 Fall 10 NIMS and ICS training Pg. 50 Winter 10 Pre-season avalanche tour Pg. 48 Fall 03 Probing technique Pg. 44 Winter 05 RECCO Pg. 20 Winter 06 Rope rescue Pg. 62 Fall 12 SAR personal story Pg. 46 Fall 05 SAR Conference Pg. 41 Winter 12 Sidecountry access Pg. 18 Fall 08 Sidecountry issues Pg. 46 Fall 10 Snowpack assessment Pg. 42 Winter 01 Strategic shoveling Pg. 14 Winter 07 10 essentials Pg. 46 Winter 06 USFS MOU Pg. 29 Fall 12 Windchill chart Pg. 34 Winter 02 Winter rescue SAR techniques Pg. 44 Winter 01 Winter rescue, Washington Pg. 24 Fall 06 Awards.. . . . . .......................................... 2000 Outstanding Awards Pg. 24-29 Fall 00 2001 Outstanding Awards Pg. 40-44 Fall 01 2007 Outstanding Awards Pg. 36 Fall 07 2008 Outstanding Awards Pg. 21 Fall 09

2009 Outstanding Awards 2010 Outstanding Awards Award FAQs Awards application Banquet planning Gold Stars 2008 LCA and National Appointments 06-07 LCA and National Appointments 07-08 LCA and National Appointments 08-09 Merit Stars 2008 Minnie Dole award 2000 Minnie Dole Award 2011

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Telemark alignment Telemark improves alpine skills Telemark tips Telemark turns Telemark workout plan White pass turn

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Pg. 16

Summer 09

Risk Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol involvement Pg. 28 Winter 02 Pg. 12 Winter 08 New safety team Ski Area Operations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1960 Olympics Pg. 40 Fall 09 2002 Olympics Pg. 24 Summer 02 2010 Olympic patrolling Pg. 19 Summer 10 A Day in the Life Pg. 8 Fall 05 Pg. 8 Winter 01 Apache and Apache Patrol Biodiesel Pg. 29 Fall 08 Birch Hill Pg. 8 Summer 04 Boston Mills/Brandywine Pg. 8 Fall 04 Caberfae Peaks Pg. 8 Winter 07 Pg. 32 Winter 10 Climate change and ski areas Cockaigne Pg. 10 Winter 04 Colorado Mountain College course Pg. 16 Fall 04 Customer service and patrolling Pg. 21 Winter 10 Granite Peak Pg. 8 Summer 02 Pg. 8 Fall 02 Holiday Valley Homewood Pg. 8 Winter 06 Jiminy Peak and Jiminy Peak patrol Pg. 8 Winter 00 June Mountain Pg. 8 Winter 05 Lost Trail Powder Mountain and patrol Pg. 4 Spring 00 Pg. 16 Fall 05 Park City Pg. 8 Fall 03 Pine Knob Pinecrest Nordic patrol Pg. 8 Fall 01 Roundtop and Roundtop patrol Pg. 8 Fall 00 Schuss Mountain Pg. 8 Winter 03 Pg. 8 Summer 01 Silver Mountain and patrol Sky Valley Pg. 8 Summer 03 Wachusett Mountain Pg. 10 Fall 06 Wildlife ecology Pg. 34 Winter 01 Ski and Toboggan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 66 Fall 00 Do the Twist toboggan handling Hands in, ready position Pg. 71 Fall 02 Pg. 36 Fall 05 Snowboarding patrollers Skier Safety.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chairlift Pg. 42 Winter 03 Fee for rescue, Chamonix Pg. 16 Summer 04 Pg. 16 Winter 10 Helmet Use and OSHA Jumping injuries Pg. 66 Fall 04 NSP safety initiatives 10-11 Pg. 59 Fall 10 NSP Safety Team Pg. 37 Winter 12 Safety Week Pg. 32 Winter 09 Pg. 52 Fall 01 Suncreen Toboggan packs Pg. 70 Fall 04 Pg. 18 Summer 03 Tree wells Sweep-Patrolling essays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skiing or ski patrolling, by Mike Berard Pg. 45 Summer 09 Stolen Time-Big Sky, by Emily Stifler Pg. 53 Winter 09 Telecommunication.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 22 Winter 08 Cell phones COSPAS-SARSAT Pg. 15 Summer 08 Pg. 17 Summer 10 Digital and analog radios FCC regulations Pg. 17 Fall 08 High tech communications, websites Pg. 72 Summer 01 Pg. 16 Winter 09 Interoperability Narrowband equipment Pg. 76 Fall 12 Pg. 49 Winter 10 Narrowband requirements Narrowbanding deadline Pg. 67 Fall 11 Narrowbanding definition Pg. 61 Winter 11 Pg. 24 Fall 02 NSP website Off-season radio use Pg. 61 Summer 11 Pg. 56 Fall 09 Preparing radios for the season Radio licensing hurdles Pg. 74 Winter 12 Pg. 61 Fall 10 Radio signal coverage Report from PEC Pg. 24 Summer 09 Pg. 16 Fall 07 Telecom Update Transitioning from 10 Codes Pg. 78 Summer 12 Training and Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACL recovery Pg. 24 Spring 00 Ankles and skiing Pg, 24 Winter 00 Ankle flex Pg. 35 Summer 01 Balance improvement Pg. 36 Winter 04 Balance exercises Pg. 30 Winter 05 Boots Pg. 16 Winter 04 Conditioning Pg. 24 Fall 04 Continuing education Pg. 30 Summer 04 Core fitness Pg. 34 Fall 03 Dryland training Pg. 24 Winter 01 Edge Exchange Pg. 30 Summer 01 Foot problems Pg. 35 Winter 00 Hamstrings, quads and ACL injuries Pg. 38 Winter 01 Helicopter transport Pg. 32 Summer 03 Hydrating while skiing Pg. 26 Summer 10 Instructor Development CD course Pg. 26 Winter 07 Knee injury rehab Pg. 22 Spring 00 Learning disabilities Pg. 26 Winter 06 Lift evac for adaptive skiers Pg. 32 Fall 04 Patrolling again after severe injury Pg. 44 Winter 00 Pilates Pg. 26 Summer 03 Plyobalance Pg. 40 Winter 00 Powder technique Pg. 16 Winter 00 Pg. 30 Winter 09 Pressure management on skis Rollerskiing Pg. 52 Summer 02 Skiing ice Pg. 18 Winter 01 Skiing ice Pg. 24 Winter 10 Skiing steeps Pg. 16 Spring 00 Stretching Pg. 47 Fall 02 Student patrol program (Gould Academy) Pg. 18 Summer 02 Teaching techniques Pg. 68 Fall 00 Yoga Pg. 16 Winter 03

Education. . ........................ .................... Back to School Pg. 32 Fall 12 Pg. 22 Summer 11 Distance learning Publications update Pg. 39 Fall 11 Education report Pg. 24 Winter 12 Spring Cleaning Pg. 32 Summer 12 Equipment......................... .................... Battery performance Pg. 42 Summer 02 Bend-a-Knee splint Pg. 44 Winter 03 Pg. 26-38 Fall 01 Boots and footbeds Brills Drill for AI Pg. 26 Winter 08 Fitting Boots Pg. 53 Winter 11 Multitool care Pg. 61 Spring 00 New Patagonia jackets Pg. 47 Summer 11 Pg. 49 Summer 11 Pron packs Pro form etiquette Pg. 40 Fall 03 Radio systems Pg. 54 Fall 02 Shaped skis Pg. 20 Winter 02 Splint for lower extremities Pg. 64 Fall 03 Pg. 22 Winter 04 Winter ski apparel Features........................... .................... Pg. 42 Fall 07 10th Mountain Division Pg. 36 Winter 09 Aging trends in skiing Bike and Build fundraiser Pg. 29 Fall 09 Birds of Prey Pg. 44 Summer 12 Pg. 38 Fall 12 Bonnie Prudden Cable Riding Rescue Pg. 44 Winter 12 Pg. 27 Summer 11 Charles Schobinger Difference a atroller makes Pg. 24 Summer 11 Dubai patrolling Pg. 28 Winter 09 Pg. 40 Fall 11 Early season rescue Electron Boy Pg. 31 Fall 10 Pg. 28 Summer 11 European patrolling Everest: finding Mallory Pg. 30 Spring 00 Evolution of First Aid Pg. 49 Winter 12 Pg. 42 Fall 12 Evolution of First Aid pt. 2 Extreme Patrolling Pg. 32 Summer 11 Pg. 52 Summer 12 Female Pioneers George Wesson Pg. 41 Winter 11 Helmet Laws Pg. 43 Winter 11 Pg. 26 Summer 11 Helping Survivors Iditarod Pg. 26 Winter 10 Pg. 28 Summer 10 Iron Man Championships Jay Otto memorial Pg. 50 Fall 08 Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Pg. 25 Fall 10 Mount Hood patrolling Pg. 23 Summer 10 Multi-generation patrolling Pg. 44 Fall 08 Pg. 43 Fall 11 NARSID peril Obama factor Pg. 43 Winter 09 Patrol Exchange Program Pg. 27 Fall 10 Pg. 32 Winter 08 Platinum Anniversary Photo Contest 2010 Pg. 38 Summer 11 Pg. 30 Winter 11 Q&A with Darcy Hanley Q&A with Michael Berry Pg. 37 Wnter 11 Reality TV: Blue Mountain patrol Pg. 38 Fall 08 Scout builds splints Pg. 34 Winter 11 Ski with a patroller Pg. 37 Fall 09 Pg. 52 Winter 08 West Point Ski Patrol WinterKids Pg. 37 Fall 10 Youth Patrol Programs Pg. 30 Fall 07 Health and Fitness................ .................... Conditioning Pg. 24 Fall 04 Core strengthening Pg. 20 Fall 10 Foot alignment issues Pg. 43 Fall 05 Fuel for injury prevention Pg. 42 Winter 07 Hydration Pg. 52 Fall 05 Nutrition Pg. 24 Winter 05 Sleep apnea Pg. 36 Fall 04 Stamina Pg. 26 Summer 09 Sun damage Pg. 32 Fall 05 Legal.............................. .................... Health insurance (HIPAA) Pg. 42 Fall 03 Dealing with being subpoenaed Pg. 22 Summer 08 Dealing with a fight between guests Pg. 35 Fall 08 Kane v. NSP overturned Pg. 48 Fall 01 Ski Safety legislation Pg. 35 Summer 12 Mountain Hosts....................................... Hill Ambassadors Pg. 57 Summer 12 Pg. 29 Winter 08 Jackson Hole Nordic............................. .................... Klister Pg. 58 Winter 07 New Nordic Program Director Pg. 55 Fall 10 Nordic breakout Pg. 72 Summer 12 Nordic Master Pg. 69 Winter 12 Patrolling the Birkie Pg. 58 Fall 11 Program Changes Pg. 56 Summer 11 Repair kit Pg. 56 Winter 06 Summer patrolling Pg. 66 Fall 12 Rollerskiing Pg. 56 Summer 02 Ski sailing Pg. 56 Winter 02 Skinning technique Pg. 50 Summer 03 Short boards Pg. 58 Summer 01

OEC. .................................................. Abdominal maladies Pg. 66 Fall 05 ACL tears, bracing Pg. 16 Winter 05 Adaptive patrons Pg. 24 Winter 03 Pg. 64 Summer 03 Pg. 58 Fall 00 AEDs Altitude and patient experience Pg. 66 Winter 00 Antibiotics and tendon injuries Pg. 36 Winter 02 Autism Pg. 36 Winter 05 Avalanche victims, care of Pg. 68 Winter 03 Pg. 62 Winter 05 Bandaging technique Brain attack Pg. 66 Summer 03 Pg. 64 Fall 06 Chest compression, AEDs Chest injuries Pg. 48 Summer 04 Pg. 28 Winter 04 Cold injuries CPR updates Pg. 74 Summer 12 Diabetes Pg. 32 Winter 04 Difficult patrons Pg. 26 Summer 04 EMS interface Pg. 41 Summer 01 EMS services and patrols Pg. 32 Winter 00 Pg. 32 Winter 06 Emergency action plan Exercise-induced asthma Pg. 64 Winter 07 Pg. 32 Fall 06 Exposure to blood Facial injuries Pg. 58 Summer 04 Pg. 63 Fall 02 Femur injuries Hearing-impaired patients Pg. 28 Winter 03 High altitude and Raynauds Disease Pg. 51 Fall 09 Hypothermia Pg. 12 Summer 09 Hypothermia book review Pg. 68 Winter 07 Kehrs Sign Pg. 56 Fall 00 Knee injuries Pg. 54 Summer 04 Latex allergies Pg. 64 Winter 03 Pg. 62 Winter 06 Leadership Leadership Pg. 36 Fall 06 Long bone fractures Pg. 57 Fall 10 Lymphedema Pg. 62 Winter 02 Pg. 28 Winter 00 Mass-casualty Medical Good Samaritans Pg. 31 Winter 12 Pg. 66 Summer 01 Mnemonics MIs/Stroke Pg. 62 Winter 00 Pg. 72 Winter 12 NuMask Ocular injuries Pg. 19 Winter 08 Pg. 24 Summer 01 OEC in forests OEC Fourth Pg. 39 Summer 02 OEC Fifth: about Pg. 60 Winter 11 Pg. 58 Summer 11 OEC Fifth changes: part 1 OEC Fifth changes: parg 2 Pg. 62 Fall 11 Pg. 82 Fall 01 Oxygen administration Pediatric patients: baselines Pg. 64 Winter 01 Pediatric patients Pg. 62 Summer 04 Pelvis girdle Pg. 62 Summer 01 Pg. 56 Summer 02 Periarticular injuries Pg. 32 Winter 02 Pregnancy at high altitude Pregnant patients Pg. 44 Summer 04 Pulse oximetry Pg. 66 Fall 02 Pg. 22 Fall 07 Quality Management Refresher approaches Pg. 54 Summer 03 Pg. 70 Spring 00 Scene management Shock Pg. 63 Summer 02 Snowblindness Pg. 31 Winter 01 Spineboads Pg. 56 Winter 04 Pg. 68 Summer 01 Spinal anatomy, injury, and care Spine injuries Pg. 57 Summer 03 Pg. 58 Winter 02 Spiral tibia fracture Spleen injuries Pg. 70 Fall 12 Splint for lower extremities Pg. 64 Fall 03 Staging scenarios Pg. 64 Summer 04 Stethoscopes Pg. 55 Fall 09 Tooth injuries Pg. 85 Fall 01 Traction splints Pg. 59 Winter 02 Vital signs Pg. 66 Summer 02 Vital signs: taking Pg. 38 Winter 10 Volunteering at Ground Zero Pg. 10, 16 Winter 02 Patrolling............................................. Quadriplegic dispatches at Crested Butte Pg. 38 Spring 00 Critical incident stress Pg. 30 Fall 00 Doctors on-scene Pg. 68 Winter 01 City life after season Pg. 38 Summer 01 Going to the North Pole Pg. 20 Fall 01 Patroller visibility Pg. 25 Fall 11 Stress disorder/EMDR Pg. 54 Fall 01 Patroller Education Conference. ....................... PEC 2009 Pg. 20 Summer 09 PEC 2010 Pg. 32 Summer 10 PEC 2012 Pg. 30 Fall 11 PEC 2012 Pg. 34 Winter 12 PEC 2012 - Back to School Pg. 32 Summer 12 Reviews............................................... Achelis, Backcountry Rescue Pg. 47 Winter 10 Pg. 84 Fall 11 Anthony, White Planet Alf Engen bio Pg. 74 Spring 00 Davenport, Fifty Classic Ski Descents Pg. 76 Summer 11 Eastman, Ski Sentinels Pg. 40 Winter 08 Farabee, Death, Daring and Disaster Pg. 70 Winter 01 Fry Story of Modern Skiing Pg. 50 Fall 07 Kircher, The Next 15 Minutes Pg. 82 Winter 12 Pritchard, Totem Pole Pg. 64 Fall 00 Roundy, "75 Search and Rescue Stories" Pg. 78 Fall 12 Waterhouse, Passion for Skiing Pg. 67 Winter 11

110 N S P. O R G

Womens. ............................................. Heavenly clinic Pg. 62 Summer 11 Jeannie Thoren Pg. 77 Winter 12 Pg. 68 Fall 11 Mt. Hood June clinic Womens Program Growth Pg. 62 Winter 11 Young Adult. .......................................... Creating Young Adult Patrols Pg. 81 Winter 12 Pg. 64 Winter 11 Loveland Pg. 64 Summer 11 Program goals Pg. 63 Fall 10 Shawnee Peak Willamette Pass Pg. 73 Fall 11 Standardized Guidelines Pg. 80 Summer 12

Sponsorships Strategic plan Strategic plan purpose

Pg. 20 Pg. 10 Pg. 3

Winter 92 Winter 86 Winter 88

1984-1999
Accidents................................................................. Danger involved Pg. 21 Winter 86 Pg. 33 Winter 87 Injuries, Nordic and alpine Prevention Pg. 19 Summer 85 Pg. 14 Fall 84 Serious, ski related Administrative........................................ 50th Anniversary Pg. 25 Fall 88 Annual meeting 1986 Pg. 32 Fall 86 Pg. 35 Fall 93 Budget, strategic plan Building fund Pg. 24 Fall 87 Building mortgage paid off Pg. 39 Fall 92 Code of conduct adopted Pg. 22 Winter 92 Dues Increase Pg. 6, 26 Fall 90 Education director hired Pg. 22 Fall 87 Election dates Pg. 25 Winter 89 Election deadline Pg. 31 Spring 86 Election results 86 Pg. 32 Fall 86 Election results spring 87 Pg. 16 Summer 87 Election results 87 Pg. 22 Fall 87 Election results winter 88 Pg. 27 Spring 88 Election results 88 Pg. 22 Summer 88 Election results 89 Pg. 16 Summer 89 E-mail Pg. 23 Winter 92 Endorsements Pg. 13 Winter 86 Financial Pg. 11 Spring 85 Financial Pg. 16 Fall 85 International division Pg. 24 Winter 88 Liability insurance Pg. 36 Fall 86 Management Pg. 26 Winter 96 Mission Statement, revised Pg. 38 Spring 95 National Chairman Guell elected Pg. 32 Fall 86 National Chairman Guell goals Pg. 6 Fall 86 New insurance program offered Pg. 20 Fall 88 New national headquarters needed Pg. 9 Winter 87 New national headquarters purchased Pg. 6 Spring 87 NSP-PSIA consolidation Pg. 6, 14 Winter 90 NSP-PSIA consolidation Pg. 27 Fall 90 NSP customer service department Pg. 52 Fall 93 NSP insurance review Pg. 20 Fall 89 NSP Mission Statement Pg. 12 Spring 93 NSP Mission Statement Pg. 44 Winter 95 NSP new paradigm committee Pg. 26 Fall 93 NSP new paradigm committee Pg. 20 Winter 94 NSP new paradigm committee Pg. 33 Spring 94 NSP rep on NSAA conference Pg. 26 Winter 88 Registration/computer systems Pg. 37 Fall 86 SPM readership survey results Pg. 24 Fall 92

Alumni................................................ Pg. 41 Fall 87 200,000 stories Alumni Program Pg. 42 Fall 95 Pg. 40 Fall 96 Alumni Program groundwork Alumni Program overview Pg. 38 Fall 93 Pg. 40 Winter 97 Life after retirement New adviser Pg. 19 Summer 86 Program objectives Pg. 19 Summer 86 Role as ambassadors Pg. 32 Spring 96 Pg. 26 Fall 87 What are alumni? When time is scarce Pg. 42 Winter 98 Auxiliary..................... ......................... Pg. 20 Spring 93 Auxiliary program Auxiliary program Pg. 44 Fall 95 Designing a patrol room Pg. 20 Fall 91 Pg. 11 Summer 88 Goldmine patrol Information exchange program Pg. 24 Summer 88 Pg. 20 Spring 89 Loveland patrol Managing aid rooms Pg. 36 Winter 95 Pg. 14 Spring 90 Senior Program development Senior Program piloted Pg. 28 Winter 92 Pg. 19 Winter 93 Senior Program update Pg. 38 Fall 93 Senior Program approved Senior Program explained Pg. 22 Winter 94 Avalanche and Mountaineering. . ...................... Pg. 47 Fall 96 Avalanche airbags Avalanche airbags Pg. 44 Winter 98 Avalanche dogs Pg. 22 Winter 93 Avalanche ecology Pg. 26 Spring 98 Avalanche general overview Pg. 40 Fall 93 Avalanches human element Pg. 44 Fall 98 Avalanches judging snow stability Pg. 23 Winter 94 Avalanche rescue, European perspective Pg. 42 Fall 95 Avalanche season statistics 84-85 Pg. 30 Winter 86 Avalanche season statistics 85-86 Pg. 35 Spring 87 Pg. 30 Winter 88 Avalanche season statistics 86-87 Avalanche season statistics 87-88 Pg. 34 Fall 88 Avalanche season statistics 88-89 Pg. 16 Spring 90 Avalanche season statistics 89-90 Pg. 19 Spring 91 Avalanche season statistics 90-91 Pg. 20 Spring 92 Avalanche season statistics 91-92 Pg. 22 Spring 93 Avalanche season statistics 92-93 Pg. 26 Spring 94 Avalanche season statistics 93-94 Pg. 29 Spring 95 Avalanche season statistics 94-95 Pg. 34 Spring 96 Avalanche season statistics 95-96 Pg. 34 Spring 97 Avalanche season statistics 96-97 Pg. 33 Summer 99 Avalanche season statistics 97-98 Pg. 33 Summer 99 Avalanche survivor Pg. 40 Fall 99 Backcountry access Pg. 20 Winter 88 Backwoods navigation Pg. 26 Summer 88 Beacon exercises Pg. 35 Winter 96 Pg. 16 Fall 87 Colorado deaths rise Difficult season, Jackson Hole Pg. 42 Fall 86 Extended winter trip planning Pg. 36 Winter 96 French avalanche technology displayed Pg. 20 Summer 86 Glacier travel Pg. 44 Winter 98 GPS systems Pg. 40 Spring 97 High-mountain skiing Pg. 16 Winter 98 Highway avalanche rescue Pg. 32 Winter 96

Incidents involving skiers Incidents involving skiers International Mountain Rescue Commission International Mountain Rescue Commission Low impact camping Major avalanche cycle, Rockies Man-made slide Multilingual vocabulary National Avalanche Foundation National Avalanche School National Avalanche School PACKS rescue mnemonic PAUL system orienteering Radio interference Rescue Rescue dogs Rescue dogs Rescue dogs Rescue sled assembly Rope and knot use Search technique Search technique tracking Self-evac rope technique Ski mountaineering committee Ski mountaineering program Swiss Institute Atwater Award Swiss Institute 50th anniversary Technology Topo maps Transceivers Transceivers Transceiver frequency differences Update Warning systems

Pg. 30 Pg. 30 Pg. 36 Pg. 28 Pg. 30 Pg. 8 Pg. 24 Pg. 22 Pg. 34 Pg. 34 Pg. 30 Pg. 44 Pg. 34 Pg. 35 Pg. 32 Pg. 35 Pg. 22 Pg. 10 Pg. 32 Pg. 28 Pg. 43 Pg. 49 Pg. 27 Pg. 28 Pg. 51 Pg. 38 Pg. 38 Pg. 16 Pg. 10 Pg. 18 Pg. 32 Pg. 34 Pg. 41 Pg. 29

Fall 84 Winter 86 Spring 87 Spring 88 Spring 94 Summer 86 Summer 88 Fall 91 Spring 86 Spring 86 Winter 88 Fall 97 Spring 95 Fall 84 Fall 84 Fall 85 Winter 87 Summer 87 Winter 95 Winter 94 Fall 93 Fall 95 Spring 85 Spring 93 Winter 87 Spring 87 Spring 87 Winter 85 Summer 99 Summer 85 Winter 86 Winter 95 Summer 85 Fall 84

Awards................................................ Appointments revised Pg. 52 Fall 95 Awards coordinator duties Pg. 46 Fall 99 Awards program changes Pg. 46 Fall 98 Importance Pg. 52 Winter 98 Merit stars Pg. 44 Spring 97 Nominations, how to write Pg. 38 Winter 95 Nomination process Pg. 40 Summer 99 OEC Program wins award Pg. 16 Winter 90 Outstanding awards Pg. 30 Spring 98 Sponsor letter Pg. 48 Fall 97 Timing Pg. 30 Winter 96 Year-round process Pg. 47 Winter 97 Certified Program. .................................... How to qualify Pg. 36 Fall 86 New program draft Pg. 26 Winter 88 Equipment............................................. Pg. 30 Fall 97 AEDs Beveling benefits Pg. 12 Fall 93 Bindings Pg. 33 Summer 85 Boots Pg. 32 Summer 85 Care of clothing Pg. 44 Winter 96 Clothing Pg. 28, 43 Winter 85 Clothing Pg. 43 Spring 85 Cold weather clothing strategies Pg. 50 Winter 96 Cooking without fire Pg. 33 Winter 86 CPR Masks Pg. 33 Winter 86 CPR Masks Pg. 40 Winter 87

Dual toboggan design for CPR Foot ramping Gloves Gore-Tex, care of Heaters Heaters Helmet use Lift evac Lift evac device Medical Modifications for women Omega backboard Portable hyperbaric chamber Quick splint history Rescue device Shaped skis and toboggan handling Skis Ski base care Ski tuning Ski tuning Ski tuning device Ski tuning videos Sled shelter Snowmobile operation Snowmobiles Snowshoes Thermal recovery capsule Toboggan adaptation Toboggan adaptation Toboggan improvements Toboggan long fins Toboggan platform design Trams Video aids, ski skills Visual indicator, transceiver accessory Womens patrol gear

Pg. 46 Pg. 16 Pg. 32 Pg. 22 Pg. 34 Pg. 40 Pg. 27 Pg. 34 Pg. 40 Pg. 34 Pg. 28 Pg. 32 Pg. 22 Pg. 39 Pg. 32 Pg. 66 Pg. 36 Pg. 24 Pg. 24 Pg. 12 Pg. 48 Pg. 32 Pg. 21 Pg. 41 Pg. 50 Pg. 40 Pg. 35 Pg. 36 Pg. 22 Pg. 18 Pg. 38 Pg. 35 Pg. 22 Pg. 35 Pg. 21 Pg. 30

Winter 95 Fall 99 Winter 86 Winter 89 Fall 85 Winter 87 Winter 98 Spring 98 Spring 87 Fall 85 Fall 98 Fall 92 Winter 90 Spring 95 Spring 88 Winter 99 Winter 85 Spring 86 Fall 85 Winter 92 Winter 87 Winter 88 Summer 86 Spring 95 Fall 99 Winter 87 Spring 86 Fall 88 Summer 90 Summer 87 Winter 85 Spring 86 Winter 96 Spring 86 Summer 86 Fall 95

Fundraising.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Equipment I.D. program Pg. 14 Summer 90 Juniors Pg. 44 Winter 87 Innovative methods Pg. 12 Spring 89 Patrols Pg. 24 Spring 88 Ski swap Pg. 17 Winter 90 History... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSP birth Pg. 30 Spring 86 NSP founding Pg. 24 Spring 88 10th Mountain Division origin Pg. 21 Winter 85 Juniors. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Junior Training seminar 85 Pg. 40 Fall 85 National Junior Training seminar 86 Pg. 40 Winter 86 National Junior Training seminar 86 Pg. 49 Fall 86 National Junior Training seminar 87 Pg. 50 Fall 86 National Junior Training seminar 87 Pg. 44 Winter 87 National Junior Training seminar 87 Pg. 24 Summer 87 National Junior Training seminar 88 Pg. 28 Fall 87 National Junior Training seminar 88 Pg. 36 Winter 88 National Junior Training seminar 88 Pg. 37 Spring 88 Program study Pg. 44 Winter 87 Value of Pg. 40 Winter 86 Legal. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accident report forms Pg. 28 Summer 86 Claims handling Pg. 44 Spring 86

N S P. O R G 111

Ma g a z i n e i n d e x
Incident scene comments Insurance protection Liability Litigation increases New tax law NSP copyrights NSP insurance, purpose Patrol drug policy Patrollers as experts Patrollers as experts Testimony Testimony rehearsal Volunteer Protection Act Pg. 18 Pg. 20 Pg. 22 Pg. 22 Pg. 31 Pg. 16 Pg. 44 Pg. 17 Pg. 36 Pg. 28 Pg. 20 Pg. 27 Pg. 42 Winter 94 Summer 99 Spring 85 Spring 95 Winter 87 Spring 91 Spring 86 Winter 96 Fall 84 Summer 85 Winter 85 Summer 85 Fall 97 Pg. 32 Knee injury management Knee sprains Pg. 16 Pg. 46 Latex allergies Latex allergies Pg. 60 Pg. 40 Legal implications Lightning Pg. 14 Lizarov External Fixation Device Pg. 20 Pg. 43 Managing neck injuries Meeting Pg. 39 Pg. 40 Member requirements Memory aids for patrol rooms Pg. 70 Midshaft femur fractures Pg. 32 Neuro-vascular assessment of arm/hand Pg. 52 Nutrition Pg. 24 Pg. 5 O2 delivery Older skiers, assessment of Pg. 64 Osteoperosis and patrolling Pg. 16 Pg. 2 Patient assessment Patient assessment update in OEC Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Patrollers aid, Birkebeiner Patrollers aid, NY Marathon Pg. 21 Patrollers aid, summer event Pg. 24 Pg. 58 Pediatric skier trauma Pre-arrival first aid Pg. 42 Pg. 52 Primary survey, trauma Program explained to area managers Pg. 5 Program goes nationwide Pg. 37 Pg. 34 Public health aspects of CPR Refresher outline Pg. 24 Pg. 18 Rewarming trends Rubber gloves Pg. 36 Shock Pg. 64 Pg. 5 Shock in children Shock care Pg. 64 Pg. 38 Skiers thumb Pg. 50 Skiers thumb Ski injury statistics Pg. 61 Skin cancer Pg. 15 Skin cancer Pg. 11 Spine immobilization survey Pg. 42 Spine immobilization survey Pg. 34 Spine management Pg. 3 Spine management in unresponsive pt. Pg. 63 Spleen injuries Pg. 60 Splints from ticket wicket Pg. 66 Sprains Pg. 29 Stress Pg. 24 Stretchers technique Pg. 32 Tetanus Pg. 12 Textbook Pg. 46 Textbook Pg. 6 Toboggans and CPR Pg. 35 Toboggans and CPR Pg. 42 Tooth avulsion Pg. 62 Traction splinting femur Pg. 48 Triage Pg. 26 Turning procedure Pg. 62 UV light eye protection Pg. 19 Universal precautions Pg. 42 Upper extremity injury assessment Pg. 7 Video production Pg. 36 Vital signs in children Pg. 26 Vital signs in cold weather Pg. 2 Wilderness protocols Pg. 53 Wound infection control Pg. 16 Winter 90 Winter 95 Spring 94 Fall 98 Fall 87 Spring 91 Fall 97 Spring 88 Winter 85 Winter 85 Fall 99 Fall 89 Spring 95 Winter 98 Summer 92 Fall 99 Summer 99 Summer 98 Summer 98 Summer 87 Spring 86 Fall 86 Winter 98 Spring 86 Fall 92 Fall 87 Fall 87 Winter 86 Summer 86 Spring 95 Fall 87 Fall 95 Summer 97 Fall 97 Winter 86 Spring 96 Winter 95 Summer 88 Summer 97 Winter 92 Spring 92 Summer 92 Fall 96 Winter 96 Winter 96 Winter 93 Fall 84 Fall 85 Summer 89 Winter 88 Summer 88 Summer 85 Winter 87 Winter 96 Summer 99 Spring 90 Fall 95 Summer 90 Spring 98 Summer 97 Fall 89 Summer 86 Summer 97 Winter 97 Summer 90 Bike Patrol National Bike Patrol Sandia Peak Big Bear Valley Boston Mills/Brandywine Brighton Eaglecrest Elk Mountain European Division overview European Division, snowboard Hatcher Pass Heavenly Mammoth Mountain Mt. Bachelor Mt. Hood Mt. Spokane Park City Pico Red Lodge Mountain Showdown Ski Acres Snowbird Snowshoe/Silver Creek Snow Summit Snow Summit Snow Summit Snowy Range Sunday River Sunlight Toggenburg Wachusett Wild Mountain Wilmot Winter Park Wintergreen Wolf Laurel Pg. 23 Pg. 20 Pg. 12 Pg. 10 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 15 Pg. 39 Pg. 6 Pg. 10 Pg. 8 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 10 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 8 Pg. 8 Pg. 14 Pg. 8 Pg. 8 Spring 95 Spring 95 Fall 98 Fall 97 Winter 89 Winter 96 Winter 98 Spring 97 Spring 97 Winter 88 Fall 93 Fall 86 Winter 88 Fall 96 Fall 91 Spring 92 Fall 88 Spring 91 Spring 88 Winter 92 Spring 96 Winter 95 Winter 91 Fall 95 Fall 98 Winter 93 Spring 90 Winter 97 Spring 93 Fall 87 Fall 92 Spring 87 Winter 86 Fall 89 Spring 98 New licensing procedure New licensing procedure Program shift Radio database needed Radios Nordic use Radio official use only Radio summer maintenance Radio testing coverage Tone squelch systems Pg. 38 Pg. 32 Pg. 34 Pg. 51 Pg. 38 Pg. 29 Pg. 24 Pg. 23 Pg. 47 Summer 86 Fall 87 Fall 90 Fall 86 Winter 94 Winter 89 Summer 90 Spring 89 Fall 92

Nordic. . . . . . . .......................................... Pg. 24 Spring 87 Anchorage patrol Backcountry trauma Pg. 66 Fall 95 Pg. 26 Summer 88 Backwoods navigation Benefits for alpine skiers Pg. 20 Winter 98 Pg. 20 Fall 84 Biomechanics Birkebeiner race Pg. 6 Spring 94 Book review Pg. 38 Fall 88 Pg. 30 Summer 86 Building a pack rescue sled Building a pack rescue sled Pg. 26 Summer 87 Pg. 26 Winter 90 Building a pack rescue sled CCSAA meeting Pg. 36 Spring 88 Classic skiing techniques Pg. 42 Fall 92 Pg. 11 Fall 90 Cuyahoga patrol Diagonal stride technique Pg. 50 Spring 97 Pg. 10 Spring 97 European division Flathead patrol Pg. 10 Spring 95 Friends of Blue Hills patrol Pg. 24 Winter 89 Pg. 46 Spring 86 National Advisory Committee Recruiting tactics Pg. 47 Spring 87 Rescue effort Pg. 50 Spring 86 Retention techniques Pg. 32 Summer 86 Risers for telemark Pg. 63 Fall 99 Skiing in spring slop Pg. 44 Spring 98 Survival and extrication Pg. 38 Spring 94 Telemark trend Pg. 29 Summer 85 Outdoor Emergency Care.............................. 1988 Olympics patrollers Pg. 14 Spring 88 1989 World Championships maintenance Pg. 8 Summer 89 Abdominal injuries Pg. 9 Summer 92 Accuracy of information Pg. 38 Fall 87 Acute mountain sickness Pg. 18 Winter 93 AED deployment Pg. 54 Winter 99 Airway management Pg. 5 Summer 92 Allergic reactions Pg. 52 Spring 97 Altitude illness Pg. 35 Fall 95 Amputations Pg. 32 Fall 85 Back injuries Pg. 28 Fall 92 Backboard technique Pg. 46 Fall 86 Backboarding standing patient Pg. 32 Winter 89 Backcountry project Pg. 40 Winter 85 Backcountry project Pg. 35 Summer 85 Backcountry trauma Pg. 66 Fall 95 Basic assessment Pg. 30 Fall 91 Bedside manner Pg. 40 Winter 94 Blood borne pathogens Pg. 14 Winter 91 Blood borne pathogens, precautions Pg. 7 Summer 92 Body immobilization Pg. 17 Fall 84 Brain injuries Pg. 60 Winter 98 Cervical injuries Pg. 30 Winter 91 Chest injuries Pg. 51 Summer 99 Children, assessment Pg. 38 Fall 90 Closed head injuries Pg. 28 Spring 91 Communicating with patient Pg. 54 Spring 95 Continuing education Pg. 32 Fall 89 Course Pg. 10 Summer 85 Course Pg. 22 Fall 85 Course Pg. 37 Winter 86 Course Pg. 36, 41 Spring 86 Course Pg. 32 Winter 87 Course Pg. 30 Spring 87 CPR changes Pg. 42 Spring 87 CPR rescue techniques tested Pg. 42 Fall 88 CPR rescue techniques Pg. 66 Fall 93 Critical incident stress Pg. 20 Winter 89 Curriculum changes 93 Pg. 63 Fall 93 Dangers of overexposure Pg. 14 Summer 88 Diabetics and exercise Pg. 41 Fall 87 Diagnosis Pg. 33 Fall 85 Electrical defibrillation, use Pg. 16 Winter 91 Electrical defibrillation, semi-automatic Pg. 29 Winter 93 Emergency kit Pg. 32 Spring 85 Emergency childbirth Pg. 53 Spring 96 Emotional needs, patients Pg. 40 Spring 86 Emotional needs, patients Pg. 20 Summer 87 Exercise-induced asthma Pg. 60 Fall 97 Eyeglass awareness Pg. 58 Winter 99 Fainting Pg. 32 Winter 98 Foot microtrauma Pg. 40 Winter 96 Fracture care Pg. 41 Winter 85 Frostbite Pg. 64 Winter 96 Giardia Pg. 43 Fall 86 Giardia Pg. 14 Spring 92 Pg. 37 Winter 89 Hands off survey Head injuries Pg. 34 Spring 93 Head injuries Pg. 7 Summer 98 Helmet removal Pg. 56 Fall 98 Hydration Pg. 38 Fall 97 Hypothermia Pg. 45 Winter 94 Hypothermia Pg. 24 Winter 95 Incident report Pg. 36 Spring 93 Infection control Pg. 35 Spring 92 Instructor program Pg. 40 Spring 88

Ski Industry. .......................................... American Ski Federation Pg. 25 Winter 86 Chinese ski industry Pg. 17 Fall 86 Disaster plan Pg. 14 Spring 89 Environmental analysis Pg. 28 Winter 86 Environmental concerns Pg. 5 Winter 91 Injuries decline Pg. 40 Fall 85 Insurance rates rise Pg. 40 Fall 85 Jimmy Huega Express 1985 Pg. 16 Fall 85 Jimmy Huega Express 1986 Pg. 20 Fall 86 Keystone lift accident Pg. 16 Spring 86 National Forest Ski Area Permit Act Pg. 33 Spring 87 New educational program Pg. 26 Fall 88 New educational program Pg. 20 Summer 90 NSAA-SIA merger Pg. 23 Fall 89 NSAA-SIA dissolution Pg. 38 Fall 92 Patrolling the Andes Pg. 20 Winter 87 Skier visits Pg. 40 Fall 85 Skier visits Pg. 37 Spring 88 Skier visits Pg. 32 Fall 88 Sun Valleys Golden Anniversary Pg. 16 Summer 86 Ski and Toboggan. .................................... Annual refresher Pg. 68 Fall 97 Helicopter safety Pg. 18 Summer 88 Injuries, Nordic and alpine Pg. 33 Winter 87 Linchpin maintenance Pg. 60 Spring 96 Lowering by rope Pg. 72 Winter 96 Movement training Pg. 62 Summer 99 Rigging systems Pg. 59 Winter 97 Skiing Enhancement Seminar Pg. 70 Fall 95 Toboggan handling Pg. 70 Fall 94 Toboggan handling Pg. 55 Winter 95 Toboggan handling Pg. 59 Spring 95 Toboggan handling akja Pg. 71 Fall 95 Training Pg. 17 Winter 97 Tuning shaped skis Pg. 22 Spring 98 Skier Safety. . ......................................... Backcountry access Pg. 20 Winter 88 Billboard project Pg. 50 Spring 86 Danger involved, whos at risk Pg. 21 Winter 86 Education Pg. 18 Winter 86 Explorer ski safety program Pg. 32 Spring 87 Forming a hill safety patrol, pt. 1 Pg. 30 Fall 86 Forming a hill safety patrol, pt. 2 Pg. 36 Winter 87 Mechanized vehicles Pg. 16 Fall 91 NSP Ski Safety Team Pg. 8-10 Spring 89 Safety awards Pg. 52 Fall 86 Ski helmets Pg. 26 Winter 98 Ski Windham safety campaign Pg. 49 Spring 86 Skier ID Pg. 18 Spring 86 Workshop recommendations Pg. 19 Winter 86 Snowboard............................................ Another patrol tool Pg. 56 Winter 97 Patrollers role Pg. 32 Fall 93 Patroller training program Pg. 32 Fall 95 Patroller training development Pg. 36 Spring 94 Toboggan handling Pg. 70 Winter 96 Students. ............................................. Student category created Pg. 17 Spring 92 Value of junior patrol Pg. 20 Spring 90 Telecommunications. .................................. Automatic repeaters Pg. 24 Winter 91 Batteries and cold weather Pg. 26 Winter 89 Different frequencies Pg. 18 Summer 85 EMRS channel established Pg. 27 Fall 91 GPS systems Pg. 41 Spring 97 Ham radio gear Pg. 44 Winter 88 Higher frequency proposed Pg. 18 Summer 89 Modern weather reports Pg. 30 Winter 95

Pros............................... .................... Becoming a pro Pg. 29 Fall 88 Benefits Pg. 42 Spring 85 Board members elected Pg. 40 Fall 88 Certification program Pg. 48 Spring 86 Division expands Pg. 43 Winter 86 Division growth Pg. 30 Fall 89 Division, NSP benefits Pg. 7 Fall 90 Dues change Pg. 48 Spring 86 Job placement assistance Pg. 26 Spring 91 Membership increases Pg. 51 Fall 86 New logo Pg. 48 Spring 86 New structure approved Pg. 20 Fall 85 Newsletter, associate category added Pg. 31 Fall 87 Off-season Pg. 43 Spring 87 Patrol exchanges Pg. 42 Winter 88 Structure Pg. 51 Winter 87 Year in review Pg. 34 Summer 86 Recruiting. ........................ .................... Recruiting cards Pg. 29 Summer 99 Retaining candidates Pg. 40 Fall 98 Techniques Pg. 11 Summer 90 Techniques Pg. 18 Spring 93 Techniques Pg. 38 Fall 94 Techniques Pg. 35 Fall 97 Risk Management................. .................... Boards handling of Pg. 27 Fall 92 Equipment test form Pg. 23 Summer 88 Finding accident witnesses Pg. 23 Summer 88 Hantavirus Pg. 34 Fall 96 Good Samaritan Act Pg. 34 Winter 99 Legal protection Pg. 20 Summer 99 Liability insurance Pg. 32 Winter 99 Multiple-casualty incidents Pg. 20 Winter 95 Personal risk management Pg. 6 Summer 89 Personal risk management Pg. 16 Spring 92 Ski Area Operations. . ............. .................... Alyeska Pg. 8 Winter 90 Alyeska Pg. 10 Fall 99 Bike Patrol Deer Valley Pg. 21 Spring 95

Training and Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 34 Winter 97 Balance conditioning Candidate training Pg. 50 Spring 98 Pg. 38 Winter 99 Cardiovascular fitness Carving vs. skidding Pg. 14 Fall 91 Chair evac Pg. 28 Summer 87 Pg. 37 Summer 85 Conditioning Conditioning, off season Pg. 10 Spring 92 Pg. 30 Spring 97 Conditioning with stance exercises Confronting unsafe skiers Pg. 29 Spring 85 Cross-training Pg. 10 Spring 91 Pg. 64 Spring 96 Creativity Crud skiing Pg. 14 Spring 94 Pg. 39 Spring 88 Designing training sessions Developing a college credit ski Pg. 12 Summer 86 Effective teaching skills Pg. 38 Spring 88 Pg. 19 Winter 96 Emergency room volunteering Emergency signals Pg. 19 Spring 85 Pg. 45 Winter 86 Evaluation program Giving feedback Pg. 57 Winter 95 Heli-ski emergency transport method Pg. 45 Winter 88 Pg. 26 Spring 87 High performance skiing High performance skiing theory Pg. 28 Winter 87 Pg. 12 Winter 94 Ice skiing Instructor incentives Pg. 62 Spring 95 Fall 87 Instructor training program underway Pg. 35 Instructor training Pg. 74 Fall 95 Instructor training for toboggans Pg. 46 Fall 92 Interagency training Pg. 24 Spring 95 Jacket catch Pg. 24 Winter 97 Judging and evaluation Pg. 33 Fall 87 Knee injury prevention Pg. 29 Winter 97 Knee injuries Pg. 33 Winter 97 Learning leadership skills Pg. 61 Fall 93 Learning styles Pg. 48 Winter 86 Lift evac for adaptive skiers Pg. 28 Winter 99 Lift evac improved equipment Pg. 59 Fall 86 Lift evac planning Pg. 10 Fall 84 Lift evac practice Pg. 34 Spring 98 Lifting ergonomically Pg. 17 Spring 94 Maintaining rhythm in turns Pg. 24 Fall 93 Manual Pg. 8 Winter 85 Marking incidents Pg. 23 Winter 97 Medium radius parallel turns Pg. 10 Winter 91 Mentoring Pg. 43 Winter 99 Missing skier clues Pg. 20 Winter 90 Mogul skiing Pg. 14 Spring 93 Mogul skiing improvement Pg. 16 Fall 98 Mogul skiing pole plant Pg. 16 Fall 97 Motivation prevents burnout Pg. 20 Summer 88 Mountain biking Pg. 16 Spring 96 Oversnow mass transit system Pg. 34 Fall 87 Patrol vital signs Pg. 18 Winter 89 Physical conditioning Pg. 18 Winter 87 Poles, use of Pg. 24 Fall 95 Powderfall 93 Pg. 22 Fall 93 Powder skiing Pg. 12 Fall 89 Pre-arrival first aid mental checklist Pg. 42 Spring 86 Prusiking Pg. 12 Fall 84 Receiving and giving feedback Pg. 68 Winter 99 Refreshers, ski and toboggan Pg. 21 Spring 87 Refreshers, ski and toboggan Pg. 22 Spring 88 Pg. 14 Fall 88 Refreshers, ski and toboggan Refreshers, ski and toboggan Pg. 31 Winter 89 SAR dog training Pg. 22 Winter 87 Self-evac rope technique Pg. 27 Spring 85 Senior CE Pg. 60 Fall 93 Senior First Aid Pg. 31 Fall 89 Senior Program piloted Pg. 40 Winter 92 Senior Program revised Pg. 6, 26 Spring 89 Senior Program updated Pg. 16 Winter 93 Sensory perception exercises Pg. 42 Summer 86 Short radius parallel turns Pg. 18 Fall 90 Shoulder conditioning Pg. 28 Fall 96 Six step rescue outline Pg. 66 Summer 99 Ski and toboggan refresher Pg. 58 Fall 93 Ski form Pg. 20 Spring 96 Ski training guide Pg. 30 Fall 85 Skiing in fog Pg. 26 Winter 86 Sleds Pg. 36 Fall 85 Snowshoe training Pg. 36 Fall 98 Steep terrain sled belays Pg. 39 Summer 86 Steep terrain sled uphauls Pg. 53 Fall 86 Student participation Pg. 50 Fall 92 Tact, use of Pg. 31 Spring 85 Take training seriously Pg. 64 Winter 98 Teaching memorable courses Pg. 78 Fall 99 Teaching through positive feedback Pg. 41 Fall 88 Testing methods Pg. 29 Winter 90 Toboggan handling Pg. 36 Fall 90 Toboggan handling Pg. 26 Winter 91 Training method improvement Pg. 13 Spring 86 Training method improvement Pg. 21 Summer 89 Training requirements, new Pg. 35 Fall 86 Training requirements, new Pg. 44 Spring 87 Yoga Pg. 24 Fall 99

112 N S P. O R G

REVAMPED & REAMPED

THE ALL-NEW

*FATCAT
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DoubleJoint accommodates fat boards and skis.

Oversize button for easy access. SKS locks included.

SnapLock Rubber-coated stainless steel makes installation fast and easy.

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Yakima is a registered trademark of Yakima Products Inc. N S P. O R G 113

out of bounds

W r i t e a Ca pt i on
For this Photo:
Send Ski Patrol Magazine your captions for the photo to the right. Scribe of the winning caption will receive a $25 gift certificate to the NSP Ski Patrol

Catalog, and recognition

in the next issue. Send entries to spm@nsp.org, or mail them to 133 S. Van Gordon St., Suite 100, Lakewood, CO 80228. Only NSP members are eligible. Remember SPM if you have a humorous photo for next issues caption contest. Send it in high resolution (at least 225 dpi) to spm@nsp.org.

Thanks to everyone for the submissions, and congrats to our winner, John Stevens. Thanks to Matt Dickinson of the Dry Hill Ski Patrol in New York for the photo. Fall 2012 WINNER:
"The Ski Patrol was finally successful in trapping the wily snowboarder, and ultimately released him safely in a wilderness area about one hundred miles east of Deer Valley." John Stevens, Bradford Ski Patrol, Mass.

Honorable Mentions:
"When the OEC book said you must properly package a patient for transport, I didn't think they had this in mind." Tim Naim, Summit at Snoqualmie Central Ski Patrol, Wash. "We warned you: no snowboarders on the mountain." Peter Hans, Mad River Glen Ski Patrol, Vt. "Patroller Sam has his own way of dealing with unruly snowboarders." Tim Naim, Summit at Snoqualmie Central Ski Patrol, Wash. "Thanks to the nothing short of heroic efforts by Patroller Steve, the snowboarder was successfully removed and the pelican box made a full recovery! They still write one another." Chris Cotter, Perfect North Slopes Ski Patrol, Ind. "Elmer Fudd slid to a stop, exclaiming, 'I got one!' Unfortunately, it was only duck season." Shawn Iverson, Huff Hills Ski Patrol, N.D.
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10

0%

IN

TH

OFFICIAL SUPPLIER

SPECIAL PATROL PRICING AVAILABLE AT THE NSP.ORG PRO PAGE

N S P. O R G 115

Snowstorm advisory. More of a calling than a warning...

Youre committed to the mountain. And with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, were committed to getting you there safely. Subaru and our partners have a long history of supporting your snow addictionwhether you ride, ski, or just dig hanging out in chalets. Love. Its what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

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