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Reports from Committees... Spring 2006 Trails Report If ever there was an unfriendly off-season for our RMC paths, it was this past season. Though not as devastating as the fabled ice storm of 1998, this past fall and winter featured early snows and several dramatic windstorms. First, the work of our fall crew cleaning drainages on our trails came to a screeching halt in late October, just a few days after they started work in earnest, because of an early and substantial fall snowstorm. Eventually, some warmer temperatures arrived, and the crew was able to conclude work on some of the lower-elevation trails, though much remained unfinished in the higher reaches of the peaks.
In sum, by the time the 2006 trail crew rolls into town, they’ll have plenty of patrolling for blowdowns and cleaning of drainages awaiting them! The good news, however, is that we have as experienced a crew as ever. We’re pleased to have four returning crew members -- Mike Street, Rachel Hestrin, Will Manty and Tyler Self. New to the crew this year are a number of extremely strong candidates, including Jesse Veverka, a recent AT-thru hiker and student at Johnson State College and Mike Ambrosi, who comes to RMC after two years leading volunteer trail crews at AMC’s Camp Dodge. Two other crew members are coming via the Student Conservation Association. The supervision of the crew and our projects will be in the capable hands of Field Supervisor Chris Fithian. In a little more than a year, Chris has proven himself to be a reliable and conscientious worker with a friendly outlook and a tremendous work ethic. RMC’s Trails Co-Chair, Dave Salisbury, will be playing a key role in training our crews this year during orientation. This is always a treat for trail crews. After all, how often is it that your skills are taught to you by the co-author of the book on the topic? (The Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance, published in 1998.) This summer, one of our two crews will continue work on the Randolph Path, working between Sylvan Way and Air Line. Later in the season, they’ll move to the start of the Amphibrach. Fifty percent of the project cost is paid for by the US Forest Service. A second crew will start the first year of a two-year effort focusing on erosion control work on our paths in and around town, including Bee Line and Diagonal. Eighty percent of the cost of this project is being borne by a grant from the State of New Hampshire’s Recreation Trails Program. Board member and Trails Assistant Matt Schomburg has organized an excellent series of work trips, ranging from relatively gentle excursions to more ambitious forays onto the peaks. For a full rundown, see the listing elsewhere in this newsletter. Work trips now start at 9 am, so there’s no need to rush to join us. We hope you can lend a hand -- as always, RMC work parties are a great way to connect with other members and contribute in a meaningful, tangible fashion. On a final note, this will be
RMC’s last season of use of Dan and Edith Tucker’s
Jones Cottage, affectionately nicknamed the “JC” by
the crew. It’s not an overstatement to say that the generosity
shown by the Tucker family since 2001 has been one of the more
important factors in the revitalization of RMC’s trails
efforts. The crew has a newfound camaraderie, and experienced
members are now more likely to return to RMC. Further, having
the crew members centrally located has integrated them nicely
into the Randolph summer scene, building a bridge with Randolph
residents. This experience has shown RMC the many benefits of
such an arrangement, and led, quite directly, to the construction
of the base camp that will take place later this summer next
to the Goetze Workshop. For showing us the way, and for their
patience in directing errant parents, enduring the occasional
too-loud guitar or overzealous Frisbee game, we thank Dan and
Edith Tucker. Camps Report
Chris had a terrific time up at the Knob this winter and, after taking a few months off, will return to supervise our trail crew and caretakers this summer. Ryan Harvey, our other winter caretaker, enjoyed his time up at the cabins and got to witness first hand some interesting weather that he could probably relate to his thesis regarding climate change in the Alpine Zone. Our new spring caretaker, Matthew "Milo" Moore, got an early start by stepping in when Ryan had to take leave at the beginning of March. Milo is as excited a caretaker as I have ever met, and his enthusiasm is contagious. He will be up at the camps through Memorial Day weekend. This summer will see the return
of our hardworking caretaker from last summer, Justin "Composter"
Ross, and also a convert from last summer’s trail crew,
Rachel Biggs. We are excited to have them returning. Treasurer's Report At the time of this writing, The Randolph Mountain Club is three months into the new year. This is a slow time of year for the club financially, and there isn’t really anything new to report. I would like, however, to acknowledge those who assist me in keeping up with the club’s financial affairs during this particularly busy time of year for me as a practicing CPA. Without the help of Laura Brockett, who makes deposits of the camps’ income, and Regina Ferreira, who makes deposits for memberships, I would never be able to stay ahead of the tide. In addition, Regina maintains the membership database and participates in all the mailings, one of which, the President’s Annual Letter, you recently received. I hope the financial information you received in that letter, which summarizes the year 2005, was helpful to you in understanding the club’s finances and our financial health. It is a point of pride to us on the Board that we are fiduciaries for the club, and we make every effort to properly control cash and segregate any special funds. As I have expressed in the past, I welcome any comments from the membership on the financial operations of the club. If you have questions or if you do not understand any statements that I have made available to you, please call (603) 466-5841 or e-mail me. Again, late this spring we plan to have the financial records audited by a committee of interested members, and that report will be made available to you at the Annual Meeting in August. Last year was the first year we had an audit done and the observations and suggestions made by that committee were very valuable in board decision-making. One result of the audit has been an increase in the valuations of our camps for insurance purposes. I would like to extend a special
thanks to that committee which is comprised of Ken Lee, Dan Tucker
and Jim Hunt. Web Site News The RMC’s web site has been online for over seven years now and it continues to grow. We set a new record for most visits in a month this past January: 1425! Our Online Store will be improving with faster shipping and handling using UPS. Every customer will receive a tracking number so they will know exactly where their RMC merchandise is. Since November, 2003, over $3,600 worth of RMC memberships and merchandise have been purchased online. We’re committed to providing an easy and hassle-free experience for each and every customer. If you do happen to encounter any problems during the ordering process, please report them to me so we can fix the problem as soon as possible (info@randolphmountainclub.org). Be sure to check out the RMC Basecamp Project area of the web site for current photos and videos! We’ll be providing updates from the moment we break ground all the way to the moment when the building is turned over to the RMC by the contractors. We’re also hoping to start another Trail Sign Auction in June. It’s been over a year and a half since the last one, so we’ll have some excellent signs to choose from. All the proceeds go to the RMC trails system, and help us pay for the materials for new signs. If you have any suggestions
or ideas for the web site, please feel free to e-mail me at the
e-mail address above. Don’t forget to keep sending in pictures
from your RMC hikes — maybe yours will be picked for the
home page! RMC Merchandise Do you need a new copy of Randolph Paths for your next hike in Randolph? Want to stay dry with a high-tech, moisture wicking, RMC cool max T-shirt? Or maybe you’d like to show your RMC colors with the classic RMC cotton T-shirt. If so, drop by Moriah Sports on Main Street in Gorham, where you’ll find the full line of RMC merchandise in a room newly dedicated to the Club. Thanks to Mike Micucci at Moriah Sports for his support of the RMC! Also, Lowe’s, on Route 2 in Randolph, will continue to carry maps, trail guides and a selection of T-shirts. You may also find RMC merchandise on line at: www.randolphmountainclub.org. Many thanks to Edie Tucker who has been the backbone behind the RMC merchandise program for quite some time. The Tuckers have offered their airlock as a storage place and shop, maintained inventory, transported T-shirts to RMC events, and even mailed packages. However, with the recent addition of cool max T Shirts to the line of RMC merchandise, the Tucker’s airlock had become too crowded; hence the shift of operations to Moriah Sports. As a reminder, the RMC merchandise program exists to further the mission of the RMC by offering a select number of products for sale to: - Promote the appreciation of Randolph through products that educate the user on the RMC, the Randolph community, or the surrounding mountains; - Enhance the camaraderie among RMC members and build interest among non-members by offering RMC branded apparel which can be used in outdoor activities in the area; - Provide funds which will be used to support RMC programs. Please visit the RMC room at
Moriah Sports, drop in on the Lowe’s, or check out www.randolphmountainclub.org
to support the RMC through its merchandise program. Summer 2006 RMC Events
Fourth of July Tea Gourmet Hike
Annual Picnic, Charades and
Square Dance Any Club member who does not live in Randolph is welcome to join the Hill group in its charade. Planning and rehearsals generally begin one week prior to the event and are announced in the Randolph Weekly. That evening there will be an RMC benefit square dance in the Beringer barn with live fiddling by Jacquelin and Dudly Laufman Please call Marie Beringer at 603-466-2424 for more information. RMC Hikes Details of each week's walk
will appear in the free Randolph Weekly which comes out the on
the previous Friday and can be found in several locations around
Randolph. 2006 RMC Work Trips It’s time to check your calendar and plan to make a RMC work trip. If you have not gone on a work trip for some time, now’s your chance to see old friends and to meet new ones. You can have fun and give something back to the trails and the community. All work trips will start at 9:00 AM, at the RMC Goetze workshop except the Brushing in Alpine Zone work trip. That work trip starts at noon and meets at Gray Knob. Tools will be provided. A work trip leader and a member from the RMC trail crew will also come on each work trip. Please bring a lunch, plenty of water, work gloves and warm clothes. If you need more information, please call Matthew Schomburg at 449 – 2086 or e-mail me at cooscoos1112@yahoo.com. The RMC hopes to see you this summer for a work trip! Saturday, June 3rd National Trails Day Saturday, July 8th Sunday, July 9th Sunday, July 16th Saturday, Aug. 12th Saturday, Aug. 19th Saturday, Aug. 26th |
A
series of intense fall and winter wind storms were next in line,
causing a large number of blowdowns on the trail system. Volunteers,
combined with some salaried crew members, were able to clear
many of the trails in time for winter.
The RMC
camps had a wonderful winter despite the lack of snow and
unseasonably warm weather! Our two caretakers rotated one-week
on/one week off with each other and provided very thorough coverage
for our guests. Chris Fithian, last year’s spring caretaker,
returned hoping to enjoy some wintry conditions and fine
skiing above treeline, but found himself limited mostly
to skiing in the woods. He has maintained an on-line journal that
you can 
All
members of the RMC and their friends and guests are welcome to
the following events -- traditional times for members to get
together:
Annual
Meeting