Upper Cape Ski Club February 2004 Newsletter


	February 2004!


	NEXT GENERAL MEETING - Thursday, February 5, 2004


	Page 4


	Volume 9, Issue 6


	Next Meeting -- Fun Stuff


	Page 6


	Volume 9, Issue 6


	Incorporated in 1953, The Eastern Inter-Club Ski League (EICSL) promotes recreational skiing and ski racing at the amateur and club level. We are an organization of 28 separate clubs throughout the Mount Washington Valley and Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire. Many of these clubs offer year round sporting and social activities individually and through the league. Realizing that the lodging at any of the clubs is not designed with the glitzy Ritz-Carlton person in mind. Lodging varies greatly from club to club, but most are designed in bunk-style rooms. Lodging may be a determining factor in which clubs you check out when trying to decide on a club to join. The Ski Bees for example have segregated floors with seven women's bunk rooms on the second floor and seven men's bunk rooms on the third floor. Two bathrooms are shared by the women on the second floor. And two men's bathrooms are shared on the third floor. Club rules such as smoking and quiet hours are instituted. Each club has its own constitution and by-laws which it hands out to its members. Rules on these and other issues are made known and failure to follow these rules may result in exclusion from the club. Since the clubs vary so much and are all within 10 miles of each other it is strongly suggested newcomers visit at least two or three before deciding on one to join. Once a perspective member decides to join a particular club, they are automatically considered a member from year to year assuming dues are paid. They also have the opportunity to join a different club each year if the choose. Members enjoy perks like 10% off purchases from certain merchants and restaurants in the North Conway area plus--the important thing-- discounted lift tickets are organized by EICSL. This year's deals included discounted tickets at Mount Cranmore and Wildcat. Because the clubs are centrally located in the Mount Washington Valley mountains like Wildcat, Attitash and Sunday River in Maine are all within an hour from the clubs. Most people decide the night before where they'll be skiing and share rides the next morning. Don't think just because they're called ski clubs that's all they do. To be honest, some members have never skied a day in their lives. The night life après ski is an experience like no other. Club take turns hosting afternoon socials and after-dinner gatherings at their clubs. This makes for a great opportunity to visit other houses and meet new ski partners. But don't stay out too late...remember you have to get up at 7 am to catch that first lift! Summer is great time to come up to your club and hike, bike, and swim. Each year clubs plan either formal or impromptu rafting and canoe trips down the Saco River. Mountain bike trails are everywhere and a few mountains offer lift service to the top for the ultimate downhill mountain bike experience. If you keep your city slicker image up north, the road riding is great too and the N.H. scenery beats the Esplanade's any day. Rollerbladers are cropping up in almost all clubs too and were last seen in a pack of 20 skating on a country road while keeping a keen eye for any moose that may decide to ruin their steady pace. Clubs hold activity weekends on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. There's not much skiing that time of year, so activities usual turn to volleyball, tennis and golf tournaments. Members are kept well informed about upcoming activities via fliers and newsletters mailed to the clubs member list throughout the year. The age-old "grapevine" also serves well since many members are also friends and keep in touch outside the club. It does sound too good to be true and the repeated question is, "Who does all the work to keep the clubs active and running well?" Members are really the only ones to blame for the success of these organizations. Most people pitch in to help wherever needed from writing and publishing newsletters to mopping the floors after a weekend of ski boots clodding back and forth. Elected officers and members of a Board of Directors from each club put in hours of organizational work and are not paid a dime. Some people have probably lived in Massachusetts their whole lives and never heard of EICSL ski clubs. Now that you have, don't waste another winter season without checking out the N.H. ski club scene. It may even make you reconsider that plan to move to Florida.


	Page 8


	Volume 9, Issue 6


	What's on my mind...

High Altitudes and Hypothermia

By Jack Reardon

With the New England ski season about to jump into high gear, a few timely reminders about safe and healthy skiing would appear to be in order. Safe skiing does not just relate to how you comport yourself on the slopes. Preparing your equipment properly (i.e. having bindings checked, ski edges ground, etc.) certainly is important and we tend to take care of this issue without much second thought.

In February and March two groups of club members will be heading for the high country. Park City, Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Both top out at approximately 10,000 feet, or three to four times the altitude at which we sea level types usually ski. Everyone should be aware that there is an inadequate concentration of oxygen in the air at higher altitudes, and that we require a periods of time to become acclimated. Needless to say, we all accomplish this adjustment differently. When body cells do not receive enough oxygen, a condition called hypoxia can develop to one degree or another. Everyone experiences some breathlessness and rapid breathing or even an elevated heart rate. A general malaise or vague feeling of physical discomfort will sometimes develop the first day or so. We can forestall, or at least minimize, this condition by drinking lots of water and eliminating or limiting the use of alcohol during the period of adjustment. (This is also good advice for long plane trips.) Taking it easy while you get to know the mountain is also good advice.

Prolonged exposure at any altitude to cold temperatures or a cool, damp environment can cause you to lose body heat at a faster rate than your body can generate it. Wearing proper clothing, (layering is best) protecting hands, feet, ears, and nose, and wearing a helmet or warm hat can go a long way toward preventing hypothermia. If you feel a chill, take a break and warm up. Also, you and your skiing partners should keep an eye on one another for the telltale white spots on exposed skin, a definite precursor or frostbite. In all cases relative to the prevention or treatment of anoxia or hypothermia, the use of alcohol or tobacco is to be avoided.

Choosing underclothing of the proper material is also very important. Cotton is definitely a no-no for socks, long johns, and undershirts. Cotton absorbs perspiration, retains it, and does not wick it away. Synthetic materials, wool, and even silk are recommended. There are many clothing items available that are made from combinations of materials, which do a great job of keeping you, dry and warm.

Well, there you are…. just a few things to consider. Remember, keep your eye on the other guy…ski safely…and have a great ski season!

Interested in contributing???

'What's on my mind…' is an open forum for club members to share their expertise, insights, and opinions with the club at large, and may be on any topic related to Upper Cape Ski Club activities. Submissions should be emailed to:
editor@uppercapeskiclub.com.


	The Avalanche


	Page 9

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