winter outdoor adventures catalog inside - Yosemite Online

Fall Arrives in Time for Donor Weekend CelebrationAn early storm brought rain and highelevationsnow to the park on October5, then the clouds parted just in timeto provide a crisp and picture-perfectfall backdrop for the October 6 dinneron the Ahwahnee Meadow . The weekendstarted with a Friday evening dessertreception at the Yosemite Art andEducation Center (YAEC) . Attendeesenjoyed brandy and sweets made by TheAhwahnee 's pastry chef during an engagingpresentation about the life and artof Chiura Obata given by Obata familyhistorian and guest curator Kimi KodaniHill. Following a Saturday morning continentalbreakfast, participants enjoyeda guided tour of the Yosemite Museum'sObata exhibit with Kimi, naturalist walkswith YAs Pete Devine and NPS rangerKaren Powers, a walk in the footsteps ofAnsel Adams led by The Ansel AdamsGallery staff photographer Evan Russel,a sumi-e ink art demonstration by longtimeYAEC artist Carolyn Fitz and Obatastudent Marilyn Smith, or a complimentaryValley Floor tram tour.The day culminated in a sumptuousDNC-hosted dinner outside the homeof Delaware North Companies (DNC)Chief Operating Officer Dan Jensen andhis wife, Suzanne . The eighty-six attendeesincluded many of the Association 'smost generous donors, park DeputySuperintendent Kevin Cann and Chiefof Interpretation Chris Stein, ourboard of trustees, two former YosemiteCooperative Student Interns from UCMerced and a delegation of Chileanrangers visiting from Torres del Paine,Yosemite 's sister park in Patagonia.We are most grateful to DNC Parks &Resorts at Yosemite, Dan and SuzanneJensen, The Ahwahnee's Executive ChefPercy Whatleyand staff, theNational ParkService, The AnselAdams Gallery,Kimi Kodani Hill,Carolyn Fitz andMarilyn Smith fortheir contributionsto a perfect weekend.DNC, the park'sprimary concessionaire,beganhosting this casuallyelegant falldinner in 2003 tohonor those whohave donated $1,000 or more to theYosemite Association in the past year.We hope they will continue to do so formany years to come . We invite you tojoin us by upgrading your membershipto the Benefactor ($1,000) level or makingyour additional gift to YA today. Yourcontribution will provide vital supportfor our art, education, and volunteerprograms . We'll see you on the meadownext fall!Guests begin to arrive at the sumptuous DNC-hosted dinner onthe Ahwahnee Meadow to honor the Association 's most generoussupporters .Wo0Ostrander Ski Hut 2007-2008 SeasonThe Ostrander Lake Ski Hut will openfor the 2007–2008 winter season onDecember 6, 2007 and remain openthrough April 6, 2008 . The facility isoperated and staffed by the YosemiteAssociation on behalf of the NationalPark Service to encourage ski touringand snowshoeing in the park . The skihut is a group lodging facility limited to25 people per night . The fee for Mondaythrough Thursday night stays is $30 perperson ($25 per YA member) . For Fridaythrough Sunday night stays, the fee is$45 per person ($38 per YA member).Large groups are welcome, but limitedto a maximum of 15 people in one party.The facility includes single bunk stylebeds, a common kitchen facility formeals and two outdoor bathrooms–however, there is no electricity or runningwater at Ostrander. Reservations arerequired for this popular winter facility;it is so popular, in fact, that reservationsare awarded based on a lottery.Lottery applications must be received byNovember 19, 2007. Once the lottery hastaken place, reservations may be madefor any remaining dates by calling theYosemite Association office at 209-379-2646 between December 3–31, 2007.Beginning January 3, 2008, reservationsare available through the YosemiteWilderness Reservation System at209-372-0740 . Please contact the YAoffice for an application and informationon the Ostrander Lottery.YOSEMITE ASSOCIATION, FALL 2007 27