1985 [PDF] - Yosemite

,. ..r -.r’.L’,.~,~’-"i/;i,1’:’.T,. ,.Yosemite Winter Ski Team, continueThe ski team recently officiated for the annual Ancient JocksSlalom Race and Reunion held at Badger Pass on March 23rd.The Yosemite Winter Club Ski Team’s participation in this annualevent contributed much to its success.Merced Dam Dispute UpdateA fundraising dinner for the MCC was held on March 15 at CedarLodge. Approximately sixty people attended and over$300.00 was raised according to Ralph Mendershausen, whoadded that a raffle drawing was held for an Ansel Adams printNordic Holiday UpdateBy Hugh MaguireBy Bruce Brossman, Director, Yosemite Nordic Ski SchoolThe controversy surrounding Joseph Keating’s proposal to The 1985 Nordic Holiday race was held March 2, at Badgerdam the Merced River in El Portal, will be one of the topics discussedin a nationwide Public Broadcasting Service television cross-country ski race in California. The ski school staff andPass. This marked the 14th year for the Yosemite race, the oldestprogram on energy in America to be aired this fall.many volunteers worked for four days preparing the course.A television crew led by Roger Weisberg, Producer of the PBS Tons of snow was shoveled and moved to make the course betterscience series, "Nova," recently filmed sections of the Merced and safer. Then, as luck would have it, it snows 21/2 feet the nightRiver in El Portal and Yosemite National Park which will be includedin discussions on hydroelectric power during the sixty-frenzy! Saturday morning, snowshoes were strapped on to re-before the race. This threw the entire race committee into aminute energy documentary.pack the course. Lloyd Price was called in to set the tracks withWeisberg also interviewed three opponents of the dam proposal-- Jan Van Wagtendonk, Research Scientist at Yosemite the extended grooming and packing, the race was shortened tothe Pisten Bully and the Bachler double-track sled. As a result ofNational Park; Art Baggett, Chairman of the El Portal Planning 61/2 from 11 miles, but still had the makings for a great and fun, .tJAdvisory Committee; and Betty Andrews, a member of Friends race. The annual event drew 155 racers from all over Cahforma.of the River, an organization devoted to western water issues. An The Men’s and Wornen’s categories were won by local residentsadvocate of the Keating dam project was also interviewed. with Peter Mayfield winning the Men’s Division ’n 48 minutes,Baggett expressed hope that ten minutes of the sixty-minute and Denise Springer capturing the Women’s crown.documentary will be devoted to discussing the possible dammingof the Merced River,son so far, and we are already planning next year’s events. ManyAs usual, the race was the highlight of our winter nordic sea-In other news involving the struggle to keep the Merced a freeflowingriver, Ralph Mendershausen, Chairman of the Merced greatly appreciated! Thanks also to our volunteers, Badger Passthanks to Jim Rodrigues who helped organize the race -- it wasCanyon Committee, reported that Ron Stork has been appointedExecutive Director of the MCC. His chief responsibility such a success. The 15th Annual Nordic Holiday Race is sched-and the Nordic Ski School Staff for their help in making the racewill be to act as primary lobbyist for the Committee, said Mendershausen,who also announced that Stork will attend meetberto start your training early!uled for March 1, 1986, and we hope to see you there! Rememingsof the American Rivers Conservation Committee inWashington, D.C., on March 29.Members of the MCC will meet with local Congressmen TonyMy Garden of LoveCoelho and Rich Lehman on March 23 to discuss their concernsover the Keating project. Mendershausen revealed that in a letterhe received from Coelho, the Congressman was opposed toI Have sown seeds of Love,With tender Carethe proposed dam to be built on the South Fork of the MercedIn A garden Near,Yet so Far.River by the Merced rrigation District, Coelho stated, "It is myWith protection from natures Havoc,hope that Congress will fully consider the possibility of protectingthe South Fork of the Merce during the 99th Congress."For human Errors.And Forgiveness in my HeartThe MCC is expected to ask the two congressmen to introducea bil designating the Merced River a part of the nationalThat have quenched our Thirst.Blessed with the Rainswild and scenic rivers system so it may be permanently protected.For the rays of Sunshine,And ever so Grateful,Mendershausen announced that the MCC has released "itsCasting Thy Lovefirst publication, "Wildflowers of the Hites Cove Trail," a short,Upon us All.illustrated botany of the South Fork. It may be purchased forI Have reaped a harvest of LoveWith Thy Love,$5.00 at local stores or ordered by sending $6.00 prepaid by theThat no earthly Wealth,Merced Canyon Committee, P.O. Box 152, El Portal, CA 95318.Can be Compared.Persons interested in contributing to the Merced CanyonFor the heavenly Blossoms,Committee may send their donations to the above address. AFill my heart with everlastingone-year membership is available for $10.00. Active support isHappiness.also greatly needed, according to Art Baggett, a member of theJoseph R. Paquetteboard of directors.:mi