Hi Ron. What is your volunteer history with CONC?
I helped with the rebuilding of the Nordeen and Swampy shelters; and stacked firewood for the shelters. Don't do much of that anymore. For a decade I was the club's newsletter editor, and managed the club's membership database. As the newsletter editor, I ended up writing most of the articles. I also became the Club's photographer and took photos on most hikes. It's harder taking photos on ski trips because you have to take your gloves off to take the photo. By the time you get your gloves back on, the rest of the group is almost out of sight.
I developed a Microsoft Access database program to help me with the membership which would print mailing labels for the mailed newsletters, email newsletter PDF files to members, create membership-renewal emails, and create mailing lists of members by interest category. I also worked at the CONC ski swap every year during the years that CONC had a ski swap. I enjoyed helping people choose proper ski equipment. You'd be surprised at how many people would choose boots that didn't match the bindings on the skis they were buying.
Could you tell us more about the rebuilding of the Nordeen and Swampy Shelters?
When I moved to Bend in 1986, the original Swampy Shelter was in bad shape. In the winter, the floor of the shelter was about 4 feet below snow level. Going into the shelter could be treacherous because the slope down into the shelter was often icy. It was cheap entertainment during lunch to watch skiers slide on their butts coming into the shelter. This scary shelter was replaced with a new shelter built to the Forest Service's new template for shelters. This template was first used in our area for three Santiam Pass shelters. The Nordeen shelter and the Swampy shelter are built to this new template. Several local businesses helped fund the Swampy rebuild, which was dedicated on December 10, 2016. It was in a new location with better views and not so shaded by trees.
The Nordeen Shelter was originally built in 1980; and burned to the ground on February 7th, 2007 (probably due to the old, barrel-wood stove in the shelter). Almost immediately CONC started a Nordeen Shelter Rebuild Fund. CONC donated $1000 to seed the rebuilding account; $28,000 was the estimated cost of the project. CONC worked closely with the Forest Service (that had no money to give to this unplanned disaster). Once again local businesses were generous with help to fund the Nordeen rebuild. The new Nordeen Shelter was rebuilt on the original footprint with a design similar to the Santiam Pass shelters. This included a log design with a concrete perimeter foundation, a metal roof and a certified wood stove. In addition to money, CONC donated materials and volunteer labor to rebuild the shelter. It was rebuilt in record time and was open for use by the 2008 ski season.
What have been some of your favorite experiences with CONC?
I always enjoyed the annual ski trips to the Methow Valley and Crater Lake. I went almost every year until COVID. For a decade I led a circumnavigation hike for CONC around Broken Top. About 15 miles and a long day. It's interesting to walk all the way around a mountain and watch its personality change. Some of my favorite hikes are Iron Mountain (for wildflowers), Hager Mountain near Fort Rock( with dinner at the Cowboy Dinner Tree restaurant)) and Canyon Creek to the base of Three Fingered Jack. For skiing, I like the Tangent Loop from Meissner to Swampy and back. Also the play slopes at the far end of Todd Lake are fun - you can even do a little telemark skiing there. I like skiing at Dutchman Flat - particularly after Mt. Bachelor has had a race there because it can still be nicely groomed after the race.
Ron, thank you for all the volunteer hours you have put in with CONC. We will think of you and the other volunteers with a new appreciation the next time we take a rest break in the Swampy and Nordeen Shelters.
