New Members Corner

This is a regular feature for new members appearing in the Mile High Mountaineer to provide new members with information to help make their club membership more enjoyable.

No Blue Jeans Please

Dramatic? Yes, but true nonetheless. If you have been told this when signing up for a trip, here is the reason. Cotton has water-loving and slow-drying fibers which absorb moisture and hold it against your skin. In a desert, this is desirable because it keeps you cool. In the mountains, it is very dangerous. For backcountry travel, choose synthetics or wool for hats, socks, and everything in between.

Dressing for Warmth -- Layer It.

Dressing properly is perhaps one of the most important aspects of winter outdoor activities. Dressing right can insure warmth, prevent problems such as hypothermia, and insure fun.

Layer one is the inner layer. This is the layer next to your skin and is for vapor transmission, or wicking moisture away from your body. Popular fabrics for this include silk, polypropylene, Thermax®, Capilene® and Drilite®.

Layer two is for warmth and insulation. Popular fabrics include wool, fleece, Thinsulate®, and down.

Layer three is the outer layer. This is for protection from wind and moisture. Popular fabrics include coated nylon, Gore-Tex®, and HellyTec®.

Footwear

Proper footwear is as necessary to a successful trip as apples are to apple pie. Sandals are NEVER acceptable, regardless of the level of activity. In-frequently a leader will allow sneakers (i.e. a walk on the Highline Canal), but 95% of the time boots are essential. They prevent stubbed toes, sore feet (usually), and provide ankle support. So for your safety and comfort, wear boots!

Trip Descriptions

Reading and understanding the trip description is the key to choosing the right trip for you. Look in the front of the activity schedule for the "Decoder for Trip Description". You'll find the round-trip mileage. Multiply this by 5 or 6 cents a mile, and you'll know what to pay your driver - or what your riders will pay you. The number before the slash is how many miles you will hike; the number after the slash is how much elevation you'll gain. We list the appropriate topo map or maps of the area right before the slashed numbers. For Denver Group trips, use the trip number when you sign up using the Automated Trip Sign-Up, (ATS). Also for Denver Group trips, unless the trip is listed as "Register with leader.", call the ATS (303-279-3300) or office to sign-up.

Sign-Up Early!

CMC schools - especially Wilderness Trekking, Cross Country Ski, Basic Mountaineering, Telemark Ski - can fill up fast. Sign-up EARLY to assure your spot!

During the more popular seasons, many trips will fill up more than a week in advance. The trips have a maximum number of participants. For safety reasons, there is also a minimum number. The longer you wait to register, the fewer trips you will have to choose from. For Denver Group trips, you must wait until the leader has confirmed the trip, no earlier than a month before the trip date. Using the Automated Trip Sign-Up (ATS) is a fast and easy way to determine if the trip has been confirmed. The phone number for the ATS is (303) 279-3300. Have the trip number and your membership number handy when you call.

No-Shows

What is the most odious word in the CMC vocabulary? "No-show!" - someone who does not notify the Club that he/she is canceling the trip. Trips are limited. By failing to notify the Club of your cancellation, you may be preventing someone else from going. Please be considerate. For Denver Group trips, notify the office by 1 P.M. the Friday before the trip or the leader after 1 P.M.

Don't Be a College Professor

Being on time is important for CMC activities. For trips, the participants carpool and head for the hills where the fun begins. If you arrive late to the meeting place, your group will be gone and the only trip left may be the local sewage plant tour.

Likewise, schools or seminars are scheduled to begin and end on time, If you're late, you're missing important information, like the announcement about the free beer and pizza available next door.

Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early speeds up the check-in or carpooling process. Remember the 'college professor rule" doesn't apply for CMC events, even if you are a college professor!

More Questions?

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions in the member pages. Use your CMC membership number for the ID and your zip code for the password.