Western Slope Group
celebrates fiftieth anniversary

by Bob Beverly and Terry Schmalz

How many groups have one of their founding members still an active participant and leader at their golden anniversary? Bob Beverly, one of seven charter members of the Western Slope Group, will join other members in a series of celebrations this year. Bob served as chairman of the group from 1951­1954 and 1957­1958.

On May 26, 1950, approximately twenty people met at the city hall in Rifle with the purpose of forming a new group of the CMC. The first climb the group made was a joint trip with the Denver Group on Mt. Sopris with Fred Ruckhaus from Denver and Bob Beverly as leaders. Not many more climbs were made that year, but 1951 became a notable climbing season.

Malcolm Lindley made a resolution that the Western Slope Group be recognized as an official group within the CMC. Charter members were Eloise Amichaux, Bonnie Knutzen, and Roger Green of Glenwood Springs; Harry Durham, Gilbert Mull, and Bob Beverly from Rifle; and Harold Porter of Grand Junction.

In 1955, headquarters of the Western Slope group was moved from Rifle to Grand Junction. During the first thirty years, various members guided as chairman. In addition to Beverly, these included in order; Jeff Greer, Madeline Colby, Bob Pitman, Bob Langridge, Jerry Collins, Dave Stevenson, Bob Moston, Bill Quinn, and Hugh Perry. During the group’s thirtieth year, chairman Perry started a bimonthly newsletter called Trails II. This has grown through popular interest and is now issued monthly under the banner Canyon CAll. In addition to the next month’s trip schedule, the newsletter contains reviews of recent climbs, safety and conservation updates, biographies of members, and interesting mountain trivia.

A review of Trail & Timberline from fifty years ago notes that Henry Bucktel was state president and active groups included Boulder, Colorado College Juniors, Denver, Denver Juniors, Ft. Collins, Huerfano, and Pikes Peak. The Western Slope Group was active through 1950, but it was August, 1951, that the state board officially recognized it as a new group.

Fifty years ago, the out-of-state outing was held in the Wind Rivers. Later to become a well-known western writer, David Lavender was one of the fifty-four on the roster and wrote about the trip to Middle Fork Lake in the November issue of T&T. A highlight of the 1950 outwing was the first ascent of North Cleft.

David Lavender was one of the San Juan mountaineers who climbed extensively in the San Juans in the 1928­1933 era. David’s brother, Dwight, and Carleton Long wrote the unpublished Climber’s Guide to Southwestern Colorado. In 1998, Mark Schmalz, current Western Slope chairman, initiated a “Lavender Award” given to an outstanding member of the group. The first two recipients were Bob Beverly and Bill Hamann.

The Group is fortunate to have Bob Martin as one of its members; you know, the fellow who comes up with the lists of the highest 100, 200, 500, 13ers, the highest passes, most unique names; you name it—interesting trivia for Trail & Timberline.

Membership continues to come from diverse places ranging from western Colorado and New Mexico to Nebraska. As membership has increased, so have the frequency and diversity of trips. During the early years, the Elk and San Juan Mountains dominated the schedule. The San Juan trips continue to be the most popular for the summer months. Downhill skiing trips were more frequent in earlier years, where now most ski trips involve backcountry skiing. Desert and canyons near Grand Junction and in easter Utah fill the schedule in the winter and spring seasons.

On June 11, the group celebrated with a special anniversary climb of Mt. Sopris. Twelve members made the trek. Bob Beverly says he is pleased to see the growth of the Western Slope Group and the colorado Mountain Club over these fifty years. “I have enjoyed the many, many friendships I ahve made and thank all those who have followed and have kept the Group together and active. I believe the current leadership is an outstanding example of the “young blood” that keeps such organizations great.”

Leaving a legacy

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation, a supporting organization of the Colorado Mountain Club, recently received a bequest from a member to support a fund specifically dedicated to preserving Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. The CMCF receives many gifts in support of the mission of the CMC.

Some of these donors were members who supported the CMC with annual gifts. Some were CMC volunteers. Many of these donors had one thing in common: their inclusion of the CMC in their estate plans was not revealed to us until after they had died. Although we’re always thrilled to hear about a member’s generosity, it is coupled with sadness that we were unable to thank them while they were alive for supporting the CMC beyond their lifetimes.

The Colorado Planned Giving Round Table, an organization of professionals who work for charitable institutions, is supporting the volunteer initiative Leave A Legacy. This program encourages individuals to prepare wills, to leave gifts to organizations that have meaning to them, and to let these charities know what they have done.

We hope you will take time to finalize your own estate plans so you can be assured that your wishes will be carried out. Perhaps you wish to leave a legacy to the Colorado Mountain Club? For assistance in making a gift or bequest to the CMC, please call Kristy Judd, CMC Executive Director at 1-800-633-4417 ext. 102 or Sam Guyton, CMCF Board Member. There is never an obligation to give when you request information about gift opportunities.

CMC Press releases
two new offerings

The Colorado Mountain Club Press has released two new publications this fall. Through a two-year joint project between the author and the CMC comes Roof of the Rockies: A History of Colorado Mountaineering by William M. Bueler. This new third edition of a mountaineering classic has been extensively revised with new chapters, historical photos, and original artwork. Several CMC volunteers helped with the research, contributed sections, and designed this beautiful 256-page book.

Also now available is the official CMC Colorado Fourteener calendar for 2001. This 12 x 12 wall calendar features full-color images of favorite 14ers by some of the club’s best member photographers, including several winners from last year’s Trail & Timberline photo contest, put together by award-winning photographer Todd Caudle of Skyline Press. Both these publications are available at book sellers throughout the state, or you can purchase them directly from the CMC at your twenty percent member’s discount.

Barr Lake Camp
gets new potties

The Associated Press is reporting that a state-of-the-art composting toilet will replace the old outhouses at Barr Camp. The $50,000 cost is being born by donations collected by the Barr Trail Foundation that are part of a $191,000 renovation of the beloved site. In addition, a solar energy system will be installed in the enclave of two cabins, three lean-to structures, and the outhouses. Also, the main cabin roof will be replaced, and other improvements will help the caretakers control fires and environmental impacts.

State campsite reservations
now online

Internet reservations for Colorado State Parks are now available at http://www.coloradoparks.org. With more than eleven million visitors annually, the new online reservation system promises to make reserving a campsite easier. The system is part of a state parks effort to improve customer service, according to David Hause, Colorado State Parks chief of field services. Reservations will continue to be available through the State Parks call center.

Long’s Peak annual dinner to feature Robertson

The Long’s Peak annual dinner on November 4th at the Hover House will be honored with author Janet Robertson as speaker.