August 10-14 Seattle and Pendleton Oregon

Aug 10 – 14  Seattle and Pendleton Oregon

We are on ‘vacation’ (ha ha) from our Alaskan adventure.    Actually we are attending the National Ski Patrol – Pacific NW Division’s annual conference in Pendleton.  As the Division Director for PNWD, which covers Washington, Oregon, and Southern Idaho, I am responsible for conducting and presiding over this annual conference.   We will be conducting meetings of the board and executive board, as well as having training sessions for Patrol Directors, and breakout informational sessions for our various educational and specialized programs.   These include:  Outdoor Emergency Care (first aid), Outdoor Emergency Transportation (ski and toboggan), Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Radio Communications, Advanced programs, Alumni members, Young Adult members (15-17 yr. olds), Awards, etc…  We will also be honoring and recognizing our members who have done exceptional or extraordinary work or rescues this past year, and also honoring our fallen members (those who passed since last summer).   Generally, there are about 200 members and family in attendance.  It is a lot of work but also a lot of fun seeing friends and colleges who we may not see on a hill in the winter but only at these conferences.  Glen and I have both been patrollers for many years (me 46 years, Glen 43 years) so this is in our blood.   Our daughter Nicole is also a patrollers and upcoming leader in the organization with approx. 12 years under her belt, and a lifetime of watching and being dragged around by us.   She will be at this conference and will be presenting during one of the breakout sessions this weekend.

We’ll restart our Alaskan adventure blog upon our return to Alaska on the 15^th.

Until then, keep the keel down and the antennas pointing skyward.