March 2009 Issue

Downhill Edge Masthead
Download a printable PDF (including photos!) of this issue.

From Your Regional Director

Derek Werner – Eastern Michigan Region Director

With the 2008-2009 ski season ending I want give a quick recap of the year. First, we were very fortunate to have a long season, which featured several toboggan and ski/snowboard clinics. These clinics provided participants the chance to refresh their skills, as well as learn new techniques. If you did not get a chance to take advantage of one of these events, please try to do so next year. One of the consistent comments of area managers is they want to see their patrollers skiing well.

In addition to training, we had several on-hill evaluations with 16 new basic, 2 auxiliary and 3 new senior
patrollers joining our ranks. Congratulations to all of you! I want to thank all the
examiners and drivers who helped during these evaluations.

Also, a big thank you to everyone who braved the pouring rain to help with the SEM evaluation. This year
we had one of the largest candidate classes in recent memory and need a small army of evaluators, station managers, advocates, patrol and bystander helpers, and other volunteers to help make the test. Your dedication to your fellow patrollers and the NSP is commendable.

Congratulations to the Following Patrollers:

NEW BASIC PATROLLERS
• Marge Loula Alpine Valley
• Couni Young Alpine Valley
• Tom Porlick Mt. Brighton
• Carolyn Russell Mt. Brighton
• Howard Haselhun Mt. Brighton
• Kim Baker Mt. Brighton
• Jeremy Chesnutt Mt. Holly
• Kevin Humphreys Mt. Holly
• Linda Retzlaff Mt. Holly
• James Buckles Pine Knob
• Kathleen DeMeulemeester Pine Knob
• Bruce Kramer Pine Knob
• Tianfu Li Pine Knob
• Keith Nattrass Pine Knob
• David Teske Pine Knob
• Andrew “Shrek” Thompson Pine Knob
NEW AUXILIARY PATROLLERS
• Bob Roach Pine Knob
• John Schimeck Pine Knob
NEW SENIOR PATROLLERS
• Robert Carpenter Mt. Brighton
• Steven Fuller Mt. Holly
• Sarah Hall Mt. Holly

I also have one staff announcement to make – Jodie Fuller has agreed to join the Region Board as the new Auxiliary Advisor taking over for Ellen Burchfield. I want to thank Ellen for taking over this role the past couple of years and welcome Jodie to the team.

There are still some other training classes available before summer including Mountain Travel & Rescue and Instructor Development. (See the calendar on the Region Web site at www.nspemr.org for details.)

Finally, remember the Region awards banquet is Saturday, May 16th at Mt. Holly. I hope to see you there.

Off-hill Training Has Been Busy This Year

By: Ellen Burchfield – ARD Off Hill Programs

Welcome to Jodie Fuller, new Senior Auxiliary Advisor for EMR. Jodie has been a senior auxiliary since 1996. She patrols at Apple Mountain here in Eastern Michigan and at Schuss Mountain in Northern Michigan. Jodie is very enthusiastic about her new role. If you have any questions for her regarding the senior auxiliary program, please e-mail her at jf4seasons@aol.com. Welcome Jodie.

I would also like to thank Mike Case, EMR OEC administrator, for putting on a successful Senior Emergency Management (SEM) Evaluation held at Pine Knob on March 7, 2009. Mike reports that 15 Senior candidates participated in the very soggy and rain drenched evaluation. On behalf of the entire Eastern Michigan Region OEC training staff, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the following patrollers that successfully passed the SEM Evaluation:

• Barbara Armstrong – Mt. Brighton
• Robert Carpenter – Mt. Brighton
• Steven Fuller – Mt. Holly
• Sarah Hall – Mt. Holly
• Bruce Kramer – Pine Knob
• Peter Lee – Mt. Brightion
• Michael McHenry – Snow Snake
• Cindy Peck – Apple Mt.
• David Teske – Pine Knob

Three new Senior Patrollers were also awarded their Senior rocker patch at this year’s SEM Evaluation. Congratulations go to the following patrollers who worked very hard to reach this new level:

• Robert Carpenter – Mt. Brighton
• Sarah Hall – Mt. Holly
• Steven Fuller – Mt. Holly

A regional SEM Evaluation of this size requires a very large number of people dedicated to the success of this important event. I would like to personally thank all the evaluators, trainers, those who played victims and all our volunteered patrolller helpers. A special “thank you” to Pam King, Pine Knob Patrol Director and her staff for hosting this year’s SEM.

Jon O’Dell indicated that Nordic did do a few things this year. To get things started, there was a Low Angle Refresher at Pine Haven Dec. 14, and then a Ski Clinic January 24. There was a good turn out of skiers, the sun was out, and we had snow. Thanks to PD Bruce Thill, a good time was had by all.

Mountain Travel and Rescue Courses

By Chuck White – Mountain Travel and Rescue Advisor

There will be MTR 1 and MTR F classes held on Sunday, March 22 at Mt. Holly, with a field session to be tentatively held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Independence Oaks Park, near Pine Knob. The MTR 1 class is designed to teach the basics of navigation, winter camping and travel, search and rescue and in general outside living skills in the winter. The class requires the MTR manual (purchased from National at $19.50), the MTR F -class session and a field session. The MTR 1 requires the class session, a field session and an over night camp out.

For those patrollers who want to take the MTR education to a higher level, an advanced class MTR 2 is being planned for Feb 2010, with a field session in later Feb or Early March 2010. This class teaches advanced winter survival, search and rescue in a winter setting.

The requirements for the MTR 2 are:
MTR 1, Basic avalanche, a 1 day class session and a 2 day field session with two nights camping.

These classes are great elective courses for those basic patrollers pursuing their senior level.

If you are interested or need more information contact:
cvwhite43@sbcglobal.net
810-762-7884 (O)
810-659-2269 (H)

Deadline for registration for MTR F and MTR1 is March 14, 2009. There is a minimum class size of 8.

Senior Auxiliary News

By: Jodi Fuller – Regional Auxiliary Advisor

First, I’m excited about looking forward to promoting information regarding the Senior Auxiliary program. Many have heard that the program is changing. I am happy to inform everyone that the name may change, the classification and role will remain the same. Senior Auxiliaries are vital to patrols, since they primarily work in patrol rooms. We demonstrate leadership, decision making and problem management skills, working closely with injured guests and the resort management. Our skills help the primary on scene patroller with first aid, gathering information, making necessary contacts, enabling our skiing patrollers to return to the hill quickly. Many times, we are called to help elsewhere at the resort as well as take care of the many walk-in injuries that occur.

Secondly, here is a small bio about myself. I’ve been a member of the NSP since 1995, passed basic OEC in 1996, became a basic patroller in 1997. With a lot of training and patience, I passed the senior OEC 1997 just before the beginning of ski season. Also, I am an OEC instructor, evaluator, and dual registered at Apple Mtn. and Schuss Mtn. as a Senior Auxiliary patroller.

Having taken on this position late in the season, I am working hard on gathering all information for interested patrollers who would like to take the ARM (aid room module) after passing the SEM. After completing all electives and passing all tests, a patroller can register as a Senior Auxiliary. This does not mean you can’t pursue senior alpine! Senior Auxiliary positions are very challenging and rewarding. All patrols can utilize patrollers in this capacity.

Any basic alpine or auxiliary patrollers who are interested in taking the ARM, please e-mail me. I will also be sharing information with all patrol directors.

A special thank you to Ellen Burchfield for giving me this opportunity to serve as Region Auxiliary Advisor!

Eastern Michigan Alpine Training Programs 2008-2009

By: Tim Gaffney – ARD EMR Alpine Training

Again this year, there are a lot of people to thank for their involvement in the Eastern Michigan Region Alpine Training Programs. Starting with the EMR Alpine Training Staff (note: see staff names below) and their efforts in providing updated Toboggan handling techniques to the Region Toboggan Instructors, at this year’s Region Ski Trainers Workshops.

This two day event set the stage for Lead Instructors from each of the Regions six alpine areas to develop their skills at “NEW” methods of toboggan handling. These rrea Lead Instructors were now up to the challenged of providing the remainder of their training staffs with this updated information, which prepares them to teach “ALL” Region Patrollers. I am proud to say Eastern Michigan has now started teaching these new skills to patrollers across the Region. Thanks to your efforts in working through this process.

Eastern Michigan Alpine Training Program Staff did it again this year! Both sessions of our annual Enhancement Seminars were well attended. Patrollers all gained valued information that prepared them for testing at the Basic or Senior levels. I have seen these enhancement seminars pay off, as there are many candidates that are now new Basic and Senior Patrollers who participated in these events. Congratulations to all for a job well done. We are in the second year of our “Ladies of the Snow,” the ladies only clinic. Twenty lady patrollers attended this year and spent 6 hrs. with 2 – Level 3 PSIA/NSP lady instructors and a Guest & past PSIA Education Staff member (note: see instructor names below).

Thanks to our web master, Jeff Henry. We have a great start to our on-line event sign-up. By using this technology, event leaders are able to determine the number of instructors needed for each event. Also we are able to inform area PD’s and managers as to how many patrollers they should expect. This aides in the relationship between areas and patrols, plus allows us to train at more areas inside and outside the Region.

As the new season approaches, I ask that you please go to the Region Website and Calendar for information on events, dates and times. You can then sign-up on the Education sign-up page for an scheduled educational event.

EMR Alpine Training Staff – Administrators and Instructors

Toboggan Admin — Pat Sellenraad
Ski Admin ———– Mike Taylor
PSIA/NSP-C ——– Catalin Barbu
Snowboard Admin – Mike Schons
Telemark Admin. — Scott Hope
____________________________

“Ladies of the Snow” Instructors

Program Admin. – Mary Gaffney
Instructor ———- Jan Hanczaryk
Instructor ——— Aprill O’Connell
Guest Instructor – Christine VanTongerin

A special thanks to those of you that assisted our Region staff but are not mentioned above. Your help is of great value.

Enhancement Seminars

Enhancement Seminars are intended to present information that can be used by seasoned patrollers and training patrollers alike. Most often you can ski with a training staff member in one of the following disciplines:

Ski Enhancement – a clinic devoted to improving the individuals skiing ability. There is always something new to see, learn, or perfect at these clinics. We use PSIA level 2 and higher Instructors who have spent time perfecting their teaching skills for your clinic.

Snowboarding Enhancement – a clinic devoted to improving the individual’s snowboarding ability. There is always something new to see, learn, or perfect at these clinics too. We use ASIA level instructors who have spent time perfecting their teaching skills for your clinic.

Telemark Enhancement – a clinic devoted to improving the individuals telemarking ability. There is always something new to see, learn, or perfect at these clinics as well. We use one of our Region’s best telemark instructors to put on a clinic that teaches you to telemark by a qualified instructors.

Toboggan Enhancement – one of the most important skills we as patrollers use in our everyday duties. This clinic devotes itself to the safe and proper handling of a toboggan. However if you wish to conquer the bumps or the steeps with this equipment, here is your opportunity to learn from toboggan instructors that have spent hundreds of hours perfecting both their handling and teaching abilities. A fun-filled, challenging clinic suited to preparing you for a Basic or Senior Test, or if you just want to better your skills as a patroller.

Don’t forget

“Ladies of the Snow” – This year, Eastern Michigan held its second clinic devoted to ladies only. Dubbed “Ladies of the Snow,” 3-lady PSIA, Level 3 instructors led 20 EMR lady patrollers in this ski clinic. Interested in this clinic?! Be sure to check the calendar for dates and times – get involved – have fun and learn all in one.

Remember all clinics and enhancements are approximately 6 1/2 hrs long to conform to NSP national requirements for credit towards Senior Electives.

The Eastern Michigan Region Alpine Training Staff is looking forward to the coming year, hope you are too! Have a great summer – think “SNOW”

EM1 Section Chief Report

By: Mike Schons – EM1 Section Chief

It’s been a great season! We started early and we have had great snow!. Section One held it’s Basic On-hill evaluation on Sunday, February 1st at Pine Knob. This year’s evaluation was a rather large event with twelve candidates running in four teams.

I would like to congratulate all of those folks who successfully passed their evaluation and are now new Basic Patrollers:

? Jim Buckles – Pine Knob
? Bruce Kramer – Pine knob
? Dave Teske – Pine Knob
? Katie DeMeulemeester – Pine Knob
? Tianfu Li – Pine Knob
? Andrew Thompson – Pine Knob
? Keith Nattrass – Pine Knob
? Margaret Loula – Alpine Valley
? Couni Young – Alpine Valley

A Section evaluation of this size requires a large number of people helping and dedicating time to set-up and evaluate. I would like to personally thank all who helped make this evaluation a success. We started on time, Mark Roth and Janice Swartz kept toboggans moving and we had completed all the tobogganing by 9:30 AM! Thank you’s go out to Reggie Hallam, Rae Ann Ruddy, Jennifer Banacki and Cricket Nickolaou who carried the sleds back up the hill for staging. Thank you to all the riders and a big THANK YOU to all the evaluators and trainers, without you dedicating your time, this would not have been possible.

EM2 Section Chief Report

By: Dave Petrak – EM2 Section Chief

Again Mother Nature was not being cooperative leading up to the Basic test at Mt. Brighton this year. During the week before the test Brighton had unseasonably warm weather accompanied by rain in the cats and dogs magnitude. By Friday, two days before the test, a substantial amount of base had been lost. Friday afternoon did however bring in a cold front that allowed the crew to turn on the snow guns. After an inspection of the hill Saturday, there was much more white and it was determined that the test would not be cancelled. The candidates, trainers, examiners and helpers all had the pleasure of testing with the snow guns going full tilt. The conditions did not affect the well trained candidates nor did they seem to notice the snow. Congratulations to Tom Porlick, Carolyn Russell, Howard Haselhun, and Kim Baker our new basic patrollers and thank you for everyone who made it happen.

EM3 Section Chief Report

By: Mary Gaffney – EM3 Section Chief

Greetings from Section 3! What a great Season we had, and you know I am kind of sorry to see it go. As I look at my brown yard, I am thinking…”wow! What a joyful year.” I am so proud of all of our candidates. We need to congratulate Catalin Barbu from Mt. Holly completing 4 of the 6 requirements that he needed for the certified program. Only 2 more requirements to go! Great Job! We had 4 that completed the Senior Ski and Toboggan Evaluation. Congratulations to Dan Mikolaizik from Mt. Holly. Due to conflicts in schedule he went to Western Michigan to pass his Senior Ski/Toboggan. Three other senior candidates passed the evaluation at Boyne Mt. They are Sarah Hall from Mt. Holly, Bill Demand and Scott Warden both from Apple Mt. Section Three didn’t stop there. We also need to congratulate Mike McHenry from Snow Snake. He completed the Senior Scene Management at Pine Knob, also completing the Senior Scene Management and becoming the newest Seniors are:

• Steve Fuller – Mt. Holly
• Sarah Hall – Mt. Holly

You all have done a great job and we are all proud of you.

Mt. Holly had a great Snow day for the Basic Evaluation. We had a little late start because of those groomers!! LOL! Bummer! That Mt. Holly had to finish grooming the hill before we could start our tobogganing. Some candidates have all the luck! Help me welcome our newest Mt. Holly Basic Patrollers:

• Linda Retzlaff – Basic Alpine
• Kevin Humphreys – Basic Alpine
• Jeremy Chestnutt – Basic Snowboard.

Also, thank you Mark Tibbets for those wonderful groomed hills. Not only during the evaluation but through the whole year. I don’t know about anywhere else but the snow at Mt. Holly was great! I heard it more than once from our patrons at the area.

Calling all Patrollers! We are going to hold our Eastern Michigan Region Spring Award Banquet at Mt. Holly on May, 16, 2009. Let’s get together and enjoy each others company at the Banquet. Please see the attached flyer to the newsletter for additional information and a response form.

I must say that I really enjoy my job as the Section Chief for EM Section 3. I have worked with 10 different Patrol Directors, 3 Region Patrol Directors, and 3 Division Patrol Directors. I still have to say that I enjoyed it and have learned a lot. It has been a great honor working with everyone. I have made some good friends. But it is time for new blood to step up. Not necessarily young blood, but somebody new to take on this rewarding position. The next person that becomes EM3 Section Chief, is one that may not always have the answers but is willing to listen. You are also the go between guy/gal with other patrols, within the region. If this Region position is something that might be interested in and you enjoy helping fellow patrollers and want patrols to excel in the NSP programs, Please consider throwing your name in the ring for this position. Call me! I really would like to give a Senior level patroller a chance to participate at Region level. hank You all for your support. It was a great season all around. I plan on seeing everyone at the 2008/2009 EMR Spring Award Banquet at Mt. Holly.

Engineering Toboggan Transportation Equipment

By: Dick Thalacker Mt. Brighton Patrol Director

At Mt Brighton our requirement of returning toboggans up to the top of the hill is different than some other areas, (i.e., must be taken up with the snowmobile or Argo). For toboggan training we have to take up multiple toboggans in a single trip. If the toboggans are not hooked on properly or the vehicle is not driven correctly (large turns) damage occurs to the toboggan handles.

Answer -

Our Saturday night crew is known for their ability of fixing things and creatively coming up with new ideas. It only took one mention, and Jim Hensley and Karl Staffeld jumped to work and a week later we had the answer. A spreader bar that will hold two toboggans side by side.

They tested it and reported “it worked fine. The two toboggans track next to each other without any problems. Since all of the trace handles are connected there shouldn’t be any odd forces on the handles. The turning radius seemed to be the same. We also tried one loaded toboggan behind the double hitch. This worked just fine a well. With two toboggans side by side, we could have a rescuer right next to the patient during transportation. Plus, now we have a way to do CPR while taking a person down the hill or on the flats to the patrol room.

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