ESAC kickoff
Photo courtesy Andrew McLean
Perhaps event will inspire snow
Keep the holiday celebrations rolling for one more week with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center as it holds its annual Season Kickoff Event and Fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 7. This year’s event features world-renowned ski mountaineer, Andrew McLean, who has completed first descents on all seven continents, and runs the popular website www.straightchuter.com.
McLean’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and is titled, “Polar Extremes.” It covers two trips that McLean took in 2011 to spots on nearly polar opposite points on the globe — Spitsbergen, Norway and the Antarctic Peninsula. The two areas are separated by 145 degrees of latitude.
“Both trips involved accessing backcountry skiing from boats in remote areas, and abundant wildlife,” McLean says.
Doors open for the evening program at Eagle Lodge at 6 p.m. and tickets are only $10. Shortly following McLean’s presentation there will be a huge raffle. Don’t miss your chance to win a new pair of skis, a snowboard, or one of the other fabulous prizes provided by local businesses and corporate sponsors.
Also enjoy light snacks and a no-host bar while you bid on silent auction items throughout the evening.
Earlier in the day, beginning at 11:30 a.m., head over to the Mountainside Conference Center at Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge for free daytime avalanche clinics. Register between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for sessions running from 12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Local backcountry mountain guides will lead all seminars, and you can pre-register at www.esavalanche.org. All of the daytime events are free and open to the public.
The event is being put on by the Friends of Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, which is a 501(c) 3 non-profit that supports the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center in fundraising and outreach. ESAC’s mission is to advise and educate the public on avalanche conditions in the backcountry of the Eastern Sierra. They accomplish this through a partnership with the Inyo National Forest and through the support of Inyo and Mono counties, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and Mammoth Mountaineering Supply. Funds raised during the Season Kickoff, other events, and through grants help fund the avalanche forecaster’s salary and overall Center operations. The Season Kickoff Event is also the main membership drive of the season.
For more information visit www.esavalanche.org. –Press Release
