Harvey Carter, 1930-2012

“His equipment and techniques appeared old-fashioned, but he knew his limits and always climbed comfortably inside them. In sixty years, he reckoned he’d fallen ten times….The Harvey Carter style, it turns out, is to climb carefully enough that you rely on yourself and your own ability to move around on the rock. You don’t rely on gear, luck, or adrenaline.” -Steve Bartlett, Desert Towers.

Colorado climbing legend Harvey Carter died in March of this year at age 81. His memorial service was held two weeks ago at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, where an old friend climbed Montezuma’s tower and drove in a golden piton in his honor.

Carter’s list of climbing achievements is unparalleled. A true pioneer, he established first ascents and explored formidable routes throughout the west, in addition to founding Climbing Magazine. You can read a great account of Harvey’s life in Dave Phillipp’s article from 2008 in the Gazette.

Many of the staff of Mountain Chalet count themselves among Harvey’s friends or admirers, and we honor his life and his inspiring accomplishments.

Photo by Matt Chmielarczyk

Last Saturday we hosted the annual Banff Film festival in Colorado Springs. The event sold out well in advance, so we appreciate your enthusiastic support. As usual, we were proud to donate all the ticket proceeds to the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, totaling over $8000! Thanks for helping them continue building trails, restoring damaged lands, and taking care of our treasured natural areas.

This Saturday, March 10, is our annual rental department sale, starting at 10 AM. Stop by for great deals on used cross-country skis, poles, rock climbing shoes, snowshoes, and possibly a couple AT skis.

It’s also beginning to be trail maintenance season again. Please consider volunteering with groups such as RMFI, Guardians of Palmer Park, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, and Friends of Cheyenne Cañon as they clean up and preserve our favorite local areas.

Or if you’d rather shop online, mtnchalet.com has gift cards and lots of other products to choose from. We always offer free standard shipping with no minimums, with the exception of very large items such as skis.

Check out our holiday hours, too!

To sweeten the deal, Mountain Chalet will be offering some free goodies, gifts with purchase, and will also donate 20% of the sales from the visiting rep’s line(s) that day to Friends of Red Rock Canyon!

All Meet the Rep Events are at Mountain Chalet from 11am to 3pm:

Friday, Oct. 28
Owen Dennehy with Patagonia Footwear, Eagle Creek, Mountain Khakis, and Katadyn

Sat., Nov 5
Marvin Wedell with Horny Toad, Nau, Ski Logic, Alpina, and Snowpeak

Sat., Nov. 12
Tom Gordon with Osprey, Western Mountaineering, and Outdoor Research

Sat., Nov. 19
Jay Alter with the North Face

Sat., Dec. 3
Eric Miller with Dakine, Ibex and Oboz

Sat., Dec. 10
Max Milverstedt with Columbia

Join us on Wednesday nights this fall for the following events!

Sept. 28th         Glacier Bay Slideshow        Free! 7:00pm

Roger Spaulding invites you to share in the stories and pictures taken during an eight-day kayaking trip into the heart of Glacier Bay.  This trip was the realization of a lifelong dream to view a truly wild portion of southeastern Alaska.

Oct. 5th         Elevenmile Canyon Slideshow          Free! 7:00pm

Join us for another entertaining and informative evening as Ben Schmitt, author of the new guidebook Eleven Miles to Freedom, introduces us to some of the new routes he has established in the canyon. Ben is a 22-year old college student and climber native to Colorado Springs, and he has spent years repeating the area’s classic routes and making additions of his own. Time will be available for Q&A and book signing.

Oct. 12th         The Colorado Trail Slideshow          Free! 7:00pm

Ranger Dave Van Manen, founder and director of the award-winning Mountain Park Environmental Center (MPEC) of Beulah, Colorado, completed his Colorado Trail “Backpack for Nature Education” 486-mile fundraising trek this past August!  Come see and hear Dave’s inspiring Colorado Trail story and how his hike supports the important nature-based education programs of the MPEC. The show will include photos of gorgeous scenery, and you can enjoy live music as Dave performs some of the songs he kept himself company with on the many solo miles of the trek.

Oct. 19th         Reel Rock Film Tour 2011          $5 CC Students, $10 general  7:00pm

The REEL ROCK Film Tour brings the best in climbing and adventure films to local audiences across the globe. For the sixth annual film tour, co-founders Sender Films and Big UP Productions are taking audiences to the edge of what’s possible. From climbing the world’s most difficult frozen falls, to the hardest big wall free climb and highline antics, these heart pounding tales of superhuman skills will leave you wanting more. Where: Armstrong Theater on the Colorado College campus. Tickets available in advance at Mountain Chalet.

In response to the devastating spring storms in the South and Midwest, Mountain Chalet and KEEN have joined forces to raise money to support the Red Cross disaster relief efforts. KEEN will donate $5 for every pair of its shoes sold from June 17 to July 3 at Mountain Chalet.

Across the Midwest and South, residents are dealing with a trail of disasters caused by tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather that has left thousands of homes destroyed. The money raised and donated through the partnership between KEEN and outdoor industry retailers will help the Red Cross assist with relief and recovery efforts, including: serving meals and snacks, operating shelters, providing health and mental health assistance, providing mobile feeding via Emergency Response Vehicles, and distributing bulk items like clean up kits and comfort kits.

The companies have pledged to donate a minimum of $5,000 for the cause. Other independent retailers are taking part in this fundraising effort through the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a group of independent outdoor retailers throughout North America.
Thanks for your support!

Last weekend, the 6th annual Pikes Peak Earth Day took place at Doherty High School.

The event featured eco-friendly exhibitors from our community, workshops, children’s activities, entertainment, environmental presentations, food, art, and more.

Mountain Chalet was proud to be a sponsor of the event and gave away BPA-free nalgene bottles, reusable shopping bags, and lip balm. Thanks to everybody who stopped by to say hello or join our email list!

Also, our Earth Day sale begins tomorrow and goes through April 23rd. Get 20% off all of our “eco-friendly” products, such as the organic/recycled clothing and gear we displayed at our Pikes Peak Earth Day booth. Look for the green stickers on the product tags as your guide.

Happy Earth Day!

Last Sunday was closing day at Monarch ski area. Led by Ron Leasure and Mike Bristol, the crew from Mountain Chalet and Bristol Brewing Company raised money for Friends of North Cheyenne Canon. Thanks to everybody who donated to the cause!

Visitors to the booth enjoyed Bristol’s soon to be released seasonal Yellow Kite pilsner and giveaways from Mountain Chalet.

Despite blustery conditions, there were a couple inches of new snow to round out this year’s skiing season.

Thanks for your help!

TRAIL CREEK, SOUTH PLATTE WATERSHED

Minimum age 16, or 13 if accompanying a parent volunteer
RMFI will be working in this part of the Hayman Burn area to stabilize Trail Creek through planting willows and completing erosion control structures on a bed that leads to the creek.

Saturday, March 12, 8 am to 3 pm

FIELDS PARK, MANITOU SPRINGS

Minimum age 16, or 13 if accompanying a parent volunteer
RMFI has been contracted by the Fountain Creek Restoration Project to stabilize and restore the banks of the creek as it flows through Fields Park.  We will be building steps and retaining walls and planting native plants, seeding grass and laying down erosion control matting. This is strenuous work and requires some heavy lifting.  Be prepared to get dirty!

Sunday, March 6 (10 am to noon — January 22 workday rescheduled)
Saturday, April 9
Sunday, April 10
Saturday, April 16
Sunday, April 17
Saturday, April 23
Sunday, Aril 24
Saturday, April 30
Sunday, May 1

All Fields Park workdays run from 8:30 am to 3 pm.

GARDEN OF THE GODS WORKDAYS

ADULT WORKDAYS

Minimum age 16, or 13 if accompanying a parent volunteer
The Central Garden area sees heavy use, and other than the wide, paved paths, the trails are not up to the task. The Central Garden Trail Improvement Project will rebuild damaged trails, close and restore unwanted social trails, and designate and improve other social trails. We will be building retaining walls, steps and drainage structures, and moving rocks and dirt to locations that a Bobcat cannot reach. This is strenuous work and requires some heavy lifting.  Be prepared to get dirty!

Saturday, May 7
Sunday, May 8
Saturday, May 21 (Youth Day, see below)
Saturday, May 22
Sunday, May 28
Sunday, May 29

Unless specified, all adult work days run from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Note:  Custom workdays for groups may be arranged during the week.  Call RMFI for details!

YOUTH WORKDAY

For middle and high school students. Parents are also welcome.

Saturday, May 21     9 am – 12:30pm

For all projects:

BRING:    Bring water bottle, sack lunch, work gloves, rain gear; wear sturdy & weather-appropriate clothes, work shoes or boots (NO open toes!!!), and sunscreen. RMFI has work gloves to loan.

WAIVER:    All volunteers must sign a legal release form for each day worked.  Those under 18 must have a parent’s  signature.   A release will be sent to you when you register.  You will need one for each day you volunteer.

The bags sell for $4.95, or for a limited time, spend $100 and receive a bag FREE. If placing your order online, please put “reusable bag” in the comments section of your order to take advantage of this offer.