September Membership Meeting

Tuesday, September 21, 730 N. Tejon St., 7:30pm

Saving the Victor Miner’s Union Hall

In Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are many near-ghost towns such as Victor. The decline of many of its buildings belies that it was once the center of nationally, even internationally significant historic events. One such building, the Victor Miner’s Union Hall, was first a symbol of success for the men who worked the gold mines and their families when they built it in 1901-2. They had achieved a balance of power with mine owners and businessmen, starting in 1894, when the Western Federation of Miners had won recognition and improved conditions.

The union struck, however, in 1903-4, to support the much less fortunate smelter workers of Pueblo. Angry mine owners and businessmen joined forces to oppose the union. The WFM had become very radical under the leadership of William “Big Bill” Haywood, and dynamite killed some “scab” workers. With vigilantes, detectives, and ultimately troops, the owner forces attacked the union men, including assaulting the Victor Miner’s Union Hall. They arrested hundreds of union leaders and treated them to beatings, torture, false imprisonment, kidnapping, deportation, and blacklisting from future employment.

One such leader was John Harper, president of Victor Miners’ Local No. 32 when they opened the hall and manager of the WFM Cooperative Store during the strike. He endured some of the worst treatment while labor watched from the nation and the world. His dramatic individual story is part of History Professor Kathy Sturdevant’s presentation at the Tuesday, September 21, meeting of CMC’s Pikes Peak Group. The program, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 N. Tejon St., also makes clear what a significant turning point the summer of 1904 was for labor history. The presentation includes the efforts to resurrect the building—which still bears the bullet holes—as the historic site of events as important to hardrock mining as Ludlow was to coal mining.

Professor Kathy Sturdevant of Pikes Peak Community College has taught, written, and spoken about Colorado, local, Western, and American history for about 25 years. Intense research qualifies her to present these stories of Colorado’s Labor Wars. She is still more immersed than that, however. She is the Project Manager for saving the Victor Miner’s Union Hall and the great-granddaughter of John Harper. Come see history come to life and preservation effort to keep it that way.

Basic Anchor Clinic — Coming in September

Have you ever found yourself standing at the top of a cliff with a rats nest of slings and webbing, a harness full of shiny gear, and a head full of questions? If so you should consider this clinic. Topics covered (in the field – no classroom) will include basic anchors (natural and manmade), anchor materials, setting a SRENE anchor, and considerations of anchor placement (pros and cons). This course is not only for technical climbers but for folks wanting to pick up extra skills for their 14er outings.

Course Outline – 1 afternoon field session and 1 full day field session.
Course Cost – 25.00 (course cost includes textbook).
Maximum Participants: 10
Dates – Afternoon session Friday, September 24th 4 pm till dark. Full day field session – Saturday, September 25 9am – 5pm.
Prerequistites – successful completion of BMS Rock Module.

Registration will begin in August. There will be a password prompt before completing registration. Password available after pre-req review by lead instructor. For more information please contact Pete Elliott at yangalala@gmail.com

High Altitude Mountaineering School

HAMS starts in October

The annual Pikes Peak Group High Altitude Mountaineering School will start in October. This is a course designed for those climbers who want to go beyond the 14ers to take on high altitude (15,000' plus) and glaciated mountains.

• Classroom sessions will take place on 10/25 11/1, 11/15, 11/29, and 12/13 and include such topics as equipment, medical concerns, nutrition and menu planning, fitness and training, organizing an expedition, and group dynamics.
• Field sessions will be on 1/8, 1/22, 2/12-13, and 2/26-2/27; they will cover such topics as roped travel, crevasse rescue, climbing alpine ice, and winter camping.
• A graduation climb of Mt. Rainier will take place at the end of the course. Completion of Basic Mountaineering School (all modules) or equivalent, plus experience putting those skills into practice in the field are prerequisites for the course.
• Costs for the textbook and all lectures is $120. Field Sessions are scheduled CMC trips. For information contact Greg Long at 659-0345 or e-mail to at_90@yahoo.com. Register online at cmc.org.

Safety and Leadership Class
Safety & Leadership Class is the first of 2 required classes to obtain CMC trip leader certification. Completion of this class along with MOFA will allow you to plan and lead trips to your favorite hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing, areas. It is suggested that if you are currently a leader and it has been more than 5 years since you last attended this class that you take the class to refresh your leadership skills.

Instructor: Bill Houghton
Class Room Dates: October 12th, 14th
Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Field Session: October 17th
Time:TBD
Cost: $35.00, includes textbook

Mountain Oriented First Aid (MOFA)

MOFA Class will teach you the skills necessary to administer emergency first aid in the backcountry when help is miles and/or hours away. This course is required for all those wanting to become trip leaders and for those trip leaders who last attended the course more than 5 years ago and also is a great class for hikers needing to brush up on their first aid skills or those of you who have never taken a first aid course.

Instructor: Steve Lang
Date: October 16th
Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $35.00, includes textbook

Basic Mountaineering School (BMS)

BMS classes are complete for 2010. Stay tuned for next year's offerings.