MFaoro

Im a fan of the Colorado avalanche center avy rose myself. Quick and easy read. On the other hand - I find the level of detail that NWAC provides is pretty stupendous and damn useful. Here is a request for phone calls to help convince the state legislature and goverernor to increase funding for NWAC. The request lists the legislators we are targeting and key talking points when you call. ----- We need your help today to convince the State Legislature and Governor to increase funding for the NW Weather and Avalanche Center. The legislature is currently negotiating the 2006 supplemental budget, and without additional funding, NWAC’s future is uncertain. Please take five minutes and write, email or call your legislators and the legislative targets below and ask them to increase funding for NWAC. The funding and the future operation of NWAC are in jeopardy. NWAC is funded by government agencies, the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, and the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center thanks to your contributions. In recent years, government funds have either remained flat or declined. Combined with slowly increasing salary and equipment costs, this has placed the Center in a $35,000 budget hole this year. If this hole is not filled, NWAC will cease operating a month early. Center Director, Mark Moore, is estimating a $70,000 budget shortfall next year. If that budget gap is not plugged, the Center could cease operating next season. You can help! Contact your legislators today (locate them here if you do not know how to contact your legislators). Also take an extra moment to contact the target offices listed below. Thank you for taking the time. For more information see the Background section below. TALKING POINTS ->Please increase the funding for NWAC. Funding this agency is vital to public safety. 35k is needed this year and 70k is needed next year. ->Without an increase in funding, NWAC will close early this year and potentially for good. ->Closing NWAC puts the public at risk. ->Avalanche fatalities in Washington are far greater than those due to any other natural disaster related cause. LEGISLATIVE TARGETS: Senator Ken Jacobsen 102 Modular Building 1 PO Box 40446 Olympia, WA 98504-0446 (360) 786-7690 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Senator Margarita Prentice 113 Modular Building 1 PO Box 40411 Olympia, WA 98504-0411 (360) 786-7616 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Senator Mary Margaret Haugen 407 Legislative Building PO Box 40410 Olympia, WA 98504-0410 (360) 786-7670 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Rep. Helen Sommers 204 John L. O'Brien Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600 (360) 786-7814 Rep. Bill Fromhold 239 John L. O'Brien Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600 (360) 786-7924 Senator Phil Rockefeller 110 Modular Building 1 PO Box 40423 Olympia, WA 98504-0423 (360) 786-7644 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles 103 Joel M. Pritchard Building PO Box 40436 Olympia, WA 98504-0436 (360) 786-7608 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Senator Marilyn Rasmussen 409 Legislative Building PO Box 40402 Olympia, WA 98504-0402 (360) 786-7602 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Senator Dale Brandland 203 Irv Newhouse Building PO Box 40442 Olympia, WA 98504-0442 (360) 786-7682 Fax: (360) 786-1999 Governor Christine Gregoire Office of the Governor PO Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 (360) 902-411 BACKGROUND The NWAC now manages a comprehensive mountain data network comprised of over 40 remote weather stations and sub-stations that automatically give forecasters a variety of hourly weather data via phone, VHF, spread spectrum radio, satellite and meteor backscatter telemetry. Despite the large aerial expansion and greatly increased services offered over the past 30 years of operation (the Center celebrated its 30th Anniversary on December 6, 2005), staffing of the Center has remained constant at three full-time forecasters from approximately October-June. And although the annual cost of the program is currently about $265,000, the value of the program (including in-kind support and contributed services) to all cooperators is now estimated at nearly $450,000. In this time of promoting partnerships and trying to stretch governmental dollars to the maximum, there are very few federal programs that do so much with so little. Unfortunately, despite an annual federally mandated salary increase, recent cooperator contributions at both the state and federal levels have remained flat or have declined. As budget projections for future winter operations indicate, NWAC faces increasing shortfalls from 2006-2008 with deficits reaching ~$35,000 for FY 06 and $60-70,000 in FY07 and 08. Such funding shortages will result in either severe reductions in services or potential closure. With annual avalanche fatalities in Washington greater than those due to any other natural disaster related cause, and fatalities nationwide averaging almost 30/year, such reductions or a closure would have significant negative impacts on public safety.

I have always found my AT boots (Garmont Mega Ride, Dynafit TLT 700) to be much more comfortable than my climbing boots - the thermoflex liner is the way to go. If you plan on skiing off the peaks and enjoy climbing on skis then I think it is worth the expense. If you wont be on skis much then its a harder sell.