bruce

Hey Erik, I see where you are going with this, and I, for the most part, agree with you. Two things, though - this event was not designed to support the type of charities you mentioned (e.g. inner-city kids programs), but rather is a benefit for the underfunded Avalanche Center. The race, in its first year in the Northwest, is a money losing proposition for its prime sponsor, Life-Link, but entry fee proceeds will benefit the Avalanche Center still. I am involved with the Fiends of the Avalanche Center, that is why my energies have been focused on a backcountry/ski area event and its beneficiary - the Avy Center. Your idea about raising money for the less fortunate is a great idea, one that would get support from this community. Feel free to e-mail me if you are interested in working on something for next year, that would be cool. As far as no competition in the wilderness - I am with you here, too. Because this race starts and finishes at the ski area, so I don't see that much difference than skiing a day at the lifts (and going OB). My preference is a long tour in the quiet BC with some friends, but this is a special event, I get to see a lot of my friends, check out a new (to the US) sport and benefit the Avy Center. Since I had plans to ski at Alpental anyhow, this still works out pretty good. Erik, I like your thinking - be safe, too.PS - no SUV

I understand that there will be prize money for top finishers of the race - so if there are less fortunate ones out there (i.e. no job), then they have lots of time to ski and tour, so they should do quite well. For the other kind of less fortunate (like me) who spends most waking hours in an office, there will be lots of raffle prizes - tents, skis, boots, sleeping bags, etc. Hope to see you there.

You can still register tonight at 6pm at the downtown REI for the Randonnee Rally (Tele, rando and split-boards included) at Alpental. Goto the upstairs meeting room (where they do skide shows, etc.). The Life-Link crew from Jackson, WY will be there explaining how the race works, Martin Volkin will be discussing the course and someone from the NW Weather and Avalanche Center will be talking about the snowpack and weather for the weekend. Remember, the money raised through entry fees go to the Avalanche Center. BTW, Red Hook is one of the sponsors, so even if you are hurting during the race, you know you will be OK afterwards at the post-race party... For more infor, gotohttp://www.life-link.com/race.htm

You can still register tonight at 6pm at the downtown REI. Goto the upstairs meeting room (where they do skide shows, etc.). The Life-Link crew from Jackson, WY will be there explaining how the race works, Martin Volkin will be discussing the course and someone from the NW Weather and Avalanche Center will be talking about the snowpack and weather for the weekend. Remember, the money raised through entry fees go to the Avalanche Center. BTW, Red Hook is one of the sponsors, so even if you are hurting during the race, you know you will be OK afterwards at the post-race party...