2010 Winter Gathering and Fundraiser.

[Neil]

Dear forum members,

What follows is the result of your Foundation's think tank burning out a few neurons.

Our goal is to draw the forum membership ever closer to the foundation so as to blur the boundaries. To see the two joined at the hip, as it were. However, being in its infancy, the Foundation is striving for more solid footing as far as getting the full membership of the forums involved in our fund raising efforts.

One great example, which epitomizes success in getting forum members involved is the calendar project. People participate all the way through the process, then buy calendars and help the Foundation give back in a tangible way. That’s the type of life cycle we believe every Foundation project should have.

With respect to a major fund raising event for 2010 we would like to attempt to put someone on top of as many different peaks anywhere in the Adirondack or Catskills Parks as possible on February 20, 2010. Because there is a continuously renewing group of winter hikers on the forums we see this as an ideal way for members of varying degrees of experience to hike together and to socialize. One big happy forum family!

The winter gatherings in Keene have always been a big success. With the Ark Trail Inn (our de facto headquarters) we have a venue that is as near perfect as possible. Also, there are few other gatherings or events going on at that time of year.

Our conclusion is pretty simple: let's link the annual winter gathering with the Foundation’s primary fund raising effort and create a spirit of unity by getting together and hiking up a mountain on the same day, as part of the same effort. Needless to say, as an integral part of this endeavor, we will be counting on your donations.

For those who are not High Peaks hikers but who wish to be a part of our fundraising efforts we encourage you to go for a snowshoe or a ski anywhere in the Adirondack or Catskills Parks and make a donation to the Foundation.

Whether the group climb concept is espoused or not, the Ark Trail Inn has been reserved for the weekend of February 19-21. Additionally, RandomScoots Cabin, which can sleep up to 6 people, is currently being held on a first come first serve basis.

Call 518-946-2276 to reserve your room at the Ark or follow the link to Randomscoots Cabin, which is in Keene about 4 miles away from the Ark. Tell Jim or Kathleen of the Ark trail that you are with the forum. Normally, the rooms at the Ark go very quickly (within a day or two). After Randomscoots there is the Brookside Inn in Upper Jay, the Hiker's Hostel in Keene Valley and many other lodgings in the vicinity.

Note: as the gathering gathers momentum we will be starting up various threads as required (ie. food, peak attributions and participants, leaders, safety, etc. etc.). Consider this one as the kick-off thread.

Feel free to post whatever thoughts you may have regarding this project.

[TFR]

Where is the Catskill gathering?

We think this should be 2 separate events.

We love the Ark gathering but don't make us choose....

[yvon]

We'll be there, Annie and me.
But I do not think I'll do Allen this year. Because I missed a part of the party and some of the good things people bring for the diner last year.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by TFR

Where is the Catskill gathering?

We think this should be 2 separate events.

We love the Ark gathering but don't make us choose....

Which Catskills gathering are you referring to Tom? I was unaware of one in February.

[PA Ridgerunner]

Franny and I are in!

[Snickers]

I'm in, just reserved my room.

[TFR]

Originally Posted by Neil

Which Catskills gathering are you referring to Tom? I was unaware of one in February.

There is no Catskill Gathering in February, that is exactly my point. You are asking us to "go for a snowshoe or a ski anywhere in the Adirondack or Catskills Parks and make a donation to the Foundation." Fine. But, if I go for a hike in the Catskills, I'm not going to drive 4 or more hours each way to hang out with y'all at the Ark. Everything is centered around the ADKs. There is no planning for a gathering anywhere in the Catskills.

I suggest we either plan a simultaneous gathering at a Catskill venue, (maybe we could have a video hookup! ), or split this into 2 separate weekends.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by TFR

There is no Catskill Gathering in February, that is exactly my point. You are asking us to "go for a snowshoe or a ski anywhere in the Adirondack or Catskills Parks and make a donation to the Foundation." Fine. But, if I go for a hike in the Catskills, I'm not going to drive 4 or more hours each way to hang out with y'all at the Ark. Everything is centered around the ADKs. There is no planning for a gathering anywhere in the Catskills.

I suggest we either plan a simultaneous gathering at a Catskill venue, (maybe we could have a video hookup! ), or split this into 2 separate weekends.

Actually, we are aware that this will be de facto a primarily High Peaks event. Nevertheless, we wanted an opening for non-High Peaks people who wish to be involved but don't want to travel to or hike in the HP. Such people would then do a hike but not likely make it to the social gathering.

In your specific case we have big plans for you my boy so you better plan on doing some hard core peakbagging up north that weekend.

[billandjudy]

We'll be there

[Rik]

Originally Posted by TFR

There is no Catskill Gathering in February, that is exactly my point. You are asking us to "go for a snowshoe or a ski anywhere in the Adirondack or Catskills Parks and make a donation to the Foundation." Fine. But, if I go for a hike in the Catskills, I'm not going to drive 4 or more hours each way to hang out with y'all at the Ark. Everything is centered around the ADKs. There is no planning for a gathering anywhere in the Catskills.

I suggest we either plan a simultaneous gathering at a Catskill venue, (maybe we could have a video hookup! ), or split this into 2 separate weekends.

Why don't you just plan a post hike gathering in the Catskills for that weekend if that is where you want to hike? You folks that are down there know where the best places would be for such an event. I'm sure if the turnout is good it would go a long way towards a future gathering being organized in the Catskills.
My impression, from Neil's post, is that the winter gathering has a history of being well attended and very successful. Combining that with the Foundation's mission and fundraising efforts seems logical to me. Including non-high peaks is just an attempt to make the whole event more inclusive.

I know that I'll be at the Ark that weekend and hiking in the high peaks. Someone has to keep Mavs in line.