I think June’s membership meeting was a big success with a large crowd, but this month’s membership meeting is even bigger – it is time for the return of the annual Lake Party! After having to cancel it last year after 16 straight years, it is back on July 10th. You must register by June 30 so we’ll know how much food to prepare (https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4314805 ). If you are planning on bringing guest(s), you’ll need to register them by June 30 as well (per the IRS we must charge non-members the cost of the event, so guests will have to pay $10 each (or better yet, they can join the club for $30 individual or $45 family, and be able to enjoy all our events). The club will be providing the fish fry and grilled chicken breasts along with cole slaw, hush puppies, green beans, potato salad, and bottled water. Members are invited to bring an appetizer or a dessert (please email Bobbi Witt and tell her what you are going to bring - moonsfrost@hotmail.com). Also, you may want to bring towels, chairs, water toys, sunscreen, coolers, face mask, hand sanitizer, any games you have to help with entertainment, and your own alcohol. See you on the 10th at the Blue Springs Club, 3858 Burning Bush Rd, Ringgold, GA.
There was an interesting article in the Washington Post recently about Aspen/Snowmass, one of our destinations this coming winter. No, it wasn’t about the skiing, at least not directly. Eight years ago, Aspen Skiing Co. invested $5.34 million to build a power plant running on methane, which was leaking from a closed coal mine. The Elk Creek Mine, located about an hour west of Aspen, used to produce $1 million in coal a day, but closed in 2012 after a fire. It was leaking methane (CH4 for you chemically inclined, which is also the primary constituent of natural gas), as all coal/oil/gas operations do, at a rate of 250-billion-cubit feet per year. (Methane, like carbon dioxide, is a greenhouse gas, but pound for pound, the comparative impact of CH4 is 25 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period.) The new plant produces 24 million kilowatt-hours a year (or just under 3MWs), about as much electricity for the grid as the ski company uses to run its four resorts and hotels. The reduction in CH4 emissions is equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road a year. While it hasn’t made a profit yet, Aspen has been repaid all but $750,000 of its initial $5.34 million investment. Something to ponder while you are riding the lifts. So much for today’s science lesson. A ski company built a power plant fueled by methane. Can it be replicated? - The Washington Post
Another story that caught my eye this week was news that Alterra, which is the operator of Steamboat ski area, is expanding Steamboat’s total skiable acres by 12%, which will make it the third-largest resort in Colorado with 3,320 acres. The 355 acres of new terrain will extend the resort boundary into the Pioneer Ridge area and will feature advanced/expert-graded terrain with 1,800 vertical feet accessible via the Pony Express lift, which will also gain 25 new chairs.
We have three new members to report, Devon & Evan Simpson, and Vicki Williams. Let’s all welcome them.
Stay safe everyone,
Bob
Event Listing
Lake Party - July 10 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4314805
Standup Paddleboard (SUP) party – August 1 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-2920338
Hiawassee River Raft/Duckie float trip – August 29 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3933037 Webb Brother's Rafting on the Hiwassee River (webbbros.com)
Bardstown Bourbon Trail – October 1-3 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3753468
Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Things To Do in Bardstown, KY | Visit Bardstown
Crescent Ski Council Fall Convention, Glenstone Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN - October 22-24
Len Foote Hike Inn – November 5-6 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3235020
(note the revised date) The Hike Inn (hike-inn.com)
Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021 https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf
Christmas Party – TBD
Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819
Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705
Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580
Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148