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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Get ready for the 2009 ALDHA-West Gathering!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This year’s Gathering is at Camp Arrah Wanna, in Welches OR, September 25-27.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our 2006 Gathering was at Arrah Wanna, and we’re excited to return to this camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s an easy one-hour drive from the Portland airport, and only a 30-minute drive from Timberline Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The camp is beautiful and the accommodations are perfect: lodging is in cabins, and the dining hall is separate from the presentation building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The AV equipment is terrific!</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">We’re working on an exciting schedule of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a little preview of what we’ve lined up so far:</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SCOTT WILLIAMSON - Scott will give his perspective on the PCT over the years and what it has meant to him, and discuss some of the threats to the PCT and efforts to preserve and protect it, whether it be with volunteering or simple things one can do while out hiking on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Scott says, “This trail in many ways is my home and thus I hold it close to my heart, more than just a place to do speed records, yo-yo's or any of that. Those are just excuses to be on it!"</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">ANDREW SKURKA - Andrew will explore<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The New Frontier of Long-Distance Hiking: Long-Distance Adventuring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Andrew says, “The area that I think is ripe for further exploration is in this ‘long-distance adventuring’ sphere, which depends much less (or not at all) on established trails or published guidebooks, introduces new techniques for wilderness travel (e.g. packrafting and backcountry skiing), and accesses areas of the country that long-distance hikers historically have ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My presentation will provide an overview of this evolution in long-distance backpacking, share some of the recent experiences that I’ve had, and identify further opportunities that I think hikers will find rewarding."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font><a href="http://www.andrewskurka.com/"><span style="COLOR: blue"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">www.andrewskurka.com</font></span></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">DOUG SCOTT - Doug is the Policy Director for the Campaign for America’s Wilderness (</font><a href="http://www.leaveitwild.org/"><span style="COLOR: blue"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">www.leaveitwild.org</font></span></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">), a past Deputy Director for the Sierra Club and has also worked for the Wilderness Society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He has written two books about America’s Wilderness System ("The Enduring Wilderness" and "Our Wilderness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>America’s Common Ground"), and quite literally has been involved personally with about half of the 700 wilderness bills passed since 1964.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Doug will speak about his involvement in protecting America’s Wilderness and the impact of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which is the most significant conservation measure to be enacted by Congress in the last 15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Among its many provisions, this omnibus bill permanently codifies the National Landscape Conservation System; creates two million new acres of wilderness across 9 states; establishes 3 new National Park units; designates 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers; designates a National Monument and 3 National Conservation Areas; protects world-class hunting land in the Wyoming Range; and recognizes new Historic Sites and Heritage Areas. </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">BRICE HAMMACK’S GEAR SWAP/SALE - Triple Crown Hiker Brice Hammack will host a gear swap/sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bring your gently used gear to swap/sell, and bring a friend who is in the market to acquire good equipment reasonably priced!</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">TRIPLE CROWN AWARDS - The highlight of the ALDHA-West Gathering is the Triple Crown Awards Ceremony!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We honor those intrepid souls who have had the unique opportunity to hike America’s three long trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This emotional ceremony, filled with laughter and tears, will be something you’ll remember for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font><a href="http://www.aldhawest.org/Triple/default.asp"><span style="COLOR: blue"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">www.aldhawest.org/Triple/default.asp</font></span></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">BACKPACKER OLYMPICS - Think you’re a bear bagging all-star?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Been known to eat an entire bag of mini-snickers in one sitting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can you pitch your shelter in under 10 seconds … even in a torrential downpour?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so you have a chance to win the gold in the 1<sup>st</sup> annual ALDHA-West Backpacker Olympics at this year’s Gathering!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bring your tent, bear canister, and honed backcountry skills, and sign up for this very fun, weekend-long multi-event!</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">TRAIL WORK PARTY - You hike it, you love it, now dig it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Join a PCTA work party on Friday September 25, dig in the dirt alongside other great folks, and protect the trail from erosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No experience necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We provide all equipment, training, and possibly even homemade biscotti.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You get the satisfaction of a meaningful contribution to our national scenic treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pre-registration required so we know how many hard hats and tools to provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Project time will start around 9am and return to the Gathering around 4pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please contact crew leader Roberta Cobb at </font><a href="mailto:trillium97@hotmail.com"><span style="COLOR: blue"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">trillium97@hotmail.com</font></span></a><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> for details and to sign up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Well, that’s just a peek at what you’ll experience at this year’s ALDHA-West Gathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Register now here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font><a href="http://www.aldhawest.org/Gathering/default.asp"><span style="COLOR: blue"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">www.aldhawest.org/Gathering/default.asp</font></span></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ll get a discount if you register by September 8, 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hurry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Register now before you forget!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mark your calendar:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Gathering is September 25-27, 2009.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">We look forward to seeing you there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Heather Anderson</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Jackie McDonnell</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">ALDHA-West Gathering Co-Coordinators</font></p>