I just got news of the next Avalanche Jam fundraiser here in Colorado, for our statewide avalanche safety outfit. Funny thing is we’ve now got a dilemma here in the Roaring Fork Valley area because we have an excellent local avy center we’d also like to support. Perhaps we can give a bit to both. Meanwhile, here is skinny for the upcoming biggie fundraiser:
Fifth Annual Avalanche Jam Gears Up for Golden
BOULDER, CO (July 18, 2006) – The fifth annual Avalanche Jam, hosted by Backcountry Access (BCA), will take place from 5 to 10 pm on Friday, Sept. 22 outside the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado. The Avalanche Jam is a fundraiser for the Boulder-based Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).
Back by popular demand, Damage Done, has returned as the headliner. This Colorado rock band features musicians from local outdoor retailer Neptune Mountaineering. New this year will be an opening band for Damage Done. Route 7, comprised of the pre-teen offspring of Damage Done, will be opening with a handful of songs as the event kicks off making it an even more family-friendly event.
In addition to the music, the event will include dinner by El Señor Sol’s, beer from New Belgium Brewery, an outdoor industry demo village and a silent auction. Donors to the silent auction include BCA, Lowe Alpine, Patagonia, G3, Marmot, Outdoor Research, MSR and Cloudveil—and the list is growing daily.
Last year’s proceeds provided the CAIC with much needed funds to offer avalanche education and forecasting for Colorado backcountry users [including backcountry skiers]. Colorado is home to one of the largest backcountry recreational markets in North America. Coupled with the most dangerous snowpack in North America, the CAIC plays an integral role in daily trip planning for Colorado backcountry users so they can recreate safely. The CAIC is partially funded by the Colo. Dept. of Transportation, State of Colorado, the Colorado ski industry, and a group of backcountry users called the Friends of the CAIC.
“It is a great way to prep for the ski season, catch up with old friends and support avalanche forecasting and education in Colorado. Come enjoy a great event and support avalanche safety in Colorado. We really appreciate every dollar raised to help the CAIC,â€? said Ethan Greene, Director of CAIC.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. They can be purchased in advance at your local outdoor retailer or by calling Backcountry Access at 303.417.1345. For sponsorship information, call Steve Christie at BCA at or email steve@bcaccess.com.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
