The Northfield Mountain Nordic Ski Patrol (Northfield, Massachusetts) is an organization of volunteer first responders trained and nationally certified in winter safety, outdoor emergency care, cross country skiing, land navigation, mountain travel, search and rescue, and winter survival.

The Avalanche, Mountaineering, and Nordic Instructors of the Eastern Division of the National Ski Patrol will meet at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire, on April 19th. The meeting is open to ALL Patrollers. Deadline for registration is April 7, 2008

MORE INFORMATION
REGISTRATION FORM

The patrol will hold its annual end of season banquet Saturday, April 26, at Jillian's (formerly Countree Living) in Erving. Details and menu options are to be announced.

Candidate Brett Marquard returned to Hayward, Wisconsin, last weekend for the 35th running of the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race. He completed the 51 kilometer (32 mile) event in under 3½ hours.

Brett commented:

“Over 6,000 skiers made the homage to northern Wisconsin to ski the 51 kilometers with a finish down the main street of Hayward. "Birkie Fever" is the term used for the skiers that come back each year. ... Plenty of snow and large crowds made for a a good race. For me, the rolling hills of the course took a toll and near the end I questioned whether I would sign-up for another year. Of course, when you get to ski down Main Street with people lining both sides, all pain is forgotten. I am already looking forward to 2009.”

For more information about the American Birkebeiner, visit the official website.

Northfield Mountain Patroller Ralph Rossi successfully completed the skiing skills component of the Nordic Senior program last Saturday at Notchview. Activities included backcountry trail breaking and emergency toboggan improvisation.

Having already completed the Senior Emergency Management Module (EMM), Ralph is one step closer to Senior status. Congratulations, Ralph!

Bob Presutti of our patrol, a Nordic Senior Examiner, assisted in the evaluation.

To review the content of the program, download this document.

How much snow do we have on the ground? Check these online resources:

NOHRSC

NERFC

Connecticut NSP Nordic Advisor Chuck Boyd is planning an assault on K2, the world’s second-highest peak, this coming summer. More information is available on this webpage.

Patrollers, please review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) published in the December Rattlebone and familiarize yourself with the new procedures and terminology. If your Rattlebone isn’t handy, click here.