Lori Heath
The Foothills Cross-Country Skiing Committee has a new Chair! We’d like to thank the outgoing Chair John Gilbert for his service to the branch, and welcome the new Chair Birgit Grimlund. Please read Birgit’s warm introduction.
After receiving so much from The Mountaineers over the last five years (new backpacking and climbing buddies, and opportunities to teach about backpacking and inspire teens, adults, and families to get out on the trail), it's time for me to step up and share in the responsibility of branch leadership. I'm delighted to be the new Foothills Cross-Country Skiing Committee Chair and hope to support leaders as I've been supported by so many over the last number of years.
I became active with The Mountaineers in 2020 as a MAC (Mountaineers Adventure Club) parent to support my then high-school-age son. But my impressions of The Mountaineers started much earlier from my father's and uncles' tales exploring the Cascade mountains in the 1950s as climbers and skiers. I've been cross-country skiing since early childhood and attempted to share that love with my son, but it took The Mountaineers to make it a cool endeavor (thank you MAC!). Now on his college Nordic ski team, my son's enthusiasm inspired me to attempt to ski the Birkie next season.
I ski, hike, backpack, and climb to experience awe (land snorkeling is my new favorite term). In my role as a backpack or cross-country ski leader, my greatest joy is when others share in the awe of high mountains, wildflower meadows, stunning rock, or amazing snow-covered trails. And combining good food with any outdoor activity is sometimes literally the icing - such as celebrating a friend's birthday by making German chocolate cake in a bag at Lunch Counter on my way up Adams.
