Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
APPLICATION TO LEAD AN AMC MAJOR EXCURSION
(Use the F1 key to summon help for most fields)
(Forms and General Information: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ )
1. SUMMARY INFORMATION
A) Trip Title:
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
B)
C)
D)
E)
Andrea Deaton
Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
Dayhiking and Backpacking
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
Total # of days:
10
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 6
Maximum: 8
Advertised Cost: $750 plus estimated $600-$750 airfare
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
This trip’s focus is to experience the Central Colorado mountain ranges widely known for
their vast beauty. We will base ourselves in the Aspen, Colorado area. Due to the high
elevations, it will be imperative for participants to spend a few days becoming acclimatized to the
elevation. After 3 days of dayhiking, we will spend 5 days and 4 nights backpacking in the
Maroon Bells/Snowmass area in the Elk Range. We will do a loop trip that will go over 4 passes.
This area is said to the one part of Colorado that is the most photographed.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
The first 3 nights will be at a Federal campground, Difficult Campground about 5 miles from
the town of Aspen. Due to its proximity, we will be able to take advantage of the stores and
preparations needed for our backpacking trips. After 3 days of dayhikes, we will stay in Aspen in
a hotel for one night before going on the 5 day/4 night backpack. When we return from the
backpacking trip, we will stay in the same hotel.
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
Most of the meals will be provided for this trip with the exception of all lunches and one
dinner. Breakfasts and most dinners will be prepared by the group either at the campground,
campsites or in our hotel room (which have efficiency kitchens). We will go to restaurants as a
group the first and last nights of our trip. Participants have one evening “on their own” in Aspen
to shop, sightsee and have dinner on their own.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
D) Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands
No
Yes, there is a permit for entry into the White River National Forest area that must be filled
out prior to our entry. The fee is $90 and we must supply them with maps of our routes. I have
been working with the ranger in charge of permits and he has indicated this is the only permit we
will need.
E) Equipment: Does the trip require special/technical equipment?
Just backpacking gear.
No
F) Pre-trip activities: Do you plan to get your group together before the major excursion for
an activity or social event?
No
Yes, the group will need to do at least one pre-trip backpack in order to make sure everyone is
capable of the strenuous hiking on this trip. Since it’s likely the trip participants will come from a
various areas within the club, a central location will be sought out likely in June, 2006 somewhere
in NY, MA or CT.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
G) Conservation/Education/Recreation:: Given that the AMC Mission Statement is as follows
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation
organization. We promote the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and trails
of the Appalachian region. We believe that the mountains and rivers have an intrinsic worth and also
provide recreational opportunity, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the
region. We encourage people to enjoy and appreciate the natural world because we believe that
successful conservation depends on this experience. We fulfill our mission through the three
interconnecting pillars of the AMC: conservation, education, and recreation
How will this major excursion meet this mission of conservation, education, and recreation?
For examples, please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/mission/>
<Explain specific education or conservation components of the trip>
H) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
No
Name:
Safety record:
Liability insurance:
Emergency response:
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
3. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
Andrea Deaton
1528 Naudain St., Apt. #1
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(home) 215-732-6791 (work) 215-573-3337
(e-mail) adeaton@xpn.org
Co-Leader:
Kevin Perry
177 Terhune Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
(home) 609-683-7493
(work) 609-258-4697
(e-mail) perry@princeton.edu
B) First Aid Training
To lead a Major Excursion, you must have current CPR and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or
its equivalent at the time of your trip.
Leader:
CPR: 05/07
WFR: 05/06
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
Co-Leader:
CPR: 03/07
WFA: 06/07
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
Leader will get recertification for WFR; co-leader will take Advanced WFA or higher
prior to this trip.
C) Leader Experience and Training
New Leaders: If you are a new leader or co-leader, you must have submitted the form
“Application to Become a Major Excursions Leader”.
Experienced Major Excursions Leaders: Please list below the last three trips you have led for
the AMC including destination, type of trip (backpacking, skiing, etc.), dates, and number of
participants. Feel free to list additional trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate
experience related to the trip you are proposing.
1. Co-led Bike Tuscany 09/2004
2. Col-led Wild Wyoming backpacking 08/2005
3. Leading Belize Multi-Sport 02/2006
Others: Co-leader: co-led Bike Tuscany, 09/2005
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
No
No
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required? No
Must be physically fit and have backpacking experience. Hiking at high elevation is
beneficial.
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
No
4. RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks/hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it
may affect your trip with specific potential hazards. Then, devise a plan to attempt to prevent
each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary.
A) Climate/Terrain
Potential Hazards: The high Colorado peaks are known for summer thunderstorms. Altitude
sickness.
Response:
Leader will make judgement calls on where to go if weather or terrain are
not favorable. We will follow the best practices for elevation during the acclimatization process.
Participants will be screened for previous backpacking experience. We will rise early to do our
hiking in the morning and early afternoons in order to try to avoid the lightning and
thunderstorms and will not summit if there are storms. We will spend 3 days acclimatizing, and
also recommend that individuals bring prescribed Diamox in order to help reduce their altitude
sickness symptoms should they occur.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: N/A
Response:
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: Vans will be rented only for the first few days of dayhiking. We will use
reliable transportation service to pick up and drop off at trailheads.
Response:
Care will be taken to adhere to traffic laws.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Not prepared
Response:
Screening should disqualify individuals who are not able to participate.
E) Other
Potential Hazards:
Response:
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
5. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Please use as much detail as
possible and attach additional sheets if necessary.
A) Emergency Communication
White River National Forest, Aspen Ranger District
970-925-3445
806 West Hallam Street, Aspen, CO 81611
B) Evacuation
If there is an injury that requires evacuation, the White River Forest Service will be contacted
and they coordinate the evacuation. Light injuries are treated and evacuation is done by the
group on foot.
C) Medical Care
Aspen Valley Hospital
401 Castle Creek Rd, Aspen, 81611 - (970) 925-1120
Before you leave for you trip, you will need to provide a list of participants and their
emergency contacts in case something happens to someone in the field as well as an itinerary
with phone numbers (where available) in case something happens at home.
6. COST INFORMATION
A) What deposits are will be required from airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc. (and when):
Hotel requires a $300 deposit to hold rooms.
Cars do not need to be paid for until it is used.
Backcountry permits will not be purchased or paid for until the final number of participants is
known.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
Hotel charges a $30
cancellation fee. National Forest campgrounds require anywhere from $10-$20 cancellation
fee.
C) What is the value of the deposit you will require of the participants?
$ 500
D) What will be your cancellation policy for the participants?
Participants can recoup money, less cancellation fee of $25, if their spot can be filled on the
trip.
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
Yes
If leaders can afford the cost of the trip without as much subsidization
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
7. PRIVATE TRIPS
Are you currently (up to and including the time frame of this proposed trip) leading trips that
are “private,” i.e. not sponsored by the AMC?
NO
8. AMC OUTDOORS INFORMATION
Please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/info/Trip_Notice_Rules.html> for the current rules
and schedule for submitting notices for AMC Outdoors. E-mail both the long (150 words
maximum) and short form (50 word maximum) trip announcements to goeke@space.mit.edu ,
preferably in plain text format, at the same time you submit the trip application. Although the trip
notices travel a different route to the Committee, it helps to have the notices on the web site when
the trip is reviewed.
It your trip notice is somewhat preliminary at this time, that’s OK. You have plenty of
opportunity to change it before the publication deadline. If you don’t want to have the first (long)
notice appear at the normal time – see the above referenced rules – include your special request
in the body of the e-mail containing the trip notices.
After you trip is approved, please check your trip announcements as posted on the Major
Excursions web site: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ ; we cut-and-paste directly from this site
to AMC Outdoors !
9. TRIP PROPOSAL AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Trips cannot come before the Major Excursions Committee for approval unless the application is
completed and received two weeks prior to MEC meetings for review. The ME Leader’s web site
has the Handbook and all required forms: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/handbook/ . As a
minimum we need:
 This application form
 A detailed trip budget/costing form
In addition the following are helpful during the review process, but need only be submitted after
your proposal is accepted:
 50 and 150 word notices for AMC Outdoors
 Trip prospectus – without application forms
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street (again, after proposal acceptance)
 A filled out Confidential Medical Form for leader and co-leader
 Copies of first aid certifications for leader and co-leader
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and
forward your electronic documents with the following naming convention:
Leader’s Last Name, Trip destination, Trip Activity (if applicable), Trip Start date.
For example: Zukroff-New-Zealand-Hiking-12-03-Application.doc
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Colorado Mountain High Backpack
Andrea Deaton/Kevin Perry
Aug 5-14, 2006
Email should be sent to both of the following two addresses:
Stacia Zukroff, Major Excursions Committee Chair at mecchair@amcboston.org
Heidi Reilly, AMC Travel Programs Coordinator at hreilly@outdoors.org
Or, if you unable to send electronically, please mail a single hard copy to:
Heidi Reilly, Appalachian Mountain Club
Five Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108
617-523-0655, x356 (voice) 617-367-8878 (FAX)
10. CONCLUSION
By turning in this proposal, you are agreeing to the following:
I have read the Major Excursions Leader Handbook and I agree to follow all policies and
procedures of the Major Excursions Committee and the Appalachian Mountain Club in
preparing for and conducting my major excursion.
Questions? Contact Stacia Zukroff at mecchair@amcboston.org or 781-648-5503. She can put
you in touch with an experienced MEC mentor who can help you with trip planning.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
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