Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
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:
Ski Norway 2007
B)
C)
D)
E)
Mike Barry
Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
Total # of days:
Backcountry Hut to Hut Ski Trip + Cultural/History Education
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
10
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 4
Maximum: 12
Advertised Cost: $1430 (total estimate $2633-2828 with airfare & own cost meals)
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
Hut to hut backcountry ski tour in Hardangervidda National Park in Norway between Oslo
and Bergen. Terrain is rolling mountain plateau above treeline, altitude ranges from 3000-5000 ft.
Trails are tracked through use and daily trek will be approx 20+/- 5 km. Pack weights will be
approximately 25-30 lbs; food and comforters will be provided at huts. Rest day at start after
flight over in Oslo and 1.5 days in Oslo at end of trip for city touring and dining. Transport
to/from OSL and ski region by NSB train service.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
Lodging will be in the Norwegian Trekking Club (Den Norsk Turistforegning, or DNT) Huts.
The huts are similar to AMC facilities ranging from full service as in Pinkham and self service as
in the mountain huts. Services at the huts range from running water, electric and heat to no
running water or electric with outhouses. All huts provide down comforters, sleep sacks only are
required. The self service huts have food with a price list; participants are to mark what they eat
and leave the money for it. One night upon arrival and two nights at the end of the trip will be in a
tourist hotel in a nice residential neighborhood in Oslo.
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
Meals will range from restaurant style with a full menu at full service huts to self prepared
from canned and dry goods supplied at self service huts; all will be typical Norwegian fare.
Breakfast at the Oslo hotel will be provided and will be "Scandinavian continental. Other meals in
Oslo will be on own/with the group at local restaurants. Price estimates for these are included in
the estimated cost but are at participants expense. Cost for alcohol is not included.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
D) Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands
<If YES, explain what is needed, and how & when they will be acquired>
No
E) Equipment: Does the trip require special/technical equipment?
Yes
Double camber touring backcountry skis with metal edges, bivie sack, snow shovel required.
Skins will not be needed.
F) Pre-trip activities: Do you plan to get your group together before the major excursion for
an activity or social event?
Yes
Per location and avaliablilty of particpants, a loaded backcountry ski as a final shakedown is
planned. Target period will be late Feb to early March 2007.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
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/>
Conservation: The Norwegian Government has conserved this entire area for future
generations for future use yet allows some "traditional" uses within national parks and
conservation areas. Huts are also usually fully electrified by hydro-electric power from glacial
lakes, rather than damming rivers. This approach and positive & negative impacts vs the approach
in the US (especially vs the US approach of fostering a "wilderness" experience will be
examined. Education: Norwegian culture, history and language will be related by the trip leader,
who lived in Norway from 1987 to 1990. This will take a larger focus on the portions of the trip in
Oslo and several museums will be visited, depending on the outlook and desires of the group.
Specific areas of culture/history covered will be outdoor recreation ethic, social democratic
governmental policy and effect upon daily life, economic history and impacts of the North Sea oil
boom. Recreation: We will be covering approx 100 km of skiing in 6 days.
H) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
No
Name: <If YES provide outfitter's name>
Safety record: <Provide information about their safety record>
Liability insurance: <Provide information about the oufitter's liability insurance>
Emergency response: <Describe the outfitters SOP in case of emergencies>
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
3. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
32 Kilsythe Road
Arlington, MA 02476
(home) 617.257.2251 (cell)
(work) 617.918.1344
(e-mail) mikebarry657@rcn.com, mikebarry657@mac.com
Co-Leader:
Phil Mecagni
PO Box 5
Woodville, MA 01784
(home) 508.435.5172
(work) 508.393.2277
(e-mail) pmecagni@hotmail.com
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: June 2007
WFA: April 2009
Other: Regular American Cross First Aid/AED May 2008
Co-Leader:
CPR: April 2007
WFA:
Other: AWFA; June 2006
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
Co-Leader will re-certify in AWFA prior to 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. Will Co-Lead Bike Tuscany 2006, 9/29 - 10/7/2006, 10 Participants
2. Co-Led Gourmet Quebec 5-day ski trip; 1/2002 & 2/2003; 20-25 participants
3. Co-led Annual 5-day Quebec City Ski Tour; 2/2000-2002 & 2/2004-2006; 35-42
participants
Others: Led several bike and ski weekend trips per year, have also co-led several week-long
bike trips; Portsmouth-Bar Harbor 9/2004 and 9/2002 & Boston-Quebec 8/2000.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
Phil Mecagni has been an active ME leader for some time.
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
Yes
Yes, I lived in Norway from 1987-1990 and skied extensively then. I've skied this particular
area on weekend trips in 2/1988, 4/1990 and 4/1997. On a personal trip to Norway in 7/2005 I
conducted some general trip reconnaisance along the railway and especially in the Oslo area.
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required?
Ability to read map and compass and navigate.
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
Yes
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: Trail/snow conditions, potential storms and white outs.
Response:
Hut density is such that alternate plans can easily be made; also will be
within 20 km of railway line w. station most of the trip. Participants will be required to have
shovels for emergency snow shelter construction, leader will have a barometer and GPS unit in
addition to good maps. Weather in late March is expected to be generally stable. Storms could be
encountered with white out conditions and high winds but temperatures below minus 20 degrees
C are very unlikely. Terrain is undulating with not that many cliffs present.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: Language.
Response:
English is widely spoken in Norway, also trip leader has some basic
Norwegian ability.
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: Accidents
Response:
Public transport only will be used, projected modes are rail and air.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Skill level, health, group dynamics
Response:
Participants will be carefully screened and must have completed at least a
weekend of similar trip prior to attend. Participants will need to fill out health questionaire.
E) Other
Potential Hazards: None other than noted above
Response:
n/a
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
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
No cell service on tour. Huts have land line phones or radios. Trails are patrolled periodically.
When within cell phone service area near rail line, leader will have a cell with european
service. English is widely understood and leader has some basic Norwegian language ability.
B) Evacuation
Would be will assistance from DNT, will be within approx 20-30 km of a rail station most of
tour. DNT has snow scooters for this purpose. Full service huts have medical supplies. Full
service hospital will be approx 1 hour by train once rail service obtained.
C) Medical Care
Better than avaialble in US, but cost an issue, will be mitigated with insurance. Clinic/local
hospital facilities are within 1 hour by train once train service obtained.
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):
Oslo Vest Hotel via Expedia.com. Payment in full upon booking with small cancellation fee
within 30 days of arrival. DNT huts are not booked in advance so there will be no cancellation
penalty.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
12/23/2006
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?
Deposit will be due with application, second $500 upon acceptance and balance by
11/23/2006. Trip insurance highly recommended.
Date of Cancellation
Replacement Found
Replacement not found
Thru 12/23/2006
$900
$500
12/24/06-2/7/07
$700
$300
2/8-3/23/07
$600
$200
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
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No
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
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?
Yes
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 !
Listings Follow:
Ski Norway 2007
March 23 – April 01, 2007
Hut to Hut backcountry ski in the Hardangervidda National Park in Norway. Five days of
skiing average of 20 km per day above tree line on rolling mountain plateau from 3000’-5000’.
Stay in mountain cabins ranging from self cooking of stocked food to full service. Supplied
food and comforters reduce pack loads to about 30 pounds. Pre and post ski tour we stay in an
Oslo tourist hotel with nearby restaurants, museums and Frogner Park, famous for it’s
statuary. Good physical condition and recent backcountry ski experience carrying a pack
required. Trip size limited to 12 including leaders. Approximate total cost $2100 including all
meals. Leaders will coordinate air, current estimate is $700-850. Trip includes; lodging, ground
transport, food on ski tour. Meals in Oslo at own expense, but cost included in total estimate
above. For information, contact Mike Barry [mikebarry657@rcn.com or 617.257.2251]. Other
L, Phil Mecagni
147 words
Five-day, 100 km backcountry ski in Norway; stay in huts with food and comforters supplied.
End with 2-night stay in Oslo. Recent backcountry ski exp. w/ pack required. Cost $2100 plus
air, est. $800. Trip includes; lodging, ground transport, & meals. Contact Mike Barry
[mikebarry657@rcn.com or 617.257.2251]. Other L, Phil Mecagni
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Ski Norway 2007
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
March 23-April 1, 2007
51 words
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
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
Application Submitted 07/15/16