July
Hi Everyone, Happy Fourth of July! Summer is in full swing and Juneuary is finally over! With the Fourth falling in the middle of the week, don’t forget to save time to stop by the pot luck (July 10) and branch meeting (July 24) to congratulate the Basic Course students on finishing their Final Exam. Also, be sure to catch up with the Intermediate class as they head out for their Efficient and Safe Rock Field Trip (registered participants in the intermediate course only).
Click any photo to be redirected. Enjoy!
Events:
Summer Potluck
Tuesday, July 10. 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Whatcom Falls Park, small picnic shelter
After recovering from two weekends of Fourth of July adventures, come share your stories with your fellow Mountaineers. Everyone is welcome to attend. Friends, family, furry friends. Bring them all and join us. Galen will be hosting and making the main dish. Come with a side dish or dessert to share!
Crag Course
August 8 – September 23
Bellingham, Fidalgo Island, Leavenworth, Squamish
The Bellingham Mountaineering Crag Course will take you and your skills to the next level. You will gain skills, knowledge and techniques needed to safely lead traditional routes on outdoor crags. This short and intensive course consists of a skills assessment/review, a lecture and at least two field trips designed for the moderately experienced climber. Registration opens August 1st! Contact lead instructors Nathan and Krissy for more information.
Fourth of July Celebrations
Wednesday, July 4. 2:00 pm-10:30pm
Zuanich Point Park
For nearly two decades, the Bellingham / Whatcom Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Haggen Northwest Fresh and the Port of Bellingham to provide the community with its annual July 4th fireworks display at Zuanich Point Park.
The festival includes food vendors and craft booths, live bands, and games for kids. And at 2pm, the beer garden will open. The event ends with a fireworks show over Bellingham Bay around 10:30 p.m!
There is something for everyone in the family at the Haggen 4th of July Celebration!
More places to celebrate the Fourth in Whatcom:
Bellingham.org
Whatcom Talk
The Herald
Lake Whatcom Triathlon
Saturday, July 14.
Bloedel Donovan Park
Experience Olympic-distance triathlon Bellingham style! Tranquil Lake – Rolling Country Roads – Forested Waterfall Trail. Join us for the Lake Whatcom Triathlon, a USAT sanctioned event hosted by local triathletes. Transition area and start/finish lines are all at Bloedel Donovan Park. The event will draw beginner to elite athletes, in individual and relay divisions.
Tour de Whatcom
Saturday, July 21.
Boundary Bay Brewery
The Northwest’s most beautiful ride! With four different rides ranging from 22 to 100 miles, we offer something for every member of the family. You’ll see Lake Whatcom, Mt Baker, valleys, rivers, farmland and beaches. This is a supported ride (not a race) with rest stops and a celebration at the Boundary Bay Beer Garden after the rides. Proceeds benefit WMBC and other local charities. Special rates for families and tandem riders. Registration now open.
Whidbey Island Triathlon
Saturday, July 28. 9:30 am-12:30 pm
South Whidbey Island
This is a great first triathlon and a fun event for veteran triathletes. This very scenic course starts with a 0.5 mile swim in beautiful Goss Lake. Leaving the lake on your bike, you’ll begin the 19.5 mile ride through paved country roads. The bike course is hilly with views of Saratoga Passage and the North Cascades. Finish with a 3.8 mile run through forest trails at Community Park and on country roads. Chip timing is provided by BuDu Racing. Extensive support provided by friendly volunteers. Open to the first 300 swimmers, this event has limited space and fills to capacity, so register early!
Stewardship:
Saturday, July 21 9:00 am-3:30pm
Whatcom County
Join these partnered work parties at Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve. Trail planning for this summer is complete and Whatcom County intends to build approximately 6 miles of new foot, bike, and horse trails in this area.
Sign up here.
Saturday, July 28 10:00 am-1:00pm
NSEA
Work to remove invasive plant species along the North Fork Nooksack River to promote stewardship of salmon habitat. After a couple hours helping to restore this 25-acre gem, join NSEA for a fun and informative presentation on salmon habitat while enjoying a free lunch at Rifugio’s! RSVP Required with NSEA by emailing kkrantz@n-sea.org.
WTA
7/4, 7/5, 7/6 Weeden Creek, earn discover pass
7/6, 7/7, 7/8 Hannegan Pass
7/1, 7/18, 7/25 Larrabee State Park
7/13 Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve-All Women
Branch News:
Monthly Branch Meeting
Bellingham YMCA – Mezzanine Room
Tuesday, July 24.
6:00 Social time
6:30 Branch meeting followed by climbing committee meeting
Come on out to help and be part of the decision making that keeps our branch working.
Summer Potluck:
As seen above, we have a potluck coming up on Tuesday, July 10th. If you’re interested in hosting August or September, please let us know. You’ll receive a Fred Meyer $30 gift card as a thank you.
Volunteer Positions Open:
There are important seats in our branch elect that need to be filled as soon as possible. If you want to contribute to the Bellingham Branch in a BIG BIG way, check out the current open positions. Contact Krissy to apply!
- Branch Chair Elect – Position Description (PDF)
- Branch Secretary – Position Description (PDF)
- Branch Director – Represent the Bellingham branch at Board of Directors meetings in Seattle, WA.
- Conservation Chair – Position Description (PDF)
- Conservation/Stewardship Chair – Motivate, lead, and support conservation activities and awareness.