LEARN MORE ABOUT CHALK CREEK CAMPGROUND Event attendees will camp on their own and many will even stay in local hotels. If you are looking for a campsite with all the ammenities Chalk Creek is the one. POB 39, 11430 CR 197 Nathrop, CO 81236-0039 TOLL FREE: 888-395-8830 FAX: 719-395-8337 • PH: 719-395-8301 www.chalkcreek-campground.com WANT TO RAFT THE RAGING ARKANSAS? GO WITH NOAH’S ARK Noah’s Ark is a Christian company with a heart for ministry. We encouraging you to use their services for a truly exciting whitewater adventure. For more information on rafting and rates, visit Noah’s Ark online, www.noahsark.com. TAKE A HIKE Last year, we had a great time hiking Mt. Huron.  The planning for this year began before we finished the hike!  Typical for us altitude junkies.  Be warned, hike one, and you might become addicted.  Lead by Jim and Jennie Johnson, this year’s 14er promises to be another memorable hike. C4C has chosen Mt. Sherman, a 14,036’ peak in the Tenmile-Mosquito range.   Sherman is 10 miles west of Fairplay and 8 miles south of Mt. Democrat (14,148') and Mt. Bross (14,172').  The hike will begin early on Friday morning. From the trailhead, you will start at 12,000' and hike ~2.6 miles to the summit. The trip is 5.25 miles round trip.  If we can't make it to the 12,000' trailhead due to snow, the hike will obviously be longer. Directions from Fairplay: Drive just over a mile south on U.S. 285 and turn right onto County Road 18. Drive 10 miles to a large parking area at 11,250'. This is the Leavick site. There is a large mine building on the right before the parking area. The road starts to get rough after this point but passenger cars can slowly drive another 1.5 miles before the road gets harsh. There are a couple of small pull-offs between 11,700' and 11,900' and more parking before a gate near 12,000'. The gate is usually closed. In winter, the road is usually plowed only to 11,100' which is one mile below the Leavick site. Source: www.14ers.com. To learn more about fourteeners visit online, www.14ers.com. For more information about the trip contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org. For more information about the hike contact Jim Johnson, jim@crosshairsforchrist.com.

In 2009, C4C will offer the following workshops:

JANUARY 23
DRAW INFORMATION BANQUET: Learn the tips and trick to increasing your odds of success in the big game draws. Insights into new rules and regulation changes and New Mexico’s hunting forecast will be covered in-depth.

FEBRUARY 17
GPS NAVIGATION: Take a hike in the woods with the confidence to find your way out. This workshop will teach you critical tips and tricks needed to use the full potential of your GPS.

APRIL 13
TURKEY HUNTING & CALLING BASICS: Gobble! Gobble! Turkey can be one of the best family hunting trips. This workshop is designed to help you find the big Toms in the woods. Scouting, patterning, dressing for success and basic calling skills will be taught.

MAY 18
FLY-TYING BASICS: There’s no thrill as great as catching a fish on your own fly. From Wooly Buggers to Copper Johns, you can learn to tie your favorite fly and enhance you fly fishing experience.

JUNE 15
ON TARGET WITH ARCHERY: Learn international style archery from the pros. Improve your technique, sharpen your accuracy and ignite a passion for one of the nations fastest growing shooting sports.

JULY 20
SHOT-GUNNING FOR SUCCESS: Have you ever missed an easy shot? Of course you have. Learn how to improve you shot-gunning skills.

AUGUST 17
THE ELK BUGLE: Learn how to call a big bull elk in so close you can feel his breath and swallow your own fear. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn when and how calls work.

SEPTEMBER 14
FIELD DRESSING GAME RIGHT: This invaluable workshop will teach you how to get the most out of your harvest. From the time you pull the trigger and connect with your game, the clock starts ticking. Learn step-by-step what to do and when.

OCTOBER 19
MONSTER MULIES: New Mexico is home to trophy class mule deer, but where are they?  Learn the skills necessary to find the big bucks in the deep woods.

NOVEMBER 16
WATERFOWLING BASICS: You don’t have to know a lick about waterfowl hunting to become an immediate addict. Participants will learn waterfowl identification, improving shooting skills, blinds, decoys and calling.

DECEMBER 14
OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY: Learn how to improve your photographic skills and capture the moment from a professional wildlife photographer. This hand-on workshop will teach you all the basics of operating your 35 mm or digital camera while tuning your skills.

SUMMER 2009
HUNTER EDUCATION: New Mexico State law requires all hunters under age 18, to possess a certificate proving completion of a state approved hunter education course. Each class will meet the required minimum of 12 hours classroom time, study time, hands-on instruction, practical and written examination. Parents are required to attend with all children 10 and under.

Bring a friend and come have an evening of fellowship and fun.

Soul Rio Church is located at 2003 Southern Blvd SE, Suite 128-131, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. For more information contact Lance Cherry, 505-620-6883 or by email, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

About three years ago, my husband Jim and I began daydreaming about how great it would be to hike a really high mountain and that’s when we started looking at fourteeners (14ers).  Fourteeners are mountains that exceed 14,000 feet above sea level.  Only four states have 14,000-foot mountains.  Alaska has twenty-one, Washington has two, California has twelve and Colorado has the most in the United States with fifty-four.  We focused on Colorado because of our love for the Rocky Mountains, as well as its proximity.  We dreamed of one day accomplishing our goal of climbing all fifty-four.


In the process of reaching our goal, over the last few years we developed our own list of “14er Rules.”


• Summit early or get wet.  Thunderstorms are no fun at the summit!
• There is no such thing as an easy 14er.  Some are classified as easy but they should all be taken seriously, you need to be prepared.
• There are no short cuts.  You may think you could go straight up to the summit instead of following the switchback trail but it will only make your hike longer and harder.
• You must wear sunscreen. It is so easy to get burned at high elevations.
• Eat and drink frequently even if you are not feeling hungry or thirsty, or you will bonk and be miserable for the rest of the hike.
• Never pass up an opportunity to relieve yourself.  There is no hiding above tree line and you are rarely alone on a summit!

In 2006 we climbed our first two14ers, Redcloud and Sunshine.  The summits are a mile apart, joined by a saddle.  It was the hardest hike that I had ever been on, but I was already making plans to hike the next mountain before we got back to the car.  That is when, as they say, “the addiction” began.  There is nothing like hiking in the backcountry.  I absolutely love it!  On our first 14er I thought we would be the only ones camping at the base of these mountains, but I was surprised to see that there were quite a few other campers there when we arrived.  I thought,  “Surely not many people do this,” but we quickly learned that you are never completely alone when hiking, even with the remoteness that a 14er brings.  On our hike we saw at least twenty other hikers throughout the day. There’s actually a pretty big 14er hiking community.  There are 10,000 members on 14ers.com and that is only one of several websites frequented.


Creation is a testament to the Lord’s awesome power!I remember on this first hike a beautiful creek we encountered early on.  I was amazed how the rock turned from red to silver, at a very distinct point along the trail.  The creek was so calming and inviting.  I felt the urge on many occasions to sit down and enjoy the serenity.  The valley we went though next was very green and dotted with brilliant wild flowers; the mountains engulfed us on all sides.  Huge majestic mountains!  Any time I am in the mountains I am reminded of how small I am, but how mighty God is.  Amos 4:13 says, “He who forms the mountains; creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness and treads the high places of the earth the Lord God Almighty is his name.”  There are other verses in Psalm and Judges that speak of the mountains melting like wax at the presence of the Lord.  That is a very powerful picture to me.  To think that huge mountains that seem unshakable to melt before the Lord!  I am always in awe of God when in His creation.  Creation is a testament to the Lord’s awesome power!“He who forms the mountains; creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness and treads the high places of the earth the Lord God Almighty is his name.”


When we reached around 13,000 feet we had the summit of Redcloud in view.  Standing at that elevation we had 360-degree views of the mountains, they encompassed us on all sides.  I was really exhausted at this point.  At 13,000 feet it took everything in me just to keep going and take the next step.  One lesson I learned is that you have to keep eating and drinking even if you don’t feel hungry or thirsty.  I kept thinking, “I am so close to being at the summit I don’t want to stop now”, but, you have to take those breaks or you will crash and be worthless for the rest of the hike.  It was such an incredible feeling to summit Redcloud.  It was extremely tough but it was so rewarding and the views, as Jim would say, are worth the price of admission!


Another lesson learned on our first 14er experience is that the mountains can be a dangerous place.  You need to be prepared.  We thought leaving at 6am would give us ample time to summit both mountains without getting caught in any afternoon storms.  We summited Redcloud at 10:30am and Sunshine at about noon.  As we were approaching Sunshine we heard thunder and could see a storm coming so we quickly summited, signed the log, and then went back down as fast as we could, which was actually pretty slow.  Unless you’ve had a lot of training at high altitude, you don’t have the energy to run.  We discovered at around 13,000 feet we hit a ceiling.  We noticed a distinct difference in the amount of energy we had, it seemed like we were moving in slow motion.  The only way back down was to resummit Redcloud.  We reached the saddle between the two summits and that’s when it began to rain.  We thought, “No big deal, we have our rain gear with us”, so we put that on and we didn’t hear any thunder, yet.  But, the weather can change so fast in the mountains.  It was sunny and beautiful on our first summit; then it turned to rain, sleet and eventually thundering around us within an hour.  As we were summiting Redcloud for the second time, it began pouring, and then the lightning came.  That’s when we started to get a little scared.  If you’ve ever been in a storm in the mountains then you can relate to this verse in Psalms, “His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.”  As we huddled together on the trail listening to the thunder echo around us, we felt exposed, like lighting rods.   We heard buzzing and Jim noticed my hair standing up.  We realized at this point that the same God, who controls the lightning, also has our lives in His hands.  It was amazing how comforting this simple truth was, it was a great relief just to trust in Him.  The storm passed quickly and the sun came out again.  This was definitely a lesson learned. Leave early or get wet, and we didn’t want to get caught like that again!  The song that kept running through my head the entire day was “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman.  That song became very alive for me that day; I felt the Lord’s strength, and presence with us.  The rest of the hike was peaceful.  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and began making plans for our next hike.


The next summer, in June of 2007, we hiked Belford, Oxford, and Missouri Peaks in one weekend.  This was our first backpacking trip.  Normally, we treat the 14ers we do as day hikes.  We leave early (3-4am) travel light so we can move quickly, and be back to camp around lunchtime.  But, since these three are together we wanted to maximize our time there and camp two nights so we could hike all three.  We parked at the trailhead and hiked three miles, camping in a beautiful meadow at the base of Missouri Mountain for two nights.  Camping at an elevation of 12,500’ feet made for a restless night sleep.  Needless to say, we didn’t sleep much either night.  We learned later that your sleep cycles are shorter at high elevation.  We definitely had the solitude that we wanted, so that was nice.


There is nothing like a sunrise in the mountains. It is so beautiful to see the first light of day reflecting on the mountains.The next morning we got up early and began our hike at about 4am.  As we were making our way up towards Oxford’s summit, the sun began to rise.  There is nothing like a sunrise in the mountains.  It is so beautiful to see the first light of day reflecting on the mountains.   It is called alpenglow; right before the sun rises the mountains reflect so many different colors.  And with snow still seen in spots, the sunrises are brilliant!


Just before we reached the summit of Oxford we saw a bull Elk.  He looked at us for a split second and then quickly trotted down the mountain out of sight.  Since there is no significant vegetation or shelter, it surprised me to see Elk at that elevation.  This was the first time that we had seen big game at such elevation.


We summitted both Oxford and Belford that day and then the typical rainstorm came in the early afternoon.  So the next day we hiked Missouri Mountain.  This was a tough one for me at the beginning until we got to the ridge (at about 13,000 feet).  I was drained physically from being at that altitude for almost two days, it really messes with your body.  I was tired and nauseous and like I told Jim “You know I really want to summit because everything in me says no way!”  It was definitely a situation where I had to put my mind over matter.  One of my favorite quotes is by Sir Edmund Hillary, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”  I have learned a lot about myself through these hikes.  I have discovered my limitations, and my strengths.


I began to feel better at the ridge approaching Missouri.  It was amazing!  We walked along the ridge with incredible views on all sides.   The wildflowers on this mountain were especially brilliant with many different varieties.  It amazes me that wildflowers not only grow, but also thrive above 14,000 feet.  I am reminded of Matthew 6:28 “..Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”


I can’t think of a more amazing place to praise God.We were the first ones to summit Missouri that day.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I can’t think of a more awesome place to praise God.  I was singing praises on top of that mountain!  The view is forever seared in my mind.  I counted at least seven different mountain ranges, as far as the eye can see.


There are many reasons why I enjoy climbing.  I feel closest to God when I am exploring His creation.  I find I am free of distractions and the daily grind; being in the outdoors allows me to clear my mind.  I have the best climbing partner in the world; it is wonderful to accomplish these hikes with my husband.  We dream of taking our kids with us when they are older!  It is such an awesome feeling to accomplish our climbing goals.  At times it is challenging but overcoming these obstacles is very rewarding.  Being in the outdoors gives me a renewed spirit and I leave longing for the next time I can get out there!

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Jennie Johnson is a Women’s Ministry founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship.