Eastern Division NSP's News Magazine
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In Memoriam – David R. Hanning
David R. Hanning, an alumnus of the Swain Ski Patrol in Swain, New York, died July 13, 2025 at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece, NY at the age of 98.
David joined the National Ski Patrol in 1964 and patrolled for 40 years, serving with distinction as an Assistant Patrol Director, Membership Chairman, Outdoor Emergency Transportation and Mountain Travel and Rescue instructor, and Western New York Region Chairlift Evacuation Program Administrator.
He became a senior patroller in 1966 after passing the senior ski & toboggan test during the blizzard of 1966 that left all the senior candidates and examiners stranded in the storm and unable to travel home for two days.
For his ski patrol leadership and dedicated service to the skiing public he received National Appointment Number 7099 in 1989 and the National Ski Patrol Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Upon his ski patrol retirement, the David Hanning Commendation Award was established in his honor to be awarded for cumulative career contributions to the Swain Ski Patrol.
In Memoriam – John K. Jepson, Sr.
John K. Jepson, Sr. of Simsbury, CT, the former husband of Anne M. T. Jepson and Andi Thorne Jepson passed to be with his Lord on July 23, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents John Jepson and Clarice Kincaide Jepson and is survived by his brother, Henry Lincoln Kincaide Jepson (Vicki) and his two sisters, June C. Jepson and Esther G. Gomez (Richard).
He is also survived by his three children, John K. Jepson Jr. (Kara), Jeffrey F. Jepson (Donna), and Kristin J. DuBois (William), his three stepsons, Greg Thorne, Rick Thorne (Jennifer), and Dan Thorne ( Michelle), and his thirteen grandchildren, Nicole Wolter (Matt), Ashleigh Jepson, Laura Jepson, Grace Trainer (Bennett), Emma McMahon (Dylan), Lincoln Jepson, Austin DuBois, MacKenzie DuBois, Caroline DuBois, Grant DuBois and Keegan DuBois, Alexa Thorne and Zachary Thorne.
John was born in Hartford, CT, attended Kingswood High School in West Hartford, and graduated high school from Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT. He briefly attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO before transferring and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from St. Lawrence University. He later attended the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Law School where he earned his law degree.
In Memoriam – Stanley J. Klima
Stanley J. Klima, age 94, has finished his last run. He passed away August 14, 2025, the same way he came into the world – at home. He was the son of Albert and Stella (Chojnacki), the beloved husband of 59 years to Mary Ellen (nee Maher), and loving father to Catherine Gletherow (Jamie), John (Jill), Mary Lynn Golliher (Doug), Carol Auth (Rodney), and Jim (Angela). Stanley (Stash) was an U.S. Army veteran, NASA engineer, and an avid skier.
Stash was always slightly amazed at how his life turned out. Hailing from the small town of Buck Lake in Michigan’s upper peninsula, his military service showed him the world. When he returned home, the GI Bill paved the way for him to go to Michigan Technological University, leaving work on the family farm and in the mines. He landed a job at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a metallurgical engineer on research and testing that was used in the space program.
Division Director’s Report – July 2025
Although the run-up to winter is probably the last thing on our minds during July heat, each passing day is a little bit shorter, and this will continue until mid-December. I’ve been back driving the car the past four weeks, after ten weeks of “home confinement” following injury in March and ankle surgery on April 1. With lots of physical therapy, I’m seeing slow progress toward where I’ll need to be when the snow flies. Getting my swollen right foot back into a ski boot might remain the biggest challenge
We often hear the term “patrol family,” but I doubt many of us ever fully grasp the concept until we see it in action. The commitment of that “family” was positively proven during my confinement since I couldn’t drive and my wife hasn’t driven in years due to low vision. Patrollers brought me to doctor’s appointments and to the hospital for surgery.
What’s Coming…
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OET Steering Committee Meeting – The Hermitage, VT – August 2-3, 2025- Certified Boot Camp – Ski Roundtop, PA – August 15-17, 2025
- Eastern Division Fall Officers’ Meeting – via Zoom – September 5, 2025
- Enhanced Patroller School – Swain Mountain, NY – September 12-14, 2025
- Bike Patrol Event – ENY or WMASS – September 13-24, 2025
- AMN Instructor Refresher – Pike Glades, NH – September 27-28, 2025
And more…
Summer Bike Program Updates
Some updates from the bike program, where our season is in full swing across the Division.
- The Bike Program advisors and a select group of patrol representatives are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month to continue to build the program across the Eastern Division. If you are a regional bike advisor or patrol rep and would like to be included, let me know.
- John Wolf of Liberty Mountain Ski Patrol has been appointed as the Assistant Bike Program Supervisor for the Division.
- We have rolled out the bike program ITs and instructors across NY and MA. We’re still looking for ITs and instructors in many other regions.
- Judy Valachovic writes that “The Genesee Valley Region proudly hosted its fourth annual Women’s Mountain Bike Enhancement Seminar on Sunday, May 18. This collaborative effort between the Women’s Program and the Bike Program brought together female riders of all skill levels for a day focused on growth, connection, and fun.
What is Certified?
The NSP Certified Program is a performance-based leadership program that provides an opportunity for patrollers to learn and be tested on critical patroller skills/knowledge. The program has a distinguished history with many of its members serving in national, division, regional, and local patrol leadership positions. Certified patrollers have a history of commitment to giving back, fostering learning, and progressing core patroller skills over the years.
Success in the program is hard-earned, requiring a real commitment to mastering multiple patrol-related disciplines, often over multiple years, across regions and divisions, to gain a vast and deep knowledge/skill base. Through the program, our members not only build a best-in-class level of expertise but also a sense of camaraderie with fellow patrollers as they work outside their local patrol/region.
Your preparation to participate will provide a unique opportunity to learn from others, broaden your experience, and sharpen your skills. Admission is not automatic. To apply as a candidate, an applicant’s credentials are reviewed by a committee to ensure a minimal level of experience, a commitment to the program, and a track record of leadership and support of their local patrol/region.
Thinking About Certified?
Certified patrollers in the Eastern Division often become key resources for their resorts and patrol teams. Their expertise allows them to contribute at a higher level during complex incidents, such as multi-casualty accidents, extreme weather rescues, or avalanche events.
Their advanced training also positions them to serve as mentors for new patrollers, helping to elevate the skill level and preparedness of the entire patrol. This ripple effect benefits both the ski areas and the skiing public, reinforcing a culture of safety and excellence on the mountain.
Participation in the Certified Program also fosters a strong sense of community among elite patrollers across the Eastern Division. Annual events such as the certified exam and regional clinics bring together candidates, alumni, and examiners from different states and resorts.
What is a Nordic Master?
What is a Nordic Master? As the name suggests, it is a master of all Nordic skills. These include Nordic Senior, MTR 1 & 2, Avalanche 1 & 2, instructor in one or more NSP disciplines, holding or having held an NSP administrative position, and demonstrating proficiency in XC and Nordic downhill skiing, as well as toboggan handling skills. Once these prerequisites are met, candidates must pass three final evaluations and an oral review board to earn this coveted certification.
Currently, there are 22 Nordic Masters across the country. One is a division director, two are on the national board of directors, another is the national Nordic/Backcountry program director, and three are division Nordic/Backcountry program supervisors. All the Nordic Masters have worked tirelessly to master their skills and provide leadership and education to help make NSP the best it can be.
New Avalanche Supervisor
Hello everyone, 
I’m Rob West, your new Division Avalanche Supervisor. I’ve been involved with the program for the past 10 years and currently patrol in Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington. Though the ski season is over, our amazing team of instructors is already planning for next season!
We have six events coming up, starting in September. The AMN Refresher will be held in New Hampshire this year from September 26-28. This is a great event to refresh some of your skills and learn new ones. The Eastern Snow and Avalanche Workshop will be held in late fall in Fryeburg, Maine. Next winter, we will be running three Level 1 Avalanche courses at the usual venues…
OET Events Galore!
Yes, it’s very steep!
The OET Steering Committee will meet during the 1st weekend in August to plan for the upcoming season. We expect another busy year with a continued focus on “Building Great Instructors,” ensuring an excellent Senior OET program, movement analysis training, and a video course related to our OET skills and toboggan work.
We anticipate patroller schools at the following locations: Timberline/Canaan Valley (a three-division school in collaboration with Southern and Central), Elk Mountain, Killington, Gore, Plattekill, and a northern location TBD.
We’re working on some new options, such as skiing the steeps, trees, and bumps for those looking to enhance their personal skiing.
