Venture Crew summits Montana's highest peak

Venture Crew, a youth-led organization dedicated to high adventure, leadership training and community service, will hold an open house at the Whitefish High School foyer on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Since its inception in summer 2007, their activities have included whitewater rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, cross-country skiing, shooting, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, snow caving and mountaineering. Members are young men and women ages 14-20.

In August 2008, the Venture Crew embarked on a grueling four-day backpacking trek in the Beartooth Mountains, summiting Montana's tallest mountain, Granite Peak, elevation 12,799 feet. Granite Peak is considered one of the most difficult high points in the lower 48 states.

Future Venture Crew activities will include ice climbing, winter camping, caving and summiting Mount Rainier in Washington next summer.

In addition to its outdoor activities, the Crew has conducted weekend-long leadership training and outdoor survival workshops. Several members have completed extensive wilderness first-aid training, and members have participated in community service projects such as Clean the Fish and the Whitefish Memorial Day Parade.

For more information, call Janice Mazur at 863-9373 or Jake DeNeui at 261-1715.