47th annual ski swap Saturday in Durango

The 47th annual Hesperus Ski Patrol Ski Swap will be held Saturday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango.

The swap will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is a 50-cent admission charge.

There will be new and used ski and snowboard equipment and clothing as well as accessories.

For those wishing to sell equipment, equipment check-in will be from 1-6 p.m. today.

Forms for the swap are available online at www.hesperusskipatrol.org.

Vallecito Nordic trails work day Nov. 13

The Vallecito Nordic Club will hold a trail maintenance work day Nov. 13 to prep the Vallecito Nordic Trail System for the winter season.

The nonprofit club operates under an agreement with the San Juan National Forest to provide a groomed recreational trail system for nonmotorized use by outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

The work day will include mowing, clearing debris, trail marking qnd signing. Volunteers are asked to bring their own tools, including shovels, picks, pulaskis, rakes, trimmers, chain saws, etc.

Volunteers should wear long pants and bring work gloves and rain gear.

Participants shold bring their own lunch and drinks.

Volunteers will meet at the Old Timers Campground at 10 a.m. Nov. 13.

The Vallecito Nordic Trail System can be accessed from Durango by taking Florida Road to Helen’s Store, taking a right on County Road 240 and a left on County Road 50-1.

At Vallecito Reservoir, turn right on County Road 501A, cross over the dam and continue to the trailhead at Old Timers Campground.

For more information, visit http://skivallecito.wordpress.com.

Hunting accidents kill two teens in Montana

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) – Authorities said two Montana teenagers died in separate hunting accidents last week, including a 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed by his 14-year-old sister as she was unloading a rifle.

The shootings happened Oct. 30, the opening day of hunting season in Montana.

The siblings from Power were on a hunting trip with family and friends in the Missouri River Breaks about 70 miles south of Chinook. Blaine County Undersheriff Pat Pyette said they had finished hunting for the evening Saturday, and the girl was unloading her rifle when it discharged.

Also, a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in an apparent hunting accident near his hometown of Malta, Mont.

Seniors Outdoors! planning outings

Seniors Outdoors! announces the folllowing activities:

There will be a moderate bike outing to Pleasant View and then to the trailhead at 8 a.m. Saturday. the group wil bike on the mesa to see the Anasazi Ruins. RSVP to Harry Hance at 533-9757.

The Wednesday Wanderers will walk the Animas River Trail to the Durango Mall and back, starting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Meet in the southwest corner of the Albertsons parking lot.

For more information, call Eric Pahlke at 247-1130.

Barrel Horse Finals set for Cortez

The National Barrel Horse Association Colorado District will hold its District Finals on Sunday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.

Time-only runs will start at 11 a.m., followed by open barrel racing at 12:30 p.m. Youth and senior races will follow.

There will be a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as concessions and vendor booths.

Spectators are welcome, and the event is free.