Whether you’re a knuckle dragger or a two planker, the enlightened ones know they are just different ways to ride big mountains of snow. Most people wouldn’t expect a person who talks about “pow pow” and “The sick line of the day” to even be able to pronounce Hydrologic Cycle much less teach people the importance of this concept. Meet mister Mike McCann, a man who can “huck a cliff” and organize hundreds of people to learn about their impact on the earth and keep it clean.

We live in an incredible time in history when humans can transport themselves effortlessly thousands of miles to magical wilderness areas, strap on some expensive high tech gear and RIDE Mountains of snow from top to bottom. With that opportunity comes great responsibility to preserve the very thing that brings us so many good times.

As a surfer, snowboarder, educator, cross-country cyclist, author, fundraiser, environmentalist, and connoisseur of well-crafted brews, Mike McCann is living proof of the wise old saying, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”

After Mike had established the University District Youth Center, a high school drop-in center for street kids to continue their education, he wanted to do something to preserve the mountains he rides. As a surfer, Mike belongs to the environmental organization Surfrider Foundation and stumbled onto an idea within the organization for a Snowrider branch. The problem was time and money. Surfrider already stretched thin with its own commitments, couldn’t actively spearhead the snow branch. Mike decided that he would do it.

(Mike ~ the shirtless gourmet)

With the energetic support of Surfrider Foundation, Mike began working to create an environmental education program that is the basis for the Snowrider project. The curriculum is based on the concept of the hydrologic cycle.

The hydrologic cycle according to NASA

“The water we use today has been around for hundreds of millions of years, and the amount available probably hasn’t changed very much. Water moves around the world, changes forms, is taken in by plants and animals, but never really disappears. It “travels” in a large, continuous cycle. We call this the Hydrologic Cycle.”

Duh, right?

The cycle is made up of 5 stages

1. Condensation

2. Precipitation

3. Infiltration

4. Runoff

5. Evapotranspiration

Water vapor condenses to form clouds, which result in precipitation. Precipitation falls to the surface and infiltrates the soil or flows to the ocean as runoff. Surface water (e.g., lakes, streams, oceans, etc.), evaporates, returning moisture to the atmosphere, while plants return water to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration.

Problems of water contamination can arise at all points along the cycle. Mike and Snowrider’s commitment is to keep the mountain runoff as clean as possible and educate people on their impact of the cycle.

Mike’s programs have been very successful organizing mountain clean-ups, raising awareness, and raising funds to make the project sustainable. Along with a small crew of volunteers, Mike has made the Northwest Chapter of the Snowrider Foundation a national example of what is possible. Now Mike is working hard with leaders from around the country to elevate Snowrider’s effectiveness in mountain towns and ski areas around North America.

How does Mike do it? Join Mike for a fundraiser or a mountain clean up and you’ll see that Mike’s made his life a party with a purpose.

To find out how you can help, contact Mike McCann at Snowriderproject@hotmail.com.

Water is life. So, for all the little rippers out there… be like Mike and keep it hydrological.

Much respect,

Papa Ganda

(The Snowrider crew represents… Mike in the middle.)